Five... freshly picked iOS gaming apps

Need for Speed Shift 2: Unleashed

Like the original, Shift 2: Unleashed does a fantastic job of cramming a full console driving experience onto iOS. A greater variety of tracks, increased car count and a graphical overhaul are exactly what you'd hope for in a sequel, and Shift 2 doesn't disappoint.

Progression follows the standard Gran Turismo template of buying and tuning cars to compete in five classes, with events ranging from traditional races and drift competitions to time trials and duels.

Shift's star system returns to award points for driving line and drifting, as well as overall placement, ensuring race completion is always rewarded. But rewards can feel miserly and progression all-too expensive, which forces you into repeating events over and over or, worse, inhaling a faint whiff of cynicism as you dip into your pockets to spend real-world cash to boost in-game credits.

The inclusion of EA's Origin for leaderboards and social network features also feels foisted upon you, as it further fragments the iOS's existing leaderboards. Multiplayer disappoints, too, with head-to-head races limited to local connection. It's these minor complaints that, for the moment at least, see Shift 2 stuck in the slipstream of Firemint's superior Real Racing 2. ®

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