Beasts and swinging swords were part of Apple’s latest iPhone and gadget gala Tuesday courtesy of Epic Games.

After scorning Apple’s operating system for years, Cary-based Epic Games fully embraced iOS with its Infinity Blade series. And Epic’s ChAIR Entertainment studio remains an apple in the big Mac’s eye, unveiling the third edition of the Blade series on stage at Apple’s big media event Tuesday.

Infinity Blade III hits the Apple App Store on Sept. 18, and if the latest version is as polished as well as exciting as the first two then Epic will have another big hit on its hands.

Epic, which started as a PC-focused company before moving on to Microsoft’s Xbox (with its mega-hit Gears of War franchise) and other platforms, steered clear of Apple for years. That changed in 2010 with the first Blade, which became a huge seller as Apple mobile device gamers embraced the fantasy combat title.

The latest version will run on a new high-powered Apple chip known as the A7, ChAIR claims the cutting-edge graphics and fast play will “completely redefine the boundaries of mobile gaming.”

Well, the market will determine if that claim is true.

“It’s been amazing to see the continued success of Infinity Blade and to have the ability to tell a complex story across different mediums, using a single device we take wherever we go,” said Donald Mustard, co-founder and creative director at ChAIR, about the new title. “We’re so proud of Infinity Blade III and feel it not only offers a powerful finale to the series, but also gives mobile gaming another giant push forward.”

Of course, the new Blade runs on Epic’s global best-selling game development platform called Unreal.

ChAIR’s newest version also allows gamers to play both primary characters in the series – Siris and Isa – plus the game has a new “Hideout” feature for players to use as their base, the developers say.

Infinity Blade III further enables “massively social” play through its patent-pending “ClashMob” feature and plenty of action with touch-screen capabilities. 

“In the ultimate touchscreen experience, players attack opponents, dodge enemy advances, cast powerful magic, and explore eight expansive new worlds – all with a swipe of the finger,” ChAIR promises. “Through a dynamic single-player campaign, gamers explore multiple paths as they battle to defeat the Worker of Secrets and dozens of new enemies, including a ferocious, flying dragon.

An added feature is an animated short from director Ben Hibon, who is known for “Mirror, Mirror” and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows” Part 1.”

In the ultimate touchscreen experience, players attack opponents, dodge enemy advances, cast powerful magic, and explore eight expansive new worlds – all with a swipe of the finger. Through a dynamic single-player campaign, gamers explore multiple paths as they battle to defeat the Worker of Secrets and dozens of new enemies, including a ferocious, flying dragon.

The game is priced at $6.99 and will be compatible on a wide range of Apple devices. 

For non-gamers or gamers who also like to read, there’s an e-book (“Infinity Blade: Redemption” available, too.