Facebook Games: Five Hidden Gems You Shouldn't Miss

Facebook games, otherwise known as applications (apps), have created a whole new dynamic in social gaming. Players can recruit their friends, send each other gifts and employ them as staff members. Listed below are Five "Hidden Gems," the more obscure Facebook games which are certainly worth checking out. Each of the following were not included in Inside Facebook's "Top 25 Facebook Games" from April 2010, which sorted apps based on monthly users.

Facebook Game: Ghost Trappers & Ghost Puzzlers - Technically two linked Facebook apps, these feature adorable ghosts, tongue-in-cheek humor and all of the wonky supernatural gizmos which make ghost-oriented lore so popular. Ghost Trappers is addictive member of the Facebook Hidden Gems list where players literally trap ghosts using a variety of items, with bonus special events and community features. The graphics are adorable, especially the different ghosts, which are featured in the match-game Ghost Puzzlers app. Unlock better equipment to access more features, and check back to learn about the new "special mission."

Facebook Game: Zombie Wars - With the popularity of "Zombie Apocalypse" themed games it's no wonder that a Facebook app features the hordes of undead and survival tactics. Similar to highly popular apps such as Mafia Wars and Vampire Wars, Zombie Wars offers an elaborate storyline and items, in addition to incentives for recruiting friends into your Zombie Wars "colony." The fact that the "missions" follow a plot outline is unique compared to similar apps featured on the "Top 25 Facebook Games" rundown, and it certainly lends an extra element of entertainment value to this Hidden Gem Facebook game.

Facebook Game: SuperPoke! Pets - This highly addictive virtual "pet" Facebook game is often overlooked, despite that it offers hundreds of adorable items, "habitat" customization and free gifts to send to your "playdates." Players generate SuperPoke! Pets currency by taking care of their pets, and a variety of different critters are offered; sheep, frogs, penguins and turtles make up some of the more unusual pet options. New items are added every week, including "Gold Items" which are purchased using real-life funds, SuperPoke! Pets offers an active community and frequent games or contests to help keep their fan-base hooked.

Facebook Game: School of Wizardry - Obviously inspired by the Harry Potter book series, School of Wziardry is yet another Hidden Gem Facebook game often absent from Top Facebook app lists. Players add friends to their "order," sending gifts and power-ups to use towards advancement. Characters are young wizards, and tasks are called "lessons" instead of missions. Full of magical items and clever graphics, School of Wizardry is too often overlooked. Anyone who is fond of this style of Facebookgames, or anyone who simply loves the Harry Potter and wizard-oriented worlds, should be sure to give this one a try.

Facebook Game: Gangsta Zombies - This Facebook game is a strange hybrid of the highly popular Mafia Wars app and another Hidden Gem included on this list: Zombie Wars. With a killer soundtrack and absolutely hilarious content, Gangsta Zombies is a truly addictive Facebook game. The lack of a female zombie is one of the true failings of Gangsta Zombies, but the alternative content and crazy missions more than make-up for that oversight. Send items to your friends, customize your zombie avatar and slowly spread your undead, Mafia-like influence in this Facebook app. While the high amount of content may seem daunting at first, the considerable volume of items marks Gangsta Zombies as an impressive jolt of fun.

For more by this author, read Sorority Life Fashion: An Unexpected Burst of Style on Facebook, Top 10 RPG Video Games: The 2010 Edition, Vintage Video Games: Revisiting the Best of the Sega Genesis, and Video Games for Women: 5 Titles Perfect for a Gamer Gal Group.

Sources:
Inside Facebook, "Top 25 Facebook Games for April 2010"