There are many iPhone and iPod touch games out there and working out which are worth the money is a challenge, so here I am again with another round-up of reviews, weighing in on Spider: The Secret of Bryce Manor, Sweep Man, Canabalt and Topple 2 .

Spider: The Secret of Bryce Manor (Tiger Style Games) - $2.99 - iTunes link

This very indie iPhone/iPod touch game has been getting some great word of mouth, so I had to pick it up. And I'm really, really glad I did. A spider simulator with a second layer in which you work out the titular secret of Bryce Manor by observing the game's environments, the gameplay is not only unique but superb, as you leap around spinning webs - with a neat risk/reward mechanic, as you can run out of silk - eating bugs. One of the few iPhone/iPod touch games I consider essential. 4.5/5

Sweep Man (Poppy) - Free - iTunes link

A lot of people claim you can't argue with free, but honestly, when it comes to games if you feel you've wasted your time, I think you can. I don't think I wasted my time with Sweep Man , because while it's very limited, it's polished (lack of polish a mistake that a lot of low-priced apps make) and strangely fun. Well, as fun as a classic, high-score orientated game about what would have happened if Jumpman (later known as Mario) got a job sweeping up dog poo. The controls are a little awkward but it's funny, challenging, and worth the time you'll put into it. 3/5


Canabalt (Semi Secret Software) - $2.99 - iTunes link

It's Canabalt , as described in my previous coverage , except it's on your iPhone/iPod touch, and costs $2.99. It's kind of up to you to work out if that's a price you're willing to pay for an admittedly superb (if slight) game. Personally, I'd rather it was $0.99, which seems fairer in a marketplace where you can get, say, Minigore for that. Oh well. 2.5/5


Topple 2 Plus+ (ngmoco) - Free - iTunes link

I was quite a fan of ngmoco's early title, Topple , which was also free, but they recently launched Topple 2 with support for its new "Plus+" social network. It's a bit like Xbox Live (with achievements and all that sort of thing) so adds a new dimension to game playing on the iPhone/iPod touch. And Topple 's sequel is every bit as good as its predecessor, if not better - an addictive tower stacking title perfectly suited to the format, even if it does get pretty much unplayably hard towards the later levels. 4/5