Monsters & Bones is a new puzzle type game from indie developer RatSquare. This is one of those games that attaches a rather unique story to the gameplay. In the game, you play as an alien in his ship and are tasked with transporting monsters around the play area looking for food. There are different creatures scattered around each level and each only eat a specific thing. Basically you’ll have to follow the rules of the food chain in this one. You can either transport the “food” to the monsters or the monsters to the “food.” It doesn’t matter how you do it, just feed them before they starve. Along the way, you’ll encounter pitfalls that will get in your way and try to destroy your ship and your mission.

The game itself is quite simple to get into. Movement is through a combination of touch controls and motion sensors. Tilt your device left or right to move in either direction, and tap the propulsion button to go up and let go of it to go down. It’s not hard at all to move your ship around the map, just be careful not to drop from a very high height, otherwise you will crash your ship and you’ll have to start the level over again. You also have to avoid some clever obstacles that get in the way of your goal, but the are really unique and offers up a good challenge.

Graphically the game is pretty good as well wit some interesting character designs and good use of colors. Level designs are also quite varied which is great because there are times in some games when it just feels like you are playing the same levels over and over again and this one isn’t like that. Each level offers up its own unique challenges.

I do wish however that the game offered some kind of tutorial level as you kind of just have to figure things out yourself on what to exactly do in this game.

Monsters & Bones is a challenging casual game. I like the fact that this is an independent game and not one from one of the major game studios so it really shows off what these guys can really do with a limited budget and lots of creativity. This game is definitely on par with what many of the bigger guys can do. If you’re looking for a new type of game that is a bit different from the rest and fun to play, give Monsters & Bones a try.

Monsters & Bones is available now in the App Store for $0.99. It is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 4.2 or later.