Infinity Blade

This game looks damn good. And the reason it does is because it uses a version of Epic Games' Unreal Engine 3 running on iOS. To have a tool like this in the hands of iOS developers is a game changer.

Alas, the gameplay isn't quite so revolutionary, but it's solid enough to support the momentum generated by the visuals. You play the part (or parts) of a bloodline of warriors doomed to the same fate of exploring a castle, fighting its inhabitants, and ending with a showdown with the God King. Each encounter with this villain ends in the player being killed, so he takes the role of the next warrior in the bloodline to attempt the task again.

What this amounts to is just a series of beat-'em-up encounters. It's a limiting set-up and makes the game a little repetitive, but the combat is handled well. On entering a fight, the player has to anticipate the enemy's next move then counter it by swiping in the opposite direction. Succeed and you can swipe in a variety of ways to inflict hits on your enemy. You can also block and perform special moves. Each visit to the castle brings more powerful foes. As you gain more experience, you can level up, master new weapons and armour and better equip yourself against enemies.

Not everyone will enjoy the choreographed gameplay but this is one of those landmark games you simply must own.