I have not been following the Money Heist series, nor have I checked out the brand new Berlin, and I’m also not big on interactive fiction games. So all that is to say I’m not going to be the best judge to tell you if Money Heist: Ultimate Choice is a great game or not. What I can say though is that in general Netflix has done an excellent job with games based on their programs offering all sorts of awesome fan service for the hardcore fans of said shows, and I’d wager that Money Heist: Ultimate Choice is along those same lines. And hey, if you do watch the show(s) then it’s pretty likely you have Netflix already, which means you can take this baby for a test drive at no risk whatsoever.

Grift: Scam Tycoon features more than 40 characters to interact with (read: try to scam) and tons of different items to outfit and customize your online bots as you try to scam your way to the top while also seeking out your mortal enemy Gwendolyn Goat. Yes, it’s kind of weird to be rooting for a character who is doing scumbag things, but I have a feeling there’s more to this story and that becoming the world’s best online scammer isn’t going to end up being the fulfilling life Henry Horns thinks it is. After all, the game description teases that “Maybe you’ll discover something new about yourself along the way?" which means there’s bound to be some moral lessons to be learned in all this online chicanery. Or perhaps not. We’ll find out for ourselves when Grift: Scam Tycoon launches on January 17th. You can pre-order it on iOS here or Android here, and if you’re in New Zealand the game is already launched there so you can get a jump start on your online scamming ahead of the rest of the world.

One very cool feature about Phoenix 2 now being on Android is that the game features cross play and cross progression between the iOS and Android versions, meaning if you’ve dedicated a huge portion of your free time to unlocking and upgrading the game’s 100+ ships or partaking in the game’s daily missions you don’t have to lose that progress should you ever jump ship to Android. It also follows the same pay model as the iOS version, which is a very friendly free to play model. So there’s really no reason NOT to give it a shot, whether you’re an Android person or just never got around to it on iOS over these past 7.5 years.

The truth is that each of us here are just gamers at heart, and while we have a deep love of mobile gaming and feel it deserves to be taken just as seriously as consoles and PC, we’re also huge fans of all gaming platforms. Adding Switch and Steam Deck into our coverage rotation comes mainly from our own passion of wanting to do so, and in turn we hope we’ve helped to bring some great content to readers who normally come here for mobile gaming stuff but love their Switch and/or Steam Deck devices too. So for our Game of the Year piece this year we’ve decided to pick a winner for both Switch and Steam Deck in addition to an iPhone and iPad choice.

There’s another wrinkle to this year’s picks. Previously we’ve included picks specific to Apple Arcade and Netflix in addition to regular old App Store releases because it felt kind of weird to pick a game that was “locked" behind a subscription as our sole GotY pick, but it also didn’t feel fair excluding those games simply because they were part of a different kind of pay model. Our solution was to just pick one for each. However, after Apple Arcade then Netflix showed up, and now this year Crunchyroll is getting in on the subscription fun, and it’s hard to know where the state of these services will be going in 2024. Do we just keep picking a GotY for each subscription service even if there ends up being, like, ten of them? That seems kind of silly.

For this year we decided to take how a game was paid for or accessed out of the equation. We wanted to compare the games themselves against each other without any of the pay model stuff entering into the equation. The result, as you can likely see by now, is that our iPhone Game of the Year is an Apple Arcade game. This was the game that we enjoyed the most and felt best deserved the honor. Is this going to be controversial? Maybe! But the alternative might mean adding more and more GotY picks to these posts each year, and I feel like that kind of dilutes things. Anyway, I just thought it was worth mentioning our thought process. I do feel bad that people who don’t have Apple Arcade can’t play our pick, but I guess if we picked a paid game and you were flat broke, you wouldn’t be able to play that either, so maybe this isn’t really all that different.

I’ll stop rambling now! Hopefully you enjoy our picks and please feel free to leave any comments, both good or bad, about these decisions in the comment section below. Or if you feel very strongly that there were other games that deserved these honors, tell us about ’em. As always thank you for reading and supporting TouchArcade, we hope you have a happy and safe new year and we’ll see you in 2024!

iPhone Game of the Year 2023: ‘Ridiculous Fishing EX’

[Review] – [Game of the Week] – You know, right around this time 10 years ago we were picking the original Ridiculous Fishing as our Game of the Year for 2013. Boy, where does the time go? At that time we highlighted the excellent gameplay loop that had you launching a fishing line down into the depths of the ocean, tilting your device to try and avoid hitting any creatures in order to do down as deep as the line could go, and then once your line was on its upwards swing trying to catch absolutely everything you could on the hook before you reached the surface. Once you did reach the surface the really absurd fun began, as all your caught sea creatures were then flung into the sky, where you would then use a variety of weapons to blast them out of said sky and earn cold hard cash for doing so. That cash could then go towards upgrades that would let you go deeper, shoot harder, and unlock more and more places to partake in this weird brand of fishing.

It’s a gameplay loop that still hold ups and is a perfect fit for mobile. The only problem was that over the years, as new devices and versions of iOS showed up, the original Ridiculous Fishing never quite kept pace. I mean, keeping any mobile game running smoothly long term can be a tall order, but it was especially upsetting to see one of the greatest mobile original games of all time falling by the wayside. Ridiculous Fishing needed an update, or a remaster, or something to bring it up to modern standards and continue delighting players for many more years to come.

Well that is what we’ve got here with Ridiculous Fishing EX. Original developers Vlambeer, Zach Gage, and Greg Wohlwend partnered up with GNOG developer KO_OP to rebuild the game from the ground up as an Apple Arcade original. The unique angular pixel art style of the original is translated into gorgeous 3D visuals, and there are many more modern touches all over the place, but the core experience of the original Ridiculous Fishing has been preserved in this EX version. This is the Ridiculous Fishing we all know and love, but built for modern times and looking better than ever. Basically a dream come true for me and many others.

Except… they didn’t stop there. While the entireity of the original Ridiculous Fishing was present in this new remake, KO_OP went a step further and added something called the Pro Fishing Tour. Here they were free to play around with the original formula and try new ideas and mechanics, while still leaving the original experience intact. Pro Fishing Tour feels almost like a full sequel, with its own progression system and unique modifiers, and with its very modern seasonal approach to new content it’s like the part of the game that just keeps on giving. You could have released Pro Fishing Tour as Ridiculous Fishing 2 and I would have been completely satisfied. That it’s built in alongside an exquisite full remake of the original just makes this feel like the ultimate realization of Ridiculous Fishing. – Jared Nelson

iPad Game of the Year 2023: ‘Hitman: Blood Money — Reprisal’

[Review] – [Game of the Week] – Just like last year, Feral Interactive wins 2023’s iPad Game of the Year with Hitman: Blood Money — Reprisal. Not only did Hitman: Blood Money — Reprisal offer a superb conversion of a fantastic game for mobile, but it feels amazing to play on modern iPads delivering the definitive version of IO Interactive’s classic. It is so good that I hope Feral Interactive gets to bring it to consoles and Steam.

While we try and limit this to iPad-only games, Hitman: Blood Money — Reprisal did enough on the iPad side to be the version I go back to the most following my review of it. A few months ago, I figured something like a Resident Evil port or another release would win here, but Feral Interactive knocked it out of the park with this conversion. As usual, I can’t wait to see what Feral Interactive has in store for us in the next 12 months. Hitman: Blood Money — Reprisal is easily the best iPad game of 2023, and one of Feral Interactive’s best conversion yet. If you’ve been playing on iOS for many years, you know I wouldn’t say that lightly. – Mikhail Madnani

Nintendo Switch Game of the Year 2023: ‘The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom’

[Review] – And so here we are, with the obvious pick. Sometimes that happens. Honestly, I thought The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom had it fully in the bag, no contest, back when it came out. It’s one of those games where you almost immediately feel that it’s on a level of its own. Then Mario had to roll in and make this an actual fight. Ultimately, I feel the new mechanics did some very heavy lifting in terms of making this world we’ve already seen feel fresh. The Ultrahand in particular totally changes the interactivity of the world, allowing us to have entirely new situations and “conversations" with familiar elements. So much of the fun in Breath of Wild was in how you started as a small speck in a big world and gradually became a force to be reckoned with.

Tears of the Kingdom ups the ante on this progression, and you almost feel like a god of some sort by the end. Fortunately, it also throws an appropriate counter force against you so that you have a reason to push yourself further. It’s not a perfect game, but that’s not really what any of this is about. It is, however, a tremendously fun game that shapes itself to the player’s imagination and creative whims, all while maintaining a nice balance of exploration, puzzle-solving, combat, and even a little story as a treat. I don’t know how the Zelda team is going to one-up this, and I don’t know if a return trip to this specific version of Hyrule would work again. But it certainly worked this time, and I’m just sitting here flabbergasted we got two Zelda games of this level of quality in a single generation of hardware. – Shaun Musgrave

Steam Deck Game of the Year 2023: ‘Street Fighter 6’

This is the first year where we are doing a Steam Deck Game of the Year in addition to our iPhone and iPad awards. 2023 remains one of the best years for gaming, but one stood tall above the rest in its quality and in how much I played it across multiple platforms including Steam Deck. With Street Fighter 6, Capcom went all out and overdelivered after the subpar launch of Street Fighter V. Street Fighter 6 is not only perfect on Steam Deck both online and offline, but it also delivered one of the best fighting game packages ever from launch day with its superb story mode, training options, brilliant multiplayer experience, and fantastic gameplay across the board. Capcom even added in some notable accessibility settings making it more approachable across the board.

Whether you’re new to fighting games or have been playing them for ages, Street Fighter 6 is an easy recommendation. Give the Street Fighter 6 demo a shot if you aren’t sure yet. I even came around to the music, and in a lot of ways, Street Fighter 6 is Capcom’s best fighting game since Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike. It is absolutely worth your time, and is a Monster Hunter World: Iceborne level release from Capcom that continues Capcom’s massive winning streak that began a few years ago. I can’t wait to see how much it evolves in 2024 as more characters are added. – Mikhail Madnani

Previous Game of the Year Picks:

• TouchArcade 2022 Games of the Year: iPhone, iPad, Nintendo Switch, and Steam Deck
• TouchArcade 2021 Game of the Year: ‘Rocket League Sideswipe’
• TouchArcade 2020 Game of the Year: ‘Genshin Impact’
• TouchArcade 2019 Game of the Year: ‘Dead Cells’
• TouchArcade 2018 Game of the Year: ‘Oddmar’
• TouchArcade Game of the Year 2017: ‘Death Road to Canada’
• TouchArcade Game of the Year 2016: ‘Crashlands’
• TouchArcade Game of the Year ‘Land Sliders’ and the Best iOS Games of 2015
• TouchArcade Game of the Year 2014: ‘Wayward Souls’
• TouchArcade Game of the Year 2013: ‘Ridiculous Fishing’
• TouchArcade Game of the Year 2012: ‘Waking Mars’
• TouchArcade Game of the Year 2011: ‘Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP’
• 2010 iPhone Game of the Year: ‘Space Miner: Space Ore Bust’
• 2010 iPad Game of the Year: ‘World of Goo’
• 2009 iPhone Game of the Year – ‘Spider: The Secret of Bryce Manor’

That being the case, it’s always tough to come up with these “Best Of" lists. We are a tiny staff of just three people, and trying to corral the sheer number of releases throughout any given year into some sort of manageable list is a daunting task for even a well-staffed outlet. It’s also tough because so many of the games released during the year, while maybe not being the greatest games ever made, do at least exhibit some noteworthy qualities that are worth highlighting. So it can be painful to leave certain games off because you feel like, gosh darn it, they deserve to be noticed!

Well, all this is to say we’ve followed our formula from last year’s Best Games of 2022 list. Starting out you’ll find each of our Game of the Week picks from the entire year, which if you’re familiar with how calendars work gives us just over 50 great games to check out. Of course there are almost always more than just one good game released each week, so beyond those Games of the Week picks you’ll find our honorable mentions broken down by Apple Arcade games, Netflix games, and regular old App Store releases. And while this specific article is mobile focused, do check out our Best of 2023 picks for both Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck.

Games of the Week for 2023

January

• Rocco’s Island: Pocket Edition
• TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge (Netflix)
• Static Shift Racing
• Madness/Endless

February

• 1 Bit Survivor
• Endling: Extinction is Forever
• Dust & Neon (Netflix)
• Ultra Blade

March

• Stuffo the Puzzle Bot
• Cyber Protocol
• How We Know We’re Alive
• Well Word

April

• Brotato
• Generations
• Pocket City 2
• Super Meat Boy Forever
• Peglin

May

• Laya’s Horizon (Netflix)
• Lost Words: Beyond the Page
• Rytmos
• Super Cat Tales: PAWS

June

• Dig Odyssey: Cosmic Mining
• Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon (Netflix)
• Little Big Workshop
• Bright Reappear
• Teeny Tiny Town

July

• McPixel 3
• Ridiculous Fishing EX (Apple Arcade)
• Geo Gods
• Return to Monkey Island

August

• Stone Story RPG
• Molecano
• Gorathar
• Pizza Hero

September

• Undead Horde 2
• Pirate’s Boom Boom
• Grab The Apple
• DERE Vengeance
• Cypher 007 (Apple Arcade)

October

• IGNISTONE
• Subpar Pool
• Kingdom Eighties
• Slayaway Camp 2 Netflix & Kill (Netflix)

November

• Wizard of Legend
• Tiny Connections
• Gubbins
• Coromon

December

• Hitman: Blood Money — Reprisal
• Sonic Dream Team (Apple Arcade)
• Little Nightmares
• Grand Theft Auto Trilogy – The Definitive Edition (Netflix/Standalone)

Best Games on Apple Arcade in 2023

• Disney Dreamlight Valley
• finity.
• Hello Kitty Island Adventure
• Junkworld TD
• NBA 2K24 Arcade Edition
• Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On!
• Samba de Amigo: Party-To-Go
• TMNT Splintered Fate
• What The Car?

Best Games on Netflix in 2023

• Oxenfree II: Lost Signals
• Storyteller
• Terra Nil
• Valiant Hearts: Coming Home
• World of Goo Remastered

Best App Store Games of 2023

• Baldur’s Gate – Dark Alliance
• Bugsnax
• Coffee Golf
• Conjury
• Cozy Solitaire
• Daily Dadish
• Elderland

• Happy Game
• Honkai Star Rail
• Legend of Keepers
• The Legend of Tianding
• LEGO Bricktales
• The Longing Mobile
• Luck be a Landlord

• Monster Hunter Now
• Myst Mobile
• Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo
• Raging Bytes
• Refind Self
• Resident Evil 4
• Resident Evil Village

• Roto Force
• Shapez Mobile
• Sid Meier’s Railroads!
• Six Ages 2: Lights Going Out
• SpongeBob – The Cosmic Shake
• Underground Blossom
• Unpacking

• Vactics
• Voice of Cards: The Beasts of Burden
• Voice of Cards: The Forsaken Maiden
• Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars
• Warcraft Rumble
• Warm Snow
• Wavecade

Conclusion

Well, there you have it. Hopefully this directs you towards some good games that might have slipped past you over the course of 2023, and since it’s impossible to list each and every great game that came out feel free to list anything you think we missed down in the comment section below. I’ll also take this opportunity to direct you towards our Patreon page where you can choose to support us financially for the work that we do here. It’s our main source of keeping the site going, and the only reason we have been able to remain a wholly independent outlet over the course of our 15 year existence. I’ll also list all of our previous Game of the Year articles down below if you want to go through and relive some mobile gaming memories. Thank you very much to everyone who has read and supported our site in any capacity over the years, we wish you a very Happy New Year and can’t wait to see what’s in store in 2024!

Previous Best of the Year Round-Ups:

• The Best Games of 2022
• The Best Games of 2021
• The Best Games of 2020
• The Best Games of 2019
• The Best Games of 2018
• The Best Games of 2017
• The Best Games of 2016
• The Best Games of 2015
• The Best Games of 2014
• The Best Games of 2013, Part 2
• The Best Games of 2012
• The Best Games of 2011
• The Best Games of 2010
• The Best Games of 2009
• The Best Games of 2008

Beastie Bay DX ($5.99)

iTunes Description

Washed ashore a desolate island and surrounded by savage beasts, can you thrive…or merely survive?

Blaze trails into unknown territory…and then make it your own! Plant crops, build housing and power sources, and transform the island into your own personal paradise. As you progress, you’ll be able to develop new gear and technology to take your adventure to the next level, including ways to travel to unexplored islands nearby!

Forum Thread: Beastie Bay DX (by Kairosoft)

Block Puzzle: Free Rotate (Free)

iTunes Description

What if you are allowed to rotate the block before putting it in the board? Tada… A totally fresh new playing experience for Block Puzzle!
Try it and you’ll love it! (aka “Shut up and take my money!"). 100% guaranteed!!!!

Forum Thread: Block Puzzle: Free Rotate (by Genix Lab)

Drift Runner (Free)

iTunes Description

Introducing Drift Runner, the ultimate drifting game that will push your skills to the limit and have you burning rubber in heart-stopping drift battles. From the makers of Burnout Masters, get ready to dominate the streets, break records on the track, and become the undisputed Drift Master!

Forum Thread: Drift Runner (by Road Burn)

Santa Fighter (Free)

iTunes Description

Get ready for some Christmas Chaos! Santas battle it out in an epic showdown at the North Pole. Brace yourself for a festive face-off like never before!

Forum Thread: Santa Fighter (by Andrew Baxter)

Snakes LTD (Free)

iTunes Description

– Against AI mode (Machine learning bots)
– Classic single snake mode
– Auto Pilot Mode (Let the snake eat on it’s own)

Casual Snakes Combat. Kill other snakes and grow as much as you can.

Forum Thread: Snakes LTD (by mlThings)

Three Minutes To Eight ($4.99)

iTunes Description

Set in the near future, Three Minutes To Eight is a mind-bending pixel art adventure game that breaks the mold by introducing an intriguing twist: the protagonist is destined to meet their demise at precisely 07:57 PM. However, hope is not lost. It’s up to you to unravel what lies beneath, uncover secret paths, find ways to cheat death, and unlock multiple endings. Each run is distinct, with randomized elements and unique events, urging you to revisit the game multiple times to discover all its hidden mysteries. Find yourself in an ever-evolving gaming experience, mimicking a borderline state of mind that teeters on the edge of consciousness, where everything is possible yet remains elusive.

Forum Thread: Three Minutes To Eight (by Assemble Entertainment)

Trance Tank ($1.49)

iTunes Description

Trance Tank is an Action-Shooter with Jump `N Run components and also equipped with cool Techno-Sounds. You will be able to control the tanks like no other game before. Experience classic shooting action in a unique landscape that takes you through an extraordinary graphic world. The tanks can jump and sometimes perform acrobatic movements such as somersaults etc. to avoid enemies or obstacles. The techno tracks playing in the background are supplemented by shooting enemies to play techno samples. This always creates a new type of piece of music. Points and fuel can also be collected to increase the high score or to unlock new tanks. Each vehicle has its own driving characteristics and some levels can only be mastered with certain tanks. You have to be a good shooter but at the same time you have to control your tank perfectly through the terrain.

Forum Thread: Trance Tank (by CodedArt)

Don’t forget to shoot us emails with any questions, feedback, or anything else relevant or irrelevant to podcast@toucharcade.com. We read ’em all, and love decoding messages written entirely in emoji. As always, you can listen to us with the links below… And if you like what you hear, please subscribe and/or drop us a review in iTunes. Much appreciated!

As a companion to this audio podcast, we also do a video version of the same show that is exclusive to Patreon which allows you to see us playing the games we’re talking about. Backers can view the most recent video episodes of the TouchArcade show by clicking here. Be sure you’re logged in to see the latest content. For everyone else who is curious, you can check out our public patreon posts to see older episodes of the video podcast. If you like what you see, consider becoming a TouchArcade Patreon backer.

Show Notes:

• The 20 Best Steam Winter Sale Deals for 2023 – Great Discounts for Games To Play on Your Steam Deck
• The Best Holiday 2023 Nintendo Switch eShop Sales
• The Big 2023 App Store Holiday Game Sales List – All the Best iOS Game Discounts Right Now
• ‘Ghost Trick’ on iOS From Capcom Will Be Delisted on March 25th, the HD Remastered Version With No Save or Purchases Carrying Over Will Be Released
• New Surprise ‘Tiny Wings’ Update Brings In Over 100 Multicolored Birds To Unlock, 15 New Missions, and More
• ‘Death Stranding Director’s Cut’ Release Date for iPhone 15 Pro, iPad M1, and Mac Delayed to Early 2024
• TouchArcade Game of the Week: ‘Grand Theft Auto Trilogy – The Definitive Edition’

Given that I am removed from all that drama of the original Definitive Edition launch, all I can say is: Wow! These enhanced versions are excellent. Now these three games, even being two decades old, are huge games, and I’m only a handful of hours into a replay of GTA III, and have only poked my head around Vice City and the massive San Andreas. So it’s very possible that I’ll come across some of that “bad stuff" people were up in arms about with these versions somewhere down the line. But just on a base level, and having redownloaded the original mobile versions of all three GTA games to compare, it’s easy to appreciate all the little quality of life improvements these new releases have. From the more modern control schemes to the modern-style mini-map and so much more, playing the Definitive Versions of these games makes it hard to go back to the originals, even if they are still incredibly solid ports for the time they were released.

Let me talk about Classic Lighting. It’s “on" by default, and the games look fantastic. Super moody and super atmospheric, especially at night, even if things are a bit too dark at times. If you turn the Classic Lighting to “off" then it looks like an almost entirely different game. It’s most noticeable at night, and doesn’t look TOO bad during the day, but holy moly does the game look like crap with Classic Lighting turned off. I just don’t understand why anyone would want it that way? And honestly, if this truly is a feature only found in these new mobile releases, I can see why everyone is still so down on the Definitive Editions on other platforms. I would straight up not play these games if there was no option to turn Classic Lighting on, it’s that important to the whole feel of the game. Our pal Mikhail offers up some comparison shots of both lighting options in his review of GTA Vice City – Definitive.

Everything else aside, I’m just having a blast revisiting these classic games. I’ve replayed all three as they were released on mobile over the years, but that was a long time ago now, and since then I’ve only ever dipped into these games on occasion to cause some open world mischief. Prior to that I don’t believe I’ve played through and completed the stories of each since their original PlayStation 2 releases approximately half my lifetime ago. So this is just fun. I’m happy to have modern-feeling versions of these classics, and while the majority of my time playing has been spent using the Backbone controller I’ve also popped in when I didn’t have that handy and played with the touch controls which are actually quite serviceable. Perhaps best of all is that all three titles are available for free to anyone with a Netflix subscription, and even if you aren’t a subscriber there’s regular standalone paid versions for $19.99 apiece.

Born Again Online (Free)

iTunes Description

Fight, Die, and Repeat in the realms of Born Again! A thrilling permadeath, rogue-like, MMORPG where every life is full of challenges and rewards at every turn. Embark on a fateful journey to defeat the enemies bringing disorder to the Outer Realms. Face off against kings, rulers, and deities all fighting for their reign in this pixel-art world filled with charm and excitement.

Forum Thread: Born Again Online (by Unnamed Studios)

CrossCraft: Custom Crosswords (Free)

iTunes Description

Welcome to CrossCraft, where your imagination meets the classic charm of crossword puzzles! This innovative app transforms the traditional crossword experience, offering an unparalleled level of customization and personalization.

Forum Thread: CrossCraft: Custom Crosswords (by Cihat Guenduez)

Derby Madness (Free)

iTunes Description

Derby Madness offers a unique real time simulated driving experience with full of actions such as pile ups, crashes, overthrows, push outs, spin outs, slaloms and destructions.

* Unique gameplay with many actions and crashes
– fast and hard actions with push outs, spin outs, overthrows and pile ups
– real time simulated car deformations and crashes
– with skill tests and destruction series
– a lot of cars in one race (up to 32)

Forum Thread: Derby Madness (by Dimension Technics)

Ebenezer & the Invisible World ($8.99)

iTunes Description

Join Ebenezer Scrooge and a team of spectral allies as they battle to save London from the clutches of the wealthy industrialist, Caspar Malthus, and his militant Private Guard. With each Ghost lending their unique abilities, explore the dark corners of London and uncover the sinister influence of the Dark Spirit and an army of Unrepentant Ghosts. Will you have the courage to confront Caspar and stop his malevolent plans before it is too late?

Forum Thread: Ebenezer & the Invisible World (by Play on Worlds)

Endless Wander (Free)

iTunes Description

Fight epic battles in the ultimate offline action roguelike. Explore a beautiful pixel art world and experience infinite replayability even while offline!

“A mysterious Portal sealed for years reopens, offering a chance for Novu to save his sister trapped inside and to rebuild the Wanderer’s Guild."

Endless Wander is an offline roguelike RPG in a pixel art style. It features satisfying and challenging gameplay with infinite replayability and an indie soul.

Forum Thread: Endless Wander (by First Pick Studios)

Fatal Fury Special ACA NEOGEO ($3.99)

iTunes Description

FATAL FURY SPECIAL is a fighting game released by SNK in 1993.
FATAL FURY SPECIAL is a powered-up version of FATAL FURY 2 which brings a faster game speed, introduces combo attacks for the first time in the Series, and welcomes more returning characters for a total of 15 fighters.
Clear the game with specific conditions and Ryo Sakazaki from ART OF FIGHTING will appear.

Forum Thread: Fatal Fury Special ACA NEOGEO (by SNK)

GPixel – Turn-Based Racing (Free)

iTunes Description

Are you up for a challenge?

GPixel is a turn-based race on a pixel grid, simulating a car race on a sheet of squared paper.

Plan your move in advance: choose your gear, set your steering angle and push on the accelerator!
Strategy is important, don’t go too fast before curves or you won’t have space to brake.

Compete in the World Tour and climb the leaderboard, are you ready to be the best driver?

Forum Thread: GPixel – Turn-Based Racing (by Jacopo Guanziroli)

Grand Theft Auto III – Definitive Edition (Netflix) / ($19.99)

iTunes Description

Experience the epic open-world adventure that started it all updated for a new generation with across-the-board enhancements including brilliant new lighting and environmental upgrades, with high-resolution textures, increased draw distance, Grand Theft Auto V-style controls and targeting, and much more.

It all starts in Liberty City. With revolutionary freedom to go anywhere and jack anyone, Grand Theft Auto III puts the center of the criminal underworld at your fingertips, if you have enough guts to take it.

Forum Thread: Grand Theft Auto III – Definitive Edition (Netflix and Standalone)

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City – Definitive Edition (Netflix) / ($19.99)

iTunes Description

Experience the genre-defining classic, updated for a new generation with across-the-board enhancements including brilliant new lighting and environmental upgrades, with high-resolution textures, increased draw distance, Grand Theft Auto V-style controls and targeting, and much more.

Welcome to the 1980s. From the decade of big hair and pastel suits comes the story of one man’s rise to the top of the criminal pile. Grand Theft Auto returns with Tommy Vercetti’s tale of betrayal and revenge in a neon-soaked tropical town full of excess and brimming with possibilities.

Forum Thread: Grand Theft Auto: Vice City – Definitive Edition (Netflix and Standalone)

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – Definitive Edition (Netflix) / ($19.99)

iTunes Description

Experience the blockbuster classic, updated for a new generation with across-the-board enhancements including brilliant new lighting and environmental upgrades, with high-resolution textures, increased draw distance, Grand Theft Auto V-style controls and targeting, and much more.

Five years ago, Carl ‘CJ’ Johnson escaped the haze of Los Santos, San Andreas … a city tearing itself apart with gang trouble, drugs, and corruption. Now, it’s the early ’90s. CJ’s got to go home — his mother has been murdered, his family has fallen apart, and his childhood friends are all heading towards disaster. On his return to the neighborhood, a couple of cops frame him for homicide, forcing CJ on a journey that takes him across the entire state of San Andreas, to save his family and to take control of the streets in the next iteration of the series that changed everything.

Forum Thread: Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – Definitive Edition (Netflix and Standalone)

The Longing Mobile ($4.99)

iTunes Description

An unusual mix of adventure and idle game. In utter loneliness deep below the surface, it’s your task to wait for the awakening of your king… for 400 days.

Play as a lonely Shade, the last servant of a king who once ruled an underground kingdom. The king’s powers have faded and he falls asleep for 400 days to regain his might. It is your duty to stay in the earthen palace until he awakens. As soon as you start, the game inevitably counts down the 400 days – even when you stop playing and exit the game. It is now up to you to decide what to do with your solitary existence beneath the soil. Don’t stress yourself, you have plenty of time.

Forum Thread: The Longing Mobile (by ASH Software)

MC Fire ($1.99)

iTunes Description

You’ve equipped an automatic gun. Your adventures are on Jump and Run through the strange World. Each World contains Rooms with Enemies and Traps. Try your luck with gun type and equipment upgrade offering at the end of each room.
Collect XP Level to ranking your name on the World Leaderboard. You gain it when finishing each room.
Hence you reach a certain Level of XP, you’ll get StarterKit right on the start of your adventure permanently.

Forum Thread: MC Fire (by Ronnakrit Sriyen)

Mini Mini Golf Golf ($2.99)

iTunes Description

Fluffy and elegant Minigolf with local multiplayer and scoretracking

Mini Mini Golf Golf combines the nostalgic flair and straightforward gameplay of Retro-Games with contemporary features.
Contains 12 classic handcrafted minigolf courses.

Forum Thread: Mini Mini Golf Golf (by Three More Years GmbH)

Pocket Trucks: Route Evolution (Free)

iTunes Description

Get in control of 18 wheels and transport cargo across the country from New York to San Francisco! Manage all routes and become the best truck tycoon in the world in Truck Express!

Embark on your epic journey! Take on the role of a truck driver and transport cargo across the United States in classic American trucks. Upgrade your machines to improve speed, comfort, and mileage, and complete tasks to earn rewards and progress through the game.

Be prepared for the unpredictable! With a map of the entire country at your fingertips, you’ll traverse diverse landscapes and encounter unexpected obstacles like frosty roads, traffic jams, and closed routes.

Forum Thread: Pocket Trucks: Route Evolution (by NimbleBit LLC)

Resident Evil 4 (Free)

iTunes Description

Six years have passed since the biological disaster in Raccoon City. Agent Leon S. Kennedy, one of the survivors of the incident, has been sent to rescue the president’s kidnapped daughter. He tracks her to a secluded European village, where there is something terribly wrong with the locals. And the curtain rises on this story of daring rescue and grueling horror where life and death, terror and catharsis intersect.

Featuring modernized gameplay, a reimagined storyline, and vividly detailed graphics,
Resident Evil 4 marks the rebirth of an industry juggernaut.

Forum Thread: Resident Evil 4 (by Capcom)

Don’t forget to shoot us emails with any questions, feedback, or anything else relevant or irrelevant to podcast@toucharcade.com. We read ’em all, and love decoding messages written entirely in emoji. As always, you can listen to us with the links below… And if you like what you hear, please subscribe and/or drop us a review in iTunes. Much appreciated!

As a companion to this audio podcast, we also do a video version of the same show that is exclusive to Patreon which allows you to see us playing the games we’re talking about. Backers can view the most recent video episodes of the TouchArcade show by clicking here. Be sure you’re logged in to see the latest content. For everyone else who is curious, you can check out our public patreon posts to see older episodes of the video podcast. If you like what you see, consider becoming a TouchArcade Patreon backer.

Show Notes:

• ‘World of Goo 2’ Announced for 2024, No Platforms Revealed
• Netflix Reveals Even More Games Coming in 2024 Including Sonic Mania Plus, Game Dev Tycoon, Cozy Grove: Camp Spirit, and More
• ‘Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition’ Now Available on iOS and Android As Standalone Premium Games and Also via Netflix Games
• ‘Sonic Dream Team’ Apple Arcade Review – Sweet Dreams Are Fleeting
• TouchArcade Game of the Week: ‘Sonic Dream Team’
• ‘The Longing’ is an Idle-ish Adventure that Can Take 400 Real-Life Days to Complete, Coming to Mobile Next Week

Well, this is a story as old as time at this point, but I did not in fact ever get my hands on it. Too many games, too little time, yadda, yadda, yadda. Little Nightmares somehow escaped into my backlog of shame, and now some six-plus years after it initially released and I still hadn’t gotten around to it. It’s not like it’s inaccessible to me, I own it! On two platforms no less, but it’s just never found its way in front of my eyeballs. However, what’s a surefire way to force me to finally try a game I’ve been meaning to try for years? Release it on mobile! Which is exactly what Playdigious has done with Little Nightmares this week. And unsurprisingly I’m kicking myself for not trying this game sooner.

There’s no polite way to put this: Little Nightmares is messed up. Right from the gate this game is filled with all sorts of disturbing imagery, made all the more disturbing by the juxtaposition of you playing as a helpless child. A child trapped in an awful place called The Maw, filled with awful people and awful things. This is a horror game, first and foremost. The actual mechanics fall somewhere between platformer and puzzle game, and if I’m being honest those are the least interesting bits for me. Some of the platforming is kind of awkward, some of the puzzling kind of obtuse, and in general I’m enjoying the parts where I’m just exploring new areas and being freaked out by whatever might be around the next corner more than I’m enjoying the “gamey" bits.

I would say these same criticisms are true of games like LIMBO and Inside as well, which Little Nightmares is very analogous to. Those games are all about the atmosphere, which Little Nightmares has in spades. The occasionally clunky gaming bits don’t really detract from the overall experience, and Playdigious has done a marvelous job of coming up with a unique gesture-based control system to clear the screen of clutter so you can focus on the great atmosphere and visuals (and not to be overlooked, the killer sound design). There’s also an option for more traditional virtual buttons as well as full controller support. Whatever way you choose to tackle Little Nightmares you’re covered, and it’s awesome having an experience like this available in my pocket.

Aerofly FS Global ($2.99)

iTunes Description

Aerofly FS Global is a highly realistic Flight Simulator in PC-quality for your mobile device for beginner and professional flight sim pilots. Explore the world of flying with extremely detailed and accurately simulated airliners, fully interactive 3D cockpits and realistic aircraft systems. Fly with complex airliners, helicopters, business jets, fighter jets and warbirds, general aviation aircraft, aerobatic stuntplanes and gliders across the photorealistic landscape.

Forum Thread: Aerofly FS Global (by IPACS)

Hoops Basketball ($1.49)

iTunes Description

Basketball – on your wrist! Flick, tap, swipe and shoot Hoops with 3 different game modes. Hoops is the perfect watch game, with amazing graphics, physics, and sound effects. There are 3 game modes in Hoops:

– Classic. 60 seconds to shoot as many Hoops as you can.
– Time Attack. Start with just 5 seconds on the clock and the pressure is on. Each Hoop will net you an extra 3 seconds or 5 seconds for a Fire Hoop.
– Hoop Or Die. The ultimate in high pressure. If you miss, you’re outta here, but if you’ve got the skills, keep Hooping to stay in the game.

See if you can master all 3, and that cross-court fire shot!

Forum Thread: Hoops Basketball (by Lumen Digital)

The King of Fighters ’97 ACA NEOGEO ($3.99)

iTunes Description

THE KING OF FIGHTERS ’97 is a fighting game released by SNK in 1997.
Featuring popular characters from FATAL FURY and ART OF FIGHTING, these fighters will battle to determine who is the strongest.
The ADVANCED and EXTRA modes of gameplay offer an even deeper level of tactics.

Forum Thread: The King of Fighters ’97 ACA NEOGEO (by SNK)

Little Nightmares ($7.99)

iTunes Description

Immerse yourself in Little Nightmares, a dark whimsical tale that will confront you with your childhood fears!
Help Six escape The Maw – a vast, mysterious vessel inhabited by corrupted souls looking for their next meal.
As you progress on your journey, explore the most disturbing dollhouse offering a prison to escape from and a playground full of secrets to discover.
Reconnect with your inner child to unleash your imagination and find the way out!

Forum Thread: Little Nightmares (by Playdigious)

M.A.D. Cows ($1.99)

iTunes Description

Militant. Armed. Domestic. Cows!

For centuries, the aliens mutilated cattle with little to no consequence. Finally, the cows had enough. They organized. They trained. Now they are ready… for their revenge!

MAD Cows is an exciting, retro, action platform game. Mow down aliens. Buy better guns. Rescue cows, dogs, raccoons, and more.

Forum Thread: M.A.D. Cows (by Cascadia Games)

Metal Slug 2 ACA NEOGEO ($3.99)

iTunes Description

METAL SLUG 2 is an action game released by SNK in 1998.
Players can choose from Marko, Tarma, Eri and Fio, with the aim of defeating Morden’s Rebel Army which is plotting a coup once again. In addition to the Heavy Machine Guns and Shotguns from the previous games, new weapons such as laser guns have been added for even more battle variations.

Forum Thread: Metal Slug 2 ACA NEOGEO (by SNK)

My Little Blood Cult (Free)

iTunes Description

Introducing, My Little Blood Cult, a new addictive cult classic about fishing for demons.

WHAT THE H*LL?

Basically, you’re about to lead a demon hunting cult in a demonic fishing adventure.
Your followers are currently waiting in the app for your command.
They’re ready to obey you & embark on an extraordinary quest of fishing demons, monsters, and other undefined creatures.

Forum Thread: My Little Blood Cult (by Dillo Games)

Rayceptor ($0.99)

iTunes Description

Complete the path from the laser to the receptor using portals and mirrors to navigate the game board.

Over 50 levels of increasing challenge, with no in-app purchases or annoying advertising!

Simple to pick up and play, with challenges and new concepts gradually introduced.

Forum Thread: Rayceptor (by Ian MacAskill)

Retro Commander (Free)

iTunes Description

Retro Commander is a post-apocalyptic real-time strategy wargame (RTS). Take command and fight it out in a world where a cataclysmic timeline has transpired on Mother Earth. Wage wars solo, against the AI, or take on your gaming comrades and friends in cross-platform multiplayer matches. Form teams and clans and fight co-op style with the AI and other players for ultimate victory.

As opposed to other real-time strategy game, Retro Commander tries to focus on both, a fun single player and a thrilling multiplayer experience. The game strives to be easy to learn with a modern user interface. Single player comes with skirmish matches against the AI as well as a comic-based story campaign. Multiplayer can be played cross-platform and includes a ranking and rating system.

Forum Thread: Retro Commander (by Noble Master Games)

Revelation M (Free)

iTunes Description

“Revelation M" is fantasy MMORPG with a stunning three-dimensional world where you are free to explore the sky and travel through the sea. Your brightest dreams will come true in the game; there are surprises everywhere, and you can discover the hidden truth in rich adventures; there are challenges and difficult dungeons that will require all of your skills and courage; you will find an elaborate system of profession development, which will help your character to unlock its potential in the best possible way; new face creating system gives you a wide range of options for selecting details and customization!

Forum Thread: Revelation M (by HaoPlay Limited)

SpongeBob – The Cosmic Shake ($9.99)

iTunes Description

Wish-granting Mermaid’s Tears in the hands of SpongeBob and Patrick… What could possibly go wrong?
Sure, the very fabric holding the very universe very together could come very undone, opening up portals into Wishworlds full of knights, cowboys, pirates, and prehistoric snails.
But that’s nothing everyone’s favorite sponge can’t handle – with the right cosmic costume! Everybody do the Cosmic Shake!

Forum Thread: SpongeBob – The Cosmic Shake (by HandyGames)

Star Survivor: Premium ($2.99)

iTunes Description

SURVIVE the swarm in this rogue-lite + survivors + asteroids bullet heaven mashup! Exterminate as many space invaders and alien drones as you can. Upgrade your ship from the crafted deck of equipment and power-ups. You are the Last ship against the Endless… Will your choices be enough to overcome the thousands hunting you in this offline action shoot’em up game?

Forum Thread: Star Survivor: Premium (by Erabit Studios)

Subliminal Words (Free)

iTunes Description

Discover all the hidden words that are cleverly camouflaged, and with each level, unlock a sentence of an unfolding story.

Like those magic eye pictures that used to hold our gaze, this game has subliminal words that emerge from the chaos, forming part of the image—a secret message that becomes clear as you look “closer".

Forum Thread: Subliminal Words (by Indest)

Ticket to Ride: The Board Game ($4.99)

iTunes Description

Join millions of fans worldwide on an epic train adventure that started a new era of modern board games! Play now!

Travel around the world in an epic adventure that redefined the modern board game genre! Build a railway empire that connects the most popular cities, claim the most exciting routes, and dominate your competitors in this fan-favorite classic!

Forum Thread: Ticket to Ride: The Board Game (by Marmalade Game Studio)

Words Cubed ($1.99)

iTunes Description

Introducing “Words Cubed", a captivating word game that will test your vocabulary skills and keep you entertained for hours! Unleash your inner wordsmith as you embark on an exciting journey through challenging levels and experiences.

In Words Cubed, your objective is simple yet addictive. Spin the cube and form words using the letters on each side. With one carefully selected letter per side, you’ll need to brainstorm and arrange them strategically to discover the hidden words.

Forum Thread: Words Cubed (by Shane Masters)

Originally The Longing launched on PC in March of 2020, just about the time the global Covid-19 pandemic was kicking into full gear and shelter at home orders were being put in place. Kind of ironic that a game about being stuck at home trying to kill time would launch right as we were all being stuck at home trying to kill time. I’m not sure if it’s that correlation, the very unique premise, or a combination of both that made The Longing a big fan favorite when it launched a few years ago, but I know for sure that this feels like an experience that will be especially at home on a mobile device. Idle games where you periodically pop in to check on things are popular on mobile, and I myself have been playing (or “playing" as it were) Godville for 13 years and 4 months based on the in-game timer. I don’t check in every day, and sometimes not for months at a time, but the game is always ready for me whenever I do check in and in that way it’s become sort of a faithful companion for more than a decade now. Based on what I’ve seen of The Longing I can see getting a lot of the same sort of long-term satisfaction out of it when the mobile version arrives next week on December 18th. Ahead of that launch you can pre-order the game on the iOS App Store right now for $4.99.

Well, the more than two decades since that night have been full of ups and downs for 3D Sonic games. Mostly downs. Even viewed through a modern lens the original Sonic Adventure and its sequel don’t hold up so well today, but I’d still argue that they were the pinnacle of the Sonic formula brought into the third dimension. And hey, despite their many flaws they’re still pretty darn fun even today. I can’t say the same for most of the 3D Sonic games that have come since, but I can say that the newest one, Sonic Dream Team, is the best 3D Sonic game that I have played since the original Sonic Adventure in 1999. Is that a super high bar to begin with? Not really! Which makes it all the more infuriating that we’ve been fed so many mediocre 3D Sonic games over the years.

Let’s not dwell on the past, though, and let’s just enjoy the present. Sonic Dream Team is also a game with flaws, but they’re pretty small compared to how much the game gets right. There’s a very good sense of speed here, and very cleverly designed levels with multiple paths you can take while speeding through them. It gives you that rush of making split-second decisions while the world is whirling by you, similar to the Genesis Sonic games. That said, in order to make something like that work in a 3D world the experience can often feel very guided, despite the multiple paths you can take. It’s not a huge deal because the sense of speed is so fun, and dashing into enemies or objects with your homing attack to string together a “run" almost like a Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater game is extremely satisfying.

In addition to the well-designed “tracks" that have you traveling through each level at breakneck speeds, there are also large areas which are very intentionally meant for you to stop and explore in a more traditional 3D platformer sense. The game does a good job at tucking away collectibles in the nooks and crannies of these areas to reward you for exploring, and it’s neat that these “roam around" areas are so seamlessly woven into all the speedy “tracks" spread all around. It’s fun to replay each level and learn a new route or discover a new area as you slowly see how everything interconnects. There are some areas of Sonic Dream Team that fall short, and we cover those pretty thoroughly in our review of the game, but on the whole this is easily the most fun I’ve had with a 3D Sonic game in a very long time. If you are an Apple Arcade subscriber this is one you should be enjoying too.

Bonobono what’s going on? (Free)

iTunes Description

■ Welcome to “Bonobono’s Forest"!!
This is a forest where Bonobono and friends live.
Increase the facilities or develop the town by making things.
Even when you’re offline, the gold that you need to make facilities and things is piled up
You can play as much as you want.

Forum Thread: Bonobono what’s going on? (by GameOn Co.)

Captain Tsubasa: Ace (Free)

iTunes Description

“Captain Tsubasa: Ace" is an officially licensed mobile football game from the “Captain Tsubasa" IP. Players can take control of characters like Tsubasa Ozora and Kojiro Hyuga, performing breathtaking football moves, reliving the intense battle scenes, experiencing various gameplay modes, and reveling in the excitement of football confrontations.

Forum Thread: Captain Tsubasa: Ace (by Program Twenty Three)

Conquer the World ($5.99)

iTunes Description

Experience the story of a common young boy, visit school, fight enemies, find your first love, and most importantly: Conquer the world!

Welcome, new soul, to the land of Lanthir Lamath! Since you can’t have a mortgage, a car lease, or an empty credit card here, you can certainly have a bunch of other problems.

Forum Thread: Conquer the World (by LL Studio)

Death’s Door (Free)

iTunes Description

Become a crow who reaps souls. It’s a dead-end job, but when a thief steals your work, you set off on a sword-slashing quest to unearth death’s secrets.

When your day (and night) job is reaping the souls of the dying, the office can start to feel a little dead — except in the very rare case where a soul is stolen. That’s when things get interesting.

Forum Thread: Death’s Door (by Acid Nerve)

Demeo ($39.99)

iTunes Description

Gather your friends and battle the dark forces in this award-winning RPG dungeon crawler.

Demeo is a cross-platform cooperative adventure for up to four players that recreates all of the magic and camaraderie of gathering around a tabletop with friends to do battle against the forces of evil.

A dark force has taken over the underworld in this RPG dungeon crawler, and it’s a world you’re not likely to survive alone.

Forum Thread: Demeo (by Resolution Games)

Eternal Paradox (Free)

iTunes Description

Gather your elite mercenaries and prepare for an epic battle over the destiny of Elysium!
Fight your way through the campaign in strategic turn-based battles. Vie for dominance over the land in sprawling 4X warfare. Dominate other players in glorious arena combat.
Fight with your guild at your side to control The Ring of Ruin before it’s too late… the very future could depend on you!

Forum Thread: Eternal Paradox (by Gala Games)

Goat Simulator 3 ($12.99)

iTunes Description

Pilgor is finally baack on the small screen. Now you can be even more unsocial during family dinners. Yay!

Goat Simulator 3 Mobile gives you the same open world to explore and destroy as the PC and console versions of the game. Headbutt civilians, drive without a license, or join a yoga class! It’s just like in real life.

Forum Thread: Goat Simulator 3 (by Coffee Stain Studios)

Goober Dash (Free)

iTunes Description

Welcome to Goober Dash, an adrenaline pumping Race Royale, pitting 32 players against each other on hundreds of hand-crafted courses full of hazards to avoid and shortcuts to discover! Play as adorable, customizable characters known as Goobers and run, jump & dash your way to victory. Dash to out-maneuver your opponents, smash through obstacles, or take down rivals in this action-packed race to the finish line!.

Forum Thread: Goober Dash (by Winterpixel Games)

Hello Neighbor Nicky’s Diaries (Free)

iTunes Description

Hello Neighbor: Nicky’s Diaries is the ultimate Hello Neighbor game built from the ground up for mobile devices. Some say he’s a killer, that he hides kidnapped children in his basement. All you know is he’s your Neighbor, and it’s up to you to figure out what he’s hiding. Nicky’s Diaries follows Nicky’s in-depth quest of figuring out what Mr. Peterson is hiding.

Forum Thread: Hello Neighbor Nicky’s Diaries (by tinyBuild)

Idle Trillionaire ($3.99)

iTunes Description

Are you ready to dive into the ultimate idle gaming experience that will redefine your understanding of prosperity? Look no further than Idle Trillionaire, the game that takes the concept of idle games to unprecedented heights! Immerse yourself in a captivating journey where your strategic decisions pave the way for unimaginable riches, all while conquering the virtual world in ways you never thought possible.

Forum Thread: Idle Trillionaire (by theSlantedRoom)

Invaders Christmas (Free)

iTunes Description

Welcome to “Invaders Christmas," a unique augmented reality experience that brings festive battles to life! In this AR adventure, robots from a parallel reality threaten to spoil Christmas. Your phone transforms into an avatar control console for DimCom, a brave protector from an international organization dedicated to safeguarding holidays.

Forum Thread: Invaders Christmas (by Railcar Studio)

Lazy Cat Shop (Free)

iTunes Description

Soft cat ~
Cats are cute anytime, anywhere ~
You can meet these cats every day ~ !!

You can make your own shop by following the order without a complex formula.

Forum Thread: Lazy Cat Shop (by seungsunsee)

Match Puzzle Blast (Free)

iTunes Description

Dive into the world of 2-match games where matching two or more blocks of the same color makes them burst with a “pop!"

Showcase your reflexes and strategically create matches to generate powerful and varied special blocks!
Experience the pleasure of viewing cute blocks and the thrill of popping them right at your fingertips as you clear the puzzles!

Forum Thread: Match Puzzle Blast (by Mobirix)

S class Heroine (Free)

iTunes Description

The Last Princess Ella who revived with the pendant. And the lost colleagues.
Of course, we’ll be able to meet them again! Ella another universe!
Interact with Ella from another dimension, meet precious colleagues, and become the strongest!
Today, April 28, 390, I, Princess Ella, starts another adventure.
Raise your own S-rank female character in the multiverse world!

Forum Thread: S class Heroine (by RPGRepublic)

Shapez Mobile (Free)

iTunes Description

shapez is a relaxed game in which you have to build factories for the automated production of geometric shapes. As the level increases, the shapes become more and more complex, and you have to spread out on the infinite map.
And as if that wasn’t enough, you also have to produce exponentially more to satisfy the demands – the only thing that helps is scaling! While you only have to process shapes at the beginning, you will later have to color them – by extracting and mixing colors!

Forum Thread: Shapez Mobile (by Playdigious)

Tokyo Revengers PUZZ REVE! (Free)

iTunes Description

There are plenty of character illustrations unique to the game.
Make the strongest team you can with characters from Tokyo Revengers!
Via a match-3 elimination puzzle. Take out the toughest delinquents with individual character’s skills!

Forum Thread: Tokyo Revengers PUZZ REVE! (by GOODROID,Inc.)

ToyTopia (Free)

iTunes Description

No more boring puzzle games with repetitive levels! Meet marvelous toy friends and help rebuild their Toy World with your own design. Blast through levels and help the toys restore their home world.

Play at home to relax! Play outside to take a break from everyday stress! A relaxing puzzle game the entire family can enjoy. The perfect puzzle game we all dreamed about. Begin your Match3 Puzzle Adventure Today.

Forum Thread: ToyTopia: Match3 (by Webzen)

Transport INC ($4.99)

iTunes Description

Transport INC. is a game about management, competition, economy, and above all logistics. Use your skills to bring your transportation company to the top. Connect capitals around the world. Watch and adapt to economic situations. If something isn’t going according to plan, quickly make the necessary changes. Play fair or play dirty by sabotaging the other companies. In Transport INC. the path you choose to earn profits is yours to make.

Forum Thread: Transport INC (by Games Operators)

Word Trails (Free)

iTunes Description

Train your brain the fun way! Connect scrambled letters to create words that fit into a crossword-style puzzle. Level up to solve daily challenges in this relaxing, worldly brain game.

When a crossword with no clues meets a word search with no grid, you get the brain-teasing fun of this puzzle game. Find words within the group of letters provided and overlap them in a crossword-style shape to complete each puzzle. Relax with the endlessly zen, letter-swiping pace of numbered levels or test your vocabulary with limited-time challenges.

Forum Thread: Word Trails (by PlaySimple Games)

Death’s Door originally launched on PC and consoles back in July of 2021, with a Nintendo Switch version arriving the following November. Our own Mikhail Madnani has played it on both Steam Deck and Switch and enjoyed the heck out of it, while our own Shaun Musgrave dug the Switch version as well in his review from 2021, giving the game 4.5 out of 5 stars. This is one of those ports I get excited about coming to mobile, since I’ll actually take time to play and enjoy it here whereas over on PC it would likely get lost in my backlog hell. So far I’m digging this mobile version and it seems to play just fine with virtual controls, which are fully customizable, as well as with my Backbone controller. If you have Netflix there’s no reason not to jump on Death’s Door right this instant.

Don’t forget to shoot us emails with any questions, feedback, or anything else relevant or irrelevant to podcast@toucharcade.com. We read ’em all, and love decoding messages written entirely in emoji. As always, you can listen to us with the links below… And if you like what you hear, please subscribe and/or drop us a review in iTunes. Much appreciated!

As a companion to this audio podcast, we also do a video version of the same show that is exclusive to Patreon which allows you to see us playing the games we’re talking about. Backers can view the most recent video episodes of the TouchArcade show by clicking here. Be sure you’re logged in to see the latest content. For everyone else who is curious, you can check out our public patreon posts to see older episodes of the video podcast. If you like what you see, consider becoming a TouchArcade Patreon backer.

Show Notes:

• ‘Hitman: Blood Money — Reprisal’ iOS Review – Superb and One of Feral Interactive’s Best
• ‘Sonic Dream Team’ Interview – Studio Creative Director Dan Rossati on the Game’s Vision, Cream and Rouge Being Playable, Platform Choices, Working With Apple, and More
• ‘Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition’ for iOS and Android Releasing on December 14th Through Netflix Games
• ‘Marvel Snap’ Will Continue To Operate and Flourish in the Future Regardless of Any Changes at Nuverse: Official Account Confirms

This is a port of a 2006 release, technically the 4th release in IO Interactive’s Hitman series and the one that kind of felt like the most fully-realized vision of the Hitman formula. Stealth mixed with action mixed with a pretty compelling and over the top story. It also, more than any previous Hitman game, leaned into the idea of giving the player the ability to think outside the box and complete missions in a number of different ways. Now Feral Interactive has brought all of that goodness to mobile devices in the form of Hitman: Blood Money — Reprisal, and as is typical with this developer they’ve done so with a thoughtfulness for the platform that is not often seen when games from PC and console are ported to mobile.

This is covered at length in our own 5 star review of Hitman: Blood Money — Reprisal, so I won’t go into too much detail here. Just know that this feels like a game that was designed from the ground up for mobile, despite being a nearly two decades old game. Virtual controls can often be tricky for a game designed for console and PC, but Hitman is a bit more slower-paced and methodical than your typical action game and as such the virtual controls actually work extremely well. This mobile release also supports controllers if you want to play in a more traditional way, but it’s nice to know that if you’re out and about in the world and have a sudden urge to assassinate some awful characters, you can do so even if you aren’t equipped with a controller.

Above and beyond offering an excellent translation of the 2006 original, Hitman: Blood Money — Reprisal also plugs in some new features into this mobile version like the Instinct Mode from later Hitman titles that highlights significant elements in a level or a new mini-map that can give you an overview of a level’s setup and allow you to strategize appropriately. It’s because of things like that and the overall thoughtfulness of this mobile version of Hitman: Blood Money — Reprisal that makes it the definitive version of this fan-favorite entry in the long-running series, and this should be an easy pickup decision for anyone who appreciates a meaty premium game on mobile.

Black Clover M (Free)

iTunes Description

Unleash your inner magic in an immersive magic adventure RPG and rise to become the Wizard King!

A world on the brink of being destroyed by a demon was saved by a mage that would come to be known as the “Wizard King". Years later, this magical world is once again shrouded in the darkness of crisis. Asta, a boy born without magic, sets his sights on becoming the “Wizard King", seeking to prove his abilities and fulfill a long-lasting promise to his friends.

Forum Thread: Black Clover M (by Garena)

Bomber Wasp (Free)

iTunes Description

Hornet army attack!
Jacob the Ladybug accidentally disturbed the hornet queen’s much-needed beauty sleep. Now she commands her army to seek revenge. It’s your job to help Jacob evade countless waves of hornets falling from the sky and collect special items.
How long can you survive under the Queen’s hornet wrath and her army?

Forum Thread: Bomber Wasp (by Element6)

Bug Heroes: Tower Defense (Free)

iTunes Description

Control powerful heroes, unlock dozens of tower types, and craft your perfect defense in an exciting blend of action, strategy and tower defense!

Master 10 Bug Heroes, each with their own play style, abilities, and weapons; from the Spider Assassin to the Ant Engineer, to the Worm Demolitions Expert, and more! Scavenge for food and junk, build turrets, level up your heroes and towers, equip upgrades, and defend against the enemy!

Forum Thread: Bug Heroes: Tower Defense (by Foursaken Media)

Dungeons of Aether ($4.99)

iTunes Description

Dungeons of Aether is a turn-based dungeon crawler designed by Nikita ‘ampersandbear’ Belorusov from the Aether Studios team. Rivals of Aether is known for its intense competition and twitch skills, while Dungeons of Aether allows you to take things at your own pace – but it’s still just as challenging! Every choice you make can lead you deeper into the dungeons or to an early demise. Will you carry out a treasure chest, or be carried out in a pine box?

Forum Thread: Dungeons of Aether (by Aether Studios)

EverStride (Free)

iTunes Description

Navigate serene cityscapes, leap over obstacles, and enjoy a gameplay experience that’s as relaxing as it is exhilarating!

As I put on my headphones and run, the city’s rooftops are my escape. Here, there’s no room for anxiety or fear, only the exhilarating freedom of each leap and stride.

EverStride is a 2D endless runner emphasizing a simple yet addicting gameplay loop of jumping, Lo-Fi music, and a serene cityscape.

Forum Thread: EverStride (by Jacob Jarrett)

Hitman: Blood Money – Reprisal ($14.99)

iTunes Description

You are Agent 47 — a trained killer caught in the crosshairs of a rival agency, “The Franchise”.

Embark on a daring mission to take out a shadowy conspiracy’s lethal architects, and employ every tool at your disposal to get the job done while keeping a low profile. Infiltrate, execute, and escape undetected.

Featuring gameplay improvements inspired by later games in the series, Reprisal is an artful redesign of a stealth-action classic — complete with a fully customisable touchscreen interface and full gamepad support.

Forum Thread: Hitman: Blood Money – Reprisal (by Feral Interactive)

Lightning Princess (Free)

iTunes Description

The “"Lightning Princesses"" were granted special abilities from the creator, the lightning god…
But one day, the lightning god disappeared!?

Now is the time! Charge for the empty throne!
Battle against the Lightning Princesses to claim the crown!

Forum Thread: Lightning Princess (by SuperPlanet)

Metal Slug ACA NEOGEO ($3.99)

iTunes Description

‘METAL SLUG’ is the original entry in one of the most famous action game series ever released. It was originally released by SNK in 1996.
Players control Marco and Tarma who belong to the Special Forces team known as the ‘Peregrine Falcon Squad’.
They fight to defeat General Donald Morden, in an effort to take back their stolen weapon known as the ‘METAL SLUG’.
Players can utilize various weapons and vehicles such as the METAL SLUG to sway the fight in their favor.

Forum Thread: Metal Slug ACA NEOGEO (by SNK)

Puzzle And The City (Free)

iTunes Description

Solve puzzles to construct buildings, invite celebrities and create your city!

Welcome to the Puzzle And The City!

Become the mayor and develop a small village into your own huge megapolis. Numerous buildings, various storylines, and unique celebrities will make you city lively and fun! Develop your city and meet celebrities by clearing match 3 puzzles.
Enjoy challenging puzzles with yout cute secretary Jenny, and become the best mayor of a huge city!

Forum Thread: Puzzle And The City (by Roti-x)

Retro Kart Rush ($2.99)

iTunes Description

Retro Kart Rush is a retro racing game that will transport you back to the 16-bit era. Where friendships were made (or broken) by playing multiplayer games in front of the TV.

Featuring pixelated characters, arcade physics, and gameplay that is both easy to learn and deep enough to satisfy veterans of the genre.

Forum Thread: Retro Kart Rush (by TuanisApps – Kuri GameDev)

Soul Knight Prequel (Free)

iTunes Description

Soul Knight Prequel is a pixel-art action RPG featuring loot farming. Slash monsters to upgrade your power, or party up for treasure against the odds. Our newest ARPG continues to feature Soul Knight’s familiar posse of chibi characters, while satiating the fans’ hunger for more lore and quests!

The game’s story begins prior to the events of Soul Knight. Help the magical land’s heroes form a knighthood, embark on an epic quest, vanquish foes with every combination of weapons and spells, and ultimately save Mystraea from impending doom.

Forum Thread: Soul Knight Prequel (by ChillyRoom)

SouloMania (Free)

iTunes Description

It’s coming! The best roguelike crash & dash platformer is coming to iOS devices this November!

Best 2D platformer for mobile devices – period! Beautifully stylized graphics, flashy effects, addictive gameplay, and smooth performance – all in one package. Unleash the power of SouloMania upon your foes as you venture through mesmerizing multiverse realms, each waiting to be explored!

Forum Thread: SouloMania (by Compiled World)

Titan Quest: Ultimate Edition ($24.99)

iTunes Description

An epic Titan battle, as complete as never before

Titan Quest has captivated legions of players since its 2006 debut. This is the complete edition of Titan Quest, including ALL DLCs and technical updates. You get the all-encompassing experience of an unbridled, truly heroic journey through the worlds of Titan Quest!

Your honorable quest is to save the world!

Forum Thread: Titan Quest: Ultimate Edition (by HandyGames)

Zombotron Re-Boot (Free)

iTunes Description

Explore a mysterious world, find great weapons and fight various enemies to survive!

Fight with zombies, with evil robots and other undead creatures to survive in the crazy world of Zombotron. The action takes place on an unknown one day colonized planet, which over time was abandoned and forgotten by people. Find and rescue survivals to discover the mystery of the mysterious planet together.

Forum Thread: Zombotron Re-Boot (by Anton Karlov)

Let me get this out of the way right now: I’m not a Pokemon person. I didn’t grow up playing the games or really have any interest in them. I’ve always been excited for whatever Pokemon-like that’s come along on mobile over the years, but I always end up not quite “getting it" and end up fizzling out not long after starting up. Not being a huge Pokemon fan probably means I’m the exact opposite of the audience these developers are targeting, but that also gives me kind of a unique perspective in assessing a game like Coromon since I don’t really have any preconceived notions or anything. And, well, all I can say is I’m digging this one a lot so far. This feels like a much more polished experience than any other Pokemon-like I’ve played on mobile before, and the art and animations are just fantastic.

This is a $20 game on other platforms, but here on iOS it’s a free to try model with a $5 IAP to basically unlock the full game, with a couple of other IAPs that can unlock some optional quality of life features and several more IAP that are more or less progress fast forward buttons. Also uncessecary, but they’re there. It’s hard not to see the IAP listed in the App Store and think this is a freemium’ed out cash grab, especially since so many similar games on mobile are exactly that, but that really isn’t the case here. This is actually a paid game on other platforms and it seems all they’ve done for mobile is make it free to start and then break up some of the features into multiple IAP so you can kind of buy as much or as little as you want. The key point is that if you go for just the $5 full game unlock you’ll be just fine ignoring all the other stuff.

It’s a shame having to spend so much time explaining the monetization of mobile games, instead of answering a more simple and straightforward question of “Should you buy this game yes or no?" On the other hand, with Coromon being free to try it’s easy to recommend just trying it for yourself to see if you like it. The free portion is more than enough to tell you if this will be a game for you or not. The multiple IAP types do make things more confusing, but like I said if you enjoy the free portion enough then don’t hesitate to throw five bucks at unlocking the whole thing, and you’ll know before too long after that whether you feel like forking out for any of the other stuff. This is a game that has had years of updates and features added in, and it shows in the final product, and it seems the devs still are far from finished with this one. If you’ve been waiting for a worthy Pokemon-like experience on iOS and haven’t been satisfied with what’s come before it, I think Coromon might be the one to finally give you what you’re craving.

Behind the Frame (Free)

iTunes Description

Behind the Frame is a vivid, interactive fiction about an aspiring artist on the cusp of finishing the final piece of her gallery submission.

A relaxing, eloquent experience that can be played at any pace. Become immersed in a panoramic world filled with resplendent colors, beautiful hand-animated visuals, and a smooth, easy-listening soundtrack.

As a passionate artist, seek the missing colors that will bring your paintings to life – all while remembering to take the occasional coffee and breakfast breaks that keep you going. There is more than what meets the eye, for every painting has a story to tell.

Forum Thread: Behind the Frame (by Silver Lining Studio)

Captain Velvet Meteor (Free)

iTunes Description

Captain Velvet Meteor: The Jump+ Dimensions is a tactical action game where we meet Damien, a young boy who’s just moved to Japan. Lonely, Damien plunges into his imagination as the superhero Captain Velvet Meteor and discovers a world of heroes and villains from his favorite manga. Call upon a roster of Jump+ characters to help him on his quest to escape the mysterious world and defeat an unknown menace!

Forum Thread: Captain Velvet Meteor (by Momo-Pi Game Studio)

Cat Journey (Free)

iTunes Description

Dive into a captivating world with the Red Cat in the spectacular 2D action-platformer “Cat Journey"!

Enthralling Story: The fate of the Cat’s sister is in peril! Join him on a fantasy journey of saving the family through a world filled with wonders, battles, and mysteries.

2D World That Comes Alive: Traverse lush forests and mystical underground dungeons in this thrilling 2D platformer, where each level is a new adventure.

Forum Thread: Cat Journey (by Yan Mednis)

Coromon (Free)

iTunes Description

Coromon arrives on Apple devices with brand-new features and content, including new Coromon, post-game challenges, a revised story, and so much more!

CLASSIC MONSTER COLLECTING IS BACK, WITH A MODERN TWIST!

Collect and train over 120 unique creatures, customize your trainer from hundreds of options, and explore an engaging JRPG narrative!

Forum Thread: Coromon (by Freedom Games LLC)

DOMINO: The Little One (Free)

iTunes Description

Amidst the daunting specters of environmental destruction and climate change, a young, introverted hero named Domino embarks on a mind-bending eco-odyssey into the depths of their dreams. DOMINO: The Little One, an immersive interactive narrative experience, invites you to traverse a world where the alarming manifestations of global warming and ecological challenges will test your wit and determination.

Embark on a personal odyssey into Domino’s subconscious, where the domino pieces of their inner turmoil are cascading. Unravel the threads of their self-discovery and discover the power within to bring about change. This is a journey of self-conciousness and empowerment and a call to action that echoes beyond the digital world.

Forum Thread: DOMINO: The Little One (by Beko)

Dungero (Free)

iTunes Description

ONE-THUMB ROGUELIKE ACTION RPG
Explore the world of Dungero, fight with monsters, defeat epic bosses, and loot legendary artifacts in an offline action game controlled by just one thumb.

COLLECT IMMORTAL HEROES IN THIS GAME
Gather hero shards and unlock the collection of powerful immortal heroes in Dungero. Each hero has unique special abilities and custom battle skills in this offline game.

Forum Thread: Dungero (by Retrobot)

Dynasty Warriors M (Free)

iTunes Description

It’s KOEI TECMO’s officially licensed game,
the unrivaled Dynasty Warriors M!

■ Experience the legendary Dynasty Warriors story in a whole new format!
– Collect and develop 50 Officers from 5 factions.
– Wield the spectacular Musou power unique to Dynasty Warriors!

Forum Thread: Dynasty Warriors M (by NEXON)

EelBay (Free)

iTunes Description

The sticky eels of EelBay need your help! They lead busy lives across the ocean, doing a variety of jobs- eelectricians, eelconomists, reel estate agents, you name it!

In EelBay, your goal is to manage a changing supply of three colors of eels, and deliver the right eels to the right boats in the right formation.

Forum Thread: EelBay (by Threethreethree Games)

Farming Simulator 23 (Free)

iTunes Description

Run a rustic virtual farm your way. Plant crops, tend livestock and manage production until your agricultural empire flourishes in this soothing game.

Life on a farm isn’t easy, but when you’re running said farm from the comfort of your couch in this simulator game, it’s actually kind of relaxing. Build your farm from the ground up by choosing the crops you want to grow, the animals you want to tend and the products you want to sell — then get to work each in-game day with the help of your growing fleet of tractors and other authentically recreated farm machines.

Forum Thread: Farming Simulator 23 (by GIANTS Software)

Fleet the Dice Game ($4.99)

iTunes Description

Fleet: The Dice Game is an exciting new strategic roll and write dice game from the creators of Fleet! Fleet: The Dice Game is heavier than many roll and write games and captures the tense, meaningful decisions of Fleet.

In Fleet: The Dice Game, you are back in beautiful Ridback Bay to reap its rewards! Fleet: The Dice Game takes place over 10 rounds with each round having two phases, the Boat Phase and the Town Phase.

Forum Thread: Fleet the Dice Game (by VHornet)

Give As We Grow (Free)

iTunes Description

Give As We Grow is a a fun, free game for elementary-aged children designed to instill the values of generosity and philanthropy. Create your avatar, identify your interests, and begin exploring a world full of exciting minigames and activities. As you help the characters you meet, you can travel through time to see how your actions have impacted the future. Most importantly, you can track your real world acts of generosity and philanthropy in the app’s giving journal.

Forum Thread: Give As We Grow (by FableVision)

Gunfire Brigade (Free)

iTunes Description

Prepare to dive into the heart-pounding world of “Gunfire Brigade," an action game that will test your skills, grit, and courage.

In Gunfire Brigade, you will take on the role of three unique champions: Jems, Ronnie, and Peny. Each wields a distinct and powerful weapon – Jems with her automatic rifle, Ronnie with his shotgun, and Peny as the sharpshooter with a sniper rifle.

Forum Thread: Gunfire Brigade (by GamesTurf)

inbento (Free)

iTunes Description

inbento is a food-themed puzzle game where you have to arrange food in bento boxes! Play with food, solve hand-crafted recipes and enjoy a cute story in this culinary brain-teaser from the creators of Golf Peaks!

Forum Thread: inbento (by Afterburn)

Incessant. ($1.99)

iTunes Description

Dive into “Incessant," a unique arcade physics based puzzle game developed by an indie solo dev where you control a ball that transforms between the sun and moon.

Switch between day and night to reveal hidden obstacles and overcome challenges. Use gravity and momentum to navigate through multiple levels, all while enjoying a calming atmosphere with soothing visuals and intuitive controls for players of all levels.

Forum Thread: Incessant. (by Dead Pixel)

Nine Chronicles M (Free)

iTunes Description

Explore the expansive fantasy realm of Nine Chronicles M, a fully open-sourced online RPG. Governed by players and enhanced by a dynamic in-game economy, this game offers a captivating experience to the users.

Nine Chronicles M presents a diverse gameplay with engaging elements suitable for players across the spectrum, from casual to competitive. Embark on an epic adventure in this community-driven universe!

Forum Thread: Nine Chronicles M (by Planetarium Labs)

Nobody’s Adventure Chop-Chop (Free)

iTunes Description

Effortless Leveling with Auto-Chopping
· Begin as a humble monster and evolve into an immortal.
· Collect equipment and earn EXP by simply chopping at the Divine Tree.

PvP & PvE: Thrilling Battles
· Compete with fellow cultivators in intense PVP battles to claim the top spot on the leaderboard.
· Confront formidable demonic bosses in challenging PvE encounters!

Forum Thread: Nobody’s Adventure Chop-Chop (by 37GAMES)

Par for the Dungeon (Free)

iTunes Description

Golf is boring, Par for the Dungeon is different. Join Cal the golf ball as they battle and chase down the treacherous and dog-napping Bogeys. Putt, explode and fight with everything from grapple hooks to laser beams as you conquer over 100 increasingly puzzling levels!

Just like regular golf, the goal is to get Cal into each level’s hole in as few moves as possible. Simply tap and drag on Cal to aim and increase their power, and release to send them flying! However, it’s not as easy as simply getting to the hole, each level is patrolled and locked down by treacherous Bogeys! Buy Cal weapons from the shop, arm deadly traps and outsmart your foes to get the upper hand.

Forum Thread: Par for the Dungeon (by Sleeping Giant Interactive)

River City Girls (Free)

iTunes Description

There’s trouble once again on the mean streets of River City! Hard-hitting heroines Misako and Kyoko are tearing up the town to rescue their boyfriends, Kunio and Riki, and they won’t let anyone get in their way! As you punch and kick your way across the city, you’ll gain new skills, chow down on power-ups, wield bone-busting weapons, and unleash an arsenal of combos, throws, and special attacks that will leave the bad guys crying for mama – all in outrageous pixel-art style! The awesome action is punctuated by motion-comic story panels, anime cutscenes, multiple endings, and an epic synth-pop soundtrack. This version of the game features touchscreen or Bluetooth controller support for solo play (Bluetooth controllers required for 2-player co-op) as well as River City’s newest shopkeeper: Crunchyroll-Hime!

Forum Thread: River City Girls (by Crunchyroll)

Rooms (Free)

iTunes Description

Unleash your inner creator and step into the world of 3D creation with Rooms – a new, free app for creative builders, cozy gamers and curious minds.

Forum Thread: Rooms (by Things, Inc)

Space Intern (Free)

iTunes Description

Embark on a cosmic journey with Space Intern! Conquer 40 levels, face quirky foes, and enjoy captivating pixel art in this thrilling 2D platformer!

Embark on a cosmic internship adventure with Space Intern, a dynamic 2D platformer!

Forum Thread: Space Intern (by Maciej Dabrowski)

TV Studio Story ($5.99)

iTunes Description

In this charming pixel art sim game, you’ll create your own shows, deciding everything from the theme and genre down to the set and the performers who star in it. Experiment with different combinations, and you might just have a hit on your hands!

Where would a TV show be without its stars? Build rapport with different talent agencies, find performers that specialize in certain genres, and get the studio audience really fired up!

Forum Thread: TV Studio Story (by Kairosoft)

Vactics (Free)

iTunes Description

Build the mech to fight against robotic Vactics in tactical chess-like combat.

The war is already over and the heroes of the city have fallen.
Take on a new randomly generated challenge every time you play and join with the citizens to fight for a better future.

Vactics is designed to let you play as much as you like and upgrade to the full version at any time.

Forum Thread: Vactics (by Gerard Delaney)

Wolfstride (Free)

iTunes Description

Wolfstride is a role-playing game about three former partners-in-crime coming to a turning point in their lives. When they inherit a junkyard mecha called Cowboy, they reunite to enter the planet’s most elite mecha competition: the Ultimate Golden God Tournament.

Each member of the team lends their unique experience as they prepare to outwit the best mecha opponents from around the world. Between dog-mechanic Duque, mecha pilot Knife Leopard, and jack-of-all-trades Dominic Shade, the core crew’s got just about everything covered.

That is… until their simple mission to make money unfolds into a deep, slow-burning exploration of their complex lives, the dark choices of their past, and their inevitable fate.

Forum Thread: Wolfstride (by OTA IMON Studios)

Though details on the actual fighting mechanics are scarce, Frosty Pop does declare that Pillow Champ will have “The best mobile controls ever in a fighting game (as easy and natural as texting)." Hmmm, very intrigued by that. Also the game will feature a healthy story-driven single-player component with storylines written by Strange Scaffold’s Xalavier Nelson Jr. who is known for the critically acclaimed El Paso, Elsewhere as well as numerous other writing credits in and around the video game sphere. Pillow Champ will be heading to mobile by way of Netflix Games, and it’s planned for Steam and Nintendo Switch as well. It’s targeting a spring 2024 release and you can find out more over on the game’s website.

Don’t forget to shoot us emails with any questions, feedback, or anything else relevant or irrelevant to podcast@toucharcade.com. We read ’em all, and love decoding messages written entirely in emoji. As always, you can listen to us with the links below… And if you like what you hear, please subscribe and/or drop us a review in iTunes. Much appreciated!

As a companion to this audio podcast, we also do a video version of the same show that is exclusive to Patreon which allows you to see us playing the games we’re talking about. Backers can view the most recent video episodes of the TouchArcade show by clicking here. Be sure you’re logged in to see the latest content. For everyone else who is curious, you can check out our public patreon posts to see older episodes of the video podcast. If you like what you see, consider becoming a TouchArcade Patreon backer.

But a “gameplay modifier" just sounds so boring, so Studio Folly decided to dress up each of these modifiers as a different wacky character. If you are old like me and remember the game show Press Your Luck, the Gubbins are sort of a sibling to the Whammy. You’ll just be going about your business, trying to make words on the game board using a pile of single letters or letter chunks at the bottom of the screen, and then BAM out of nowhere a no good Gubbin will come along and do something to mess up your meticulously planned-out word that you were trying to create. Dang you, Gubbin!

Thankfully there are good Gubbins too that can kind of counteract the bad ones messing with you by offering up some very very helpful abilities. This might be giving you a free letter of your choosing to add to the board or even letting you take letters down from the board and add them back to your usable pile. Whatever the case, it feels like every time there’s a Gubbin trying to screw you over there’s another Gubbin showing up to help you do something amazing that you wouldn’t have been able to do on your own. It’s like the Yin and Yang of the Gubbins world.

It helps that the base word game the entirety of Gubbins is built around is also really solid. As I said before you have a stack of letter cards at the bottom, sometimes single letters and sometimes chunks of multiple letters on one card. Drag them onto the play field to create words, both horizontally and vertically. Using a card from the stack at the bottom will then reveal one of the letter cards below, so there’s sort of a “hope and a prayer" factor that goes into playing, as often I’ll be setting up a word that I don’t technically have all the right letters for yet, but… surely it’ll show up as I draw more cards, right? Right!? This might explain why I’m always losing at poker. I’m a river chaser through and through.

Gubbins is free to play the classic mode as much as you like, and there’s a few different IAP options to unlock more modes and Gubbin types and other neat decorations. Right now the bundle to just buy everything and make the game entirely premium is ten bucks, and if you like playing the free portion I think that’s the way to go. Really though, you’re paying for those sweet, sweet Gubbins and their gosh darn adorable personalities. The way they are animated, the sounds they make, their wacky designs, and of course the way they playfully pop in to completely screw over your game that was going so well up to that point. It’s very endearing, and… maddening! I do enjoy it though so if you dig word games don’t let Gubbins pass you by.

Rather than 3 different styles of puzzles built around abstract art, Please, Touch the Artwork 2 is more of a hidden object game and sees you accompanying a skeleton artist on a journey through the legendary real-life Belgian painter James Ensor’s library of work. As in the first title a narrative is woven into the game based on the often strange characters that inhabit Ensor’s lightly animated and interactive masterpieces. Ensor was controversial during his time, as well as extremely groundbreaking in the world of late 19th century and early 20th century art, and being that Thomas Waterzooi is also Belgian I’m guessing this was something of a passion project for the developer to create. The first game was award-winning but felt like it flew a bit under the radar on mobile, so feel free to check that one out in the meantime while we await the arrival of Please, Touch the Artwork 2 on mobile and PC in early 2024.

Animal Arena (Free)

iTunes Description

Animal Arena is a wacky local multiplayer battle game for 1-4 players featuring cute animals and simple one button controls. Fight across unique arenas, collect weapon power-ups, and stomp opponents to win! Earn points by battling to unlock more playable animals!

Forum Thread: Animal Arena – 4 Player Battle (by Adventure Islands)

Bid Wars 3 (Free)

iTunes Description

Feel the rush of making strategic bids in storage auctions just like on TV, as you hunt for valuable treasures in auctions all over the world! Every new dusty storage unit is an opportunity to uncover hidden gems that can be sold for a hefty profit. Bid against the top treasure hunters and use your keen sense of strategy to outsmart your competitors, secure the best deals, collect treasures and build your pawn shop and treasure hunt legacy in this city building and negotiation game journey!

Forum Thread: Bid Wars 3 (by Space Sheep Games)

Bubble Rangers (Free)

iTunes Description

These cores were the heartbeat of the land, giving energy and life to the Bubblerians. Their power came from a unique source – the Energy Bubbles.
The Bubble Rangers, fearless adventurers, had a mission: to travel the vast expanse of the Imaginary World, hike up tall mountains, navigate through thick forests, cross wide oceans, and explore dark caves to collect these elusive Energy Bubbles.

Forum Thread: Bubble Rangers (by Imaginary Ones)

CoComelon: Play with JJ (Free)

iTunes Description

Explore JJ’s house for a fun playdate! Learn shapes and numbers, earn stickers, even sing along to CoComelon songs in this game based on the series.

Welcome to the world of CoComelon, where you and your family are invited to playtime at JJ’s house. Click on interactive objects in every room to reveal fun surprises — there are hidden toys to discover, pictures to paint, crafts to create and singalong CoComelon songs like “Wheels on the Bus" and “Yes Yes Vegetables!"

Forum Thread: CoComelon: Play with JJ (by Moonbug Entertainment)

Cyber Rebellion (Free)

iTunes Description

Go to the Otherworld… Go and defeat the Invaders!
The destroyer [Apocalypse] has fully intruded the real world, and the “α virus" has gradually eroded our space… Inspectors! Warriors! Please resist the enemy and protect our Skyfall City together! Your mighty will never back down!

Forum Thread: Cyber Rebellion (by NEOCRAFT)

Deepcover (Free)

iTunes Description

In DeepCover, players solve a variety of fun and stimulating puzzles to outsmart evildoers, prevent scams, and save the day. Playing as an undercover agent, players are awarded more intel at every level they complete, used to outsmart scammers and help protect potential victims. Players are also able to customize their character, unlock new levels, play special training games, and learn additional info about real-life online scams and their impacts.

Forum Thread: Deepcover (by Whitethorn Digital)

Dice Quest: King’s Tale (Free)

iTunes Description

■ ‘World Exploration’ The World of Wonders!
– Join the legendary adventure with King Dian!
– Fun and exciting story awaits!
– Meet and collect many Dians through the King’s Road!
– Experience thrilling battles with unique skills and actions!
– Clear stages and explore the bigger world!

Forum Thread: Dice Quest: King’s Tale (by 111%)

Dino Bash: Travel Through Time (Free)

iTunes Description

Get ready for an outrageously fun and wacky adventure back in time with Dino Bash! In this game, you’ll lead an army of powerful, wise-cracking dinos to defend your precious egg from pesky Neanderthals who are armed with nothing but clubs and bad attitudes.

Are you ready for a time-traveling adventure that takes you and your trusty team of dinos on a journey through the ages? In Dino Bash, you’ll be transported through a magical wormhole that lands you smack-dab in the middle of different time zones, where you’ll encounter all kinds of wild and wacky challenges.

Forum Thread: Dino Bash: Travel Through Time (by pokoko Studio)

GUBBINS (Free)

iTunes Description

Gubbins is a friendly puzzle game where players place tiles to construct words, with the help and hindrance of wildcard modifiers called Gubbins.

Minimalist typography alongside kooky cartoons serve as a canvas for moreish wordplay. Dig through the draw pile and make words on the board with hilarious friends wreaking havoc.

Forum Thread: GUBBINS – It’s a word game (by Studio Folly)

Hades’ Star: Dark Nebula (Free)

iTunes Description

Start your own personal journey in the Hades Galaxy, or continue guiding the Empire you started in Hades’ Star.

DARK NEBULA is the next evolution of the Hades galaxy. With familiar but well-refined activities, as well as brand new activities, building a Space Empire has never been more rewarding.

Create and grow your space Empire, in a persistent galaxy that constantly evolves.

Forum Thread: Hades’ Star: Dark Nebula (by Parallel Space)

Kawaii Theater Solitaire (Free)

iTunes Description

Indulge in the art of makeover and decoration for our Kawaii Theater troupe! Make your way to our lively Starlight Troupe, where your passion for styling, decorating and stage play are put on show!

As an Art Director with a distinctive background, it’s your turn to take the lead and prepare for the upcoming plays. Indulge in the art of makeover and decoration by picking suitable costumes for the cast members, and hone your interior design skills by decorating the stages.

Will our protagonist be able to find their new calling and truly move on from the past? Come join the troupe to find out!
The play is only a curtain away!

Forum Thread: Kawaii Theater Solitaire (by Imba)

Legend of Wizard : Idle RPG (Free)

iTunes Description

Infinite growth with thrilling action! Hack N Slash Idle RPG Legend of Wizard!

◈ The chronicle of a boy’s battle against great evil.
A boy that lost his parents to war who now strives to become a great sorcerer, and save the world from the root of all evil!
Play and experience this hero’s journey form orphan to wizard!

Forum Thread: Legend of Wizard : Idle RPG (by LockOn Studio)

Midnight Rush !! (Free)

iTunes Description

Three unique game modes to challenge your drive.. and Free Roam, just for fun..
Random Traffic just to keep you honest..
*Controller Support, to dominate the leaderboards,
•Car Customiizing plus enough cars to unlock, and more being added every update..
•Fuel, watch your fuel, you need fuel, its a long walk home,,
•Bonus Challenge events every month..

Forum Thread: Midnight Rush !! (by Adam Rogan)

The Ouroboros King (Free)

iTunes Description

The Ouroboros King is a chess roguelike game where players must free the Kingdom of Thessalonia from the Coven across different timelines. Advance through a procedurally generated map, fight chess skirmishes and improve your army with novel chess pieces and relics. Discover synergies between pieces and relics to perfect your builds and enjoy the depth of chess tactics. After beating the main story, replay it with extra difficulty options or fight in an endless gauntlet in infinity mode. The game also features a practice mode that can be used for single-device multiplayer.

Forum Thread: The Ouroboros King (by Oriol Cosp)

The Quest – Ragnar’s Revenge ($2.99)

iTunes Description

After many years, you’ve returned to the land of Humbria, summoned by the widow of Lord Stonely, whom you served once before. He commissioned you to kill the Viking Ragnar the Berserker who ran off with his daughter Freda.

Unknown to you, the great god Thor also awaits you in Humbria. He also needs your aid. His mission will send you to the cold world of Helheim, home of the dishonorable dead, where you’ll confront Ragnar and his legions once again.

Forum Thread: The Quest – Ragnar’s Revenge (by Redshift)

Refind Self ($3.99)

iTunes Description

All players approach games in varied ways, making different choices.
No one ever plays in exactly the same way.
Indeed, how a person plays can be an indicator of their personality.
And Refind Self is a game where you can learn about that personality.

One play is about one hour.
Just enjoy this simple test during your busy time.
And the third time test will show all your personalities, where the end of the story is also not far away.

Forum Thread: Refind Self (by Active Gaming Media)

Samurai Shodown II ACA NEOGEO ($3.99)

iTunes Description

SAMURAI SHODOWN II is a fighting game released by SNK in 1994.
The legendary weapon-wielding fighting game returns stronger / sharper than ever!
Four newcomers join the battle for a total of 15 combatants ready to step on the stage of grand battles.
With the new Rage System and Weapon Breaking Attacks, epic and intense battles are waiting for you!

Forum Thread: Samurai Shodown II ACA NEOGEO (by SNK)

Shadow and Bone Enter the Fold (Free)

iTunes Description

Shape the fate of the Grishaverse. Travel war-torn Ravka and choose which powers prevail in this interactive adventure based on the fantasy series.

You determine the choices of the iconic heroes of “Shadow and Bone" in this interactive RPG featuring original adventures based on the Netflix series and bestselling books. Explore the world as Alina, Jesper, Sturmhond and General Kirigan as you discover previously untold stories set between Seasons 1 and 2 of the hit Netflix show. Encounter familiar faces, new villains, hard choices and dramatic twists in this narrative RPG that puts the player in charge as the story unfolds.

Forum Thread: Shadow and Bone Enter the Fold (by Netflix)

Shop Legends (Free)

iTunes Description

Upon your graduation from the most prestigious shopkeeping academy, you received an invitation from your uncle’s best friend, Jacque. Your uncle’s mysterious disappearance has left the once-renowned shop unattended. The time has come for you to rise to the occasion, utilizing your business acumen to restore the shop’s reputation as the most prominent in the realm.

Immerse yourself in an Idle Simulation Tycoon RPG like no other, where you’ll simultaneously manage an expanding and profitable item shop, craft legendary equipment to gear up your valued patrons, and lead a band of mighty heroes you’ve recruited on quests to recover rare artifacts and blueprints, challenging the top-ranked shopkeepers!

Forum Thread: Shop Legends (by Cloudcade)

Sky Fortress: Odyssey (Free)

iTunes Description

〓Steampunk Fantasy Adventure, An Epic Tale of Civilizations〓
· Embark on a steampunk-style grand adventure where technology and fantasy merge, unveiling the secrets of the world of Setsemir!
· A sprawling narrative with over a million words to showcase the splendor of various civilizations. A multitude of unique bosses await!

Forum Thread: Sky Fortress: Odyssey (by BlancoZone)

Striker Manager 3 (Free)

iTunes Description

Striker Manager 3 is the best multiplayer football manager game that combines the fun of traditional football games with the ability to be the owner of your in-game assets.

Generate income while trading your game assets, take possession of your plot of land in the Striker Manager 3 world and become the real owner of your club.

Forum Thread: Striker Manager 3 (by U-Play Online)

Summon Dragons 2 (Free)

iTunes Description

Embark on an epic adventure in Summon Dragons 2, the ultimate dragon-themed RPG game that takes you on a journey from a secluded ocean plot to becoming a legendary Dragonlord. Build your island, construct powerful buildings, summon mighty dragons, and recruit skilled dragon trainers as you explore numerous dungeons and instances, each requiring strategic line-ups and tactics.

Forum Thread: Summon Dragons 2 (by HK Hero Entertainment)

Timberman 2 – VS Battle (Free)

iTunes Description

Play against other players online. Chop, create team, build the city and defend it from zombies.
50 million people played the first part. It’s time for the Timberman 2!

Timberman 2 is here! New style, more characters, new multiplayer mode and a lot more!

Compete for the title of the best lumberjack in the world.
Take your axe and begin the battle – the fastest and the strongest one will win.

Forum Thread: Timberman 2 – VS Battle (by Digital Melody)

Torgeons – Dungeon Adventures (Free)

iTunes Description

Embark on an epic roguelite dungeon adventure in Torgeons. Explore, conquer, and become the hero!"

Torgeons: Dungeon Adventure

Welcome to the enigmatic world of Torgeons, where the footprints of ancient civilizations await discovery. In this roguelite dungeon adventure, you’ll battle distraught creatures, explore the remnants of a forgotten realm, and emerge as the hero.

Forum Thread: Torgeons – Dungeon Adventures (by Yavuz Selim Yasar)

Tsuki Adventure 2 (Free)

iTunes Description

The sequel to the smash hit pocket bunny’s adventure has arrived! Embark on a new journey out from the Japanese forests and countryside vistas of Mushroom Village and into the unknown! In this new episode of the beloved rabbit’s tale, follow Tsuki along the winding path as he explores the enchanting groves of the kawaii world. Immerse yourself in the charming aesthetic of a kinder world, where furry friends, thrilling mysteries, and fulfilling choices await.

Forum Thread: Tsuki Adventure 2 (by HyperBeard)

Fast forward a couple of years and the IP owner THQ Nordic decides to self publish Titan Quest on mobile, or perhaps their deal with DotEmu had run its course, or whatever the case may have been. The result was that the Titan Quest posted under DotEmu’s account on the App Store was removed, and replaced by a new app posted under THQ Nordic’s App Store account. Since it was a new app, previous owners would need to repurchase it lest they be stuck with the now deprecated DotEmu version. That sucks, but that sort of thing happens in the world of digital content, so it was a somewhat easier pill to swallow. I guess. But then about 6 months later that THQ Nordic version was also pulled, and then the game was again republished under the Handy Games App Store account, a subsidiary studio of THQ Nordic. So if you bought the DotEmu version, then you bought the THQ Nordic version, now you were needing to buy the exact same game a third time if you didn’t want to get stuck with one that was no longer being actively maintained.

I wrote about how frustrating that situation was back in 2018, but then a few years later I almost blew my top when yet another version of Titan Quest was released in the App Store, Titan Quest: Legendary Edition. What the heck!? Well, as it turned out, things weren’t quite as confusing as they first appeared. Legendary Edition was just a version that came packed with the three expansion packs that people had been hoping for ever since the original 2016 DotEmu release: Immortal Throne, Ragnarok, and Atlantis. What’s more is that the previously released Titan Quest HD was also updated to allow the purchase of these expansion packs as separate IAPs, and both games were updated with all the same sort of technical fixes and improvements. Basically they were identical except one came with a higher price and DLC included, and the other was a lower price and allowed you to purchase the DLC a la carte. Not a bad thing really, if not a little confusing. I even gave it the Game of the Week!

Well, now that you are equipped with all of this unnecessary knowledge of Titan Quest’s history on mobile, you can probably guess what Titan Quest: Ultimate Edition is all about. We learned back in August that the fourth major expansion, Eternal Embers, which launched on PC back in 2021, would be coming to the mobile version of Titan Quest soon, and that it would be an IAP for both Titan Quest HD and Titan Quest: Legendary Edition. Well, Titan Quest: Ultimate Edition simply bundles that new expansion, as well as the previous expansions, into one single package that you pay for upfront. So if you haven’t bought any form of Titan Quest on mobile before, and you know you’ll want all the content that’s available for it, you can plunk down $25 for Ultimate Edition. If you already own one of the previous version of Titan Quest, you can purchase the Eternal Embers expansion by itself for $4.99.

Any combination of the base game + expansions will add up to $25, and all three games should feature the exact same content and features, so it doesn’t really matter which path you choose and Titan Quest: Ultimate Edition is simply another path you can take. Did we need this? Probably not! Is it somewhat confusing? Sure! Is it really that big of a deal when Titan Quest is still one of if not THE best ARPGs you can play on mobile? Certainly not a big deal to me! So pick your poison when Titan Quest: Ultimate Edition, which you can pre-order right now, hits the App Store in a couple of weeks on November 28th, and more than likely the other Titan Quests should be seeing the Eternal Embers DLC arrive around that time too.

The Macrumors Show:

Don’t forget to shoot us emails with any questions, feedback, or anything else relevant or irrelevant to podcast@toucharcade.com. We read ’em all, and love decoding messages written entirely in emoji. As always, you can listen to us with the links below… And if you like what you hear, please subscribe and/or drop us a review in iTunes. Much appreciated!

As a companion to this audio podcast, we also do a video version of the same show that is exclusive to Patreon which allows you to see us playing the games we’re talking about. Backers can view the most recent video episodes of the TouchArcade show by clicking here. Be sure you’re logged in to see the latest content. For everyone else who is curious, you can check out our public patreon posts to see older episodes of the video podcast. If you like what you see, consider becoming a TouchArcade Patreon backer.

As with the best puzzle games, the premise in Tiny Connections is blissfully simple on paper but fiendishly challenging in practice. You have a gridded landscape where houses will pop up at random. These houses need to be connected to various types of resources, like water or electricity, and the buildings that supply those resources will also be placed around the grid. Your job is simply to connect the houses to their same colored resource building by connecting pipes/power lines/etc. You simply choose the type of connection you want to make, draw with your finger on the grid from the resource building to the house, and voila, that house is now connected! Subsequent houses will pop up that also need to be connected by either extending from an already connected house or creating a new extension from the resource center.

Sounds easy, right!? It most certainly is not. First of all, you have limited parts to draw your connections with, so if a house pops up that needs water but you don’t have enough lengths of pipe to just draw a new line to them you’re out of luck. In that type of scenario there are special abilities that come into play, like creating an underground tunnel where you only need enough pipe to connect a building to a tunnel entrance and the rest happens for you underground, saving your precious parts. You also can’t criss-cross lines on the surface, and the resource buildings have a limited number of places to connect to. Also, the houses and resources buildings come in a variety of colors, and you can only connect between like-colored buildings.

All of these factors and more make Tiny Connections a very thoughtful puzzler that takes keen strategy and forethought in order to be successful. I feel like I haven’t even covered all the different mechanics and parameters that the game is built around in this short weekly piece, but the good news is that Tiny Connections is free to download and play and supported by ads. There are a couple of different options of IAP for removing ads or adding additional content to the game, if you enjoy it, and right now there’s a launch discount on the full bundle that’s just $4. So for all intents and purposes I’d just call this a free with ads game that you can check out to your heart’s content, and if you like it don’t hesitate to drop a handful of dollars to unlock the full thing.

The two most significant upgrades in the new model compared to the original are of course the OLED screen as well as a significantly larger 50Whr battery compared to the original’s 40Whr battery. Coupled with the more power efficient OLED screen this should translate into a pretty significant upgrade in battery life. Valve’s numbers say the original got somewhere between 2-8 hours depending on the game, and the OLED model should get more like 3-12 hours, again depending on what you’re playing. Also, the OLED screen is 7.4" diagonally compared to the LCD which was just 7" so it’s ever so slightly larger, but since all they did was reduce the size of the bezels the actual footprint of the Steam Deck remains the same.

Not to be forgotten is that the Steam Deck OLED also comes with WiFi-6E, which should allow for much quicker download times compared to the original model’s Wi-Fi 5. The custom AMD chip used in the original Steam Deck hasn’t been upgraded other than going to a new 6nm platform compared to the original model’s 7nm, and while that may translate to some sort of performance gains in various ways, you should expect almost identical performance in the OLED model compared to the LCD models. This is akin to Nintendo upgrading the Switch to an OLED model more than a true Steam Deck successor or anything.

What if you don’t care about a fancy OLED screen but you’ve still been wanting a Steam Deck? Now would be a good time to grab one then. The previous 64GB and 512GB models have been permanently reduced in price, to $349 and $449 respectively, and once that stock is sold through those will be gone for good. The 256GB LCD model now slides in as the introductory offering at $399, and will continue to be sold alongside the new OLED models. Those new OLED models clock in at 512GB at $549, and 1TB at $649, and will be available to order on November 16th. Oh, and there’s also a super special Limited Edition of the 1TB model that will cost $679 and has an exclusive red colorway and translucent black casing, and from what I understand these are in incredibly short supply, but if you want to take a crack at getting one they go on sale at the same time as the others. Oh, also Valve’s official dock has also dropped in price to just $79, so that’s cool.

You can find links for pre-orders when they go live, as well as links to buy all the existing models that are already available at discounted prices, over on Valve’s redesigned Steam Deck website. I should have this new Steam Deck OLED in my own hands shortly, so expect some hands-on coverage in the coming days as well. What a time for Mikhail to be asleep!

Astrune Academy ($7.99)

iTunes Description

Embark on a thrilling journey with magical girls in the enchanting world of Astrune Academy! Discover the tale of aspiring sorcerers at this towering academy in the Sternship region. Engage in the daily life of the magic academy, complete assignments, and strive to become a skilled sorcerer. With a campus filled with a school shop, courtyard, and magical vending machines, you’ll experience the ultimate student life.

Forum Thread: Astrune Academy (by KEMCO/EXE-CREATE)

Blazing Star ACA NEOGEO ($3.99)

iTunes Description

“BLAZING STAR" is a shooting game released by SNK in 1998.
Your mission is to take on the sinister AI “Brawshella" that is the main culprit behind an army of deadly biological weapons.
You have 6 different ships at your disposal for this task.
The game features classic high score gameplay with higher points awarded when players land successful charge shots to chain multiple enemies.

Forum Thread: Blazing Star ACA NEOGEO (by SNK)

Cards and Castles 2 (Free)

iTunes Description

Collectible cards spring to life in this wacky Tactical CCG. Build a deck to challenge your friends and rivals, and engage in glorious CARD BATTLES! Will you choose fearsome vikings, or the deadly squirrels?

Both incredibly deep and easy for new players to pick up, this fun and wacky CCG features a tactical board for a touch of strategy. Cards played spring to life on the battlefield as animated characters who can move and block enemies, adding depth to the traditional CCG formula. Build unique decks from 7 different iconic factions: Vikings, Crusaders, Warlocks, Pirates, Ninjas, Druids, and the NEWLY ADDED Undead!

Forum Thread: Cards and Castles 2 (by Bit Mass LLC)

Cozy Solitaire ($1.99)

iTunes Description

Cozy Solitaire was designed specifically to give you a relaxing and cozy solitaire experience.

What makes Cozy Solitaire unique? Most solitaire apps are cluttered with ads, making playing anything but relaxing. Besides just being ad-free, Cozy Solitaire also has a fresh look that can be customized to fit your preferences. The effects and animations were created to be satisfying, without overdoing it. Lastly, Cozy Solitaire gives you an encouraging message every day when the daily goal is completed.

Forum Thread: Cozy Solitaire (by Lindsey Boucher)

CubeQuest – A QB Game (Free)

iTunes Description

Play the first levels of CubeQuest for free and purchase the full game if you like it.

CubeQuest – A QB Game, the successor to the beloved puzzle platformer “QB – A Cube’s Tale," sends you and QB into a beautifully designed world to once again test your puzzle-solving skills. Along the way, you’ll unlock new abilities, search for hidden secrets, and puzzle your way through 60 exciting levels.

Forum Thread: CubeQuest – A QB Game (by Stephan Göbel)

Digs Premium ($4.99)

iTunes Description

Embark on an epic journey through the world of Digs, a thrilling roguelike tower defense game that has evolved through six months of intensive community testing, receiving frequent updates and enhancements. We are excited to present Digs, a game like no other in its genre.

Digs seamlessly blends dungeon exploration, mining, and tower defense into a unique gaming experience. As the commander of all enemy paths, your towers are not just for defense – they’re also your key to shaping the battlefield. Procedurally generated mines await your exploration, brimming with valuable resources hidden within various blocks. To conquer the diverse challenges presented by different enemies and environments, you must strategically wield your arsenal.

Forum Thread: Digs Premium (by Catchy Games)

Football Manager Mobile 2024 (Free)

iTunes Description

You’re the boss of an elite soccer team. Build a dream squad of real-life stars or coach new talent and lead them to victory in this management game.

Whether you want to chase glory in MLS or taste success on the European stage, choose your dream team to manage from a worldwide range of options, including all the major soccer leagues.

Forum Thread: Football Manager Mobile 2024 (by Sports Interactive Limited /SEGA)

Great Conqueror 2: Shogun (Free)

iTunes Description

As the Ashikaga Shogunate wanes, warlords arise and the fog of warfare engulfs the era of Sengoku. In this era, a host of generals and daimyos compete for power, overthrowing higher positions, and the wielding of swords and blades. Numerous legendary figures such as Oda Nobunaga, Tokugawa Ieyasu, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Takeda Shingen ascend onto the stage. Amidst the background where the flames of war rise all around, you will witness the rise and fall of various factions in the Sengoku period in the game.

Forum Thread: Great Conqueror 2: Shogun (by Easy Tech)

HexOnHex (Free)

iTunes Description

There is something for everyone in this unique suite of word based games! A magical blend of wordplay and head to head conquest… HexOnHex is the ultimate two player challenge!

You get the crown jewel of the HexOnHex suite, Word Roulette, totally for Free! Challenge your friends or family, anywhere around the globe, to a unique take on a familiar word-game experience.

Forum Thread: HexOnHex (by Appracatappra)

IF Interactive Fiction (Free)

iTunes Description

Choose your own interactive fiction, where boundless possibilities and electrifying narratives take form.

• Craft your own interactive fiction story in an instant.
• Any Language. Inc Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese, Hindi, French
• Handpick your dream theme. Anything goes!
• Dive into dynamic infinite adventures with no boundaries.
• Picture your new universe with generated artwork.
• Master your relationship skills with extraordinary and captivating interactive characters.

Forum Thread: IF Interactive Fiction (by Secret Box)

Metal Slug 3 ACA NEOGEO ($3.99)

iTunes Description

METAL SLUG 3 is an action game released by SNK in 2000.
It is actually the fourth entry in the METAL SLUG Series of games.
Players will be able to use four different characters as they take to the battlefield with an array of weaponry.
New Slugs such as a Drill Slug will also show up in gameplay, leading to even more fierce and exciting action!

Forum Thread: Metal Slug 3 ACA NEOGEO (by SNK)

METRIA the Starlight (Free)

iTunes Description

Metria, a new action RPG game created by Asobimo.
Officially Released!

A tale of bonds and adventures unfolds! Cooperate with other characters to win!

The starlight is our hope.
An RPG where hope and sin collide.

Forum Thread: METRIA the Starlight (by Asobimo)

Phantom Blade: Executioners (Free)

iTunes Description

Phantom Blade: Executioners celebrates the thrill of kungfu combat with the sheer pace of it. Just like in a good kungfu movie, you will often find yourself facing multiple opponents who just wouldn’t give a break. Dodge, parry, leap out of harm’s way, create an opening to deliver a torrent of lethal blows. Build up an expansive arsenal of kungfu moves and choreograph them into sequences that perfectly fit your own play style with the Combo Chain system, which is introduced to cut the need for excessive button-mashing or memorizing super long move lists. Explore and find your own niche!

Forum Thread: Phantom Blade: Executioners (by SoulGame Limited)

Raider ($1.99)

iTunes Description

Master your piloting skills as you manoeuvre through a labyrinth of caverns where danger lurks around every corner. Infiltrate a Xeronium mining installation and cut off supply lines before the corrupt BeamGen corporation invades the galaxy.

But be warned, enemy drones are out in full force. Remain on high alert as you explore the Vensella cavern system, test your skills in epic space battles and destroy the reactor core!

Do you have the skills to be a pilot of RAIDER?

Forum Thread: Raider (by Amir Lari)

Shades: Shadow Fight Roguelike (Free)

iTunes Description

World has been saved. It seemed like a harmonious and quiet time. But the past never lets go so easily: when you make a choice, consequences stay with you. Shadow knew it as he knew that moment of peace will be brief.

Mysterious Shadow Rifts emerged all around the world. They lead to random places and bestow new abilities called Shades upon travelers. Shadow has to pass through Rifts and use this power to close them and unveil the mystery of their origin… But at what cost?

New enemies, new abilities and sequel to Shadow Fight 2 story – Shadow’s adventures continue!

Forum Thread: Shades: Shadow Fight Roguelike (by Nekki Limited)

Shield Hero: RISE (Free)

iTunes Description

Shield Hero: RISE (also known as The Rising of the Shield Hero: RISE) is a mobile game based on the anime series of the same name, licensed by Kadokawa Corporation. The game faithfully presents the anime’s original story, characters, and core aesthetic, aiming to deliver a highly immersive experience to all. Embedded with diverse gameplay, it builds up an amazing world where players can have a blast and explore strategies at the same time. Here, you can customize hero talents and squad lineups to become the unstoppable and brave the waves of calamity.

Forum Thread: Shield Hero: RISE (by Eggtart)

Space Race Typing ($0.99)

iTunes Description

Are you ready to type, tilt, and challenge other players online?

Enjoy a first-of-its-kind type racing game!

RACE your way to the finish line. Play against friends or on a solo mission in space. Dodge asteroids and lasers hurtling toward you in a harrowing battle against alien bugs!

Forum Thread: Space Race Typing (by Benjamin Welch)

Tide’s End ($0.99)

iTunes Description

Dive into the tale of a diver’s journey unveiled through puzzles. Play now!

Tide’s End is a unique indie game experience that takes players on a mesmerising journey beneath the waves. Set against the vast and mysterious backdrop of the ocean by the tiny village of Tide’s End, this game combines intricate puzzle mechanics with a captivating narrative that will keep players hooked from beginning to end.

Forum Thread: Tide’s End (by Yarncat)

Tiny Connections (Free)

iTunes Description

Tiny Connections is a puzzle game that challenges players to create networks connecting houses with infrastructure in tight spaces. In this engaging game, your mission is to make sure each home gets essential services like power and water, all while balancing efficiency and community wellbeing.

The challenge isn’t a walk in the park. You’ll need to cleverly link houses of the same color to their matching stations, all while navigating tricky setups and avoiding lines crossing. To help you out, you’ll have access to handy power-ups that introduce progressively tougher puzzles.

With its simple mechanics, Tiny Connections welcomes players into a world where straightforward gameplay hides deep strategy. This game is more than just entertainment; it’s a relaxing escape from the chaos of daily life as you connect houses and infrastructure.

Forum Thread: Tiny Connections (by Short Circuit Studios)

Turbo Tornado: Open World Race (Free)

iTunes Description

Unbound city open-world racing! Customize vehicles, explore unique maps, & engage in thrilling police chases!

Speed, action, and freedom! “Turbo Tornado: Open World Race" places you in the heart of real racing action and is designed to provide you with the ultimate adrenaline rush.

Forum Thread: Turbo Tornado: Open World Race (by GRAYPOW)

Warcraft Rumble (Free)

iTunes Description

Warcraft Rumble is a mobile action strategy game where collectible Warcraft Minis come to life to clash in epic melee battles. Whether you choose to play in the massive single player campaign or compete head-to-head in epic PvP battles, prepare to experience the true meaning of joyful chaos!

Forum Thread: Warcraft Rumble (by Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.)

As you can see, this is an isometric action RPG that the developers describe as a “side-quel that exists within the same timeline as Risk of Rain 2 but focuses on a different part of the story." Speaking of developers, this one isn’t by Hopoo Games, as publisher Gearbox has partnered up with Canadian developer Frima Studio to develop Risk of Rain: Hostile Worlds. It sounds like the game will go through some form of regional testing on its way to a global launch, and if you want to find out some more information or sign up to possibly try out the game early when it hits your region you can do so over on the game’s website. You’ll also unlock Mercanary when the game launches just for signing up. I’m definitely curious to see how this mobile take on the Risk of Rain universe turns out whenever Risk of Rain: Hostile Worlds drops sometime in the hopefully not too distant future.

This latest test will kick off on November 16th and will be open to select iOS and Android players in Brazil and the US, as well as all players in Australia, and currently you can still sign up to get in on this latest round of testing over on the Ubisoft website. They’ve also detailed what you can expect from The Division Resurgence in this upcoming test over on their blog, and for the first time the game will allow players to play the main campaign up to Mission 8 either solo or in co-op, and that will include side missions and other open world activities. Testers will also be able to check out the Dark Zone, PVP Conflict mode, and the new Lone Wolf mode where “solo players take on a series of short, increasingly difficult levels and try to complete them as quickly as possible to earn a good rating, move up in the ranks, and unlock rewards." Look for more news on The Division Resurgence as development continues and be sure to sign up if you want to try to get in on the beta test.

As of today’s launch these titles are only available on the Google Play Store, with iOS versions of everything coming soon, which is something we’ll keep an eye out for. You can find out more about subcription pricing over on the Crunchyroll website, but basically the Mega Fan tier is $9.99 per month while the Ultimate Fan tier is $14.99 per month. Their lowest priced tier, the Fan tier, is $7.99 per month but does not include access to the Game Vault titles. Again you can get more information about what is included with each tier on their website. I’m not an anime person so I probably couldn’t justify subscribing to either of those tiers for the games only, but if you’re already a Crunchyroll subscriber then this is a really cool bonus, and it might be incentive enough to bump up from the lowest tier into one of the ones that includes Game Vault. I’ll also be interested to see what other titles end up coming to the service, especially ones that have not previously been released on mobile.

Now, Shallot are no strangers to excellent made-for-mobile experiences, like their stylish mini-golfing game Vista Golf or the quirky idle fishing game Tides. From what I understand Coffee Golf was intended to be a quick side project to a much larger game that they’re currently working on, Bitmon Battle, and wasn’t really expected to be a big deal or anything. Basically the developer wanted to take the Wordle formula where you have this shared experience of everyone all playing the same level each day but apply it to a very streamlined, one-handed friendly touchscreen golfing game. Basically something you can fiddle around with while drinking your morning coffee, hence the name Coffee Golf. Each day there’s one new course with 5 holes that can be played in any order you choose, and when you’re finished you can share your score with others to see how you stack up. You also have the ability to replay a day’s course, either by way of watching an ad or by unlocking unlimited play via an IAP, so you can try and try again to get the best score possible. Here is a quick gameplay video showcasing Coffee Golf in action.

Well, this combination of super-approachable golfing mechanics and the semi-competitive nature of trying to be amongst the top scores for each day’s course proved to be a huge success, and this week-long side project suddenly became more of a main focus for the small team. Especially in our own forums where players became borderline obsessed with sharing and improving their scores. Since its release in June Coffee Golf has seen a number of new features and improvements, largely based on player feedback. Things like a dedicated friend list, iCloud integration, the ability to go back and play previous days’ courses, and plenty of little tweaks to the physics and RNG system. For the past few months they’ve been hard at work on the game’s biggest update yet, something they’re calling the Pro Tour.

The important thing to note is that nothing will be changing about the core experience of Coffee Golf as it is today, and going forward that experience will be known as the Classic mode and entirely separate from the new upcoming Pro Tour mode. They’re not messing with a good thing! As for Pro Tour, they describe it as “1v1 multiplayer, with a trophy/progression system similar to other “Clash” games. You’ll progress through the tournaments, where we are adding new course themes (right now we have a Desert theme, a Links theme, and one more in development). It’s still Coffee Golf, but each new theme comes with its own intricacies and tricks to learn." There’s also a new achievement system where completing achievements will unlock avatars you can use in the Pro Tour. It sounds like it’s a great addition to an already great game, and Shallot has announced over on Reddit that Pro Tour will be officially launching in just a couple of weeks on November 21st. You can also find a video showcasing how Pro Tour works as well as a Testflight link to check it out early in that same Reddit thread, and of course you can always share friend codes or daily scores in our forums ahead of the big update’s launch later this month. Phew, I feel better that I finally got to post about Cofee Golf!

Don’t forget to shoot us emails with any questions, feedback, or anything else relevant or irrelevant to podcast@toucharcade.com. We read ’em all, and love decoding messages written entirely in emoji. As always, you can listen to us with the links below… And if you like what you hear, please subscribe and/or drop us a review in iTunes. Much appreciated!

As a companion to this audio podcast, we also do a video version of the same show that is exclusive to Patreon which allows you to see us playing the games we’re talking about. Backers can view the most recent video episodes of the TouchArcade show by clicking here. Be sure you’re logged in to see the latest content. For everyone else who is curious, you can check out our public patreon posts to see older episodes of the video podcast. If you like what you see, consider becoming a TouchArcade Patreon backer.

The setup in Wizard of Legend should sound pretty familiar. Run through some randomly generated rooms, kill a bunch of enemies, come across a mini-boss, take that bad boy down, run through some more enemies, take down a super hard main boss, bada bing bada boom. Earn a bunch of loot and XP, level up your stuff when you get back to your main hub, then dive in and do it all over again. This is the type of thing that can get a little humdrum in most of these types of games, but that’s where Wizard of Legend pops in to set itself apart.

The combat here is just fan-freaking-tastic. It’s super fast compared to typical ARPGs, and the focus on magic spells and the things they can do keep the combat feeling fresh and open up all sorts of opportunities for cool strategies. You will find yourself frequently outnumbered by enemies and will discover clever new ways to deal with those mobs of baddies, and it will often be in a way that makes you feel like an all-powerful bad ass wizard. It’s tough to put into words, but Wizard of Legend is just very satisfying in that way. I don’t want to stop fighting, and I don’t want to stop unlocking new spells and trying new loadouts, which this game makes very easy to do.

As I alluded to earlier, this progression loop also lends itself really well to mobile as runs don’t take all that long and it’s the kind of game where even a bad run feels like you did something meaningful. That said, this port doesn’t save your game mid-run, so if you close out of it and it gets wiped from memory then you’ll have to start a run over, which is unfortunate for a mobile game. So far this hasn’t been an issue for me but it’s worth noting. Also, while it plays well with virtual controls and that makes it an easy contender for just busting out of my pocket to kill some time, it’s certainly at its best with a physical controller if you’re going to sit down and take things more seriously.

Whether you’ve owned this on another platform before and just want something super portable, or you enjoy these kind of roguelike ARPGs, this new mobile version of Wizard of Legend is a solid option. Hopefully the few rough edges can be smoothed over to make this something I can see staying installed on my device for a very long time to come.

In Snakebird you are somehow both bird and snake and your job is to make it to the exit in each of 120+ levels of logic puzzling. In all honesty you’re much more snake than bird here, and by snake I actually mean the Snake video game all us old folks remember playing on our first cell phones. You do move in that same fashion, though not automatically but rather square by square, and you can increase the size of your snakebird by eating fruit. Also, despite supposedly being part bird, you can’t fly, so one of the tricky parts of this game is figuring out how to grasp onto a piece of solid ground while defying physics and lurching out into the open air solve whatever problem is currently in front of you.

I mention the game is tricky, but that’s not entirely accurate: The original Snakebird is stupid hard. Some people love that sort of thing, while some people are turned off by it. This is what led to the release of the follow-up title Snakebird Primer, which featured slightly altered mechanics and an ever so slightly adjusted difficulty to provide a more approachable version of the Snakebird formula. It’s still not easy! But I think it’s a nice compromise of being more forgiving without losing the core of what makes Snakebird so special. Despite coming out second, you can certainly start out with Snakebird Primer first before tackling the more challenging original Snakebird.

And hey! You will have that option with Snakebird Complete, because it includes both games in one package! The original Snakebird first launched on PC back in 2015 before coming to mobile and knocking our socks off the following year. Snakebird Primer came along in early 2019 and we liked that one a lot too, but sadly it is no longer available on the App Store anymore. The original Snakebird is, but hasn’t been updated since its release in 2016. So really, this forthcoming Switch compilation might be the most trustworthy way to ensure you can play these two Snakebird games into the future given how volatile the world of mobile gaming preservation is. Anyhoo, the Snakebird games are awesome, and you can pre-order the switch compilation on the eShop right now for $14.99 with the launch for Snakebird Complete set for later this month on November 24th.

Company Man (Free)

iTunes Description

Climb the corporate ladder and overthrow your boss!

The Company Man is a classic action platformer where you play as average salaryman Jim. Hit your crazy coworkers with a keyboard, shoot your evil bosses with emails, and buff up with coffee beans at the Good Water Company. Survive the struggles of working life and fulfill your lifelong quest to be CEO!

Forum Thread: Company Man (by Forust Studio/Leoful)

Conjury ($2.99)

iTunes Description

Make your way through the eternal darkness of Lumtham woods. It’s a journey filled with monsters, peril, and tonnes of loot. Collect cards, weapons, and items as you make your way through this fast-paced deck building rogue-like to escape the darkness of the forest.

Forum Thread: Conjury (by Dean Coulter)

Dead Cells: Netflix Edition (Free)

iTunes Description

Escape a limitless castle with an undead twist in this roguevania action platformer. Find secrets, take down bosses, and if you die? Start from the bottom and reignite the fight.

You’re what’s left after a botched experiment in an abandoned castle made you a pile of undead sludge. All you need to escape is someone else’s less-than-alive body and the sheer will to battle your way through a constantly changing, pixel art castle full of rogue enemies and terrifying bosses. Learn the ropes of action-packed 2D combat and platform exploration, master a variety of weapons and develop your strengths as you unravel the secrets of the dungeon, the castle and whatever lies beyond.

Forum Thread: Dead Cells: Netflix Edition (by Motion Twin, Evil Empire and Playdigious)

FindTheNut ($0.99)

iTunes Description

Embark on this epic adventure and help the squirrel overcome obstacles, rearrange paths, and collect the precious NUTs. Can you guide our brave hero to freedom and a happily-ever-after ending? It’s time to embark on a journey filled with wit, determination, and love in our thrilling puzzle platformer!

Forum Thread: FindTheNut (by WASD Interactive)

Illuminaria ($4.99)

iTunes Description

Mine resources, manage and defend multiple bases. Go on expeditions, fight in auto-battles, research new technologies, and create your army of golems to drive out the darkness and bring back the light.

■ Control a swarm of robots using simple interactions

Choose where to build, what resources to gather, and then watch the robots do the heavy lifting. They’ll gather the resources, build, load weapons, fight, and respond to the world around them.

Forum Thread: Illuminaria (by Selva Interactive)

Mowing Mazes (Free)

iTunes Description

Fun, bite-sized maze puzzles meet lawn mowing! Explore a labyrinth of mazes on an adventure filled with fun and quirky characters. Can you escape the Evermaze?

– Simple swipe controls make mowing mazes easy to learn.
– Find tricky new types of maze puzzle as you go.
– A fun filled lawn adventure with interesting characters to meet.
– Mow to the top of the worldwide lawn leagues.
– Customize your character with lots of items.
– Solve mysteries and escape the Evermaze.

Forum Thread: Mowing Mazes (by Protostar)

Oh My Dog – Heroes Assemble (Free)

iTunes Description

It is time for all “underdogs" to counterattack! Collect your cute dog heroes, lead them in battlefield, and defeat whotever as you like!The weak can defeat the strong via flexible strategy changes!
There are Dog Leaders from all over the world gathering there: together with your Dog Troops, just meet, compete, unite, and rise!

Forum Thread: Oh My Dog – Heroes Assemble (by Joy Net Games)

Puzzle Dazzle Away (Free)

iTunes Description

The game revolves around syncing your moves with the beats in the music, adding an immersive audio-visual experience to the gameplay. With every beat, a block falls into place, and your objective is to form lines of blocks before they reach the top of the screen. But beware! As you progress through the levels, the challenge intensifies. You will need to think strategically and act quickly to clear each level’s requirements. Some levels require you to score a certain number of points within a time limit, while others require you to clear a set number of lines in a specific order. To help you along the way, Puzzle Dazzle offers a range of power-ups that you can use strategically to gain an advantage. The power-ups include a laser that clears entire lines, a bomb that destroys all nearby blocks, and a magnet that attracts blocks to a specific area.

Forum Thread: Puzzle Dazzle Away (by Smash Game Studios)

Resident Evil Village (Free)

iTunes Description

Resident Evil Village for iOS release celebration sale! Until 11/20, save up to 60% on the game and Winters’ Expansion, and receive a bonus outfit for the expansion too!

Experience survival horror like never before in the 8th major installment in the Resident Evil franchise – Resident Evil Village. With detailed graphics, intense first-person action and masterful storytelling, the terror has never felt more realistic.

Forum Thread: Resident Evil Village (by Capcom)

Silent Hill: Ascension (Free)

iTunes Description

The Hernandez family plummets into chaos as another death shakes their decimated rust-belt town in Pennsylvania. In a dying fishing village in Norway, the uneasy peace of the Johansen family is upended when their matriarch, Ingrid, dies under suspicious circumstances. Survival depends on them overcoming their darkest impulses and the machinations of a cult, as they discover the horror that connects them.

Will they face redemption, suffering or damnation? YOU decide.

Forum Thread: Silent Hill: Ascension (By Genvid Technologies)

SoulArk : Teleport (Free)

iTunes Description

The one to seize the Soul Ark shall seize the World!
Join the grand journey of finding the SOUL ARK!

The brand new genre of RPG, full of exciting battles!
Experience the random matching battles with Soul Ark!

Forum Thread: SoulArk : Teleport (by SuperMagic)

Stratego Online (Free)

iTunes Description

The beloved strategy game, known for its tactical depth and captivating gameplay, is now available to a global audience through a modern and engaging online platform.

Stratego Online brings the timeless strategy and excitement of the original board game into the 21st century, providing players with an immersive online experience that blends classic gameplay with innovative features.

Forum Thread: Stratego Online (by Wanted 5 Games B.V.)

The Walking Dead Match 3 Tales (Free)

iTunes Description

The Walkers are coming.
Defend against enemy survivor groups and Walkers in this never-ending fight for survival.

Will you survive?
Build your team and defend your territory.

Based on the post-apocalyptic comic “The Walking Dead"
Immerse yourself in high-quality animations and a stellar voice cast.

Forum Thread: The Walking Dead Match 3 Tales (by Com2uS)

Warhammer 40,000: Warpforge (Free)

iTunes Description

The time is almost here! Pre-order Warhammer 40,000: Warpforge and get ready to fight in the grim darkness of the 41st Millennium! Get ready for a genre-defining CCG with fast, strategic gameplay, innovative game modes, awesome art and a deep love for Warhammer 40,000 showing through in every detail!

Immerse yourself in the vast Warhammer 40,000 universe through single-player campaigns exploring each of the warring factions. Then fight in draft and constructed competitive modes, in both regular play and time-limited competitions with unique rules of engagement, or arm yourself with allies and take part in massive alliance wars, which will test the mettle of even the most seasoned veterans.

Forum Thread: Warhammer 40,000: Warpforge (by Everguild)

Wild Wind (Free)

iTunes Description

Reclaim your lost partner from the shadows in this high-speed hack-and-slash game! Engage in intense combat against diverse enemies across stunning landscapes.

◆ Simple Control: Control the game with a single finger for swift attacks, jumps, and double jumps.
◆ Unique Enemies: Encounter enemies with diverse behaviors, each demanding different strategies.
◆ Epic Boss Fights: Engage in thrilling battles against menacing bosses, learning their patterns for victory.
◆ Diverse Environments: Traverse stunning landscapes across distinctive levels.
◆ Unlockable Character: Unveil a bonus playable character with a distinct playstyle.

Forum Thread: Wild Wind (by Ian Chiao)

Wizard of Legend ($7.99)

iTunes Description

Every year in the Kingdom of Lanova, the Council of Magic holds the Chaos Trials, a gauntlet of magical challenges put forth by its strongest members. Contestants who successfully complete this perilous journey and demonstrate superior wizardry earn the title of Wizard of Legend.

Battle your way through the Chaos Trials by collecting powerful spells and defeating sinister conjured enemies. Discover ancient relics and build up your magical arsenal to fit your play style. Achieve mastery over magic by chaining spells to create devastating combinations. Confront the Council of Magic to become the Wizard of Legend!

Forum Thread: Wizard of Legend (by Humble Bundle)

Ugly has been quite well-received on other platforms in the short time since its launch, with a lot of players comparing it to the classic Braid in terms of having to rewire your brain a bit in order to solve some of its challenging puzzles. The story, visuals, animations, and especially the boss fights have also received plenty of praise, so I’m quite excited to check this one out when it hits mobile. Right now you can pre-order the game on the iOS App Store or pre-register on the Google Play Store for Android. It’s listed at just $4.99 which is a fraction of what it sells for on other platforms, and the expected release date is January 9th, 2024. Until that time feel free to discuss this one with the community over in our forums.

This is I believe the second or third time that a game has released in triplicate on the App Store. There is the original paid mobile release of Dead Cells which was our Game of the Year in 2019, there’s the Apple Arcade version Dead Cells+ which much like this latest release includes all DLC and expansions through Castlevania, and of course there’s today’s Dead Cells: Netflix Edition. It’s perhaps a little confusing to the untrained eye, but whatever gets Dead Cells in more hands is alright by me. It’s also worth noting that all three of these mobile versions are still a step behind the PC and console versions of Dead Cells, which received the Clean Cut update back in April and is set to receive the The End is Near update in the very near future. Even so the mobile Dead Cells has more than enough to keep you busy for basically the rest of time, so if you never jumped on the original and don’t have Apple Arcade, but you DO subscribe to Netflix, this is your moment to shine.

To do this, just head to the spell menu and enter the spell “spoopyseason" to unlock a variety of Halloween themed costumes for Mortaccio, Yatta Cavallo, Bianca Ramba, and O’Sole Meeo. The code also promises to provide “Absolutely 0 vampires." I don’t know if I trust them on that. Anyway, if you’re planning on playing some Vampire Survivors then you might as well get into the holiday mood using this very secret cheat code to unlock some Halloween goodies while you play. And of course this is all in addition to the huge Whiteout update that hit the game just a couple of weeks ago.

Don’t forget to shoot us emails with any questions, feedback, or anything else relevant or irrelevant to podcast@toucharcade.com. We read ’em all, and love decoding messages written entirely in emoji. As always, you can listen to us with the links below… And if you like what you hear, please subscribe and/or drop us a review in iTunes. Much appreciated!

As a companion to this audio podcast, we also do a video version of the same show that is exclusive to Patreon which allows you to see us playing the games we’re talking about. Backers can view the most recent video episodes of the TouchArcade show by clicking here. Be sure you’re logged in to see the latest content. For everyone else who is curious, you can check out our public patreon posts to see older episodes of the video podcast. If you like what you see, consider becoming a TouchArcade Patreon backer.

Show Notes:

IGN: WB Games’ Nemesis System Patent Was Approved This Week After Multiple Attempts

All of this history lesson is in fact going somewhere, as it’s important to help understand my initial mixed feelings about Slayaway Camp 2 Netflix & Kill. The OG Slayaway Camp and Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzle are both sliding puzzle games. Meaning they’re built around the mechanics of those gridded puzzle boards where you slide an object and it keeps going until it hits another solid surface, and you’re tasked with solving levels within the confines of that. I always forget if this type of puzzle has a proper name or not, but chances are pretty good you’ve played or at least know the type of puzzle game I’m talking about. In these first two games your job is to kill every target and then make it to an exit all while strategically sliding around the board.

Then there is Slashy Camp. It used the mechanic that Crossy Road popularized all those years ago (and Frogger many decades before, if you want to go there) where you’re playing on a gridded playfield but you can only move one square at a time. This worked well as a Slayaway Camp spinoff game that was more an arcade experience than a puzzle one, and happily coexisted with its puzzle-oriented siblings. Now we have Slayaway Camp 2, which feels like a combination of the two game types. It’s once again an isometric game built around specific puzzle-like levels, but the sliding mechanics appeared to be gone and replaced with single square movement like in Slashy Camp.

At first, I did not like this. Not one bit. I loved the slidey puzzles and was looking forward to more of them, and being able to move wherever you wanted on the board kind of felt too easy. I was bummed, but the pedigree of the series, the incredible humor, the fake Netflix app UI and interface, and the gobs and gobs of levels and content I could see locked away waiting for me had me continue on to see if maybe things would change. And they DID change. As I worked my way through some more levels I started seeing some new mechanics in play that were built around the single-square movement, and I realized that there was some fantastic puzzling to be had here, it was just a different sort of puzzling than I was expecting. I was happy again and looking forward to continuing on my bloody journey of murder.

Then I beat the first movie, which unlocked a bunch of additional goals for each chapter I’d played through, and it’s THEN that I discovered that there ARE slidey puzzles in Slayaway Camp 2. In fact there’s even levels with mixtures of slidey and not-slidey surfaces, which opens up all kinds of interesting strategies. So really, this feels like a culmination of all things Slayaway Camp, with various blends of all the different mechanics, and with the gobs and gobs of content I mentioned earlier I’m sure there are even more surprises and new things for me to discover. I’ve now done a complete 180 after initially being down on Slayaway Camp 2, and now I’m absolutely delighted with it.

Just wanted to share my experience in case anyone else tried this one out real quick, was turned off, and then never ventured any further. Keep going! This game is freaking epic and I’ve only just begun to scratch the surface. I also love that it plays in portrait mode which just feels right for this type of game. I can’t think of a better way to spend the weekend before Halloween than slashing a bunch of dopey teenagers in increasingly over-the-top gory ways, so if you’ve got a Netflix membership already Slayaway Camp 2 Netflix & Kill is one you’re going to want to download and check out for yourself.

Coromon boasts 120 different species to catch and tame, and in addition to a 30+ hour single-player story mode there’s also a randomizer and endless Battle Dome mode so you should never be lacking when the monster catching-taming-battling mood strikes. It also sounds like progression will carry over across platforms and the online multiplayer battling will also work cross platform. If that’s the case, that’s pretty awesome. Coromon on mobile will launch as a free to try game so you can check if it’s for you or not, and then there’s a $4.99 IAP to unlock the full game if you like what you see. Keep an eye out for this early next month.

The Birdcage 3 (Free)

iTunes Description

PUZZLE GALORE: Immerse yourself in mind-bending puzzles, each more challenging than the last. Sharpen your wits, solve intricate riddles, and crack codes to set the birds free.

FOUR UNIQUE WORLDS: Explore four captivating worlds, each with its own distinct atmosphere and avian companion. From the dazzling Tesla-inspired realm with the majestic gyrfalcon to the mystic Egyptian world inhabited by a proud falcon, the steampunk universe accompanied by a clever crow, and the futuristic cyberpunk dimension led by a wise owl, your adventures are bound to be diverse and thrilling.

Forum Thread: The Birdcage 3 (by Mobiplay)

Cat Sandbox ($1.99)

iTunes Description

Introducing Cat Sandbox – guide cute cats through puzzles! Safely lead them to comfy cardboard homes using physics and destruction.

Cat-Saving Adventure:
Help cute cats find their way home! Use tools like bombs, mines, sand, and water to create paths. Watch the magic happen as everything reacts!

Forum Thread: Cat Sandbox (by Mateusz Narolewski)

Dragon Village : Grand Battle (Free)

iTunes Description

□ The latest work of Dragon Village, which boasts a vast world view!

Dragon Village : Grand Battle is a collectible, turn-based 2D RGP that allows you to easily enjoy the game anytime, anywhere.
Explore tons of dragons and discover mystical dragons!

Forum Thread: Dragon Village : Grand Battle (by WONCOMZ)

Funtasia ($2.99)

iTunes Description

Funtasia is a side-scrolling, 2D racing game where the goal is simple: Drive as fast as possible to reach the finish line. Help save the beautiful, ecologically sustainable world of Funtasia and its furry inhabitants from certain death beneath tons of garbage dumped on it from space by defeating the garbage monster at the end of the track.

Forum Thread: Funtasia (by Freedom Games)

Globe Glider (Free)

iTunes Description

Embark on a soaring adventure as Wingston, a seemingly ordinary bird with extraordinary powers—laser vision! Your mission is critical: Stop the nefarious Dr. Debris from cluttering the skies with hazardous debris and his menacing army of balloons.

Humble Charm & Indie Appeal
Globe Glider oozes with humble, indie charm that sets it apart in a sea of mass-produced titles. Its cozy aesthetic and engaging gameplay make it a standout experience you won’t want to miss.

Forum Thread: Globe Glider (by Tony Goff)

Granny Pills: Defend Cactuses (Free)

iTunes Description

Match the colors of the pills with the color of the aliens to destroy them!

2075 year. After the invasion of aliens, there was almost no life and oxygen left on Earth. The only plant that survived are cacti. The aliens want to destroy or steal all the cactuses to stop the live on Earth.

The brave Granny who grows her cactuses on the road (so that they can receive rays of light) should protect them from aliens. She discovered that the aliens are afraid of human pills, and she has a huge amount of them, as well as a shotgun loaded in case of emergency.

Help her and her cactuses to restore life on Earth and chase away the aliens!

Forum Thread: Granny Pills: Defend Cactuses (by Playrea)

Heroes vs. Evil (Free)

iTunes Description

It is all a probability! Exciting Gacha Defense in the palm of your hand!

Defeat the devil-possessed monsters with your heroes. The right combination of heroes will maximize effectiveness against the different types of monsters, such as demons, zombies, and skeletons, appear in each wave.
Drawing the right heroes against the monsters will help you protect the village.

Forum Thread: Heroes vs. Evil (by MACOVILL)

Island Farm Adventure (Free)

iTunes Description

Welcome to Island Farm Adventure, a farming adventure game that you can harvest various crops, explore mysterious islands and grow your own island. Embark on your own rafting adventure, discover new companions and defeat your enemies between different fantasy islands.

Forum Thread: Island Farm Adventure (by RedFish Game Studio)

Lemuria – Rise of the Delca (Free)

iTunes Description

Darkness invades Lemuria, engulfing the mysterious continent in the flames of war. As the prophesied savior of Lemuria, you will venture into a mysterious world, confront formidable foes, and restore peace to the land. Rally an elite team of heroes, and embark on your own legendary journey to save this lost civilization!

Forum Thread: Lemuria – Rise of the Delca (by Droidhen Tech Limited)

Lovebrush Chronicles (Free)

iTunes Description

Lovebrush Chronicles is a narrative romance game set in a multiverse. The story has been dubbed by well-known voice actors from Japan, such as KENN, Shinnosuke Tachibana, Junichi Suwabe, Kohsuke Toriumi, and Daisuke Hirakawa. With lots of beautiful original artwork and intricate background music, Lovebrush Chronicles will immerse you in tales of romance and adventure. In it, you play a freshman of fine arts with special abilities. You are traveling through many other worlds to find your love, which is where your tales begin.

Forum Thread: Lovebrush Chronicles (by NetEase)

Magic Spear (Free)

iTunes Description

The Demon King has invaded the world of Fantasia and corrupted numerous kingdoms.
Become the Spear Master of the Divine Kingdom to defeat the Demon King and purify the corrupted kingdoms!

Forum Thread: Magic Spear (by Gamepub)

My Lovely Wife (Free)

iTunes Description

It all starts with a letter. A letter with a familiar handwriting and bearing a signature none other than hers—Luna, the love of your life gone too soon. In the letter, she asks you to perform otherworldly rituals to bring her back to life!

Play as Jake, a loving husband and grieving widow who is granted the power to summon dozens of succubi by a mysterious man. Work with those succubi, make them fall in love with you… and sacrifice them to create a vessel for your wife’s soul.

Forum Thread: My Lovely Wife (by GameChanger Studio/Neon Doctrine)

Redirectist (Free)

iTunes Description

Redirectist is a physics puzzle game that your goal is to send targets out of arena, but not knocking them out directly : usually you need to set blocks, either redirect the targets, or redirect other objects to let them rush to the targets and then knock them out of arena ! There are various of objects : polygons/circles, blocks, heaters and fences.

Forum Thread: Redirectist (by Yip Hung Ho)

Reverse: 1999 (Free)

iTunes Description

Reverse: 1999 is a 20th Century Time-Travel Strategic RPG developed by Bluepoch.

On the last day of 1999, the “Storm" fell upon the world. You witnessed an era reversed beneath the rising raindrops. Defying all reasons, what unfolds in front of you is the world of an era long past.

As the Timekeeper, observer of eras, you are free to travel through these eras after each “Storm." With the aid of Sonetto, a powerful Arcanist and ally from the Foundation, your mission is to travel through eras to where the “Storm" is most active, find other Arcanists who can sense the coming “Storm," and save them from being “sifted out" of the timeline.

Forum Thread: Reverse: 1999 (by Bluepoch Games)

Slayaway Camp 2 Netflix & Kill (Free)

iTunes Description

Leave no survivors. In this sequel, you’re Skullface, a killer stuck inside a retro horror movie catalog — solve puzzles, stalk victims and get stabby.

So, somebody thought it would be a great idea to summon Skullface, Slayaway Camp’s violentest killer, and now he’s trapped inside a very familiar-looking streaming service. That means hundreds of potential new victims splattered across classic movie genres, and — let’s face it — those unsuspecting innocents aren’t going to decapitate themselves. Your hall pass for retro horror awaits!

Forum Thread: Slayaway Camp 2 Netflix & Kill (by Blue Wizard Digital)

Slung! (Free)

iTunes Description

Slung is a fast-paced casual slingshot game! Pop the bubbles before they touch the ground!

Features:
– Intuitive gameplay for anyone
– Difficult to master
– Satisfying synth sound effects
– Pastel rainbows

Forum Thread: Slung! (by Sam Meier)

Sword and Magic World (Free)

iTunes Description

Sword and Magic World is a classic Western fantasy adventure mobile game that presents a magnificent world of romance and adventure.
Based on Western mythology, it tells the story where the main world, the divine realm, and the devildom are intertwined. Here on the land of Sword and Magic, you will be an elite adventurer who embarks on a thrilling journey of conquest with loyal companions. You may travel across different realms, meet friends of different races, and fall in love with the special one. It’s time to write your own history with bravery and romance!

Forum Thread: Sword and Magic World (by TigonMobile)

Tingus Goose (Free)

iTunes Description

Grow your very own goose tree in this strange and bizarre game. Once these special geese find human hosts, they will be ready to grow into wacky goose trees.

Water them, feed them, upgrade them and interact with them. Surprising things will happen, and soon you will develop your very own bizarre and flourishing ecosystem that you will want to share with your friends.

Each tree is unique, and no one tree is the same. Witness the beauty of nature in this neverending lifecycle between geese and humans, with art and animation created by surreal artist Master Tingus (5M followers worldwide).

Forum Thread: Tingus Goose (by SweatyChair)

Wall of Hunger (Free)

iTunes Description

In a pixelated cyberpunk world, challenge your reflexes and strategy in real-time matching madness. Uncover cards with the swish of your fingers and race against time to find their pairs. But there’s a twist! The city’s shadows birth hungry horrors. Can you feed them in time with your matched items?

Progress through intricate levels, each more challenging and mesmerizing than the last. Climb the real-time rankings and defend your throne against players from around the globe.

Forum Thread: Wall of Hunger (by YR Entertainment)

Poor Bunny! is a single screen game that controls like a platformer, and your job is to run and jump around the arena while all manner of different hazards pop up, with the goal of avoiding those hazards for as long as possible. Animal Arena is also a single screen game, and also has the core mechanics of platforming, but here your goal is to bop up to 3 other players in the field on the head and whichever one of you can bop the others the most wins the game.

The platforming is even more streamlined in Animal Arena, as your character runs on their own with only a single button for you to control. A single tap makes you jump, and a double-tap makes you switch directions. This might sound perhaps TOO streamlined but in reality it makes the game very enjoyably chaotic. The ability to change directions can be used very strategically and there are a ton of wacky power-ups that will pop up during play to keep things nice and spicy.

The levels themselves also feature unique elements and there are a ton of them to play on, and similarly there are a ton of different animal characters to unlock and play as too. The multiplayer is confined to same device only, which works great with the game’s one button controls, but it would definitely be fun to have some sort of online mode or even just local wireless to play against other humans using your own screen.

Still, Animal Arena is quite a bit of fun for anyone who has ever wished that Super Smash Bros, Super Crate Box, and Puzzle Bobble would all have a weird baby, and you can play that weird baby when it launches for free with ads (and an ad-removal IAP option, naturally) on November 9th. It’s available for pre-order right now on the iOS App Store and available for Android pre-registration on the Google Play Store.

If you’re seeing this game series for the first time and thinking “Whoa, this would be perfect as an actual licensed Friday the 13th game!" then you are correct, and Blue Wizard actually went down that road in early 2018 with the fantastic Friday the 13th: Killer Puzzle, but sadly the game was pulled this past January due to the inability to relicense the Friday the 13th IP, so unless you already own that one and have it downloaded it’s dust in the wind. However, this new sequel definitely softens that blow as it looks like this time around they are touching on all sorts of classic slasher flick stereotypes, and it looks like there’s a multitude of playable characters with different abilities and such to spice up the sliding and slashing gameplay. I am absurdly excited to fire this one up, so if you’re got a subscription there’s no better time to kick back with your mobile device to Netflix and kill.

Don’t forget to shoot us emails with any questions, feedback, or anything else relevant or irrelevant to podcast@toucharcade.com. We read ’em all, and love decoding messages written entirely in emoji. As always, you can listen to us with the links below… And if you like what you hear, please subscribe and/or drop us a review in iTunes. Much appreciated!

As a companion to this audio podcast, we also do a video version of the same show that is exclusive to Patreon which allows you to see us playing the games we’re talking about. Backers can view the most recent video episodes of the TouchArcade show by clicking here. Be sure you’re logged in to see the latest content. For everyone else who is curious, you can check out our public patreon posts to see older episodes of the video podcast. If you like what you see, consider becoming a TouchArcade Patreon backer.

The original Kingdom and its sequels are excellent real-time strategy style games but played from a unique side-scrolling perspective. They task you with gathering resources, creating various units, building out a home base, and eventually expanding and taking over more and more land, all while fending off attacks from all manner of enemies and completing various tasks and quests along the way.

I am not an RTS person at all, but somehow I’ve always clicked with the Kingdom games, perhaps because the side-scrolling view and the fact that you’re own character is very hands-on in terms of traveling around performing their duties that it almost feels more like a cool action game than an RTS. It also doesn’t hurt that the series has always featured incredible pixel art and killer animations, and that the story and lore of the universe you’re playing in is filled with interesting and surprising things.

Well, take all that, dress it up in an aesthetic that’s extremely Stranger Things-ish without actually being licensed, and that’s pretty much Kingdom Eighties. Now you’re not galloping back and forth on your horse recruiting peasants in a medieval fantasy land but instead pedaling back and forth on your BMX bike recruiting camp kids to help you fight back against whatever ’80s sci-fi alien monsters are wreaking havoc on your world. It’s almost a shame that this isn’t just a Stranger Things game because it all fits so perfectly.

Is swapping out the aesthetic from the previous entries enough for fans that have played Kingdom games to death already? Perhaps not, but it certainly is for me. Are there elements in Kingdom Eighties that are different enough from the other games to warrant diving into this version? Again, perhaps! I’m not far enough in to say just yet but the Kingdom games are deceptively deep as well as very satisfyingly challenging, so I wouldn’t be surprised to come across some big new features or mechanics that I haven’t seen just yet.

For now though, I’m cool with just enjoying the synth tunes and wacky sci-fi shenanigans of a group of ’80s kids that permeated the media I grew up enjoying, and if that’s all there ends up being to Kingdom Eighties I’m good with that because the core strategy game is still so much fun. If you’ve enjoyed previous Kingdom games and want another neon-infused helping I don’t think you can go wrong here.

Art Heist ($2.99)

iTunes Description

A rainy night, a secluded villa on a remote island and a thief who walks among you. You are invited to an evening unveiling of a newly discovered artwork with a secret. But before the night is out you receive word a heist has taken place, the artwork has been taken. Before the perpetrators escape the villa you are invited to track them down. The villa is on lock-down so progress will be less than swift but with your puzzle solving skills to make the task easier you should have no problem recovering the painting. But will you?…

Forum Thread: Art Heist- Escape Room (by M9 Creative LTD)

Dungeon & Evil Hunter (Free)

iTunes Description

Defeat the great evil lurking in the abyss.

[Game Traits]
– Dark Fantasy Hack-and-slash Idle RPG
– Limitless farming of equipment through the Rift Stages
– Build your own combat style through dual weapon system
– Upgrade hero traits in the strategic upgrade system
– Unlock skill traits and upgrade your skills
– Grow your hero with diverse combat contents
– A fantastic variet of follower skins and a skill system for each of the follower grades

Forum Thread: Dungeon & Evil Hunter (by Mobirix)

Dungeon Hunter 6 (Free)

iTunes Description

Dungeon Hunter is BACK! Thrilling Gameloft ARPG Sequel!

Unite, fearless Bounty Hunters, and embrace Dungeon Hunter VI – a unique and enthralling hack-and-slash odyssey that continues the cherished saga. Enter uncharted territories, reunite with iconic characters, and experience a new level of excitement in this extraordinary installment!

Return to the Valenthia 200 years after the brave sacrifice of the Bounty Hunter and experience brand new thrilling adventures, in a scale never seen before in a Dungeon Hunter Game.

Forum Thread: Dungeon Hunter 6 (by GOAT Games/Gameloft)

Fluffy Planet Saga (Free)

iTunes Description

Embark on an eternal adventure alongside your friends in Fluffy Planet Saga – a 3D anime fantasy MMORPG. Step into a cute magical world of wonders and experience a fun, heartwarming journey like no other!

◈Reunite in the Same MMO World ◈
Relive the cherished memories of the beloved RPG universe and dive into familiar adventures. Immerse yourself in an unparalleled audio-visual delight with stunning graphics and cute fairytale art style, adding a touch of charm to your adventures in this fun MMORPG!

Forum Thread: Fluffy Planet Saga (by X-LEGEND Entertainment)

Forza Customs (Free)

iTunes Description

Customize cars with a retro look or go modern? You decide, you design!

The Forza Customs crew are here to bring you some unloved classics, to restore them to their former glory and beyond. Transform dreams into reality with amazing car customizations! Solve puzzles to help design, customize and tune the perfect set of wheels.

This is the ultimate car-themed puzzle game!

Forum Thread: Forza Customs (by Hutch Games)

Franz (Free)

iTunes Description

Imagine that your phone is haunted by a mysterious creature named Franz, who has her own will, personality and desires. Through direct communication with Franz, game mechanics and notification system, you can find out who Franz really is and what she truly desires. Moral choices form the narrative foundation of the game. The decisions that you make throughout the story determine whether you become the rightful owner of Franz or turn into her puppet.

Forum Thread: Franz (by Ice-Pick Lodge)

Hockey All Stars 24 (Free)

iTunes Description

Hockey All Stars returns with more realistic visuals, more game-modes and even more fast-paced Hockey action. Deke, slapshot and fight your way to victory.

Experience the thrill of creating your very own world-class Hockey team with Hockey All Stars 24! Customize your very own Hockey franchise by designing the perfect team jersey and logo. Then, hit the rink to showcase your skills!

Forum Thread: Hockey All Stars 24 (by Distinctive Games)

Icarus M: Guild War (Free)

iTunes Description

Endless battles filled with tension that begins on the rise of the Red Moon
Join Massive war battles on a grand scale and defeat world bosses!
Win battles to earn powerful rewards and become the strongest of them all.

Forum Thread: Icarus M: Guild War (by VALOFE / Wemade)

Idle Iktah (Free)

iTunes Description

Idle Iktah is an incremental game set in a fictionalized Pacific Northwest where you start from nothing and create your own path to success. Level up, complete quests, and gain powerful rewards as you dive deeper into this hand-crafted adventure.

Forum Thread: Idle Iktah (by Grounded Games)

Kingdom Eighties ($4.99)

iTunes Description

Kingdom Eighties is a standalone expansion to the award-winning Kingdom series: A singleplayer adventure of micro-strategy and base building, inspired by the neon lights of the eighties.

You play as The Leader, a young camp counselor who will have to defend their town and family from the relentless attack of the mysterious Greed. What are these monsters, and why are they trying to steal their family legacy, the Crown of Creation?

Forum Thread: Kingdom Eighties (by RawFury)

Lucky Mayor ($3.99)

iTunes Description

In this roguelike mayor simulation game, you will become the leader of a city, taking on the role of mayor. Your task is to recruit citizens, promote business prosperity, and build a comprehensive industrial chain to meet the diverse needs of the population. Through wise planning and decision-making, transform your city into a thriving supercity that citizens take pride in, and become their admired leader!

Forum Thread: Lucky Mayor (by MadGoat GameStudio)

Miss Perfect Miss Ending (Free)

iTunes Description

A comics-style puzzle game with many unexpected horror stories. The happiness and mourne in the story are just like ephemeral snowflakes.

【Core Game Flow】
– Search for stroy fragments in the scene.
– Ingeniously combine the story fragments to see what it is going on.
– Use your wisdom (or luck) to find the hidden bonus in the level.
– Click to judge if you have guessed the ending,by the way, Miss Perfect did not guess the ending in any case.
– There is also a story of an encounter with Miss Perfect outside the level.

Forum Thread: Miss Perfect Miss Ending (by Genuine Studio)

Mobile Suit Gundam U.C. Engage (Free)

iTunes Description

MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM U.C. ENGAGE is a UNIVERSAL CENTURY war/strategy battle game that brings together all the Gundam characters into one mobile game.
You can enjoy an animated depiction of the UNIVERSAL CENTURY world of Gundam and a new storyline that combines animation and battle/adventure!
In addition, experience firsthand the battlefields in space through awesome 6 vs. 6 battles with realistic 3D mobile suits in an easy-to-use/auto-play war/strategy battle game!

Forum Thread: Mobile Suit Gundam U.C. Engage (by Bandai Namco)

Mortal Kombat: Onslaught (Free)

iTunes Description

For eons, the realms have been locked in Mortal Kombat. Blood has been shed and lives taken in epic duels between darkness and light. Now the Elder Gods call upon YOU to step into the action and join in the battles that will determine the fate of the realms! Experience the vast world of Mortal Kombat in a cinematic, mobile-exclusive RPG journey. Build a team featuring your favorite Fighters from Mortal Kombat’s expansive history and pit them against wave after wave of blood-thirsty foes.

Forum Thread: Mortal Kombat: Onslaught (by Warner Bros.)

New Fantasy (Free)

iTunes Description

Epic Multiplayer AR Battles!

The sensation that gathered thousands of friends at arenas in movie theaters is now available to play anywhere, anytime!

Monsters and Gods from multiple myths and legends are here, and they are looking for worthy opponents! Survive as long as you can until the time runs out or your health perishes. Gather gold in each run to buy upgrades that will help you out in the next battles.

Forum Thread: New Fantasy (by Atop Studios)

Pathfinder: Lore Masters (Free)

iTunes Description

Welcome to Pathfinder: Lore Masters – test your knowledge of the renown tabletop RPG – Pathfinder!

From class rules to epic campaign lore, select your difficulty at each stage of the adventure. Adventure mode is a 20 question main attraction to Pathfinder: Lore Masters.
Once players select the books and filters for the questions they would like to answer, they can kick off their adventure. Every correct or incorrect answer inches you closer to victory or defeat.

Forum Thread: Pathfinder: Lore Masters (by Lore Masters Studios)

Rubicon: World Torn Asunder ($1.99)

iTunes Description

Step into the shoes of a courageous hero and prepare to conquer dungeons, solve intricate puzzles, and battle formidable foes. Our classic action RPG takes inspiration from timeless legends and brings a new world of epic quests to your mobile device.

EXPLORE A VAST FANTASY REALM
Discover a breathtaking, open world filled with lush forests, mysterious caves, and ancient temples. Explore the sprawling landscapes, uncover hidden secrets, and forge your path in a land teeming with magic and danger.

Forum Thread: Rubicon: World Torn Asunder (by 10XGames LLC)

South of the Circle (Free)

iTunes Description

South of the Circle is a deep narrative experience of the emerging relationship between Cambridge academics Peter and Clara, set against the backdrop of the Cold War. The story focuses on promises made between career and true love, and the devastating consequences of not dealing with the past.

Forum Thread: South of the Circle (by State of Play Games)

Sprout Valley ($0.99)

iTunes Description

Sprout Valley is a charming farming simulator game where you can step back from the busy life and grow the garden of your dreams. Captivating story, hand-crafted experience.

You play as the main character, cute cat Nico, who tries to find a peaceful place to live in.
Nico will find friends along the way and discover interesting events. Help him to learn what secrets Ostara holds.

Forum Thread: Sprout Valley (by Vadzim Liakhovich)

subpar pool ($4.99)

iTunes Description

A whimsical adventure of playful pocket antics at the intersection of golf and pool.

Dive into each procedurally generated level, consisting of a series of tables filled with balls you must pocket within a set number of shots. Escape into the fantastically vibrant world, while strategizing the best plan to pocket your balls. Watch your plan inevitably combust as you adapt your next move to skillfully take home the win.

Forum Thread: subpar pool (by grapefrukt)

The Talkie ($2.99)

iTunes Description

Welcome to The Talkie, a revolutionary game that masterfully intertwines elements of a film, a novel, and a video game, delivering an unprecedented narrative journey. Get ready for an interactive thriller that redefines the boundaries of storytelling, engaging your senses and stimulating your curiosity in a way you’ve never experienced before.

Step into the shoes of Jacob King, a bereaved writer grappling with the agonizing loss of his pregnant wife. His existence takes an unforeseen turn when he stumbles upon an old walkie-talkie buried in his backyard, with a mystifying woman’s voice on the other end. As you submerge into the enigma, piecing together clues and unwinding the intricate plot, you’ll soon discover that appearances can be deceiving. The non-linear narrative perpetually keeps you on your toes, and the unexpected plot twists ensure you’re perpetually perched on the edge of your seat, hungry to unveil the truth.

Forum Thread: The Talkie (by Sideways Interactive)

Wrestle Jump 2 (Free)

iTunes Description

One-button silly wrestling for two players!
The official sequel to the original Wrestle Jump from 2012.

Forum Thread: Wrestle Jump 2 (by Otto Ojala)

Well if you missed out on Agent A: A Puzzle in Disguise over the past (counts on fingers) eight years then your procrastination is paying off. Yak & Co. have now made the game into a free trial version with the complete first chapter available for free and the remaining four chapters unlocked through a one-time in-app purchase. Now you can get a taste of Agent A’s stylish ’60s-era spy adventures without risk, and then drop a fiver for the entire rest of the game if you like what you see. Agent A has also since made its way to console and PC platforms, but for my money this is one that feels really nice to play on the touchscreen. So heed my advice: Go do that right now, the first chapter is free!

Don’t forget to shoot us emails with any questions, feedback, or anything else relevant or irrelevant to podcast@toucharcade.com. We read ’em all, and love decoding messages written entirely in emoji. As always, you can listen to us with the links below… And if you like what you hear, please subscribe and/or drop us a review in iTunes. Much appreciated!

As a companion to this audio podcast, we also do a video version of the same show that is exclusive to Patreon which allows you to see us playing the games we’re talking about. Backers can view the most recent video episodes of the TouchArcade show by clicking here. Be sure you’re logged in to see the latest content. For everyone else who is curious, you can check out our public patreon posts to see older episodes of the video podcast. If you like what you see, consider becoming a TouchArcade Patreon backer.

That all sounds fine and dandy on paper, but it’s beyond this blending of mechanics where Subpar Pool starts to really shine. Namely this is in the form of different tables that have unique elements that affect how you play, and different cards that you can unlock that will also augment the basic rules in various ways. Tying all this together and giving the game its sense of progression is a laundry list of different challenges to try and achieve with both the tables and the cards. You unlock new challenges and new levels by completing existing challenges, so it sort of feeds itself into a progression loop that makes it very hard to not play just one. More. Round.

Two examples of the types of things you’ll see. Gateways is the first level you’ll unlock after the starting level, and its namesake indicates its unique attribute: Gateways around the edges of the table that act kind of like portals. Shoot a ball into one gateway, it’ll come flying out the other. You can use this to pocket a ball that doesn’t have a direct clear line to the hole itself, and there’s also a number of challenges that require you to use the gateways in different ways. Another early unlock is the Chonker card, which sees huge mustachioed balls on the table in addition to the normal sized ones. These guys are bigger and heavier to hit, and again there will be a bunch of different challenges that utilize the Chonkers in different ways.

The aiming and shoot mechanics are so approachable and perfect for the touchscreen, so you can focus solely on getting the right angles you want and making magical things happen. Far and away what makes Subpar Pool so special is the number of completely once-in-a-lifetime shots you will make, either on purpose and planned or totally by accident. Either way it makes me jump out of my seat and holler in excitement every time, which has been weird for my family. There are so many chaotic situations you’ll find yourself in, and sometimes you’re absolutely certain you’re screwed only to take a total last ditch effort shot that miraculously bounces around and does things you never even imagined with all your balls ending up in the pocket and you passing the level. Maybe even picking up a challenge or two along the way.

Besides being a clever premise with strong mechanics that blend elements of two sports together in really interesting ways while simultaneously being perfectly suited for mobile play, Subpar Pool is about those amazing and memorable moments more than anything, and that’s why you need this one in your life.

In reality, I’d say the golf influence here is much closer to mini golf than it is to real deal golf, and that’s definitely a good thing. When I first saw the trailer for Subpar Golf I sort of looked at it as mainly a pool game with some light golf stuff added in, but now having played it I think this is actually more of a mini golf game first with some pool rules thrown on top. Here you’re trying to get a secondary ball in the hole using your main ball that you strike, like pool, as opposed to golf where you’re trying to hit a ball straight into a hole. Whatever the ratio of golf to pool that Subpar Pool is I’m a big fan already. The game throws randomly generated table layouts at you as well as a massive list of cool challenges to complete, and it feels like there’s always something fresh to do that’s built around the very solid and fun core golf/pool mechanics.

I would like to go on and on and gush over and over about the game’s top-notch personality and presentation, but mainly I’m just here to tell you this game is out now and that you should buy it and experience it all for yourself. Grapefrukt really doesn’t disappoint. Subpar Pool is out on iOS, Android, Switch, and Steam and the easiest place to find links to all those platforms is over on the game’s website. You can also drop your own thoughts about the game in our forums.

Alongside these new features the entire game world in Super Cat Tales: PAWS is also all decked out for Halloween. This is the latest in the Super Cat Tales series of platformers from Neutronized, a series that I’ve long felt exemplified how to do a platforming game on the touchscreen the right way. It features a control scheme that just makes sense along with visuals and presentation that feel like they could rival something by Nintendo. Neutronized has been cultivating a fan base with their games for well over a decade now, and the fans of Super Cat Tales seem to be among the most passionate of all. When Super Cat Tales: PAWS launched back in May we chose it as our Game of the Week, and if you haven’t checked this one out yet then let this new Halloween update be your reason for finally doing so.

EruaSaga (Free)

iTunes Description

A Heroic Action-Adventure RPG for saving the endangered Erua continent

Who will be the true hero who will bring peace to the Erua continent by defeating the devil force.

■ Be the partner with more than 100 heroes
With the outstanding skills and abilities of a total 100 heroes, you can make your future adventure more enjoable and powerfule.

Forum Thread: EruaSaga (by Neosonyx)

Exist-Action Game (Free)

iTunes Description

A lot of attempts and efforts have been made to experience the ultimate action game on cell phones as well, and I hope you enjoy it!

The position and timing of walking are important concepts in the game, and you need to explore them in the game, as long as you use them flexibly, you can play freely and gallop on the battlefield.

This is a personal development of an independent game, out of the love of action games, spent years to complete this work, I hope you like!

Forum Thread: Exist-Action Game (by Chaohong Liang)

Extinction Eclipse Mobile ($2.99)

iTunes Description

Extinction Eclipse is an action real time strategy game set in space. You are the commander of the human forces in their effort to find the necessary resources to build a fleet of spaceships to defeat an alien invader.

You start with only a couple of miner ships and a probe, and your mission is to find and conquer asteroid fields that can be mined, in order to extract their precious metals and water.

You will build your fleet gradually, and before each mission, you can choose which ships to use. After you build your ships, any of them that manage to survive during the mission will become part of the available fleet.

Forum Thread: Extinction Eclipse Mobile (by TuanisApps)

Fluffy Town: Boom Story (Free)

iTunes Description

Build, grow, develop your city, and take care of your fluffy pet in an exciting farming game!
In the farming simulator game, you can create a lovely city of your own. This involves cultivating crops, manufacturing items, and constructing and embellishing apartments for an adorable and fluffy cat.
You’ll have the chance to unlock new apartments and customize them with various decorations and furnishings. Build the best home for your fluffy pet!

Forum Thread: Fluffy Town: Boom Story (by Enixan Europe Limited)

Jadu: Fight in AR (Free)

iTunes Description

Descend into the dark reality of Jadu – a first-of-its-kind multiplayer augmented reality fighting game for mobile. Build your avatar, start rivalries with friends and compete against strangers for glory in this fighting game from the future.

A DARK WORLD FULL OF MUTATIONS
Jadu is set in a gritty alternate reality where an alien robot race, AVAs, has engulfed our world in an aurora of mutation known as the Bloom. This radiance is reshaping Earth giving birth to a new life form – Bloombornes. Players fight as Bloombornes, humanoid entities infused with radioactivity and filled with a primal urge to prove their power.

Forum Thread: Jadu: Fight in AR (by Jadu AR, Inc.)

Little Triangle (Free)

iTunes Description

Little Triangle is a uniquely artistic, jumping and obstacle-crossing game.

“Little Triangle" is a hand-drawn-style platform action-adventure game. In this game, players take on the role of the “Little Triangle" to jump and evade various traps and attacking enemies, with the aim of restoring prosperity and peace to the Triangle Kingdom. To rescue the triangular companions of the “Little Triangle Hero," players venture into factories, temples, and jungles, facing countless enemies and fighting alone.

However, the road ahead is far from smooth; the “Little Triangle" gradually enters into immense dangers composed of traps, mechanisms, hidden weapons, and unpredictable evil forces. Whether the “Little Triangle" can achieve victory depends on the player! Throughout the game, players will immerse themselves in a world as if they are personally writing this game’s story.

Forum Thread: Little Triangle (by CottonGame)

Space Menace ($3.79)

iTunes Description

Space Menace is an epic sci-fi space RTS and battle game that puts you in the captain’s chair, with the fate of the galaxy in your hands. Starting off small with just one ship, you’ll embark on an incredible journey that will see you rise to glory and fortune through a combination of cunning strategy, tactical prowess, and resource management.

With multiple paths to progress, you can earn money through freelance missions or simply by taking on other ships and collecting valuable salvage. As you expand your fleet and equip it with weapons, utilities, and strike craft, you’ll face surprising elements and make critical decisions that will determine your survival in the hostile and unforgiving vacuum of space.

Forum Thread: Space Menace (by Only4Gamers)

Starcatcher Nyx (Free)

iTunes Description

You are Nyx, a Starcatcher in training, whose job is to bring about night by catching as many stars as you can. Will you catch enough in time to please your mother the Moon and gain special abilities along the way?

Combining simple game mechanics with attractive light and landscapes makes this a casual, family-friendly game that is both relaxing and exciting to play.

Tap fast. Grab stars. Learn to fly. Become the next Starcatcher.

Forum Thread: Starcatcher Nyx (by Robert Peake)

stupid fish game (Free)

iTunes Description

From the maker of Climbing Flail, Balance The Hat, kORi WALk, and Climb Fling…

Watch out for hungry birds!
Jump from pool to pool.

Drag, aim and release to launch the fish.
Tap in the air to do a flip.
Tap on the ground to do a flop.

Bloop bloop.

Forum Thread: stupid fish game (by Korigame)

SuperStar PHILIPPINES (Free)

iTunes Description

Join the ultimate P-Pop music experience today and groove to the soulful beats of top Filipino artists like Angela Ken, BINI, BGYO, Daniel Padilla, Janella Salvador, Jayda, Maymay Entrata, Nameless Kids, and more.

Forum Thread: SuperStar PHILIPPINES (by Dalcomsoft Inc.)

Swatcher ($0.99)

iTunes Description

Challenge your color sensitivity and recognition skills in this challenging color-matching game.

Master the Art of Color Recognition with Swatcher!

Get ready for an addictive color-matching puzzle experience like no other! Swatcher is all about honing your color sensitivity and recognition skills as you progress through a series of increasingly challenging puzzles.

Forum Thread: Swatcher (by Eugene D’Hage-Craig)

Warm Snow ($7.99)

iTunes Description

While the rich stinks of meat and wine, the bones of the poor litter the roadside.
Great injustice often leads to strange occurrences
Snow in July can only be remedied through blood.

Warm Snow is a Roguelike action game with a background set in a dark fantasy world, where the eerie ‘Warm Snow’ holds sway. You will play as the Warrior ‘Bi-an’ on a crusade against the Five Great Clans, in order to save a world teetering on the brink of destruction.

Forum Thread: Warm Snow (by Bilibili)

It’s amazing to me the type of information that people can deduce based on the little details of a trailer like this, but one thing people weren’t certain of was when The Fungle would be coming to the game. Innerslot said October, but WHEN in October!? The people need to know!! Ok, ok, calm down hardcore Among Us! fans, they narrowed down the date in a new blog post today and The Fungle will be arriving on all platforms October 24th. Just a couple of weeks away! As a special bonus for fans you can head over to the game’s merch store to snag some limited The Fungle stickers totally for free, while supplies last. Stick them on absolutely everything, just like my 2 and 4 year olds do anytime they get their hands on any sort of sticker. Put them all over town and make the good word of The Fungle spread just like a… just like a fungus! Oh I get it now! Also be sure to check out the new map on the 24th.

For those that don’t remember, Wrestle Jump actually predates Soccer Physics as it was released in 2012, and went on to achieve its own level of virality due to its same-device multiplayer and wacky physics shenanigans. Soccer Physics came along a couple year slater and ultimately became even more popular, but the original Wrestle Jump is not far behind it. This sequel keeps the core concept intact as you have two wrestlers who are squaring off and are connected at the arms for some reason. They also each only have one leg. Tapping the screen makes your character thrust his leg and you use that to try and launch yourself into the air, spinning and flipping about, and you score a “pinfall" by causing your opponent to hit their head before you hit yours. This is much harder than it sounds because, as mentioned, you guys are connected at the arms and your opponent is wildly thrusting his leg just as you are, trying to ensure that you’re the one to bash your head on the ground first. Making the whole situation that much sillier is that each level is different with different terrain and hazards to try and negotiate.

Despite seeming like it might be some shallow button-masher, Wrestle Jump was actually quite strategic once you learned how the physics system and your wrestler’s body worked. There was still always an air of unpredictability to the outcomes, but that’s also what made it such a riot to play with a friend, and the single button controls made it easy to play with another human being on the same device. All of this remains true for the sequel but Wrestle Jump 2 looks to bring a few new tricks to the squared circle, like a refined physics engine and slightly altered character models that seem much more… squishy, I guess. There’s also tons of new environmental elements at play, more outrageous names for the “moves" you pull off, voiced commentary, both 1 player and 2 player modes, and a level of polish that really outshines the original in every way, though to be fair the original is over a decade old by now. Overall Wrestle Jump 2 seems like it will be another winner and it’ll be heading our way completely for free next Monday October 16th.

When I talk about it being a hot mess I’m mostly talking about its very wonky translation. Oftentimes this actually comes across as charming, and you can tell the developers really wanted to flesh out their little world and its interesting inhabitants. But it can also be off-putting and sometimes hard to understand, and that can be frustrating since there is A LOT of dialogue and exposition in IGNISTONE that’s probably not wholly necessary. This is a roguelite dungeon crawler with an incredible progression loop, you don’t need to explain to me WHY I’m diving in dungeons and gathering loot or justify any of it with a backstory, I just want to see the numbers go up. But again it’s clear Mono Entertainment has a lot of love for their little world and I can’t fault them for that.

Once you get through the probably-too-much dialogue and story setup though? Pure roguelite goodness. As one Barnard Gumble once quipped, “Just hook it to my veins!" The entire battle system is built around timing your taps just right as an enemy attacks, similar to the Mario & Luigi games in a way. If you can successfully parry a strike you can stun your opponent and then just go to town on them. If you’re too early you’ll simply block their attack as they ready for another, and if you’re too late then they’ll score a hit on you and cause damage. It’s a fun system, and is perfect for the touchscreen since it’s just a guard and attack button, and the whole thing is setup to be played in portrait which makes this a perfect “one-hander" game.

Complementing the core battling mechanics is a constant flow of loot and resources which you can use to craft or upgrade a huge number of things all in a pursuit of descending down to the 100th floor of the dungeon (and then beyond). There’s a town hub you can warp back to every 10 floors, though you’ll lose your current weapon loadout if you do. Perhaps that’s worth it so you can reset or upgrade some things, perhaps you’d rather hold onto your rare items and risk forging on. IGNISTONE is a surprisingly strategic game given how simple it is. It’s like Rogue Legacy without all that darned platforming stuff. If you want a perfect one-handed grinding type of dungeon crawler that’s NOT free to play’ed out the wazoo, I can give a hearty recommendation for IGNISTONE, just be patient as the dialogue flows heavy in the early goings.

It was in March of last year that Call of Duty: Warzone was officially announced as coming to mobile platforms following the strong hints that it would based on a job listing posted way back in 2020. In September of last year, during the previous Call of Duty: NEXT event, a new trailer and new details were revealed for the title, and a couple of months later the game went up on the iOS and Android app stores for pre-order with an expected release date of May 15th, 2023. That ended up being just a placeholder date though as when it approached the expected release date was bumped to November 1st, 2023 and Activision itself came out and said that it also was just a placeholder and the current actual release window is spring of 2024. The game is currently undergoing heavy testing in limited areas around the world.

You can read all about the latest Call of Duty: NEXT event over on the official Call of Duty blog, and if you aren’t among the 45 million+ who have already pre-registered for Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile you can still do so over on the official website.

Assemble With Care (Free)

iTunes Description

Twelve Objects. One Story.

Assemble With Care is free-to-start with no ads. Play the opening chapters for free, and unlock the rest of the story with a single in-app purchase.

From the studio that brought you Monument Valley, comes a story about taking things apart and putting ourselves back together.

Forum Thread: Assemble With Care (by Ustwo Games)

Battlesmiths: Blade & Forge (Free)

iTunes Description

Battlesmiths: Blade and Forge is a fun strategy RPG that invites you on an epic journey. Free your town, craft powerful weapons and armor for your fighters and battle dangerous enemies! Hone your tactics, acquire rare resources, create even more powerful items and conquer the opponents in various modes, including a captivating story campaign and a challenging real-time PvP arena.

Forum Thread: Battlesmiths: Blade and Forge (by Ragnarocket)

Beach Stormer (Free)

iTunes Description

Deploy. Attack. Upgrade. Storm the beach!

• Casual gameplay you can control with one hand
• Destroy enemy bases
• Unlock powerful upgrades
• Multiply your forces and surmount obstacles
• Battle unique bosses
• 13 Achievements
• 25 free levels — A complete Episode!
• Episode 2 also available, with new locations, enemies, upgrades, and surprises
• Play offline: no network connection required to play

Take back the beaches from the evil hordes!

Forum Thread: Beach Stormer (by Horsearms)

Castle Master TD (Free)

iTunes Description

Build & defend your castle in this gripping tower defence game. Fortify, Strategize, and Conquer in our dynamic tower defence game. As master of your own castle, you’ll build powerful structures, plan strategic defences, and engage in epic battles against relentless enemies.

Each choice you make shapes your kingdom’s destiny. Rise to the challenge, display your strategic prowess, and ensure your castle’s survival against all odds. This isn’t just a game – it’s a test of strength, strategy, and survival!

Forum Thread: Castle Master TD (by Rebel Twins)

Dashy Smash (Free)

iTunes Description

Face-smashing jetpack runner arcade in retro style.

In this action-packed adventure, you play as a character equipped with a jetpack, soaring through a magical world filled with treasures to collect. One of the unique features of this game is the ability to destroy the environment around you – use powerful busts and various power-ups to smash through obstacles and clear a path to your goals.

Forum Thread: Dashy Smash (by Anton Chekulaev)

Dude, Where Is My Beer? ($4.99)

iTunes Description

Can you find a normal beer in a world of conspicuously flavored craft beer, and solve the mystery of the elusive, missing pilsner, using nostalgic interface from the golden age of adventure games? Talk to West Coast IPA and American Black Ale drinking hipsters and solve beer related puzzles at different stages of drunkenness; explore locations like a sports bar, a microbrewery, a dive bar and a rock bar in the city of Oslo, in your quest of finding a pilsner.

Forum Thread: Dude, Where Is My Beer? (by Arik Games)

Fidget Cube (Free)

iTunes Description

You already know the global sensation that’s been sending your fingers into a frenzy since 2016. Well, the McLachlan brothers – the original fidget maestros from Antsy Labs – are back with a twist! Say hello to your very own virtual Fidget Cube – bringing the fidget icon right to your screens.

Click it, spin it, flip it – all on your iPhone or – drumroll, please – your Apple Watch! Whether you’re in line for coffee or waiting for that ever-late friend (you know who you are…), give your fingers the fidgety outlet they crave and earn some sweet Fidget Energy while you’re at it!

Forum Thread: Fidget Cube (by Antsy Labs)

GunSpectre ($2.99)

iTunes Description

GUNSPECTRE is a twin-stick adventure game featuring a large open world, an equally sized subsurface, and a ton of action!

In the desolation of a ruined future, only a wasteland remains. You emerge from an underground crypt into a desert hellscape populated with aggressive creatures, mysterious machines and scant pockets of society. Armed only with twin pistols, pure grit, and a pocket full of miracles, it’s up to you to explore the ruins of a once thriving world and prevent the disaster that caused this nightmare from happening once again.

Forum Thread: GunSpectre (by BlackRX/Clickteam)

IGNISTONE ($6.99)

iTunes Description

IGNISTONE is a roguelike action game that focuses on parry.
The game is easy to play, yet includes intense combat,
strategic roguelike game-play, and even many minigames!

Set to an amazing adventure to uncover the mystery of IGNISTONE!

Forum Thread: IGNISTONE (by Mono Entertainment)

The King of Fighters ’98 ACA NEOGEO ($3.99)

iTunes Description

THE KING OF FIGHTERS ’98 is a fighting game released by SNK in 1998.
In the previous installment KOF’ 97, the story of the “Orochi Saga" reached its exciting conclusion.
As a result, the next entry in the series THE KING OF FIGHTERS ’98 was released as a dream match version of THE KING OF FIGHTERS Series.
It is one of the most popular and well known versions of the game, partially thanks to the many balance changes that received high praise from fans around the world.

Forum Thread: The King of Fighters ’98 ACA NEOGEO (by SNK)

Laqueus Escape 2 (Free)

iTunes Description

You don’t know how or when, but you’ve returned to this strange facility. Time behaves strangely and the place is ruined. The old exit is blocked, you have to find your way out again, solve all the puzzles and challenges! This will be easier this time. Or not, but there’s only one way to find out!

Laqueus Escape 2 is a new generation point and click escape adventure game with original high difficulty puzzles and exciting atmosphere.

Forum Thread: Laqueus Escape 2 (by SmartCode)

Lost City of Bardo ($1.99)

iTunes Description

Embark on an epic journey into the heart of the Great Maze of Bardo, a place where few have ventured and none have returned. In the Lost City of Bardo you’ll encounter a world filled with treasures and dangers, where every twist and turn holds mystery and excitement. Will you find your way out, or become lost in its depths forever? Download now and begin your adventure!

Forum Thread: Lost City of Bardo (by Daniel Green)

Romans: Age Of Caesar (Free)

iTunes Description

Rebuild the Eternal City of Rome and be crowned Caesar in Firefly Studios’ Romans: Age of Caesar! Expand your own Roman Empire alongside thousands of other players online and in co-op. Gather resources, set up trade routes, develop vital defences and assemble mighty legions as you gain true allies or battle fierce enemies in strategic warfare and political schemes. To become emperor is to dare to have your name known across the empire!

Forum Thread: Romans: Age Of Caesar (by Firefly Studios)

Ship Simulator: Logistic Game (Free)

iTunes Description

You need to build a nuclear power plant in a deep province. There is no transport infrastructure, only swamps and rivers around! Stand at the helm of an old tugboat, rebuild neighboring mining complexes and industries, transport resources between them and support their work. Buy new vehicles and improve the industry and all for the sake of building a nuclear power plant!

Forum Thread: Ship Simulator: Logistic Game (by Azur Interactive Games Limited)

Top Troops (Free)

iTunes Description

Top Troops is a fantasy RPG game with a unique mix between strategy and merge mechanics. Easy to try, hard to master.

The war is raging and King’s Bay has been wiped out by the King’s evil brother!

Build your army, merge your troops, rank them up, and lead them into epic battles on all kinds of game modes: Adventure, PvP Arena, the Chambers of Destiny, Ancient Battles with your Clan,… Your order, your command!

Forum Thread: Top Troops (by Zynga)

Triple Touch 3D (Free)

iTunes Description

Blow your mind to find and match 3D objects to make them pop and relax. Improve and train your mind with the new Triple Touch 3D – Match and Relax. Different to the classic mahjong games, Triple Touch 3D connect your brain to logical thinking.

Match 3 identical tiles to eliminate them and prevent the tower from becoming too tall. Tap the tile you like the most and look for two more identical ones to take them out of the tower of tiles. Spin the tower to find more combinations by sliding your finger right or left when the spin arrows appear on the screen.

Forum Thread: Triple Touch 3D (by CheesecakeGames)

The Wreck (Free)

iTunes Description

In this 3D visual novel, follow failed screenwriter Junon as she attempts to make it through the most pivotal day in her life. Relive the past, alter the present, and embrace the future, or without your help, Junon’s story might end in a wreck.

At 36, Junon’s life is in pieces: her career has stalled, she’s emotionally numb, and her personal life is falling apart. Things come to a head when she’s called to the ER to find her estranged mother in a critical condition. This is the most important day of Junon’s life, and unless something changes, it might be her last.

Forum Thread: The Wreck (by The Pixel Hunt)

It’s a satisfying experience assembling the items, but it’s the “care" portion of the title that really gives Assemble with Care another level of meaning. Each object has a story behind it and is special to a real human being in some way or fashion that is more important than that object’s intended purpose. These stories reveal themselves as you progress and create a real emotional connection, and yes, give you a reason to care. It’s not a super long experience at roughly 4 or 5 hours, or an especially difficult one, but it’s memorable for sure. If you’ve always eyed Assemble with Care but weren’t an Apple Arcade subscriber you can now take the game for a test drive for free and then if you enjoy it unlock the full game for a one-time IAP of $3.99.

Don’t forget to shoot us emails with any questions, feedback, or anything else relevant or irrelevant to podcast@toucharcade.com. We read ’em all, and love decoding messages written entirely in emoji. As always, you can listen to us with the links below… And if you like what you hear, please subscribe and/or drop us a review in iTunes. Much appreciated!

As a companion to this audio podcast, we also do a video version of the same show that is exclusive to Patreon which allows you to see us playing the games we’re talking about. Backers can view the most recent video episodes of the TouchArcade show by clicking here. Be sure you’re logged in to see the latest content. For everyone else who is curious, you can check out our public patreon posts to see older episodes of the video podcast. If you like what you see, consider becoming a TouchArcade Patreon backer.

So, is this just Space Marshals with a James Bond skin? Kind of? I don’t want to do the game a disservice by implying that it’s some sort of reskin or something, because this appears to be the most high quality output from Pixelbite so far, but it’s a top-down action game with a heavy emphasis on stealth and it’s impossible not to spot the Space Marshals DNA all over the place. This is NOT a bad thing by any stretch, in fact it’s quite the opposite. The Space Marshals games excel at offering engaging level designs and enemy placements so that the player can choose to tackle any given situation as they see fit, whether that be by full-blown stealth, using interesting gadgets, going in guns blazing, or a mixture of any or all of those.

While still pretty early into Cypher 007 it seems this one has an extra emphasis on stealth compared to the Space Marshals games. But wow, now that I see it in front of me it’s clear just how perfect a fit the Space Marshals blueprint is for a James Bond game. Tilting Point and Pixelbite have really harnessed the essence of James Bond here. The dialogue between the many familiar characters, the gadgets, the dramatic escapes, the aesthetic of the entire game… it all just screams James Bond. Not that I don’t love the absolutely kooky intergalactic cowboys from the Space Marshals games, but this is a nice change of pace for sure and I think it’ll be pleasing to even the biggest James Bond aficionados.

I had been wondering what Pixelbite was up to since wrapping up Space Marshals 3 in the spring of last year, and I’m so happy that it turned out to be a major release on Apple Arcade that uses one of the most recognizable IPs in the world. Yes, this is decidedly a Pixelbite game and very much in the essence of the Space Marshals games, and that is all very good stuff. However, this is far from some reskin and feels very much like its own thing, and it uses the James Bond IP in an excellent way that does the legendary series justice. You have to have Apple Arcade to play this one (at least at this point in time) but if you’re a subscriber this is definitely a great one to dive into over the coming weekend.

The concept itself is already pretty solid, but Subpar Pool takes things to the next level with its card system that allows you to choose various cards that can augment how the game is played. I think the official PR explains it best: “Want to feel stressed to the max? Take part in the Fast Run, which limits the time you have to aim. Want a level with portals? Or how about one with conveyor belts? Subpar Pool has you covered. Or want to see what happens when you play Subpar Pool with glass balls as they roll and collide? There are thousands of ways to combine the dynamic cards to create a unique playthrough experience, every time." Ok, ok, I already said I was onboard, you can stop now! Subpar Pool is coming to iOS, Android, Steam, and Nintendo Switch on October 12, and it’ll be $5 on mobile and $10 on console, so keep your eyes peeled for it in just a couple of weeks.

Baseball Stars 2 ACA NEOGEO ($3.99)

iTunes Description

BASEBALL STARS 2 is a sports game released by SNK in 1992.
Get the full experience with intense graphics and passionate announcers!
Time to see some exciting baseball! Use the Power-bat to send the ball flying for an amazing home run!
The Auto-Fielding system allows for even beginners to enjoy the intense gameplay.

Forum Thread: Baseball Stars 2 ACA NEOGEO (by SNK)

Bonza Phrases (Free)

iTunes Description

Bonza Phrases is a casual word puzzle game for mobile. Players will appreciate the clear and simple approach, suitable for the whole family. Bonza Phrases is designed to be a rewarding learning experience. Much like other games in the Bonza series, players will find insight and inspiration from the puzzle content.

The game follows a classic linear level progression, with new chapters unlocked over time. The daily puzzle features topical content throughout the year. Players are also encouraged to submit their own puzzle ideas that could feature as an upcoming daily puzzle.

Forum Thread: Bonza Phrases (by Minimega)

Colossal Cave 3D (Free)

iTunes Description

Embark on a timeless journey through a sprawling cave system packed with treasures, creatures, mazes, and wits-defying puzzles. The great grandpappy of adventure games will test you and tickle your problem-solving skills as you unearth its plot and secrets. Through cunning trial-and-error you will crawl through tight squeezes, encounter impressive caverns, collect inventory, locate treasure, thwart dwarf attacks, all while keeping your eye on the score before your lamp goes out.

Forum Thread: Colossal Cave 3D (by Cygnus Entertainment, LLC)

Elderand ($6.99)

iTunes Description

Become the hero of an epic quest in Elderand, a metroidvania that will test your will and skill. Heads will literally roll in this gruesome, retro-inspired action platformer, where only the strong will survive in brutal, skill-based combat against terrifying creatures.

Through the darkness and madness, promised glory awaits. Wield a variety of killing instruments and abilities to test your metal against towering, bone-chilling bosses. Explore a twisted Lovecraftian world shrouded in darkness and madness. RPG elements allow you to customize your battle experience to your liking, from your character’s appearance to skills, stats, and weapons. Slay or be slain as you collect glory and treasure in this nightmarish 2D world.

Glory and riches await those who can spill the required blood and guts to collect it.

Forum Thread: Elderand (by Plug In Digital)

The Last Game ($1.99)

iTunes Description

Embark on a perilous journey in this addictive action roguelite adventure.

FIGHT FIERCE ENEMIES – Discover 5 floors defended by 13 different bosses.

BECOME STRONGER – Discover more than 80 different items and find powerful synergies. Unlock the 7 different characters with their specific behavior.

PLAY WITH YOUR FRIENDS – Up to 4 players can play in co-op and establish multiplayer-specific strategies. You need to add controllers to be able to play in multiplayer mode.

DIE OFTEN – But unlock starting items, revive stronger than ever, and discover the truth behind that game.

Forum Thread: The Last Game (by Frederic Julian)

Necro-Smith ($2.99)

iTunes Description

Assemble the dead using different body parts while upgrading your tower, combine the abilities of the different fantastic races to fight your way through the hordes of enemies and overrun the ’chosen ones’. To tell the truth, the dead are pretty, uhm, dumb.

About the Game:
The necromancer, along with his faithful companion, the Cat, finds himself in an unknown world, and tries to find a way to return home. Fortunately, along with the main character, there were also magical tools in this world. Using his knowledge and skills, the Necromancer decided to use the remains scattered around to protect himself from aggressive local creatures and find the blueprints of the ship to escape.

Forum Thread: Necro-Smith (by MiYi Game)

Netflix Stories: Love Is Blind (Free)

iTunes Description

A new season of “Love Is Blind" is in flight! It’s your turn to find love, romance and drama in the pods. Customize your character, choose your story and take a shot at true love in this interactive story game based on the hit series.

You’re the newest contestant on “Love Is Blind." Try the social experiment for yourself and date several mystery suitors in pursuit of true love. Choose your story and decide: Is love really blind?

Forum Thread: Netflix Stories: Love Is Blind (by Netflix)

Pro Wrestling Manager 2024 ($9.99)

iTunes Description

Take control of your very own pro wrestling promotion with the highly anticipated sequel to PWM 22 and 23- Pro Wrestling Manager 2024! Get ready to experience the most intuitive and in-depth mobile pro wrestling management game.

Forum Thread: Pro Wrestling Manager 2024 (by WrestleWorks)

PUZZUP AMITOI (Free)

iTunes Description

• Play now and get a cute Helpie costume!

• Hundreds of levels with unique gimmicks await you! Join the puzzle solving adventure now!

Experience a completely new kind of match 3 puzzle! Control the direction of the puzzle blocks and feel the excitement when they explode!

Forum Thread: PUZZUP AMITOI (by NCSOFT)

RobbyTron ($0.99)

iTunes Description

Help Robby evade and destroy the bad Bots. 40 levels, Many Different Games. Design your own game. Practice a level. 201, 301 and 401 Hack included. Tanks, Brains

RobbyTron has a mission to eliminate all the bad bots and save any good citizens left.

Enjoy many different types of Robots which are out to get you. Fun but not too serious. Many different levels and game types to choose from. Even Practice a level or design a level with many Tanks or Mommies.

Forum Thread: RobbyTron (by Rob Rightmyer)

Rotate the Rings: Pet Rescue (Free)

iTunes Description

This is a heartwarming puzzle game where players solve challenges by rotating rings to find the gap and save cute pets. Each puzzle involves saving pets such as dogs, cats, birds, snakes, or even dragons. Play as Alice, the smart girl, on an island adventure and solve them all. Real adventure awaits!

Forum Thread: Rotate the Rings: Pet Rescue (by Genix Lab)

Soccer Manager 2024 (Free)

iTunes Description

This football manager game has total accuracy and immersion. Find and buy star players for your favourite club; then use tactics, skill, and strategy to become champions.

Soccer Manager 2024 is the ultimate mobile football manager game with unrivalled accuracy, immersion, and enjoyment. Take control at one of over 900 clubs in 54 leagues across 36 countries around the world. Buy, sell, and manage real FIFPRO-licensed players to create your top eleven with accurate attributes.

Now you can manage international teams in major qualifiers and tournaments against other teams in your continent and around the world. Enjoy stunning match and environment visuals, with player likenesses and animations never having looked so good! Handle transfers, training, tactics & formations, and develop your football club’s facilities as you rise to become champions.

Forum Thread: Soccer Manager 2024 (by Invincibles Studio)

SpongeBob Adventures: In A Jam (Free)

iTunes Description

Get Ready to go on an Amazing Adventure with SpongeBob and his Friends! Plankton’s latest scheme to steal the secret Krabby Patty Formula has backfired in a big way, leaving the world covered in JellyFish Jam! Now it’s up to you and SpongeBob, along with friends new and old to rebuild and restore order to Bikini Bottom and Beyond!

Forum Thread: SpongeBob Adventures: In A Jam (by Tilting Point)

steks ($2.49)

iTunes Description

Welcome to steks, the game that’s like Tetris and Jenga combined. steks is a tower-building puzzle game that will test your strategic skills and creative thinking. Dive into a world of blocks that don’t quite fit together, creating teetering towers that might collapse at a moment’s notice – only your skill will keep them standing.

With its unique gameplay mechanics, lo-fi aesthetic and addictive quest for height, steks offers an immersive and relaxing experience without any stressful time pressure. The only challenge is how tall you can make your tower, and how solidly you can rebuild it after it all comes crashing down.

Forum Thread: steks (by Bleppo)

Storyteller (Free)

iTunes Description

Once upon a time — wait, what comes next again? Drag and drop fairy-tale characters onto the page to build surprising stories in this award-winning puzzle game.

An enchanted book of stories lays blank before you. Only the greatest storytellers can fill it with tales of romance, magic, adventure and intrigue. Assemble each interactive comic from a library of animated settings and characters that react in real time to your choices. Work your way through each genre to earn the coveted storyteller’s crown!

Forum Thread: Storyteller (Daniel Benmergui/Annapurna Interactive)

Super Dash (Free)

iTunes Description

Welcome to Super Dash – Endless Run, our breathtaking 3D endless runner game that delivers a thrilling adventure combining the elements of endless running, fast-paced action, and reflex challenges! Dodge obstacles and chasms, and experience the excitement of a hyperdrive as you race through a variety of landscapes, including serene forests, treacherous Dunes, and the mesmerizing luminal space environment, all with smooth controls. Compete on global leaderboards as you collect gems, level up, and indulge in addictive gameplay that makes you run for your life while performing thrilling hyperdrive stunts.

Forum Thread: Super Dash (by Mad Yeti Games)

Swaplette (Free)

iTunes Description

Do you like word games and want to try something new?
In Swaplette your task is to compose pairs of English words in which some letters are interchanged. Tap on the letters to swap their positions with letters of the same colour in the other word until both words are complete.

You can set the difficulty of the game by the number of letters in the words, and also whether the first letters in the words are fixed or not.

Forum Thread: Swaplette (by MMXIX)

Swords and Sandals Immortals (Free)

iTunes Description

It’s Swords and Sandals as you’ve never seen it. Brutal turn-based combat where gladiators can lose limbs, wield guitars and yell so loudly their foe’s heads will fall off. This is the most fun you’ll ever have in the arena, and it all starts here.

Create a gladiator from one of dozens of races, make them a 7 foot undead giant with a battle axe or a tiny jelly blob with a laser cannon. Your gladiator will be unlike any other, with deep skill trees and hundreds of weapons to craft and equip you will not face the horrors of the arena unprepared! For a decade we wondered what happened to the Starbound Gladiator at the end of Swords and Sandals III … now all answers are revealed as the robotic Automatons return to Brandor with new space-age technology!

Embark upon a massive new single player campaign in the form of Swords and Sandals VI, where you shall journey across the vast continent in search of fabled Arena Champions to defeat. Do battle in the scorching heat of the T’Kash desert, in the lonely abyssal caverns of the Forbidden Depths and in the great palaces of Phaetor itself.

Forum Thread: Swords and Sandals Immortals (by eGames.com LLC)

Tangle Tower ($3.99)

iTunes Description

Unravel a thrilling mystery by exploring a strange and twisted mansion, discovering curious clues, interrogating peculiar suspects and solving unique puzzles.

Freya Fellow has been murdered. The lead suspect? A shadowy figure found looming over her body, wielding a knife. The problem? That suspect… is just a painting.

Investigate the entirety of Tangle Tower, from the bizarre and eerie gardens, to the cold and ominous crime scene at the very top.

Forum Thread: Tangle Tower (by SFB Games)

Underground Blossom ($2.99)

iTunes Description

Descend into the Rusty Lake Underground and travel through the life and memories of Laura Vanderboom!

Travel from station to station, each metro stop symbolising a piece of Laura’s past and future. Solve various puzzles, find the correct metro to board and uncover one of Laura’s timelines, while simultaneously helping her make sense of her life and escape the corruption of her mind!

Underground Blossom is a new point-and-click adventure developed by the creators of the Cube Escape & Rusty Lake series.

Forum Thread: Underground Blossom (by Rusty Lake)

Wild Runners (Free)

iTunes Description

Wild Runners is a fun and innovative multiplayer 3D running game. Features:
– Choose from 12 unique and crazy animals
– Unlock over 24 amazing power-up cards
– Enjoy fast procedural racing with silly obstacles and platforms
– Discover 4 wild environments with different atmospheres
– Collect stars to claim amazing rewards
– Climb the trophy road and complete weekly missions to unlock more rewards!

Forum Thread: Wild Runners (by Bump Games)

Don’t forget to shoot us emails with any questions, feedback, or anything else relevant or irrelevant to podcast@toucharcade.com. We read ’em all, and love decoding messages written entirely in emoji. As always, you can listen to us with the links below… And if you like what you hear, please subscribe and/or drop us a review in iTunes. Much appreciated!

As a companion to this audio podcast, we also do a video version of the same show that is exclusive to Patreon which allows you to see us playing the games we’re talking about. Backers can view the most recent video episodes of the TouchArcade show by clicking here. Be sure you’re logged in to see the latest content. For everyone else who is curious, you can check out our public patreon posts to see older episodes of the video podcast. If you like what you see, consider becoming a TouchArcade Patreon backer.

So what does any of this mean? Well, it doesn’t have to mean anything, if you don’t want it to. DERE Vengeance is at its core a precision platformer with well-designed but brutal levels to run and jump through and it’s all set to a very fourth wall-breaking storyline that leans into horror territory. Or maybe not exactly horror, but more like internet horror, like creepypasta type stuff. Think Backrooms, Slender Man, those sorts of things.

You can play through DERE Vengeance like a regular platformer with a weird story and that’s a fine thing for a person to do. However, if you’re a fan of Appsir’s other releases then there’s a little bit more juice to squeeze from this orange because they’re all interconnected in subtle but meaningful ways. It’s very similar to the Rusty Lake games where they’ve created their own interconnected little universe where they can point out small details for the benefit of their longtime fans, but none of it is actually necessary to enjoy any of their games as a standalone experience.

That’s where DERE Vengeance sits as well. It’s a fun platformer (is fun the right word? You will die and curse A LOT, so…) all on its own, but that extra stuff is there and should you feel compelled to learn more about this strange interconnected universe it’s very easy to do as all the Appsir games are free with ads and each have an ad-disabling IAP. So, check out DERE Vengeance by itself, enjoy it as a hardcore platformer experience, and move on. Or… go hit up the app store and binge all the other games first. The choice is yours and there’s no wrong answer.

Dark Rebirth also brings a new Season 18 Battle Pass dubbed “Fresh Meat" that will offer up 40 ranks to work your way through, and this new battle pass will go into effect on September 28th and last until October 26th. I’m really only just barely scratching the surface of everything included in Dark Rebirth, so be sure to check out the aforementioned blog post to get the lowdown on all the specific details. Despite the fact that I kind of churned out of Diablo Immortal not too long after its release, I’m happy to see that it has found an audience after the, er, less than stellar reception it got when it was first unveiled at BlizzCon back in 2018.

Bottle Flip 360 (Free)

iTunes Description

Join the global Bottle Flip Challenge in Bottle Flip 360. Real-time multiplayer matches, achievements, leaderboards, realistic graphics, and physics. Throw, flip, land!

Introducing the ultimate test of skill, precision, and patience – Bottle Flip 360! Dive into a realistic 3D world where you can challenge yourself, your friends, and players globally in the bottle flipping.

Forum Thread: Bottle Flip 360 (by Gamesoul Studio)

DERE Vengeance (Free)

iTunes Description

Unleash your fears in a fourth-wall-breaking platformer that will leave you questioning allegiances… and reality itself.

SINISTER PIXEL ART WORLD
Let the hauntingly atmospheric soundtrack and meticulously designed pixel art engulf you in paranormal encounters, impossible glitches, psychological horror, and the nostalgia of classic side-scrolling games.

Forum Thread: DERE Vengeance (by AppSir/Darius Immanuel Guerrero)

Devil’s Mansion (Free)

iTunes Description

“Devil’s Mansion" is a game designed and produced by the Taiwan R&D team, which will take you into a fantasy haunted house full of relaxation and fun. Here, you will no longer be just an ordinary devil, but the “devil who doesn’t want to be a devil but opens a haunted house to make a living" who decided to open a haunted house to attract tourists!

Forum Thread: Devil’s Mansion (PinBall) (by AVECTOR TECH CO., LTD.)

DINO 3D (Free)

iTunes Description

Unleash endless offline fun with dino 3D – no wifi required! no wifi games

Get ready to embark on a thrilling prehistoric adventure like never before in DINO 3D!

This exciting video game takes the beloved classic offline game to a whole new dimension, bringing the endless runner experience into the immersive world of 3D.

Forum Thread: DINO 3D (by Benfont)

Dragonheir: Silent Gods (Free)

iTunes Description

Dragonheir: Silent Gods is an open-world high-fantasy RPG that puts you in control of over 200 heroes. In the multiversal adventure, you’ll experience strategic combat like never before, where every move counts and every decision could be the difference between victory and defeat.
With rolling dice and seasonal multiversal content, Dragonheir keeps things fresh and exciting, offering endless possibilities for adventure and exploration.

Forum Thread: Dragonheir: Silent Gods (by Nuverse Games)

Five A Side Football 2024 ($1.99)

iTunes Description

The world’s fastest, most fun five-a-side management game is back! In Five A Side Football 2024 you can take control of comedy versions of your favourite team or cast your mind back to a time before the Premier League and take on a retro challenge. Whether you’re chasing the league trophy with a team of superstars, attempting to turn a mid-table squad into champions, or saving a struggling bunch from relegation; the fate of your team and your job is in your hands!

Forum Thread: Five A Side Football 2024 (by Swipe Studios)

Flip It (Free)

iTunes Description

Flip it is the most challenging block puzzle out there. It’s not only important how you arrange the pieces, you also need to make sure that you’re arranging them in right order, because sometimes a piece can get blocked by the other piece.

Try to solve all 50 levels. And if you somehow manage to solve them, try solving them faster in speedrun mode. Compete on leaderboards!

Forum Thread: Flip It (by Nikola Jovanovic)

Ghost Detective (Free)

iTunes Description

You’re a detective who’s been killed on the job. Now as a ghost, your mission is clear: Find hidden objects and solve puzzles to catch your own murderer.

Experience a new hidden object murder mystery crime game set in haunted New Orleans — where life’s never boring and dying can get downright complicated.

Forum Thread: Ghost Detective (by Wooga)

Jumper’s Quest (Free)

iTunes Description

Jump into a world full of unique obstacles that will test you both mentally and physically. Your quick thinking and reflexes will be put to the test as you decipher puzzles and navigate through each level with finesse.

Encounter a diverse array of enemies, each with their own unique challenges that you must conquer. Intuitive one-touch controls empower you to effortlessly jump through the levels in record time.

Forum Thread: Jumper’s Quest (by Halfbrick)

Retro Bowl College (Free)

iTunes Description

The official spin-off of the smash hit RETRO BOWL takes you back to the old-school. If you thought managing a Pro Team was a challenge – you’ve seen nothing yet!

Make a name for yourself as a winning Head Coach for one of 250 College teams. Manage tight budgets and encourage your hotheaded young players to keep their eye on the ball when they’re surrounded by the temptations and distractions of College life. Can you tell the difference between the next Pro Football superstar and the party animal who doesn’t know when to quit? Can you foster their talents and help them make the Draft? Can you turn your school into the greatest Football College of all time?

Forum Thread: Retro Bowl College (by New Star Games)

Sky Islands (Free)

iTunes Description

Switch between 2D and 3D! Sky Islands is a charming platformer game where you embark on a captivating journey through a fantastic sky realm. Inspired by the beloved FEZ game, prepare to shift between the 2D and 3D dimensions to collect hidden stars and clear all the levels.

Forum Thread: Sky Islands (by Neutronized)

Starship Danger! (Free)

iTunes Description

Enjoy Endless Cosmic Challenge in “Starship Danger!"
“Starship Danger!" offers a straightforward and captivating space adventure. Take control of your starship and face a continuous loop of cosmic trials. Your mission: Survive as long as you can against asteroids, space debris, and enemy ships.

Forum Thread: Starship Danger! (by Sean Gilbert)

Thunder Ray ($9.99)

iTunes Description

Step into the ring and experience the adrenaline-pumping action of our retro arcade boxing game, but with a modern twist! Get ready to throw jabs, hooks, and uppercuts as you face off against a roster of colorful and eccentric opponents. The game features meticulously crafted HD animations, bringing each character to life with stunning detail and fluid movements.

Forum Thread: Thunder Ray (by Purple Tree Studios)

Tyrant’s Blessing ($4.99)

iTunes Description

The Tyrant landed in Tyberia bearing promises of a paradise, without war, without suffering… and without death. All Tyberians had to do in order to enter his paradise was to simply die at the hands of his Dead Army. The war was over before it even began, with thousands perishing in the Tyrant’s wake, only to be brought into his fold as undying thralls, bound by magic. The few living warriors left are scattered across the remnants of their homeland, tirelessly looking for a way to turn the tables on the tyrannical Tyrant. Lead a great Uprising, defeat the Dead Army, and drive the monstrous overlord back into the depths of the sea from whence he came.

Forum Thread: Tyrant’s Blessing (by Mercury Game Studio)

Venice Bridges (Free)

iTunes Description

Venice is under attack by malicious Plague Doctors and you have been chosen to come to its rescue.

Plunge into the world of Venice Bridges, a 3D puzzle adventure game where the beauty of Venice meets hardship and destruction.

Save Venice by luring the Plague Doctors and their squad to their demise, and solve puzzles to restore Venice to its glory.

Forum Thread: Venice Bridges (by naïve studios AB)

Who Let The Chickens Out? (Free)

iTunes Description

Welcome to “Who Let the Chickens Out?" a fun and challenging game that puts a unique spin on solving a feathery neighbor problem! Embark on a hilarious adventure where you’ll use your skills and precision to deal with pesky chickens. It’s time to turn those annoying cluckers into delicious chicken leg pieces!

Forum Thread: Who Let The Chickens Out? (by Vikas Pawar)

So Korigame is no stranger to mobile, and their particular niche is games that are cute and silly and lighthearted while also typically being well-suited to a touchscreen. kORi Walk is the first game I can recall really taking a liking to from this developer quite a few years ago now, but really you can pick any of their games out and know you’ll be in for a wholesome and very silly good time, especially if you have kids. Grab The Apple does not stray from this formula and, as someone with a 2-year old and a 4-year old, as well as being a big kid myself, it has been a big hit around my house this past week.

The concept is pretty simple. Your character, of which there are several to choose from, is at the bottom of the screen and there’s an apple hiding on every level typically surrounded by all sorts of dangers traps and blockades. Drag on the screen to extend your seemingly never-ending arm and negotiate all the danger to find a safe path to grab that apple, just as the title suggests, and then watch as your arm retracts like a vacuum cord hauling that apple back to you. It’s relative touch so you can touch anywhere and the hand will mimic your motions, so you’re never blocking your view. And as mentioned the arm seems to never end so feel free to go off course, take the long route, draw some squiggles or whatever on your way to grabbing that apple, I can assure you it’ll bring a smile to your face.

That’s part of the reason I mention this is more of a digital toy, but also because I don’t really see a way to fail a level. You can run into any hazards and it’ll simply cause your arm to retract and you’ll have to try again. Maybe I just haven’t found the fail state yet, or maybe there just isn’t one. There are a few puzzle-y elements by way of hidden walls and such, but I have yet to really be tested on any of the game’s levels. This is all fine, by the way, because I’m enjoying the experience all the same, but it’s worth noting. But hey, just try it out for yourself, as this is a free game with ads and a simple one-time IAP if you wish to remove them, which I very quickly did myself.

My podcast cohort and former TouchArcade editor Eli Hodapp has been enjoying the soft launch of Warcraft Rumble for the past several weeks, so I’m excited to see it getting into many more hands soon. You can pre-order on the iOS App Store here, or pre-register on the Google Play Store here, and anyone that does so or anyone who simply plays through the tutorial during the first two weeks following launch will receive an assortment of exclusive rewards, which you can find details on over on Blizzard’s blog. The listed release date in the App Store is December 31st, but my guess is that’s just placeholder and we’ll be seeing Warcraft Rumble fully launched ahead of that time. In the meantime be sure to check out our interview with the game’s creators for more insights into this upcoming title.

So as you can see, it’s a very clever combination of the two genres. Blocks will fall from the sky and you’ll rotate and drop them in such a way as to build your own little fortress. Different blocks have different properties, like catapult platforms or archer towers just to name a couple, and once everything is set up how you (hopefully) wanted it enemies will come trying to crash your castle and it will be up to you to protect your makeshift structure by deploying your different troops and defenses. Just like in their previous games, and especially the Dragon Hills games, there is all sorts of chaos once the action starts heating up in Castle Master TD, and I’m really looking forward to trying out this interesting blend of game types. Castle Master TD will hit both iOS and Android in just a few weeks on October 4th.

AFK Football (Free)

iTunes Description

ARE YOU READY TO KICK OFF YOUR ULTIMATE SOCCER RPG ADVENTURE?

Immerse yourself in the thrilling world of AFK Football, a unique fusion of soccer strategy and RPG! Engage in intense competition with players from around the world, master strategic combos, and explore the intriguing backstories of each of our uniquely designed stars. AFK Football isn’t just another sports game—it’s an epic journey in the quest for world football domination!

Forum Thread: AFK Football (by Wildlife Studios)

Code Geass: Lost Stories (Free)

iTunes Description

■Experience the story of Lelouch and others from a different perspective
The hero, who lost their parents during the Britannia’s invasion of Japan,
throws themselves into the turmoil of Area 11 as an ally of Lelouch, while seeking revenge against the empire.
This is another ‘lost story’ from
“Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion"——

Forum Thread: Code Geass: Lost Stories (by Komoe Technology)

Grab The Apple (Free)

iTunes Description

Drag your long, doodle arms through dozens of puzzle levels, as you strive to grab all the apples.

Avoid spikes and bombs, traps and surprises.
Break blocks, punch some bugs.
Collect coins.
Dodge lasers.
Have fun!

Forum Thread: Grab The Apple (by Korigame)

Hop Hero: A Leap of Faith (Free)

iTunes Description

Can you reach the top?

Tap to jump your way up to the top. Easy, right?

Avoid spinning saws, precisely land on platforms and slowly reach the top.
Be careful though! One wrong jump will land you all the way back at the beginning.

Forum Thread: Hop Hero: A Leap of Faith (by Juckport Studios)

Knights of Grayfang ($7.99)

iTunes Description

The land of Eldraad is in the midst of a war between the humans, born from the Twilight Deity, and the monsters, born from the Nightfall Deity, to control all nine temples. King Edwahl wields twilight’s might, turning humans into vampires via a ritual. Yet, a sinister force awakens among monsters. Will nightfall or twilight triumph?

One of the main characters, Thoma, wields a unique Blood Gauge, replacing HP and MP. Using this gauge, characters can activate Bloodthirst, granting new skills and appearances. Equip bats found in dungeons for passive effects like protection from ailments and boosted attack power. Seize victory by claiming all nine temples. Unravel the mysteries and battle the monsters within to conquer them!

Forum Thread: Knights of Grayfang (by KEMCO/EXE-CREATE)

Longest River (Free)

iTunes Description

Are you looking for a new water flow logical puzzle?
Do you want this path puzzle to be challenging and relaxing at the same time?

Play Longest River, a new flow water maze puzzle in which you need to create the longest river paths using blocks of stones all while enjoying the peaceful sounds of nature and piano.

Download the water connect flow puzzle now, and see if you can complete all levels.

Forum Thread: Longest River (by Anton Holmberg)

Monster Hunter Now (Free)

iTunes Description

The thrill of the hunt is calling. Begin your hunting adventure now!

Hunt monsters in the real world:
Embark on a global quest to track down and hunt some of the most formidable monsters from the Monster Hunter universe as they appear in our world. Forge powerful weapons and team up with fellow hunters to track down larger-than-life monsters and take them head-on.

Forum Thread: Monster Hunter Now (by Niantic/Capcom)

Motorsport Manager 4 ($3.99)

iTunes Description

MOTORSPORT MANAGER 4: MASTER RACE STRATEGY

BUILD YOUR RACING DYNASTY
Immerse yourself in the captivating journey of constructing your motorsport empire from the ground up, where every choice holds the key to your success.

Forum Thread: Motorsport Manager 4 (by Playsport Games)

My Type! (Free)

iTunes Description

How fast can you type?

In “My Type!" your typing skills are put to the ultimate test. Write words to remove them before they fill up the board. Some words like “Explode" might have special effects, giving you an extra tool to bring you out of a tricky situation.

“My type" is the perfect game to improve your typing skills and learn how to text faster in a fun and engaging way. It’s available in multiple languages to help as many people as possible have fun and improve.

Forum Thread: My Type! (by Curlew Studios)