There may be a lot of problems surrounding smartphones and their usage, but no one can deny that the technology is truly incredible. The technological leap of the past 10 years is nothing short of astounding, and with the latest iPhone and Android devices, people can complete hundreds of different types of tasks that would’ve required a whole manner of extra equipment in the past.
They’re also an excellent entertainment device: video streaming platforms offer extensive libraries featuring hundreds of TV shows and movies, and of course, there are e-books and audio streaming services, enabling you to read or listen to whatever you want at any time. Your Smartphone is a fantastic gaming devices, too, and in this article, you’ll learn about 12 brilliant titles for when you want to kick back and relax, no matter where you are in the world.
1. Candy Crush Saga
If you own a smartphone, you owe it to yourself to download Candy Crush Saga. For many, the game represents the ultimate time killer when the boredom hits, and with a simple yet addictive gameplay hook, anyone can learn to play.
Games like Bejeweled on the PC platform set the stage for Candy Crush, and it plays in much the same way: players must rotate coloured sweets on the board to match three lines or more of the same colour, and the game offers increasingly difficult challenges and a huge variety of levels to keep you from getting tired of it.
2. Mahjong
Mahjong is a game that has stood the test of time over generations, and it’s easy to see why. Originating in China, it’s usually played at a table with four players, with the aim being to match pairs of the same tile to clear the board. The first player to do so wins.
Nowadays, there are many online variants available, and the ability to play with other players from all over the world. It’s a great way to relax when you have some time spare or while travelling on a short journey.
3. Plants vs Zombies 2
The Plants vs Zombies series has been around for a while now, and many agree that the second game in the series is the sweet spot for balanced gameplay mechanics.
The game takes classic tower defence-style gameplay and adapts it to a wacky setting where the player must place a variety of plants to repel ever-encroaching waves of zombies. Plants are placed on a grid in front of a house that you must protect, and each has different special abilities that can be combined in unique ways.
Things start out easy but quickly progress. You’ll be surprised at how you get sucked in to what is, on the surface, a very simple game!
4. Grand Theft Auto 3
While smartphones are generally best suited to a simpler style of game given the lack of any physical controls, that hasn’t stopped developers from porting over classic 3d titles.
One such port is Grand Theft Auto 3 – Rockstar’s groundbreaking open-world action game that changed the industry forever. While this was once a graphical powerhouse, most modern smartphones can run the title with ease. It has an excellent story, and even to this day, many players consider it one of the most enjoyable video games of all time.
5. What Remains of Edith Finch
If you’re looking for something with an interesting, whimsical world to explore and a deep story, What Remains of Edith Finch should be on your list.
Player’s control Edith, the last remaining member of a large family. Each member of the family has died in a mysterious circumstance, and as Edith travels back to her now abandoned family home, the player gets to relive these confusing deaths in artistic, dreamy sequences to try and figure out what went wrong.
It’s a brilliant representation of how clever games can be in relaying a complex story, and serves as a reminder of how strong the medium is when it comes to narrative exploration.
6. Doodle Jump
Doodle Jump came out at the height of the smartphone revolution, and it’s still just as fun today as it was all those years ago.
A lot of that is owed to its simplicity. You control a little green alien with the aim of increasing your high score of meters jumped. You’ll jump on randomly generated platforms as you do your best not to fall, which will trigger a game over. You’ll also need to watch out for any enemies that obstruct your path and shoot them down.
The character is controlled by tilting the phone left and right, and things get incredibly tense as you do your best to keep them in the air.
7. Sudoku
Sudoku is another timeless classic you should try if you haven’t already, and even if you’ve played the paper version, you may end up preferring the digital variant.
The aim of the game is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in a 9×9 grid, ensuring that each row and column contains no repeats. It’s a good one for getting your brain working, and no two games are ever the same.
Many also find that the game has helped them improve their concentration over time, and if you have kids, this is a solid choice for keeping them occupied in a healthy way and getting them to learn how to be patient.
8. Pokémon GO
Pokémon remains one of Nintendo’s best-selling series. Spanning card games, TV shows, and big-budget video games, the franchise is truly everywhere.
A surprise for everyone, though, was when the series hit the smartphone market: Pokémon GO became a hit practically overnight, mostly owing to its clever game play premise.
The game has the player going out into their real-world environment, using the phone’s camera and augmented reality (AR) to catch Pokémon in their neighbourhood. While the premise might sound gimmicky at first, it’s a ton of fun for adults and kids alike, and it’s a great one to play with your kids to get them out of the house and exploring the local area.
9. Crossy Road
Crossy Road is another superb game that’s built on a classic formula.
In this case, it’s Frogger – the 1981 arcade game by Konami that had the player control a frog as it attempts to cross busy roads and rapid streams.
Crossy Road replaces the pixel art of the original with cute, blocky 3d graphics and an assortment of unique characters, but the premise is the same. The game scales things up a fair bit compared to its predecessor, with unique, escalating challenges in each new level.
10. Minecraft
While traditionally played on PC, there’s a great port of Minecraft for mobile devices, allowing you to take the adventure wherever you go.
If you’re unaware, Minecraft places the player in a randomly generated 3d world with a range of different biomes, from snowy peaks to dense jungles. The game works on a day and night cycle, with monsters coming out during the night which can quickly result in your demise if you’re not careful. To protect yourself, you’ll need to make a shelter, mine for resources, craft weapons, and cook food.
While you might think it’s only for kids, Minecraft’s survival mechanics are great fun for everyone. Give it a try – you’ll likely be surprised!
11. Rocket League
Rocket League is essentially football played with rocket-powered cars, and yes, it’s as fun as it sounds!
Players go head to head on huge pitches to skillfully place a giant ball in a suitably giant net by using their driving skills and special stunts. The game is played in short bursts of two minutes, and with each pitch resembling a cage, you’re able to drive up and flip off the walls to try and make tactical goals.
It can take some getting used to, and there’s quite a high skill ceiling, but be persistent, and you’ve got one of the most rewarding games on mobile.
12. Super Mario Run
Super Mario Run is the series’ first (and only) jump to the mobile platforms. Super Mario games have traditionally only been released on Nintendo platforms, but Run has been designed from the ground up to be played using only one hand.
Rather than controlling Mario with directional buttons, the game focuses on a single tap to jump to simplify things. You’d be surprised at how far this mechanic can go: the folks at Nintendo are known for their inventive level design, and even with limited controls, Super Mario Run presents as one of the most enjoyable platformers you can play on mobile to date.
Wrapping Up
You should now have a solid idea of what exciting titles await you on your Smartphone mobile device, but that doesn’t mean these are the only titles. Take a browse on your iPhone or Android phone’s store to see what’s trending currently, and check out both user and professional reviews of the latest titles to get the low down on the pros and cons. Have fun!
Images courtesy of unsplash.com and pexels.com
