Short circuits 6/5: Spies on the run in 'Safe House'

GAMES: Pay as you go

Three years ago, the iOS debut of "MotoHeroz" (free for Apple devices; rated 4+) -- an off-road racing/stunt-driving game from the same studio behind the popular motorcycle racing game "Trials HD" for the Xbox 360 -- would have been good news. "MotoHeroz" operates almost identically to "Trials," providing a large array of short stunt courses and tasking players with completing them under a par time or over a par score. Unfortunately, a fully upgraded vehicle proves more important to your success than your driving skills. You can accomplish this by replaying courses ad nauseam while you gradually accumulate the in-game currency needed to upgrade each vehicle. Or you can watch video ads and earn a handful of coins that way. Or, for the price of $4 a vehicle (that's $32 for all eight), you can fully upgrade. If you want the option just to drop $5 upfront and play "MotoHeroz" as you would a fun, skill-based game instead of something that nickels and dimes your time and money and sabotages its own game-play merits in the process? Sorry. "MotoHeroz," the latest victim of the absolutely joyless "freemium" business model, won't allow it. -MCCLATCHY NEW SERVICE