Pokemon Go review
I’ve loved the Pokémon series ever since I was young, filled with a burning determination to stuff my Game Boy with an array of strange, colourful creatures. The lovely world in which this all takes place is awash with imaginative characters and beautiful environments. And now, after twenty years, it’s finally come to the real world as a state-of-the-art AR mobile title.
Iron Maiden: Legacy Of The Beast
I wouldn’t call myself a metal fan, let alone a fan of Iron Maiden. However, I am a huge sucker for turn-based RPGs, especially when they boast a spectacular visual style and interesting mechanics. Legacy of the Beast does exactly that, twisting decades of Iron Maiden history into a gritty, recognisable universe with a surprising amount of depth behind its skeletal appearance.
Uncharted: Fortune Hunter
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, like many blockbuster titles, has a fun little mobile game to accompany it. Uncharted: Fortune Hunter retains the charming personality of Naughty Dog’s franchise with a completely different approach gameplay, and it works rather well. Instead of murdering countless goons and scaling ancient ruins you will be traversing deadly tombs in search of devious puzzles to solve.
Angry Birds Action
Angry Birds Action
Angry Birds Action! is the thirteenth game in the popular mobile franchise, linked directly to the upcoming film with the same distinct visuals and personality. Despite the name, gameplay has seen some interesting changes, some of which feel fresh and exciting. Instead of using a slingshot, players launch birds around a small pinball-style arena, ricocheting off bouncy bumpers and explosive objects. It’s a fun, refreshing way to approach a tired formula, and is definitely worth a look.
Tales Of Link
The Tales franchise has proven to be hugely popular in recent years, capturing fans with its engaging characters, in-depth combat system and cutesy visual style. It’s been a long time coming, but the series finally makes its mobile debut, and for the most part, is a lot of fun. Bandai Namco has crafted a fun and refreshing experience for newcomers and veterans, providing plenty of nostalgic fan-service throughout. It isn’t without its flaws, but Tales of Link is an impressive, bite-sized adventure.
Groove Planet
Having the ability to play your own music in a rhythm game is nothing new, but rarely has the concept been used in such a creative way. Groove Planet by Animoca Brands combines rewarding base-building with traditional rhythm gameplay to create an irresistible-funk experience, one that is hard to pull yourself away from. The neon visuals create an almost euphoric display of explosive fireworks and little dancing creatures, both of which react as you tap along to the music. It’s a unique twist for rhythm games to include base building, but it’s an absolute blast to play.
Futurama: Game Of Drones
Futurama’s fictional universe is bursting with unique characters, locations and scenarios perfect for gaming, but rarely has a developer truly capitalised on the cult animated series. Futurama’s PS2 and Xbox release back in 2003 was a mediocre shooter made worse by awful platforming, and that’s all we’ve seen on the gaming front.
The Walking Dead: No Man’s Land
Having successfully helmed a TV show, comic series and even trivial board games, Rick Grimes and company are ready to take on the world of mobile gaming. The Walking Dead: No Man’s Land combines the best aspects of the popular franchise with some clever gameplay mechanics that feel both refreshing and unpredictable in a stagnant zombie genre. You play as a vulnerable group of survivors fresh out of Terminus, eager to form a new community by gathering supplies, recruiting survivors and building your own homestead. Right from the start, No Man’s Land integrates beloved franchise characters into the game. Fan favourite redneck Daryl Dixon will guide you through tutorials as you progress, and may even join you on tougher missions. No Man’s Land is surprisingly unconventional in a genre populated by cookie-cutter action games that focus on gratuitous violence over substance. Many of the game mechanics feel varied and fleshed out, forming a foundation around your decisions that feels genuinely meaningful. The game combines strategic turn-based combat, city simulation and some light decision-based gameplay that fluctuates enough to keep things fun.
Target Acquired
Have you ever wanted to explore a futuristic city populated by blaster-wielding catgirls? Me neither, until I got my hands on Target Acquired, a nifty little side-scroller that puts you in the shoes (paws?) of a catgirl on the Japanese police force. It’s a crazy premise, and one that unabashedly takes advantage of its quirky nature. Target Acquired takes place in Nekomipolis, a city populated entirely by catgirls. The setting is ridiculous, but feels surprisingly grounded in its anime aesthetic. It takes clear inspiration from famous franchises such as Megaman, Sonic The Hedgehog and Ghost in a Shell, sprinkling in its own unique charm to top it all off. You play as Yura Enders, a special agent catgirl tasked with hunting down and capturing Cammy, an evil robot mouse who loves to pilot giant robots. It’s ludicrous, and a fantastic backdrop to the fast-paced gameplay that requires frequent precision, patience and skill to succeed.
Stupid Zombies 3 – Dying Light
If I had to describe Stupid Zombies 3 in one sentence, it’d probably be something like “Angry Birds with Zombies,” and such a comparison isn’t too far off. Now, you probably don’t want to waste your time on such a clone, but hear me out. Stupid Zombies 3 is a fun, addictive title that builds upon the initial formula popularised by Angry Birds with dynamic level design, clever mechanics and a weirdly charming visual aesthetic. You have access to a variety of insane weapons, which must be aimed meticulously if you want to succeed. Nailing a succession of zombies by bouncing bullets around the environment is hugely satisfying, continuing to surprise after each new level. The Dying Light crossover twists the existing game into a surprisingly sombre experience. Arcade-inspired game mechanics remain untouched, but everything feels enhanced by the oppressive atmosphere that surrounds you. Containing 10 new levels, 4 new weapons and a unique graphical style; the free crossover is a fantastic addition, changing the original game in truly surprising ways.
OPUS: The Day We Found Earth
Space terrifies me. It’s empty, lonely and absolutely devoid of sentient life. Many games have tried and failed to capitalise on this fantastic atmospheric premise, so you wouldn’t expect a mobile title to pull it off so flawlessly. Having spent centuries exploring deep space, humanity can no longer find its way back to Earth. We’re slowly dying out, and our only hope lies with a giant space telescope and a cute little robot. Emeth is a young, curious robot tasked with rediscovering Earth and saving the human race. It’s a daunting goal, and you truly feel the weight on Emeth’s shoulders as you fruitlessly explore the expansive galaxy. Gameplay is simple, all you do is follow subtle introductions in order to discover new planets and freely explore the colossal space before you. As you discover new planets the abandoned space station you occupy slowly returns to life; slowly filling with compelling characters and story beats that are a joy to interact with.
The Pit
Endless runners are nothing new in the world of mobile gaming, and often have trouble forming an identity among the hordes of generic clones crammed onto the App Store. The Pit attempts to distinguish itself from the competition, boasting a cutesy visual style and some unusual gameplay changes. Not all of them work for the best, but it remains a valiant effort to innovate on a genre firmly in stagnation. One of the first things you’ll notice about The Pit is the minimal visual style, which appears sharp, cute and attractive on modern devices. You must guide your tiny sprite along the never-ending track through increasingly challenging obstacles. The big change is, you are limited to a single line, and can no longer slip into opposing lanes to avoid something. It’s a fun twist, and one that lends an element of challenge and immediate replayability to every session.
