Welcome to yet another Game Time. This week we take on a few games that differentiate themselves from other titles in the App Store with elements like subtle gameplay mechanics and unique visual styles. Not all of the games featured scored a grand slam on their first try, but all are worth checking out.
Shot Shot Shoot$0.99
Erik Svedang
iPad
This game might be the next hipster. There’s just no other way to describe a game with such slim, fashionable lines, and a soundtrack so hip it would fit perfectly in Wes Anderson flick.
Fashion aside, this game is actually quite a bit of fun to play. It’s two servings of Omium mixed with a splash of Space Invaders. Your enemy sends down villainous blocks in an attempt to crush your bases and you have to guide your own blocks not only defend your base, but also to destroy theirs. If it doesn’t seem like fun at first start, you’re probably not playing it right. In fact, this game is so hard to master, Mac|Life has a bit of advice to make sure your experience is as good as ours.
Keep on the offensive as much as possible. Your enemy can’t send down a ton of enemy, um, squares if they’re constantly defending their own base. And don’t be afraid to lose a few blocks to pick off a few of theirs. If all else fails, don’t be afraid to do an all out tap barrage!
Check it out: If you’re looking for Omium, but with even more skill involved.
Ultraviolet Dawn HD$3.99
Sad Cat Software
iPad
Ultraviolet Dawn HD is like any other space-shooter you wasted precious quarters on as a child, but with a few exceptions. First of all, its limited to a touch screen. Secondly, unlike most space shooters, you’re not restricted to a linear storyline, and your upgrade choices will affect the gameplay substantially. You can upgrade your ship, your weapons, your cargo, all while unlocking new missions and upping your stats. 
Every name you see is another mission. This is probably only an 1/10 of the screen too.
Unfortunately, there’s no urgency in space battles, which makes the game feel a lot more like Spore than AirAttack HD. It’s easy to get lost, and especially easy to forget what you were supposed to be doing. But even with its faults, we just can’t help but love it for trying.
Check it out if you: Want a space shooter with infinite customization, and finite replay value.
PrincessFury: Arcade Adventure$2.99 or $1.99
Mo-Star
iPhone or iPad
Don’t be deceived by the name, PrincessFury is a completely awesome side-scroller that’s amazingly polished and not at all the girly cupcake food fight sounding affair the name makes it out to be.
Each stage has a requirement to beat, like “defeat all enemies.” Upon doing so, you’ll unlock a new spell, a new move, or a group of people to fight alongside you. By the later levels you’ll really unlock your Princess Powers.
The graphics are delightful, but we wish the game was just a tad less repetitive.
Check it out if: You’re itchin’ for a slasher.
Gravity Runner$0.99
We Are Colin
iPhone
Gravity Runner is what you would get if you crossed Canabalt with Portal. It belongs to an ever-increasing group of games we call run and jumpers, because of the obvious. These games are well suited to iOS devices, so their numbers have multiplied like rabbits during mating season. Luckily, Gravity Runner has a small, but effectual twist to separate it from the legions of others. 
Gravity’s just tryin to hold me down.
Tapping the screen during a jump inverts the gravity. By inverting the gravity, you can avoid huge spikes and pits, collect coins, and race for the best time. Gravity Runner is actually incredibly challenging, as you’ll constantly make amateur mistakes that cost either time your life. After a few levels you’ll unlock endless mode, the best mode of any game.
The interesting visual style and hum-worthy music make this game well worth the 99 cents.
Check it out if: You want a new take on run and jumpers.
High Score: 576
Antrim EscapeFree
Game Hive
iPhone
This game is both interesting and horrendous. When you’re not actually playing the Myst-styled puzzler, it's filled to the brim with ridiculous dialogue and amateur anime. But there’s something so loveable about this silly game that anyone who enjoys point and click mystery games should download it and check it out.
Check it out: If you want a less scary version of Silent Hill: The Room.
That’s it for this week. If you’d like to see your favorite game featured, sound off in the comments. Until next week folks.
Follow this article's author, Nic Vargus, on Twitter.
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