Shin Megami Tensei Dx2

Players unfamiliar with this video game series might overlook this app because of its silly app store icon, but the deep role-playing game will keep them engaged. Based on a cult favorite from Japan, Shin Megami Tensei Dx2 both looks and plays like a high-budget game. Most noticeable here is the game's vertical format and stylish interface, as well as its great attention to audio-visual detail. There's a surprising amount of voice-over content here (in Japanese with subtitles), and the characters look unique and visually striking. And when it comes to demons, well, let's just say it's hard to resist the urge to collect them all.

Demon summoning and collection are the core of the game, which could make some parents uneasy. True, the lore draws upon real-world demonology from around the world, but the religious aspects are downplayed, putting the emphasis on visual diversity. Demons align with various elements -- fire, water, air, etc. -- and that's important when it comes to winning battles. Also important is evolving, "awakening," and leveling up your demons. Completing battles earns you XP (experience points) and currency, which can be used to summon new demons or improve your Liberators' HQ. This process can be sped up by spending some real-world cash, but works just fine without doing so. Regardless of what you choose to spend, the turn-based combat is easy to understand and has a unique mechanic that lets you try to talk to demons rather than fight them (as you try to win them over to your side). As good as it is, some mechanics can be confusing, and some parents could object to younger children being exposed to Shin Megami Tensei Dx2's flirty dialogue, occasional revealing outfits, demon references, mentions of drugs and alcohol, unmoderated chat, and mild language (words like "bastards" and "asses"). Still, for kids older than 12, it's a fantastic take on card collection games.