Free iPhone Games

Two iOS games more suited for October than January have popped up for free in the App Store. Puppetz is a platform and dual-stick shooter game where players control and fight various evil puppets. The game offers 21 unique playable characters, and loads of missions, unlockable weapons and achievements.

I gave the game a quick whirl and I wasn't terribly impressed. However, I'm not a big fan of side-scrolling shooting games on the iPhone, and I honestly didn't give it much of a chance. Fans of creepy and cartoonish platform games may enjoy it more than I did. The game is 100% free with no ads or in-app purchases. Puppetz is compatible with the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.

One of the most popular iPhone and iPad games is finally getting a sequel. Imangi Studios plans to release Temple Run 2 to the App Store around 11 p.m. EST tonight. TouchArcade got an early look at the game, and said fans of the original won't be disappointed with the new version, which turned out to be very similar to the first.

"I’ve been playing Temple Run 2 for the past day, and for the most part what wasn’t broke has not been fixed. Right from first boot up you’ll get a sense of deja vu as the camera sweeps in on the cursed idol that has been the cause of so much running over the past year and a half."

TouchArcade also noted the game has "received a big upgrade in terms of visuals and animation over its predecessor", and features much more fluid controls. Temple Run 2 also features new ziplines, an Indiana Jones-like mine cart, four different playable characters, and more attributes and upgradable abilities.

I still believe Pirate Defense is one of the greatest Tower Defense games ever created, but it's not available for iOS devices. That makes Kingdom Rush my favorite iPhone/iPad Tower Defense game by default. However, if you have already taken my advice and played both Pirate Defense and Kingdom Rush, and are looking for something new to play, here are two great TD games you might have missed.

The Creeps (Free w/ option to buy more levels)

The Creeps is one of the most popular TD games with over three million downloads. If you're new to the world of TD games and have never given The Creeps a chance, stop what you are doing and download it immediately! You won't be disappointed.

In The Creeps, players must defend their bedroom from the monsters in their closet by using various weapons such as glue bottles and flashlights. The game features Game Center support, over 60 achievements and 25 free levels with the option to purchase more. If you do get addicted, and you will, I suggest buying the All Access Pass, which unlocks everything for $5.99.

I don't enjoy games that require I wait 15-minutes to an hour to watch a plant grow, or to build a building. Thankfully there are no long periods of twiddling your thumbs in Double Fine Productions' Middle Manager of Justice building/strategy game. Actions only take a few seconds or minutes, and there is plenty to do to keep you busy.

Middle Manager puts you in charge of Justice Corp., a kind of superhero temp agency that has seen better days. You must recruit and train employees while rebuilding your headquarters and saving various cities. The goal of the game is to make well-rounded (Tip: Don't ignore training intelligence, it does come in handy) superheroes while supplying them with the best tools and work space to get the job done. The fun story lines, goofy characters and the ability to complete many actions quickly helps Middle Manager avoid being another snoozefest simulation-type game.

I thought Extinction Squad from Adult Swim would get boring fast, but I found it fun and challenging enough to hold my attention for quite some time. I don't know if I would drop $0.99 on it, but luckily for everyone it's free this week.

Extinction Squad is a very simple game, you must use your two scientist and a trampoline to bounce falling endangered animals into your truck. There is an Adventure mode, where you can unlock and travel to different locations such as Africa and Australia, and a Countdown mode, where you try to save as many animals as you can before time runs out.