Top Ten Freemium Games for the iPhone
May 16, 2011 | Andy Boxall
The freemium model – a free game with the option of spending money via in-app purchase – has really taken off over the last couple of months, to the extent where our weekly new app roundup list will regularly feature several.
If you’ve got particularly strong willpower, then it’s possible to download a freemium title and play it without spending any money; however the developers hope you’ll be tempted into buying maps/weapons/characters/virtual cash or any number of other things.
With so many titles on offer, it can be difficult to pick a good one – by which we mean a fair amount of fun freebie play before the need to stump up some cash – so here are ten worth checking out:
A 3D tunnel racing game with a great electronic soundtrack, Supersonic is an almost perfect example of a freemium game. The app is free to download and has two game modes and a single level to play though. On its own it’ll keep you occupied for a fair amount of time, then you can add other levels for $0.99/£0.59 or remove the ads for the same amount. The game runs beautifully, and it has Retina Display and Game Center support too.
A clever interpretation of the freemium model, here you get to play three times a day for nothing, or buy 10 tokens for $0.99/£0.59 to play more – just like in the arcade! Games include Street Fighter II, 1943, Ghosts n’ Goblins and Final Fight. They’re also available as individual purchases for unlimited play.
A collectible card game for iOS, with 100 cards already available and more being added with each update. Paper collectible card games such as Magic: The Gathering were always money pits, and there is no reason to think Shadow Era will be any different; as the reasons for buying more cards is the same – more cards means better decks. In-app purchases range from $1.99 to $19.99. Shadow Era’s card artwork is excellent, it has Game Center support and is universal for the iPhone and the iPad.
The latest variation on the Tap Zoo model, where you have an island to fill with monsters but to do so, you need to buy Doodle Bucks. Prices go up to $99.99, so you’ll need to be committed/careful if you get into the game.
Who would have guessed a game about breeding frogs would become so popular? Like Supersonic above, this is a great freemium game, as you can have plenty of fun without spending any money. If you do decide to give your frogs a boost with some of the potions or environments, you’ll pay up to $29.99. Part of Pocket Frogs’ appeal is the ability to trade frogs with friends, which again, can be done for free – making it suitable for all ages.
There’s no reason for freemium apps to only be traditional games, as Magic Piano proves. The musical app lets you customize the experience to your own taste by paying for music packs you’ll like, so if you only want classics you don’t have to pay for Lady Gaga to get them.
A 3D dog-fighting arcade game with real-time multiplayer, this has to be one of the best looking flight games for iOS, freemium or otherwise. It’s universal for the iPhone and iPad, has Game Center support, several game modes and the in-app purchases range from $0.99 to $49.99 for weapons and aircraft.
Glu Mobile have made freemium their business, and Gun Bros is one of the most popular titles, earning high praise and regular updates. Gun Bros is an arcade shoot ‘em up where your virtual currency in-app purchases are spent on weapon and character upgrades. A mass of play options, several worlds, Game Center support and universal iPhone and iPad play make this a must-try.
We covered Super Ball Escape HD’s release recently, and there is a big chunk of gameplay to enjoy for free here. It’s not the easiest game in the world, so some players won’t even complete the free section, but hardcore players will want the extra challenge the next set brings. They’ll cost you $1.99.
A freemium spin-off of the brilliant Space Miner, where if you purchase one of the premium ships you unlock Retina Display graphics and remove the in-game ads. If you don’t care about either, it’s still a great Asteroids-style game!
