Top 5 Apps of the Week: Machinarium, Pup Champs, and More!

This week, we’ve curated an exclusive lineup of our favorite mobile apps and games tailored for both Android and iPhone users. After diving into the vast offerings of the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store, we've identified five exceptional titles that have caught our attention. Whether you're on the hunt for engaging gaming experiences or handy tools to boost your productivity, you're sure to discover something fascinating in our selection.

Machinarium (Android and iOS)

One particular way to determine whether a game is worth playing is to see if it can stand the test of time. Machinarium happens to be one of those games that still feels timeless despite being released on smartphones years after it debuted on other platforms. I like how it perfectly fits into the handheld space as I get to explore this strange and beautiful world according to my own schedule.

My eyes simply could not get enough of the art style, with the game’s graphics looking as though they were hand-drawn, oozing with an incredible amount of detail packed in each screen. There is a sense of the world feeling mechanical, rusty, and worn down, while sporting a whimsical charm that made the exploration of each new area something to look forward to. Coupled with the music that adds another layer to the atmosphere, it clearly grew on me by ending up as an earworm even when I am not playing.

Taking the classic point-and-click puzzle-solving approach, I found it to be highly intuitive in nature. I do not get frustrated and locked out behind tough puzzles, but tend to observe my surroundings carefully while experimenting with logical solutions. While you can expect some straightforward puzzles, others might require a short break before you crack them. 

• Price: $6.99 / Advertising: None / In-app purchases: None / Account required: No
• Download Machinarium (Android) / Download Machinarium (iOS)

Overall, I found Machinarium to be a beautifully crafted puzzle adventure that perfectly combined art, music, and gameplay into an experience that felt like stepping into a storybook that was made of gears and wires. While there is a relaxing side to it, it is also challenging in some ways, oozing with charm and mystery. While I am not the biggest fan of puzzle games, this one drew me in with its personality and depth.

Pup Champs (Android and iOS)

When life gets tough, I always like to look at cute stuff to blow some steam. Enter Pup Champs, a game that makes me smile. It brings the charm of playful puppies with the excitement of casual competitive gameplay by offering a lighthearted yet addictive gaming experience. In short, I am involved with racing adorable dogs through a range of obstacle courses in this game, where each level has its fair share of quirky challenges and colorful environments.

I like how the premise is kept simple without complicating matters, making this easy to pick up and play no matter where I am. Hats off to the developers for retaining enough variety in the tracks and mechanics so that I keep on returning for more. Featuring bright and cheerful visuals, I found each pup to be well-designed with its own personality. 

It is always a hoot to watch them dash, jump, and tumble through the courses. I found the level design to feature a good mix of fun and challenge, and my ageing body’s slowing reflexes often proved to be my downfall as I lost ground on the competing pack. Thankfully, it doesn’t add stress to my day, but rather, removes it.

• Price: Free / Advertising: None / In-app purchases: Yes ($7.99) / Account required: No
• Download Pup Champs (Android) / Download Pup Champs (iOS)

After all, at this age, I don’t really care if I win or not, but rather, I savor the experience and enjoy the relatively short rounds that allow me to move on from one match (or disappointment if I had lost) to another. The game’s light progression system encourages me to keep playing so that I can unlock more pups and customize the way I play. Should you want the full game, you will have to fork out $7.99 to unlock it. 

English Grammar — Shaky (Android & iOS)

I always like to think of myself as an English connoisseur, and word games tend to draw me like a moth to a flame. English Grammar – Shaky happens to be a quirky little mobile game that takes something as serious as grammar and wraps it up in a fun, lighthearted package. Launching it, it felt like a classroom exercise that was fun to approach since grammar challenges were presented in an interactive manner to keep me engaged while I brushed up on my skills.

The premise of this game is simple: I’m presented with sentences or phrases where I need to spot mistakes or choose the correct option, where the playful format makes it feel more like a puzzle than a test. Overall, I found the presentation to be clean and cheerful, sporting colorful visuals and smooth animations that make the experience easy on the eyes.

As for British humor, I like how the game’s sense of humor was incorporated to prevent things from getting too dry or repetitive. Each challenge took only mere moments, flowing quickly into the next. This is good and bad, good as it becomes fun, bad that I lose track of time too easily, as I want to keep on answering questions that come my way so that I can improve my streak or beat my previous score.

• Price: Free / Advertising: None / In-app purchases: Yes ($7.99-$59.99) / Account required: No
• Download English Grammar — Shaky (Android) / Download English Grammar — Shaky (iOS)

Overall, I found English Grammar - Shaky to be highly accessible without having to be a grammar expert to enjoy it. I tend to go by my gut feeling instead of proper grammatical rules, and through this, I realized I still have a long way to go as I brush up on my command of the English language to higher heights.

Cinematique (Android only)

With so many different types of movie and TV streaming services available, I became spoilt for choice, so much so that there were times I forgot whether I had watched that particular movie before or not. Thankfully, an app like Cinematique – Your Tracker is available to help folks who have a short memory like me keep track of the movies and shows I’ve watched. I know, I know, streaming services tend to show you what you are currently watching, shows that you’ve “bookmarked”, and all, but having a personal entertainment journal that comes in a clean, easy-to-use interface makes it more special.

I no longer need to rely on scattered notes or memory, since this app offers me a central place to log everything I’ve watched, shows that I have lined up next, and even revisit my favorites whenever I like. Overall, the design of this app was what caught my eye with its modern and uncluttered layout that made navigating through my lists and searching for titles a smooth and enjoyable experience.

Whenever I want to add a movie or series, it is a quick and simple process as the app organizes everything in a manner that feels highly intuitive. It’s the kind of tool that encourages consistency (even for something as trivial as logging down what I’ve watched!) because it doesn’t get in the way of the experience. It ends up as a very personal process that lets me mark my progress, jot down notes, and reflect on what I’ve watched, providing an opportunity to build my own little cinematic diary.

• Price: Free / Advertising: None / In-app purchases: Yes ($0.99 per item) / Account required: No
• Download Cinematique (Android)

I am sure the lean app makes the performance a smooth one, where it is well-optimized for both quick updates on the go and longer browsing sessions. There doesn’t seem to be any unnecessary features based on my observation, and it does what it is supposed to very well. If you have a serious movie or TV series watching habit, then how about keeping track of it with this app?

Chants of Senaar (Android & iOS)

Chants of Sennaar was one of those games that really surprised me with how unique it was. It looked like a beautifully designed indie puzzle adventure, but when I got more involved, I realized it’s all about language, communication, and piecing together meaning in a manner that feels both clever and rewarding. Basically, I am thrust into a mysterious, tower-like world where everyone is divided since nobody understands one another. I am tasked with exploring, listening, observing, and slowly decoding the languages of the different groups to bridge the gap.

I love how the art style presented the entire premise, offering a clean, minimalist look with muted colors and strong lines. In short, it resembled a moving illustration. Merge that with atmospheric music, and the visuals give off a sense of calm curiosity that makes the slower pace of the puzzle-solving aspect feel immersive instead of tedious. Each new area I discover felt like much care had gone into the design, complete with details that hint at cultural differences and the history behind the divisions.

I was really hooked on the process of deciphering languages since this game offers a decent degree of challenge. I had to pay close attention and work with trial and error, including relying on my intuition. It felt a bit like being an archaeologist or linguist, where I construct my own little dictionary as I go. I cannot underline how satisfied I felt whenever I finally figured out a word or phrase, where this progress opens up new ways of interacting with the world and its characters.

• Price: $5.99 / Advertising: None / In-app purchases: Yes ($7.99) / Account required: No
• Download Chants of Senaar (Android) / Download Chants of Senaar (iOS)

This type of game works great on a smartphone, since the touch controls feel natural with a well-adapted interface. Playing it in short bursts or longer sessions worked perfectly for such a format. It will not require any kind of fast action and lightning reflexes, but ushers you down a thoughtful, meditative tone. That was what sold me as I unwound from the day’s stress while keeping my brain engaged. It costs $7.99 to unlock the full game.

We sincerely wish you a fantastic weekend filled with our curated suggestions. If you have any additional apps or games you'd like to recommend, feel free to share them in the comments section!