Rare gems of originality are often crowded out in the busy app market but occasionally one really does shine. Towelfight 2: The Monocle of Destiny (65-60p, Butterscotch Shenanigans, iOS/Android) has some impressively fresh gameplay. You play the part of an old Indian man, Hardik, who is whisked through a magical portal to a strange land while out walking his dog. There, the kindly Jobi bestows upon him a projectile-firing monocle with which to defeat the evil Forn, who controls the land. Instead of bullets, the eyepiece fires animals – 40 types, each with different strengths and weaknesses.

Controlled with two D-pads either side of the screen – one for movement and one for shooting– the visuals are a pleasing top-down 2D style, reminiscent of the classic Zelda games, but given an idiosyncratic twist. It makes for a novel fusion of styles lifting Towelfight 2 above the standard fare. Using the pads is sometimes a bit fiddly, but they work well enough not to detract from the enjoyment. With many different animals to be collected, as well as the many power-ups for them, there's plenty to do – and with a level of humour not seen in a standard shooter. Rather than "headshot" or some such popping on when an enemy is fragged, entirely random words or phrases flash on the screen. Perhaps reading "spleen" when a bad-guy is dispatched shouldn't be funny, but the incongruous nature of the congratulations can't help but raise a smile. If only all developers made their offerings feel so excitingly novel.