The background of the games was inspired by the fantasy books of the Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. In the 2D gameplay you are one of three character classes; Witcher, Sorceress, or Frightener. Then you would fight monsters, complete quests, loot, acquire more weapons, amulets, and magical items. There are achievements you can collect as well as  badges. You can PvP and even scale up  to where guild on guild battle is feasible.

If you haven’t played any CoD titles, Activision has published a good place to start with their WWII-era compilation that includes Infinity Ward’s Call of Duty 2 and 3, as well as Treyarch’s World at War. The collection is only available for the XBOX 360 and retails at $59.99. CoD2 & 3 have an ESRB rating of “Teen”, whereas World at War is rated “Mature.”

If you’re more into the Zombie-killin’ thing, Activision has you covered there too; they’ve released the second version of the World at War Zombies for iPhone. The update is only $5 for those who bought the original, and $10 for the standalone app.

What makes Language Master different than traditional language-learning software is that it is actually a variety of mini-games that help players not only utilize their memory skills, but response time and pronunciation as well. After you’re done, check the leaderboards to see where you place.

“We wanted to find a way to leverage a mobile platform to make learning a language not only engaging and interactive but fun,” said Ryan Stoner, Hooray’s co-founder and CEO. “Language Master is a valuable primer to any language learning experience and provides that extra motivation needed to master pronunciation and vocabulary lists.”

For only $1.99 on the iTunes store, the app a steal, even if it only emphasizes single words as opposed to sentences, structure and grammar. Definitely something I’d buy when traveling.

Tank Battle: Iron Warfare features:
Fast-paced tank combat action and base capture gameplay with up to eight intelligent AI tanks battling it out across approximately one square mile, completely 3D battlefields
20 levels that get more difficult as you advance
Play as either the German, Soviet or United States teams
Utilize the Accelerometer to master the precise aiming control to take out the opposition
Several different tank models to choose
Hidden Easter eggs in advanced levels

Tank Battle: Iron Warfare is now available from the Apps Store for $1.99.

Kids Under 10

Title: AlphaBetic
Developer: No Monkeys
Price: $1.99 Download at the App Store
This is an alphabet game that can help reinforce and teach the alphabet to small children. It features brightly colored letters that move graphically across the screen. Players touch the appropriate letters in order to progress through the game. The game starts out innocent enough but more advanced levels offer a challenge for older children and adults. A Lite version is also available for free.

Title:
Monkey Preschool Lunchbox
Developer: THUP Games
Price: $.99 Download at the App Store
This cute colorful app is most appropriate for preschool age children and focuses on teaching colors, shapes, basic reading skills, and counting. Its full of positive reinforcement and encouragement. Monkey Preschool Lunchbox is available from the Apps Store for $.99.

Tweens

Title:Crazy Penguin Catapult 2
Developer: Digital Chocolate
Price: $.99 Download at the App Store
This is a strategy game in the style of Lemmings. Players are given penguins to catapult into polar bears. The more polar bears players defeat, the higher the score. Crazy Penguin Catapult offers strategic game play with cute cartoonish graphic and a festive soundtrack. A Lite version is also available at no cost.

Title:UNO
Developer: GameLoft
Price: $4.99 Download at the App Store
The classic card game is available for the iPhone/ iPod Touch. The mobile version has three different multiplayer and local multiplayer options and single player. The interface is user friendly with a zoom mode to make game play smooth. Player are also rewarded with unlockable items such as avatars. Uno can be purchased on the Apps Store and a Lite version is also available.

Teens

Title:Flickitty
Developer: dev3 and DexSoft
Price: $.99 Download at the App Store
This platformer is made for a touch screen. Players control Flickitty by flicking him or her around the screen. Players help Flickitty become employee of the month by completing tasks. The graphics are cute and the game is challenging.

Title:Real Racing
Developer: Firemint
Price: $4.99
Download at the App Store
This racing game is tons of fun. The game offers 48 cars and 12 tracks. Racing is simple. Steer by either touching or tilting the screen. Real Racing also supports multiplayer and players can add there own music to the game. A Lite version with only one car is also available.

Adults

Title: Catan
Developer: Exozet Games
Price: $4.99 Download at the App Store
This classic tabletop game has come to the iPhone/ iPod Touch. The game has multiplayer and single player and is basically true to the original game.  The interface is intuitive and fits well with gameplay. While the AI is challenging, fans of the game may also play with friends.

Title: Rock Band
Developer: EA Mobile
Price: $6.99 Download at the App Store
Take you band on the road with Rock Band for the iPhone/ iPod Touch. Single player and local multiplayer via bluetooth make Rock Band a must see on the iPhone/ iPod Touch. The game also offer the ability to link up in Facebook. 20 songs are included with the ability to purchase additional songs from the in game music store.

Title: Dungeon Hunter
Developer: GameLoft
Price: $6.99 Download at the App Store
This hack n slash RPG offers a Diablo like experience for the iPhone/ iPod Touch. The game includes hours of dungeon crawling goodness with tons of loot with each adventure.

Stocking Stuffers

Title: Skee-ball
Developer: Freeverse
Price: $.99 Download at the App Store
Who doesn’t like Skee-Ball?!  Simply flick the ball into the holes to earn tickets. The more tickets players earn, the more prizes one can “purchase”.

Item: Additional Rock Band Songs
Rock Band for the iPhone/ iPod Touch comes with 20 tracks from great artists like Foo Fighter and Smashing Pumpkins. However, once your gamer has exhausted all the songs, check out the in game music store for more tracks available for purchase.