Pixel art fans might want to check out a game which came out last night, Combo Queen ($1.99). Not to be confused with the recently-released Combo Quest (Free), this is a game that’s similarly about rhythmic, tap-based combat. You have to tap on enemies with a certain rhythm in order to do damage to them, with a pattern that speeds up with each hit in succession of three hits. Mastering this timing, along with the timing of enemy blocks, will be the key to success. It’s a game with a rough learning curve, as there’s not very generous timing windows to hit enemies.

The game does eschew in-app purchases, but does have an upgrade system: you do more dmaage upon leveling up, and can buy weapons with different effects, powerups to help do more damage or take less, new outfits, and a book to increase the combo sequence to six hits. None of the rewards come easy, so if you pick this one up, prepare to practice, and expect no shortcuts. Good luck, future queen of the combos.