[Bonus Round] Tactics Maiden, Linken, Don't Play This Game, And Gamebook Adventure Collections

Welcome to the latest entry in our Bonus Round series, wherein we tell you all about the new Android games of the day that we couldn't get to during our regular news rounds. Consider this a quick update for the dedicated gamers who can't wait for our bi-weekly roundups, and don't want to wade through a whole day's worth of news just to get their pixelated fix. Today we've got an indie tactical RPG, a pair of puzzlers, and two collections of Tin Man game books. Without further ado:

Tactics Maiden

If you're as tired of the "old school" pixelated look as I am, here's an indie RPG that bucks the trend. Tactics Maiden uses time-honored tactical turn-based RPG fighting mechanics, not unlike Sega's Shining Force, to tell a new story with no small amount of self-awareness. And best of all, the game uses hand-drawn 2D sprites that look great on modern screens. The first few battles are free, with a single $5 in-app purchase unlocking the full story.

Tactics Maiden is a fast-paced, turn-based strategy RPG where the player has to conquer enemy outposts scattered throughout the battlefield. What sets Tactics Maiden apart is a very strong enemy AI and flexible character builds with skill points that can be redistributed at will. Each battle presents its very own challenges, so the player has to refine his strategies and his army of heroes and mercenaries constantly.

Linken

Remember that puzzle from elementary school where you have to make a box with an X inside without going over any line twice? Linken takes that idea and expands upon it, asking the player to connect all of the similar tiles until each dot on the board has at least one connection. (Watch the video, it's tricky to put into words.) Each board can have multiple solutions, and winning will let you buy hints, but there is a bit of a grind for power-ups and currency to push in-app purchases.

Linken is a beautifully designed and brilliant game, solve puzzle by connecting and linking each shape into a complete path. Play through 400 handmade levels from simple to deeply challenging and get rich yet relaxing experience through carefully crafted puzzle. You are going to scratch your head and need to think in a different way. There is no age restriction to play Linken, kids, teenager, even adult will find Linken richly defined and satisfying.

DONT PLAY THIS GAME

You could take the view that Don't Play This Game is either interesting or pretentious, and whatever you choose, you're right. It's a series of puzzles asking the player to complete the title phrase in various interesting ways, using everything from Scrabble-style tile movement to word pictures to sliding blocks. For those who love brain teasers, it's probably worth the single dollar purchase with no IAP. Everyone else can follow the instructions in the title.

DONT PLAY THIS GAME. Seriously, DONT PLAY THIS GAME Okay fine, PLAY it... (DONT) PLAY through 45 puzzling Levels of DONT PLAY THIS GAME goodness. Can you (NOT) PLAY all 45 Levels?!? With no rules and instructions in the GAME, are you up for the challenge?

GA Collected 1-3

We're big fans of Tin Man's various Gamebooks. But they can be rather expensive, especially if you try to binge play them. Luckily for you, the developer is now bundling some of its older titles into "Collected" miniseries. The price for each pack of three is ten bucks, bringing the individual price down to just above $3 USD, which is more than reasonable for hours and hours of Choose Your Own Adventure-style role playing. Collection 1 includes An Assassin in Orlandes, Siege of the Necromancer, and Slaves of Rema, and collection 2 has Revenant Rising, Catacombs of the Undercity, and The Wizard from Tarnath Tor.

An interactive fantasy adventure. It's a Gamebook Adventure.   Containing the first three titles of the critically acclaimed interactive fantasy gamebook series in which you, the reader, control the direction of the story. Along with a realistic dice-based battle system to fight creatures, a great story and beautiful artwork, Gamebook Adventures Collected will give you many hours of gamebook adventuring.  

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Be sure to check out our gaming coverage from earlier this week: