Mobile Gaming February 2018 | A Thumping good time!

More_Badass · Feb 7, 2018

Welcome to the monthly mobile gaming thread, where we discuss the best and most interesting titles coming to iOS and Android each and every month. From sales, to exciting new releases, to promising games in the works, mobile gaming is vast and growing medium, with entries in genres of every fashion, premium and free alike.

The main post will contain recommended games that released during the previous month. All the games listed will have been highlighted by the ERA community in one way or another. This way you can keep tabs on the best games and at the same time curate an excellent resource to look back on to find games you may have missed.

Additional resources for games released during 2017, 2016, and prior will be available soon.

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FEATURED NEW RELEASES

The Room: Old Sins

App Store
Site | $4.99

Enter The Room: Old Sins and be transported to a place where tactile exploration meets challenging puzzles and a captivating story. The sudden disappearance of an ambitious engineer and his high-society wife provokes the hunt for a precious artefact. The trail leads to the attic of their home, and the discovery of an old, peculiar dollhouse… Explore unsettling locations, follow obscure clues and manipulate bizarre contraptions as you uncover the mysteries within Waldegrave Manor.

Meteorfall

App Store | Google Play
Site | $2.99

Meteorfall is a deck-building roguelike. You'll choose your class from one of four unique adventurers, and then set out with a deck consisting of some basic attack cards. During the course of your adventure, you'll be presented with the opportunity to add powerful new cards to your deck.
No adventure would be complete without slaying a few monsters that get in your way. In battle, you'll draw cards from your ability deck. Each time you draw a card, you'll be able to swipe right to play the card, or swipe left to skip a turn and regain some stamina.

Thumper Pocket Edition

App Store
Site | $4.99

Thumper is rhythm violence: classic rhythm-action, blistering speed, and brutal physicality. You are a space beetle. Brave the hellish void and confront a maniacal giant head from the future.

Dandara

App Store | Google Play
Site | $14.99

Welcome to a unique 2D metroidvania platformer full of mystical creatures and boundless exploration. Defy gravity as you jump across floors, walls, and ceilings alike. Discover the mysteries and secrets hidden throughout the world of Salt and its diverse array of characters. Empower Dandara for combat and survival against enemies bent on oppression.

Six Match

App Store | Google Play
Site | Free to download, $1.99 to remove ads

Six Match tasks you with taking your Match-3 skills to the next level. Enter the Match-3 board as Mr Swap-With-Coins and try to make a match in 6 turns or less.
As the coins keep dropping, so do new mechanics

Jydge

App Store
Site | $4.99

Build your JYDGE. Enter Edenbyrg. Get out alive. Build your own cybernetic JYDGE in this lawful-but-awful roguehate top-down shooter where you get to eradicate crime in the never-sleeping megacity of Edenbyrg.

Super Fancy Pants Adventure

App Store
Site | $4.99

Super Fancy Pants Adventure is a wild free-running adventure with buttery smooth platforming and a slick fountain pen!

Bring You Home

App Store
Site | $2.99

BRING YOU HOME tells the story of a humble alien hero that will traverse multiple worlds in a frenetic chase with the goal of retrieving his kidnapped alien pet. The game is a cute & accessible, purely visual, family friendly puzzle adventure… with a gameplay twist.

True Legacy

App Store
Site | $2.99

True Legacy is a text-driven puzzle adventure game.
Investigate a politically sensitive murder in a dystopian, 21st century metropolis, riven by rampant economic and genetic inequality. Both your ethics, and puzzle solving skills will be tested in this sci-fi noir thriller.
Taking the role of investigator Claire Thornhill, players navigate the world of True Legacy via interactive text, immersive 3D scenes and forensic puzzle gameplay. The branching narrative pushes you to express your ethics in a harsh world transformed by unregulated technological advances.

OTHER NOTABLE RELEASES

Cytus 2 (iOS ) - $1.99
Four Last Things (iOS / Android) - $3.99
It's Full of Sparks (iOS ) - Free
Hero Academy 2 (iOS / Android) - Free
Let Them Come (iOS / Android) - $1.99
Mosaic (iOS / Android) - Free
Out There Chronicles: Episode 2 (iOS / Android) - $2.99
Pako 2 (iOS ) - $1.99
Tents & Trees (iOS / Android) - Free

UPCOMING RELEASES

PREVIOUS THREADS

Mobile Gaming January 2018 | New ERA, new year, and so many new games
Mobile Gaming December 2017 | A Frosty X-mas Season
Mobile Gaming November 2017 | Giving thanks for iOS and Android alike

awp69 · Feb 7, 2018

Thanks again MB!

alundra311 · Feb 7, 2018

Thanks! Subbed. :)

Frost · Feb 7, 2018

HotHamBoy · Feb 7, 2018

Jurassic Park is coming to Zen Pinball!

Trailer:

Three tables, February 20th!

1) Jurassic World - based on original World movie, original actor samples
2) Jurassic Park - based on 1st movie, original actor samples
3) Jurassic Park Pinball Mayhem - original story concept, new actors

In traditional Zen Studios fashion none of the iconic music will be featured. For whatever reason only Star Wars has the John Williams score and even the new Star Wars film tables use the old music.

Btw, does someone want to create a thread for this? I can't make threads & I think it would be exciting to Jurassic Park fans in general. Plus, it's going to be on all PBFX3 platforms + mobile.

colinp · Feb 7, 2018

Thanks MB!

awp69 · Feb 7, 2018

FINALFANTASY XV POCKET EDITION by SQUARE ENIX INC https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/finalfantasy-xv-pocket-edition/id1152350815?mt=8

colinp · Feb 8, 2018

awp69 said:
FINALFANTASY XV POCKET EDITION by SQUARE ENIX INC https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/finalfantasy-xv-pocket-edition/id1152350815?mt=8

Not released yet in the US. What store are you seeing it on?

awp69 · Feb 8, 2018

colinp said:
Not released yet in the US. What store are you seeing it on?

Actually, I'm in the US and downloaded it right around the time I posted.

colinp · Feb 8, 2018

awp69 said:
Actually, I'm in the US and downloaded it right around the time I posted.

Weird, just shows up as preordered for me.

colinp · Feb 8, 2018

Speak of the devil- I JUST got a notification saying that it is available!

Pitta · Feb 8, 2018

Tanks MB as usual, great work.

Warhammer Quest End of Time 2.0 is here.
Beside a ton of new content including a new full campaign and 3 new classes (Ogre, Warpriest and Wardancer), full iPhone X support the imho main core game addition is in dungeon ambushes which change the game big time, for the better.

As a matter of fact I just suffered a total party kill surrounded by enemies in a ambush, when I was just toying around with 2 minions.

Lesson learned.....time to put to good use those super weapons and spells I avoided to use to have the game less easy.

Mudo · Feb 8, 2018

Well I just played the first chapter of Final Fantasy 15. Not a fan tbh. I'm using an Iphone 8+ and the graphics on max are super bland and not detailed so far. Music is from the console game but has constant static and hitching. Characters talk over each other during scripted cutscenes (happened twice). The game has honestly been gutted from the console release. I realize they had to condense the game for mobile but here are things I noticed that I don't like:

1. Character abilities seem to be gone (fishing, photography etc). Unless they magically appear after chapter 1.
2. Almost no exploration. Car drives on auto from the place to place and once there you are confined to that tiny area. No walking away from the motel on the way to Galdin. There are small areas to explore so far and very linear.
3. Battles are super easy and touch here is not ideal. Warp strike by holding on an enemy or icon works sometimes and doesn't others. Also Noct will usually auto attack a nearby enemy once he has killed 1 but sometimes he just stops and stands still and you have to tap an enemy to get him going again.
4. Character models are chibi and while i usually don't mind this, most everyone looks hideous but i know this is personal preference.
5. Can't enter buildings at Hammerhead or the motel so no diner or store to go inside maybe this changes later but for now they are just window dressing. Related: are hunts gone? At least accepting hunts from an npc seem to be gone not sure if they show up some other way later.
6. No time of day changes while playing. Whatever time of day it is when you get somewhere seems to be what it always is.

So while the game isn't broken or horrific, it is very, very disappointing. So much smaller and more linear; Audio glitches; really bland basic graphics with texture loading and pop-in.

I'll wait for impressions past chapter 1 before spending money on this.

awp69 · Feb 8, 2018

Holy crap does Dandara get much harder after the Colossal Bridge! Love it though.

ForteanMan · Feb 8, 2018

Mudo said:
Well I just played the first chapter of Final Fantasy 15. Not a fan tbh. I'm using an Iphone 8+ and the graphics on max are super bland and not detailed so far. Music is from the console game but has constant static and hitching. Characters talk over each other during scripted cutscenes (happened twice). The game has honestly been gutted from the console release. I realize they had to condense the game god mobile but here are things I noticed that I don't like:.

That's a bit disappointing to hear. Not that this was super high on any of my wishlists, but if it turned out half-way decent I was gonna bite. Especially after reading how MIke Fahey was pretty positive about it over at Kotaku.

Asa · Feb 8, 2018

We just release Helihopper to Google play as well: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.oddrok.helihopper

We = ODDROK aka. Two person team from Resetera indie devs :)

Oynox · Feb 8, 2018

alundra311 said:
Looks impressive. I wonder if they got licenses to the boardgames they feature.

Yes, I'm contrast to the "thieves" of Tabletop Simulator, they actually have the licenses and even work closely together with publishers and developers. The latter can also use the platform to plattest games without actually producing them. The PC version has hundreds of games already, many many (big ones!) of them free. As I mentioned though, the controls can feel janky in some games on PC, so I hope it works better with touch.

Pitta · Feb 8, 2018

I tried it briefly, but the Tabletopia UI on iPad was surprisingly good and responsive.

If only FFG would sign with them....

alundra311 · Feb 8, 2018

Oynox said:
Yes, I'm contrast to the "thieves" of Tabletop Simulator, they actually have the licenses and even work closely together with publishers and developers. The latter can also use the platform to plattest games without actually producing them. The PC version has hundreds of games already, many many (big ones!) of them free. As I mentioned though, the controls can feel janky in some games on PC, so I hope it works better with touch.

Pitta said:
I tried it briefly, but the Tabletopia UI on iPad was surprisingly good and responsive.

If only FFG would sign with them....

Sounds excellent. I may give it a shot then. I'd love to try games digitally before I commit to physical.

campbell · Feb 8, 2018

Oops, I was still posting in January's thread.

I just posted over there that I'm really digging Dig Dog: Dig Dog – Treasure Hunter by Rusty Moyher https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dig-dog-treasure-hunter/id1147716340?mt=8

Frost · Feb 8, 2018

Im happy that the FFXV port is not the thing i wanted it to be to i can save for next week: Fe, Owlboy and Crossing Souls. #Relief

awp69 · Feb 8, 2018

Frost said:
Im happy that the FFXV port is not the thing i wanted it to be to i can save for next week: Fe, Owlboy and Crossing Souls. #Relief

Yeah, I've got those three in my radar as well.

Pitta · Feb 8, 2018

Frost said:
Im happy that the FFXV port is not the thing i wanted it to be to i can save for next week: Fe, Owlboy and Crossing Souls. #Relief

You are a bad person.
For a brief but very intense moment I thought Owlboy was out next week on iOS.

Killercow · Feb 8, 2018

Absolutely stoked for this: The Battle for Polytopia by Midjiwan (the best Civ-like built with mobile in mind) will get an update adding online multiplayer on iOS and Android on February 15th.

colinp · Feb 8, 2018

Pitta said:
You are a bad person.
For a brief but very intense moment I thought Owlboy was out next week on iOS.

Hah, I thought the same! Checked the preorders to double check whether I missed something.

Oynox · Feb 8, 2018

Frost said:
Im happy that the FFXV port is not the thing i wanted it to be to i can save for next week: Fe, Owlboy and Crossing Souls. #Relief

Good lord, I already though Owlboy was coming to iOS. That would be so great.

awp69 · Feb 8, 2018

Didn't realize the Owlboy devs also did Savant Ascent. Don't think that did all that well on iOS and was never updated for 64-bit. Not hopeful of Owlboy coming.

Pitta · Feb 8, 2018

Spent just 1 hour in the new 2.0 Warhammer Quest End Times.
The thrill of exploration was the only thing I was missing from the first one after you reached level 5 or so.
I'm super happy to report it's gloriously back.

I think I'll start over but I tried some dungeons (not even in the new region which is supposed to be harder) with my Uber party where Legolas alone could kill entire rooms in just one turn thanks to all the skills I loaded him....and I had to restart twice already.
Finally formation and party support have a meaning because if you are ambushed and your mages are alone, you are fucked.
Especially if your mages are the only ones with healing.
Enemies can drop between your men effectively shielding them from aids, especially if we are talking about Minotaurs or Trolls.
It doesn't happen frequently like in the first game (so no 5 black orcs ambushes in a row) but now just because you know it can happen....everything changes (for the better).
It's still one of the best looking games on iOS, now with full iPhone X support.

I'm a sword and shield guy so I think I'll add a Warpriest to my party, but I don't know who is leaving yet....

Frost · Feb 8, 2018

Whoops sorry i thought that was kind of obvious that they werent for iOS since they havent been announced and probably never will. At least in the near future. Next time i will add a PS4 thing

awp69 said:
Yeah, I've got those three in my radar as well.

Crossing Souls has a demo you can try. I need to chose one between the three of them. Probably Owlboy since reviews and users raved about it that same way as Celeste

Saucycarpdog · Feb 8, 2018

Awesome thread again MB!

awp69 · Feb 8, 2018

Frost said:
Whoops sorry i thought that was kind of obvious that they werent for iOS since they havent been announced and probably never will. At least in the near future. Next time i will add a PS4 thing

Crossing Souls has a demo you can try. I need to chose one between the three of them. Probably Owlboy since reviews and users raved about it that same way as Celeste

Looking forward to all but Fe looks like a 3D Ori, which I adored, so that's drawing me the most.

Killercow · Feb 8, 2018

Civilization VI on iPad is 50% off until March 1st (30$).

Frost · Feb 8, 2018

I wonder what will be released next week for iOS

awp69 said:
Looking forward to all but Fe looks like a 3D Ori, which I adored, so that's drawing me the most.

Holy guacamoley! Was watching some videos and reading IGN about Fe and is a mix between Ori, Zelda, Shadow of the Colossus and some metroidvania! And some emotions like Journey! And in 3D! Now it went to the top of my list

theytookourjobz · Feb 8, 2018

Is The Witness on iOS worth it? I played through a few hours on PC but if it's as good on mobile, I'm gonna pick it up.

Pitta · Feb 8, 2018

theytookourjobz said:
Is The Witness on iOS worth it? I played through a few hours on PC but if it's as good on mobile, I'm gonna pick it up.

I completed it before Xmas on iOS.
Imho it's fantastic (iPhone X).
The nature of the game is dead perfect on touch screens imho (but some timed puzzles at the very end but nothing impossible) and in latest devices looks fantastic.
Great game too.

More_Badass · Feb 8, 2018

So what's the consensus on True Legacy?

theytookourjobz · Feb 8, 2018

Pitta said:
I completed it before Xmas on iOS.
Imho it's fantastic (iPhone X).
The nature of the game is dead perfect on touch screens imho (but some timed puzzles at the very end but nothing impossible) and in latest devices looks fantastic.
Great game too.

Awesome, thanks. Think it would be okay on my iPad? (regular iPad latest version I believe).

Pitta · Feb 8, 2018

theytookourjobz said:
Awesome, thanks. Think it would be okay on my iPad? (regular iPad latest version I believe).

I played on iPhone X (glorious) and iPad Air (first one) where it was surprisingly good (but not as glorious).

Tucked in bed with headphones is quite an experience.
Puzzles range from dumb to incredibly hard (but always doable).
It is a long game.

Frost · Feb 8, 2018

Nevermind, better if you dont know lol

Oynox · Feb 8, 2018

Killercow said:
Civilization VI on iPad is 50% off until March 1st (30$).

Well the full price wasn't very long in place.

awp69 · Feb 8, 2018

For anyone looking for a premium tower defense game, this looks pretty good. $4.99

Defend the Cake Tower Defense by Defend the Cake LLC https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/defend-the-cake-tower-defense/id1317096823?mt=8

Supposedly made by a team of former Blizzard and Riot devs.

awp69 · Feb 9, 2018

First episode is on sale for $1:

Life Is Strange by SQUARE ENIX INC https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/life-is-strange/id1180101534?mt=8

Rodney McKay · Feb 9, 2018

awp69 said:
For anyone looking for a premium tower defense game, this looks pretty good. $4.99

Defend the Cake Tower Defense by Defend the Cake LLC https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/defend-the-cake-tower-defense/id1317096823?mt=8

Supposedly made by a team of former Blizzard and Riot devs.

Looking at a video of this (PC version I think) it seems a bit... basic I guess. Seems solid enough, but for $5 it seems like it's lacking some polish in the animations and doesn't seem to have a hook or gimmick to separate it from other TD games other than the cute artstyle and the ability to place your base/cake.

awp69 · Feb 9, 2018

If anyone is in the market for an Apple TV 4K, Direct TV Now has a really great offer. Pay for 3 months up front at $35 a month and you get it free. $105 with a 4K Apple TV is damn good.

Just did it myself because I like how Apple movies upgrade to 4K, even those you bought elsewhere through Movies Anywhere. Already have a bunch that I'll be able to watch in 4K that are only HD on Vudu.

Being able to play some games on it is a nice bonus.

Here's the link if you are interested:
https://www.directvnow.com/appletv

awp69 · Feb 10, 2018

Death Squared is coming out on iOS next week. Have heard good things about the console versions of the game.

Killercow · Feb 10, 2018

awp69 said:
Death Squared is coming out on iOS next week. Have heard good things about the console versions of the game.

You can pre-order right now:

https://itunes.apple.com/fr/app/death-squared-rorororo/id1023960081?l=en&mt=8

It will support MFi controllers.

awp69 · Feb 10, 2018

Killercow said:
You can pre-order right now:

https://itunes.apple.com/fr/app/death-squared-rorororo/id1023960081?l=en&mt=8

It will support MFi controllers.

Thanks. Wonder if that $6.99 is a launch price?

Would like to get it but next week is going to be expensive with some console releases that I really want.

Frost · Feb 10, 2018

awp69 said:
Thanks. Wonder if that $6.99 is a launch price?

Would like to get it but next week is going to be expensive with some console releases that I really want.

That looks good but it has an enphasis on co-op.

And "good" news (at least for our wallets) as Owlboy for PS4/XO isnt releasing next week, new release date is TBA. So only Fe (i already preordered this one) and Crossing Souls... so cheaper than expected xD

awp69 · Feb 10, 2018

Frost said:
That looks good but it has an enphasis on co-op.

And "good" news (at least for our wallets) as Owlboy for PS4/XO isnt releasing next week, new release date is TBA. So only Fe (i already preordered this one) and Crossing Souls... so cheaper than expected xD

Hmm, that's kind of disappointing on Owlboy. Wonder why the delay?

Frost · Feb 10, 2018

awp69 said:
Hmm, that's kind of disappointing on Owlboy. Wonder why the delay?

Probably because they want to sell more copies on the Switch... wonder if Nintendo charges less for digital distribution than PS/XO