Ten games I most want to play on the iPad (Part 2)

We’re now less than two weeks out from getting our iPads, and you’re all ready to go, right? Stocked up on games to try out? Got your favorites on the home screen? Of course, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be 100% playable. Apple only last week started accepting iPad optimized app submissions, so who knows if your favorites will be ready to go by April 3rd?

Of course, that doesn’t prevent us from getting our hopes up. Last week, I offered a list of five games I’ve played on the iPhone that I’m now excited about playing on the iPad. In this article, I’ll list the five I’ve not yet played but certainly will when (if) an iPad version is made available.

1. Zenonia 2: The Lost Memories (Gamevil)

This one kind of goes without saying, as Zenonia is one of the most acclaimed RPGs available for the iPhone and iPod touch. It calls to mind the epic action-RPGs of the SNES days in both story and and visuals, but was hampered by the tiny controls and menu system forced into the iPhone screen. With the iPad, that won’t be a problem.

Plus, there’s all of this:

Did you see the skeletons arising from their graves? That’s an instant win with me. Skeletons = must-play, and so I shall.

2. Intellivision Lives (VH1)

Truth be known, I was just as much looking forward to playing this on the iPhone. Now that I’ve got an iPad coming, of course I want to play it on the bigger screen. Thing is, though, I’m not 100% sure it’s still coming.

When I interviewed Keith Robinson of Intellivision Lives back in November 2009, he mentioned that Intellivision Lives for iPhone is in development and will be published by VH1. Early 2010 was the estimate, but I haven’t heard much about it since then. In fact, the focus now seems to be on the forthcoming DS version from Virtual Play Games, due out this summer.

But I still like the idea of playing these games on the iPad. The screen is large enough to put that awesome Intellivision keypad on the screen at all times, perhaps split to each side of the screen. You couldn’t do that on the iPhone.

And, honestly, don’t we need the iPad in order to see those 1981 graphics in all of their (sort of) 16-bit glory?

3. Battle for Wesnoth (Kyle Poole)

Regarding this entry, you have to understand my love for Fire Emblem. I’m not all that into turn-based strategy games, but I’ve been addicted to Fire Emblem since finally discovering the series with Radiant Dawn for the Wii, then working all the way back through Fire Emblem for the GameBoy Advance. I think the large touchscreen for the iPad and the in-app purchase system are perfectly suited for a Fire Emblem entry, but since that likely won’t happen any time soon, I’ll content myself with Battle for Wesnoth.

This is an iPhone port of a game already available for Mac, PC and more but it doesn’t appear to have lost anything in the translation. There are nearly 200 scenarios across 15 campaigns, making it one of the deepest gaming experiences on the iPhone. Kyle Pool’s description boasts “…literally hundreds of hours of gameplay.” If that’s true, you’ll need the iPad to prevent eye and neck strain during the prolonged gaming periods required just to get through it.

Too bad the graphics aren’t a bit better, though. Maybe with an iPad optimized version, they could be.

4. Hanged (Freeverse)

I didn’t have much interest in Hanged when it was first released, mainly because apps that bill themselves as being artistic don’t make a whole lot of sense to me on the iPhone. The games can look good, sure, but when I want to see art, 480×320 pixels just aren’t going to do it. Now that we’re up to 1024×768 pixels, why not play a game that looks like a black and white French claymation melodrama?

Freeverse describes it thusly:

Featuring artist Patrick Dorian’s signature style in captivating stop-motion animations, this re-imagined hangman game draws the user into the tumultuous relationship of two mysterious lovers.

Uncover the secret of their sordid history and help decide their fate by piecing together their story letter by letter. Featuring beautiful, realistic water graphics, Hanged is the first interactive story game from New York-based developer and publisher Freeverse which pushed the limits of art and entertainment for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

I just think it looks creepy and who doesn’t enjoy the image of a pair of lovers quarreling beneath a hangman’s noose? At the least, the iPad screen will allow others on the bus to see you playing it, and they’ll think you’re all dark and mysterious, and the ladies dig that in the men they meet on the bus, right?

5. The Relic (Chillingo)

“Gauntlet on steroids,” says Chillingo about this forthcoming game. I find that interesting, considering Gauntlet was pretty hopped up to begin with. And isn’t the iPad kind of an iPod touch on steroids? Seems like a pretty good match to me.

I don’t have a lot of details on this game yet, but PocketGamer is reporting that it’ll include four player multiplayer action via Bluetooth and WiFi, so you’ll be able to crawl those dungeons together with friends. I imagine iPad owners will be able to play along with their iPhone and iPod touch brethren, so it’ll be a good way to really see just how those larger digital controls will be able to impact your performance in a game.

Also, I need food badly.

• Don’t Miss: Ten games I most want to play on the iPad (Part 1)

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