Talking Tom Cat 2 for iPad for iOS

Talking Tom Cat 2 is the kind of interactive experience that only the iPad can offer, but for numerous reasons it is also one that is well suited for only certain personalities. The gimmick of the app wears off quickly, and while there are numerous things you can do beyond putting words in the cat's mouth, sputtering animations and simplistic jokes make it a limiting app.

In Talking Tom Cat 2, there is an animated cat onscreen that will mimic whatever you say. Talk to your device and the cat will repeat it back to you. The effect is eerily well-timed and rather funny. Combined with the interplay of the dog (that shares pranks and flatulence in the background to perturb the cat) and the recording feature that allows you to capture all of this on video, Talking Tom Cat 2 is not a bad app. In fact it is well designed and smartly crafted, but with no actual gameplay elements and a gimmick that is funny for only a moment; combined with a slow installation, sputtery animations, and a high cost of entry for more premier content, it is not right for everyone.

The biggest drawback to Talking Tom Cat 2 is that the most interesting content--upgrades for what the cat is wearing and how his apartment looks, cost money. You can earn coins by sharing on Facebook and watching videos, but with some outfits costing as many as 5,000 coins, the fastest route is to pay money. Combined with in-game ads that get in the way at times, the app is limited by its trial restrictions.