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On the App Store tonight: Hundreds, Swing King, True Skate update and more
The holidays are now over, and developers aren't wasting any time getting back into the App Store mix. As is usual during the year on Wednesday nights, a number of new apps and updates are scheduled to hit the App Store around the world, and here's a choice selection of what will be new and available in the next 24 hours. Hundreds is the most notable new app this week -- it's a new game put together by Canabalt creator Adam Atomic, along with Puzzle Juice collaborator Greg Wohlwend. I've been playing it for about a week now, and I can tell you: It's just spectacular. Hundreds will be available for US$2.99. Chillingo's got two new games coming out: Catch the Ark is a new endless runner created by some ex-AAA developers, and Swing King is a colorful physics puzzle game that looks excellent. Both are 99 cents. Repulze is a racing game that's also releasing tonight on iOS. I haven't played it yet, but it looks great, and it's also going to be 99 cents. There are some solid updates coming tonight, too. EA's Need for Speed: Most Wanted is getting two new cars, in the form of the Pagani Zonda R and the Marussia B2. There's also new content, and seven new cars that are going to be rotated into the game week by week. And finally, virtual skating simulator True Skate is getting updated with a new combo system, new missions, and a new in-game currency to earn. There's a new slow-motion mode, too, that can be unlocked with the new currency or opened up for an in-app purchase. Obviously, this isn't all of the new apps on the store, but it's a good sampling. We'll have more on these new games and others in the near future here on TUAW.
Punch Quest now costs a dollar, Bastion is universal
Here are two big updates to really great games on iOS. First, Punch Quest (which is one of my favorite iOS games this year so far) started out as a freemium title, given away for free with a number of in-app purchases to support it financially. But developers Rocketcat Games have said in the past that the in-app purchases just aren't making enough money to continue development, so they've taken the hazardous step of raising the app's price to US$0.99. Punch Quest is a terrific title that's well worth a buck or more, so hopefully it'll do better for the devs at the higher price. Second, Bastion, the XBLA hit that made its way to the iPad a little while ago, has released an update that makes the game universal. In fact, not only does the game now work on both iPhone and iPad, but it's also been updated to work with the iPhone 5's wider screen. iCloud syncing has been included as well, so all of your progress from the iPad should move over. Bastion is another terrific title, and it's available on the App Store right now for $4.99.
Daily iPhone App: Punch Quest smashes faces on the App Store
Here's the thing: It's Friday. You already know about Punch Quest, because you saw our preview video the other day. It's completely free as a universal version on both iPhone and iPad, and available right now, which makes this the easiest recommendation I've made on this site all year long: Go get this game. Period. It's great fun, well-designed and has tons and tons of replayability, all for the low price of exactly zero dollars. I made yet another video of me playing the game below, not really because we needed it, but just because I wanted to play the game yet again. So yes: Do yourself a favor, and go download Punch Quest. Enjoy your weekend!
Punch Quest coming next week from Rocketcat and Madgarden
Rocketcat Games is the great company behind terrific iPhone games like Mage Gauntlet and the very popular Hook Worlds. Its latest title is called Punch Quest, built in conjunction with developer Madgarden. Punch Quest won't be released until October 25th, but Rocketcat kindly sent TUAW an early copy. You'll find a quick video preview of what the finished title looks like down below. Punch Quest will be available for iOS next Thursday, for the low, low price of completely free. Look for a full review here on TUAW when the game arrives later on next week!
