can easily be dropped on some very unworthy titles.

In today's special episode will be focusing on the

very best iOS releases of 2012.

So if you receive an iTunes gift card over the holidays,

or you're just looking for some very worthy titles for an upcoming roadtrip,

you've come to the right place. Broken down in to four categories

here's my top

iOS games for 2012.

Best graphics:

Third place.

Offroad Legends

A physics based monster truck

game might not sound like a contender for the best graphics of 2012

but when you see Offroad Legends in motion,

the stunning backgrounds and nice 3D models really give the game a sense of

realism.

That is of course until you flip, crash and your wheels fall off.

Best Graphics: Runner Up.

Bladeslinger

This is as close to console quality as I've seen on a mobile device.

This action game sees the player navigating an old-school western

landscape with a horrific twist.

The level of detail on the backgrounds and character models is astounding

and the atmosphere

really lends itself to the game's immersion.

If this was being displayed on a television, you'd have a hard time

telling it apart from its console brethren.

Best Graphics of 2012: Lili

Running on the on Unreal Engine, this mobile title is nothing short of breathtaking.

From the awe-inspiring view to the amazing lighting and particle effects,

Lily easily claims top spot for graphics this year. The animation is incredibly smooth and

because the interface is so intuitive,

it is truly a joy to play.

Best Music:

Third place.

Extreme Road Trip 2.

Music in games should amplify everything good about the title.

The energetic dance beats combined with electro rock

brought to us by Big Giant Circles, easily puts Extreme Road Trip 2 in our

top three for this reason.

Not only does it get your heart pumping, but it fits so well with the exciting,

addictive gameplay.

Best Music: Runner Up.

Gear Jack.

Uncle Pipe is an electro rock band coming to us from Manchester in the United Kingdom.

Thrashy synth guitars, fast bass riffs and electronic squeals and pops

blend together to form some of the most compelling game music I've heard

not only on a mobile device but for this generation.

Best Music 2012.

Zombies.

While the game itself is very simplistic and the controls quite unwieldy

Zombies. soundtrack is by far and away its standout triumph.

It simply melts your ears with its retro-funk chiptune fusion.

This, combined with some hilarious voice-over, really add to the

retro feel of the glorious pixel art.

This is the first title ever to compel me to purchase the accompanying

soundtrack.

Simply amazing.

Most addictive: Third place.

Plague, Inc.

Plauge, Inc. puts you in control of a biological outbreak.

A silent, invisible assassin. Your mission is to eliminate the entire population of

the planet.

You do this by tactically evolving your strain tweaking its defenses,

transmission method and attack mechanisms.

Kill the infected before it's able to spread throughout the populace and it's

mission failed.

Spread the disease successfully but don't mutate its symptoms before a cure

is found...

Same result.

There's many different ways to play Plague, Inc., and there's many different types of

diseases to unlock.

All of which you can name, giving the mass genocide of the world's population

that personal touch.

Most addictive:

Runner up.

Hill Climb Racing.

Despite this title having incredibly bad graphics, music and sound,

it's easily one of the most addictive games of the year.

if you can look past it's very dull veneer, you'll see the solid, fun

gameplay underneath.

Get as far as you can using various vehicles with various upgrades.

It's a simple concept, but the guys over at FingerSolft have created a title that will

consume your time.

Yes, your friends will laugh at you and yes, people will wonder what's going on inside

your head...

but just trust me on this one.

Most addictive game of 2012.

Super Hexagon.

Not only is Super Hexagon the most addictive, but easily the most difficult

game of 2012.

Games can often last

just a few seconds before you have to restart.

It exemplifies the term "just one more game"

and Terry Cavanagh got the formula just right. I challenge you to find a more addictive game.

Super Hexagon also gets a special mention for its soundtrack.

It wouldn't be fair of me to list

in two separate categories, but Northern Ireland's Chipzel gives this game

a little something special.

Well worthy of your time.

Best Overall Game:

Third Place. The Room.

Puzzle games in general don't necessarily give the user a sense of exploration or

intrigue.

The Room not only gives you that, but wraps it with lovely graphics and

an intuitive interface.

You're in a locked room. Empty, except for an ornate lock box on the floor.

There's no clear instructions on what you need to do.

It's your own curiosity the pushes you forward and you examine the lockbox.

Swiping, poking, turning,

pushing and twisting every inch of it,

trying to work out its mystery.

That's where this game shines. Outside of the tutorial, it doesn't hold your

hand.

It's up to you to figure out what that lens does what that key is for and

how to rotate that dial.

It's a very visceral and tactile experience due to the wonderful

touch interface.

The Room is a unique and thoroughly enjoyable game and every step forward is

incredibly rewarding.

Best overall game: Runner up.

Minigore 2.

It drew me in from the moment i loaded it up to stunningly sharp graphics and smooth

animation.

Minigore 2 gets everything right.

Other than the loads of weapons, enemy types, arenas and

challenges available,

the polish of the game is what truly stands out.

Every detail of the sound, humor,

upgrade and mission systems

to the user interface has been finely crafted.

The graphics engine is capable of displaying 150 enemies

on-screen at any given time

with no signs of slowdown. It's clear that a lot of work went in to the

production of Minigore 2

and I highly recommend picking it up.

The best game of 2012. Punch Quest.

My love of Punch Quest is no secret.

Upon the game's launch, I praised its fun, colorful, fast action, familiar sound

effects and addictive gameplay.

Well, I'm still playing it. As a user who managed to pick it up for free at game's launch,

upon hearing about the financial miscalculation on the part of Madgarden

and Rocketcat.

I immediately purchased the Puncho Doubler.

A $1.99 addon that doubles the amount of currency you earn

from each playthrough.

Given that I'd already sunk about ten hours into this title by the time i found that out,

I felt no buyer's remorse

whatsoever.

The fact that Madgarden's Paul Pridham is one of the nicest Canadian dudes alive,

really doesn't hurt things either.

There was no real question as to what my game of the year would be.

Punch Quest is stupidly addictive.

It's one of those simple to play, tough to master pieces of art that you'll never want to put down. Buy it. Play it. Love it.

Well, there we have it folks. The very best iOS games 2012

has to offer.

There will be a link for each game in the description of this video. If you'd like

to add to this list, by all means post a comment below and join the conversation.

Thank you so much for joining me for today's very special episode.

My name's Alex and I'll see you again next time. Have a wonderful holiday folks,

and stay safe.