'Cut the Rope 2' debuts on iOS App Store, Infinity Blade III gets massive update

The sequel to blockbuster physics-based puzzle game Cut the Rope made its way to the App Store Thursday, while the award-winning third installment of the Infinity Blade franchise received a hefty update including new locations and new game modes.

Cut the Rope 2

British developers ZeptoLab have followed up Cut the Rope's massive popularity —  the original game has been downloaded more than 100 million times —  with Cut the Rope 2, an iOS-exclusive sequel.

Cut the Rope 2 introduces several new elements to the franchise, beginning with the game's setting. Rather than being based in a box, the game's lead character —  Om Nom —  now roams forests, cities, junkyards and tunnels.

The sequel brings more than 120 levels, new graphics, updated sounds, and additional characters that can help Om Nom on his travels by jumping, tossing candy, building bridges, and helping Om Nom move around each level.

In addition, Om Nom's look can now be customized with special hats.

Cut the Rope 2 is available now as a $0.99, 84.4-megabyte download from the App Store.

Infinity Blade III

Infinity Blade 3, the latest entry in the original "triple-A" style game franchise for iOS, has been updated with the new "Ausar Rising" expansion that developers Chair Entertainment promised last week.

The expansion adds three new quests, and the Dark Citadel —  the castle from Infinity Blade I —  makes a return. Two additional locations and nine new enemies, including a dragon, have also been added.

Two new game modes have been brought in: a survival-style Arena mode, and a hardcore "deathless quests" mode, which the developers say is "the ultimate way for the ultimate Infinity Blade gamer to play the game." A new in-game chat feature allows players to chat with friends without leaving the game.

More than 60 new items and 8 new skills have been added, alongside new goals, potions, and gems.

Chair also promises "a number of additional balancing tweaks, bug fixes, and gameplay enhancements," and says the update has been optimized for the iPad Air, iPad Mini with Retina display, and iPhone 5s. Both iOS 6 and iOS 7 are supported.

Infinity Blade III: Ausar Rising is available now as a $2.99, 1.8-gigabyte download from the App Store.