Finally, a Game for Noah

Most of us probably don't want to play a videogame that mimics our day job. But let's say your "day job" was loading pairs of animals onto an ark. Heck, you probably wouldn't be able to get enough, right? Enter Animals On Board.

Animals on Board tasks you with getting several different species of animals onto a boat. How? By flinging them slingshot style, of course. Along the way, you need to keep the boat level, and try to keep from flinging the animals directly into the water. Do that too many times, and it's game over. If you stack to animals of the same species on each other, the next thing you know, they pro-create, spawning several smaller animals, and you rack up extra points.

While it's cute, there's not much variation in the gameplay. Here's a look:

Animals on Board in the App Store.

Zen Bound: Who Knew Rope and Wooden Animals Could Be So Relaxing

Zen Bound is a different type of game from the go-go-go rush-to-get-it-done gameplay found in most apps. Instead, each round of Zen Bound presents you with an animal-shaped piece  of wood, and your goal is to wrap the wood entirely with the rope. You have to make sure to cover the wood entirely before running out of rope. Beyond that, you are free to take your time on each level, rotating the wood in 3D space, and if you allow yourself, the game can be quite calming,

Here's a look:

Zen Bound in the App Store.

All Aboard for Train Conductor on the iPhone

You've probably played, or heard of Flight Control, the cleverly addictive game in which you play a stressed air traffic controller, trying to get planes to the ground without incident. Train Conductor brings a similar frantic pace to the rails. Your goal is to route trains from one track to another without running into other trains. Sounds simple enough, but throw in some obstacles along the way, the need to cross three or four tracks at a time, and different rules for different trains, and you have a hectic, but fun experience.

Each train has a number indicating which track it has to ultimately end up on before leaving the screen. You can stop trains, but that quickly leads to a backup, and frequently more headaches. (What is it about games based on jobs we'd find completely exhausting in real life that makes them so addictive?) Rather than simply progressing from one level to the next, Train Conductor requires you to gain a certain level of experience points on each round. There's also a ghost train option, that changes the gameplay a bit.

The only thing missing from this game is enough rounds. While additional packs can be purchased, the base game could use about twice as many levels to feel like a complete experience.

There's still plenty of action, stress, and addiction to be found in Train Conductor.

Here's a look:

Train Conductor in the App Store.

Mr. Bump Heads Up The River

Mr. Bump, the main character in this game of the same name looked vaguely familiar. Sure enough, he is part of a series of characters from the Mr. Men book series by Roger Hargreaves. Oh, and if the gameplay seems familiar, well then you've probably played Doodle Jump, or one of its many imitators.

That being said, the combination of fun sounds and snappy (for this type of game) graphics make it a standout in a crowded field. Fans of the character, and young kids will be especially entertained as you attempt to navigate up a never-ending river, jumping from log to alligator, to sneezy friend: Mr. Bump's friends show up from time to time to help in their own special way, including sneezes and stretchy arms.

Here's a look:

Mr. Bump in the app store.

AlienMax is GamingMin

Sometimes simple iPhone games can be addictive hits. Other times... well, other times you get AlienMax.

Here's a look:

AlienMax in the App Store.