During the course of a month, we look at a lot of apps and games from the Windows Phone and Windows 10 Store. Through reviews, the AdDuplex HERO App posts, the myAppFree deals and the news, we Windows Central cover a huge number of apps and game.
So for this roundup, we've pulled together a few of Windows PC and Windows Phone apps and games that stood out from the other titles covered this month.
If you have tried any of these titles, let us know in the comments below if you agree or why you disagree.
CanKnockdown 3
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CanKnockdown 3 is a Windows Phone game that delivers the classic carnival game where you try to knock down a series of cans by throwing baseballs at them. The core game, which is free, has sixty levels of play with an additional one hundred levels available through in-app purchase for just $1.99.
The game's levels (both free and purchased) offer a nice range of difficulties with metal cans stacked on top of one another, stacked on ledges, balanced on pedestals or hidden behind swinging objects. Each level affords you three baseballs to use to knock the cans to the ground with some levels offering bonus cans that will earn you a few extra baseballs to hurl.
Along with the bonus throws, there are also exploding cans that will help your efforts of devastation. Game mechanics are simple (just swipe at the screen to throw the baseball) and graphics have a slight gritty feel that represents a street carnival really well. Add the quality sound effects that include the cans bouncing around, your baseball hitting a chain link fence and a Carney cheering you on and CanKnockdown 3 comes across as a well-rounded Windows Phone game to pass the time with.
Download CanKnockdown 3 for Windows Phone
Domino's Pizza
The Domino's Pizza app was recently updated to take care of a few Windows 10 Mobile bugs — and in the process reminded us of just how easy it is these days to order pizza. You can sit from the comfort of your couch, place orders while walking to the car from the office or anywhere else you can get a data connection.
Sure, you can always dial up Dominos and place an order (like a caveman), but the Domino's app gives you access to their full menu and allows you to pay for your order. On top of all that, if you are out of town and have no clue where the local Domino's is, the app will track down the closest store. You can even follow your order's progress from the moment you place it until it is out for delivery or ready for pickup.
The Domino's Pizza app is available from the Windows Phone Store and a free for the taking.
Download Dominos for Windows Phone
Evo Explores
Evo Explores is a wonderfully drawn up puzzle game that is available in the Windows Phone Store. The game presents you with a collection of mind-bending physics-defying puzzle that have been inspired by another Windows Phone game, Monument Valley.
The backstory for Evo Explores has you playing the role of Evo, who is exploring the mysterious Byte planet. You will have to navigate Evo through a series of 3D puzzles that may appear disconnected but you can manipulate the architecture of the structures to create a path for Evo to safely reach the exit points.
These manipulations include sliding complete sections of the puzzle, rotating the puzzle, raising columns to create walkways, filling gaps, or triggering trap doors by sending Evo to stand on a switch.
Some levels of play will offer up multiple puzzles to solve and while in otheres the solutions to these labyrinths jump off the screen at you. Other puzzles however will tax your imagination and can be real head-scratchers. Evo is a free game to try and unlocking the full game will cost you a $1.99 in-app purchase.
Download Evo Explores for Windows Phone
Notiny
Notiny came across our radar as one of this month's AdDuplex HERO apps. Notiny is a note-taking app that is available for both Windows 10 PC and Mobile devices that has a strong set of features.
The app has the ability to create notes by typing them out, converting voice to text, converting photos of documents to text and recording voice notes. There is integration with Cortana that lets you create and read notes, and those notes can be synchronized between your Windows 10 devices.
Notiny also provide password protection for notes that you may not want everyone to have access to and there is Live Tile and Notification support when you need a little help being reminded of notes.
Notiny is a free, ad-supported app available for both Windows 10 PC and Mobile devices with the option to remove ad-support through an in-app donation to the developer of at least $0.99.
Download Notiny for Windows 10 PC and Mobile
Pinball FX2 Windows 10 Edition
Pinball FX2 Windows 10 Edition is a fantastic collection of themed pinball tables for your Windows 10 PC. Graphics are detailed and represents each brand extremely well. The table layouts are a challenging way to test your pinball playing skills.
Out of the box, Pinball FX2 Windows 10 Edition provides you with just one table — the Sorcerers' Table — with a broad selection of additional tables available through in-app purchase. These themed tables range from Star Wars to Marvel Superhero to Family Guy, each running in the neighborhood of $2.99. While the game itself is full of challenges, deciding which table to play can be just as challenging.
Pinball FX2 Windows 10 Edition is an Xbox gaming title with plenty of achievements to pursue and the ability to compete against your Xbox Friends to see who can grab the best score. Tables that your friends own will detail their top scores — as you play that table and increase your score you'll get updates on how close you are in topping your friend's score.
All in all, Pinball FX2 Windows 10 Edition is a great gaming title to have tucked away in your gaming library. You will need an internet connection to access you Xbox profile but games are playable without such a connection.
Download Pinball FX2 Windows 10 Edition for Windows 10 PC
Microsoft Band 2 Charging Stand
While the Microsoft Band 2 Charging Stand by LoyalStar isn't a Windows 10 app or game, it is a great accessory for your Microsoft Band 2 that we reviewed this month and is worth mentioning again.
The design is simple and the pricing of this accessory makes it practically a steal. It takes the charging cord that came supplied with your Microsoft Band 2 and uses it to prop up your Band 2. I've been using the stand on my bedside table for the past month and I like how it raises the Band off the tabletop, making it easy to read. If it wasn't for my own personal need for an alarm clock that sounds like an emergency klaxon, I could easily see my Band 2 on this stand replacing my bedside alarm clock.
The Microsoft Band 2 Stand is currently running $19.99 and is available through the Microsoft Store. It's a staff favorite and well worth the investment for any Microsoft Band 2 owner.
