Every week, Pocket Gamer sister site iPad Quality Index (iPad Qi) highlights the newest games to make a critical splash in the cool, seductive waters of the iPad pool.

Grabbing scores and opinions from all corners of the web, including from 148Apps, AppGamer, and IGN, Qi answers all your iPad-related questions before you've even asked them.

Today, we're going to focus on two new contenders vying to be crowned king of your iPad. Both are worthy, but do they have what it takes to win your head, your heart, and your wallet?

I can see your Halo

Blasting straight onto the iPad Qi chart mere hours after its release is Gameloft's much-anticipated sci-fi shooter sequel N.O.V.A. 3 - Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance.

In the third chapter in the series, Kal has returned to earth with the sole purpose of blasting any alien nasties which dare to cross his path into their component atoms.

Business is conducted from the series-standard first-person perspective, which affords you a cracking view of the impressively realised environments.

Though Gameloft has clearly lifted ideas wholesale from both the Halo and Crysis franchises - snazzy spacesuit, visor-projected HUD, female AI companion - that hasn't stopped the game from clocking up a number of highly positive reviews.

Indeed, Pocket Gamer's reviewer reports that "more often than not N.O.V.A. 3 is everything you want it to be".

Magical metal

Slicing up beasties elsewhere in the chart is the charming 2D retro RPG-platformer Spellsword.

Having stumbled across the legendary Spellsword, our nameless protagonist must immediately put it to good use, carving up critters and mauling monsters with glee.

This gently humorous take on the role-playing formula sees developer Everplay adapting the frantic platforming framework of Super Crate Box to include magic, card collection, and equipment upgrade mechanics.

The guys at Gamezebo fell in love with Spellsword's self-aware serving of steel and sorcery, stating: "While Super Crate Box may have invented the formula, Spellsword elevates it to the next level."

You can get the up-to-date information about which games are reviewing best over at the iPad Quality Index.