Sorcery is on the Google Play thing too and it's cute but it's just a story book game and not actually a game. Same with Reigns. It's basically tinder story-book games.
0
ShadowfireVermont, in the middle of nowhereRegistered Userregular
If you don't consider Sorcery! a game then... I mean, is the King's Quest series not games anymore? Monkey Island? They're all different types of adventure games. Sorcery! and Reigns lean into the strengths of the device (touch controls, short play sessions) and come out great for it.
Like, yeah, the majority are trash, but the majority of console games are trash too. And PC games. Mobile is not unique in that respect.
I feel like the predatory aspects of gaming are much more commonplace in mobile games (loot boxes, energy refills, etc), and that way more of them seem to be idle games.
...you used 'game' in the definition of your "not actually a game" game. This is a silly game. If you're trying to game the system, maybe gaming what we call a game isn't the game we want to play.
There are quite a few great mobile games though. Just off the top of my head.
10000000
Downwell
Photographs
Monument Valley
Alto's Odyssey
The Sorcery! series
Reigns: Her Majesty
Solitairica
Holedown
Sudoku Sweeper
Like, yeah, the majority are trash, but the majority of console games are trash too. And PC games. Mobile is not unique in that respect.
Basically happens with most successful/dominant platforms/formats. At least 90% of what comes out on them is shit. And phones - both Android and iOS - are so huge that the number is probably around 98-99%.
It's always been about sorting the wheat from the chaff, but with phone games (apps in general, often) it can be extra difficult.
There are quite a few great mobile games though. Just off the top of my head.
10000000
Downwell
Photographs
Monument Valley
Alto's Odyssey
The Sorcery! series
Reigns: Her Majesty
Solitairica
Holedown
Sudoku Sweeper
Like, yeah, the majority are trash, but the majority of console games are trash too. And PC games. Mobile is not unique in that respect.
Basically happens with most successful/dominant platforms/formats. At least 90% of what comes out on them is shit. And phones - both Android and iOS - are so huge that the number is probably around 98-99%.
It's always been about sorting the wheat from the chaff, but with phone games (apps in general, often) it can be extra difficult.
That's true, and it seems that's largely because no one's figured out a good way to curate digital storefronts. Finding great games on Steam et al is frustrating as hell too.
If you don't consider Sorcery! a game then... I mean, is the King's Quest series not games anymore? Monkey Island? They're all different types of adventure games. Sorcery! and Reigns lean into the strengths of the device (touch controls, short play sessions) and come out great for it.
That's fine. I'm personally not looking for short play sessions or anything like that... I want something engaging. But Reigns especially is basically swipe left or right in a choose your own adventure story. It's not terribly fun after a few sessions.
I'll admit I only played Sorcery! for a few minutes but I didn't understand the combat and wasn't really enjoying what was happening.
Something like Terraria would be more my jam but the controls are things I struggle with in it. The same as Stardew Valley. I bought it and it works alright but I'd rather play it with a controller or KBAM instead of the touch screen.
Obviously this is my opinion and anyone who enjoys cell phone games is more than welcome to do so. I feel like there should be a huge glut of awesome turn based RPGs on the platform because touch screen works remarkably well for games like that.
0
BrodyThe WatchThe First ShoreRegistered Userregular
If you don't consider Sorcery! a game then... I mean, is the King's Quest series not games anymore? Monkey Island? They're all different types of adventure games. Sorcery! and Reigns lean into the strengths of the device (touch controls, short play sessions) and come out great for it.
That's fine. I'm personally not looking for short play sessions or anything like that... I want something engaging. But Reigns especially is basically swipe left or right in a choose your own adventure story. It's not terribly fun after a few sessions.
I'll admit I only played Sorcery! for a few minutes but I didn't understand the combat and wasn't really enjoying what was happening.
Something like Terraria would be more my jam but the controls are things I struggle with in it. The same as Stardew Valley. I bought it and it works alright but I'd rather play it with a controller or KBAM instead of the touch screen.
Obviously this is my opinion and anyone who enjoys cell phone games is more than welcome to do so. I feel like there should be a huge glut of awesome turn based RPGs on the platform because touch screen works remarkably well for games like that.
I didn't find much replay value in it, but the PC Shadowrun games are available for android, and I found they didn't suffer too much from using touchscreen controls.
"I will write your name in the ruin of them. I will paint you across history in the color of their blood."
If you don't consider Sorcery! a game then... I mean, is the King's Quest series not games anymore? Monkey Island? They're all different types of adventure games. Sorcery! and Reigns lean into the strengths of the device (touch controls, short play sessions) and come out great for it.
That's fine. I'm personally not looking for short play sessions or anything like that... I want something engaging. But Reigns especially is basically swipe left or right in a choose your own adventure story. It's not terribly fun after a few sessions.
I'll admit I only played Sorcery! for a few minutes but I didn't understand the combat and wasn't really enjoying what was happening.
Something like Terraria would be more my jam but the controls are things I struggle with in it. The same as Stardew Valley. I bought it and it works alright but I'd rather play it with a controller or KBAM instead of the touch screen.
Obviously this is my opinion and anyone who enjoys cell phone games is more than welcome to do so. I feel like there should be a huge glut of awesome turn based RPGs on the platform because touch screen works remarkably well for games like that.
I didn't find much replay value in it, but the PC Shadowrun games are available for android, and I found they didn't suffer too much from using touchscreen controls.
Ohh the game does pause when you get into a fight, right? I suppose I haven't tried any of the sequels yet.
0
BrodyThe WatchThe First ShoreRegistered Userregular
If you don't consider Sorcery! a game then... I mean, is the King's Quest series not games anymore? Monkey Island? They're all different types of adventure games. Sorcery! and Reigns lean into the strengths of the device (touch controls, short play sessions) and come out great for it.
That's fine. I'm personally not looking for short play sessions or anything like that... I want something engaging. But Reigns especially is basically swipe left or right in a choose your own adventure story. It's not terribly fun after a few sessions.
I'll admit I only played Sorcery! for a few minutes but I didn't understand the combat and wasn't really enjoying what was happening.
Something like Terraria would be more my jam but the controls are things I struggle with in it. The same as Stardew Valley. I bought it and it works alright but I'd rather play it with a controller or KBAM instead of the touch screen.
Obviously this is my opinion and anyone who enjoys cell phone games is more than welcome to do so. I feel like there should be a huge glut of awesome turn based RPGs on the platform because touch screen works remarkably well for games like that.
I didn't find much replay value in it, but the PC Shadowrun games are available for android, and I found they didn't suffer too much from using touchscreen controls.
Ohh the game does pause when you get into a fight, right? I suppose I haven't tried any of the sequels yet.
The whole thing is time based, iirc. Its been a while since I've played. My only disappointment was that I couldn't find anyway to load player made campaigns into the mobile version, which would have made the game last way longer for me.
"I will write your name in the ruin of them. I will paint you across history in the color of their blood."
I've had great success with turn-based strategy games on mobile as well. Played through The Banner Saga, Shadowrun and XCOM on my phone.
EDIT: The only real issue I had with Shadowrun is that it was poorly optimized and not meant for phone-sized screens so trying to move someone over 1 spot was almost impossible and you can't zoom in to make your tapping more precise and the text was legible but very small.
Oh hey the Steam Link app is available. Tried it over the weekend, worked surprisingly well on the same network. Haven't tried streaming over the interwebs yet though.
Mario Kart has released on mobile and it is utterly joyless. Somehow it manages to feel like an idle game rather than a kart racer.
I played it up to level 8 and got a few decent riders from the loot boxes, but it turned into a chore. All the microtransactions are expensive and the monthly sub is 5 euros. Its crazy, its just a casual racing game against bots, yet they act as if their players would want to spend a shitton of money on it.
If you don't consider Sorcery! a game then... I mean, is the King's Quest series not games anymore? Monkey Island? They're all different types of adventure games. Sorcery! and Reigns lean into the strengths of the device (touch controls, short play sessions) and come out great for it.
That's fine. I'm personally not looking for short play sessions or anything like that... I want something engaging. But Reigns especially is basically swipe left or right in a choose your own adventure story. It's not terribly fun after a few sessions.
I'll admit I only played Sorcery! for a few minutes but I didn't understand the combat and wasn't really enjoying what was happening.
Something like Terraria would be more my jam but the controls are things I struggle with in it. The same as Stardew Valley. I bought it and it works alright but I'd rather play it with a controller or KBAM instead of the touch screen.
Obviously this is my opinion and anyone who enjoys cell phone games is more than welcome to do so. I feel like there should be a huge glut of awesome turn based RPGs on the platform because touch screen works remarkably well for games like that.
I didn't find much replay value in it, but the PC Shadowrun games are available for android, and I found they didn't suffer too much from using touchscreen controls.
Not any more they aren't. And I'd buy them in a fucking heartbeat if they were.
I'm trying to figure out why I would even pay for this Google Play Pass. I own Stardew Valley already (which I sorta regret). Does anyone here have it? What games have you installed that you liked? I can't imagine playing KOTOR or Titan Quest or Limbo on my phone. Thimbleweed Park seems PERFECT for the phone but I've already bought it on the Switch.... But maybe I'll play it on my phone. How are the controls for Evoland? I'm pretty sure that game has been in my wishlist forever.
I'm trying to figure out why I would even pay for this Google Play Pass. I own Stardew Valley already (which I sorta regret). Does anyone here have it? What games have you installed that you liked? I can't imagine playing KOTOR or Titan Quest or Limbo on my phone. Thimbleweed Park seems PERFECT for the phone but I've already bought it on the Switch.... But maybe I'll play it on my phone. How are the controls for Evoland? I'm pretty sure that game has been in my wishlist forever.
I'm trying to figure out why I would even pay for this Google Play Pass. I own Stardew Valley already (which I sorta regret). Does anyone here have it? What games have you installed that you liked? I can't imagine playing KOTOR or Titan Quest or Limbo on my phone. Thimbleweed Park seems PERFECT for the phone but I've already bought it on the Switch.... But maybe I'll play it on my phone. How are the controls for Evoland? I'm pretty sure that game has been in my wishlist forever.
Isn't there a 1 week free trial?
Yeah haha and I'm on it. There's just a mountain of games that I don't know the quality of. My time is valuable and was hoping someone could point out a sleeper hit for me. Like I really enjoyed Knights of Pen and Paper... Hoping to find games like that.
Honestly I find them hard to play with the touchscreen. I bought FF5 and I kinda regret it.
FFT was impossible to play on a phone. It might be doable on a tablet.
I played through FFT on my Kindle fire HD 10 inch and it worked reasonably well. I suspect my biggest issues were just interface issues from games that are that old (info that should have been more readily accessible during battles was buried under multiple levels of menu).
I played FF1 and FF6 on my Samsung Galaxy s6. Definitely worked fine, but not as good as with KB+M or controller. I think a lot of games are just easier to manage with a controller, but hooking up a controller to my phone is just too much for me. At that point it's just a small-form console.
Yeah I tried playing it on my Galaxy S6 I think? I figured it would be a good game to play here and there. After a while I figured that even grinding out levels was going to take FOREVER on the phone. If it allowed Bluetooth controllers it would probably be the definitive edition of it.
Edit: not forever because it ran slow or anything. Port was flawless. You get the good dialog and none of the slowdown from the psp port. It's mostly the touchscreen interface.
urahonky on
0
BrodyThe WatchThe First ShoreRegistered Userregular
Honestly I find them hard to play with the touchscreen. I bought FF5 and I kinda regret it.
FFT was impossible to play on a phone. It might be doable on a tablet.
I played through FFT on my Kindle fire HD 10 inch and it worked reasonably well. I suspect my biggest issues were just interface issues from games that are that old (info that should have been more readily accessible during battles was buried under multiple levels of menu).
Yeah, somehow FFT is the worst mechanically of the Tactics games. Including Tactics Ogre.
Yeah I tried playing it on my Galaxy S6 I think? I figured it would be a good game to play here and there. After a while I figured that even grinding out levels was going to take FOREVER on the phone. If it allowed Bluetooth controllers it would probably be the definitive edition of it.
Edit: not forever because it ran slow or anything. Port was flawless. You get the good dialog and none of the slowdown from the psp port. It's mostly the touchscreen interface.
Also, now I'm sad, because I just realized I have this game, and a bluetooth controller, but apparently that doesn't work, so I will continue to not play it I guess.
Brody on
"I will write your name in the ruin of them. I will paint you across history in the color of their blood."
I used survey money to get FFT about half a year ago but that game direly needs actual buttons to be playable. Still wish I could get it ported to Switch or Steam. If they could use those OPT 2DHD graphics that would be aces.
I bought Kairosoft's Station Manager and it is a treat. I only had experience with their F2P medieval castle manager and the difference between that and this game is night and day. It's just a lot more enjoyable when they're not trying to nickel and dime you. There's still a few things I'm not happy about: the sound design, slow menus and blatant advertisement for their other games. But this is all made up by the fact that it's a complete management sim of a subject I love for the low price of 5€.
Hmm. What I hear just confirms my suspicion. I'll pass on FFs then.
The menu and info systems were already super convoluted in FFT for the psx. Must be horrible on the phone.
Yeah the touch controls were a weird hybrid of gesture and precision tapping. Like to move the cursor through the menu you could swipe anywhere. Then you tap the menu item or cursor to select it. I didn't have took much trouble with that. It was little QoL improvements that the game is missing because of its age. The big one was when casting spells you had to they would just give you the proper enemy names in the battle order. You had to then look up which guy on the field had that name and that was like 3 menus deep. But you had to back out of spellcasting to get there, then go back to spellcasting. It was really tedious.
I'm on the hook to write a listicle of "10 best Play Pass games" for some nascent mobile games website. On a three-day deadline. Several things now become clear to me: (1) listicle-writers may not, in fact, be studious experts who have plumbed the depths of their topic and returned with only the most considered wisdom; (2) I'm probably not the typical mobile-games player; and (3) I'm probably not cut out to be a website content creator because integrity.
It's been advertised as having "350 games," which may be more reasonable as "350 games and apps," but I don't see nearly that many. Pocket Gamer's list has only 51 games, which more closely reflects what actually appears to be available. Which... kind of isn't a lot, when you account for individual tastes.
Right now my list is a little too tailored to my own tastes: Hoplite; 80 Days; Card Crawl; Stardew Valley; 3D Anatomy (heh); Pocket City; Polytopia; I Love Hue. Today I need to try Licht Speer, Monument Valley, Limbo, Mars: Mars, Reigns: Her Majesty; Thimbleweed Park; Lumino City; Tiny Bang Story; Framed 2.
I should have some actioney, real-time game, but I hate those on phones. Anyone who likes those games have a rec for the best? Or any underdogs that deserve to leapfrog KOTOR et al. on a listicle buried in the depths of the internet?
I think Mini Metro is one of the best games ever created, it's so deliciously abstract, yet instantly recognizable for anyone who has ever taken the tube. It's a realtime puzzle game with a pause-button. It can get veeeeery hectic once you've worked yourself in a corner.
But honestly, if this isn't some kind of new career, why not stick to the genres you can actually have an honest opinion about? No one is supposed to be able to appreciate all genres.
Door Kickers was supposed to be cool, like a top-down Rainbow Six as it used to be back in the say.
Seems odd that only Sorcery! 4 is on that list and not its predecessors. But they can all be played standalone.
KOTOR may be just too obvious, of course it is, but it should still be on there. It's not just a classic game, but it's a surprisingly good port that works well on a phone.
KOTOR may be just too obvious, of course it is, but it should still be on there. It's not just a classic game, but it's a surprisingly good port that works well on a phone.
But honestly, if this isn't some kind of new career, why not stick to the genres you can actually have an honest opinion about? No one is supposed to be able to appreciate all genres.
I'll probably try that, but, hey, an assignment's an assignment. It's a deal with this guy where I'll write him a few articles but one of them gets to be about my own indie game. So it's mercenary all around.
Door Kickers isn't on Play Pass. Will definitely play Mini Metro today, it sounds perfect.
KOTOR may be just too obvious, of course it is, but it should still be on there. It's not just a classic game, but it's a surprisingly good port that works well on a phone.
But honestly, if this isn't some kind of new career, why not stick to the genres you can actually have an honest opinion about? No one is supposed to be able to appreciate all genres.
I'll probably try that, but, hey, an assignment's an assignment. It's a deal with this guy where I'll write him a few articles but one of them gets to be about my own indie game. So it's mercenary all around.
Door Kickers isn't on Play Pass. Will definitely play Mini Metro today, it sounds perfect.
Hmm, Door Kickers was on that list. Guess that list is worse than we thought!
I bought Kairosoft's Station Manager and it is a treat. I only had experience with their F2P medieval castle manager and the difference between that and this game is night and day. It's just a lot more enjoyable when they're not trying to nickel and dime you. There's still a few things I'm not happy about: the sound design, slow menus and blatant advertisement for their other games. But this is all made up by the fact that it's a complete management sim of a subject I love for the low price of 5€.
Most of their paid games are really good, I would personally suggest Ninja Village and Biz Builder Deluxe, along with staple Game Dev Story.
Posts
I'm terrible at both of those, which is a point in favor of urahonky.
...you used 'game' in the definition of your "not actually a game" game. This is a silly game. If you're trying to game the system, maybe gaming what we call a game isn't the game we want to play.
Penny Arcade Rockstar Social Club / This is why I despise cyclists
Basically happens with most successful/dominant platforms/formats. At least 90% of what comes out on them is shit. And phones - both Android and iOS - are so huge that the number is probably around 98-99%.
It's always been about sorting the wheat from the chaff, but with phone games (apps in general, often) it can be extra difficult.
Steam | XBL
That's true, and it seems that's largely because no one's figured out a good way to curate digital storefronts. Finding great games on Steam et al is frustrating as hell too.
That's fine. I'm personally not looking for short play sessions or anything like that... I want something engaging. But Reigns especially is basically swipe left or right in a choose your own adventure story. It's not terribly fun after a few sessions.
I'll admit I only played Sorcery! for a few minutes but I didn't understand the combat and wasn't really enjoying what was happening.
Something like Terraria would be more my jam but the controls are things I struggle with in it. The same as Stardew Valley. I bought it and it works alright but I'd rather play it with a controller or KBAM instead of the touch screen.
Obviously this is my opinion and anyone who enjoys cell phone games is more than welcome to do so. I feel like there should be a huge glut of awesome turn based RPGs on the platform because touch screen works remarkably well for games like that.
I didn't find much replay value in it, but the PC Shadowrun games are available for android, and I found they didn't suffer too much from using touchscreen controls.
The Monster Baru Cormorant - Seth Dickinson
Steam: Korvalain
Ohh the game does pause when you get into a fight, right? I suppose I haven't tried any of the sequels yet.
The whole thing is time based, iirc. Its been a while since I've played. My only disappointment was that I couldn't find anyway to load player made campaigns into the mobile version, which would have made the game last way longer for me.
The Monster Baru Cormorant - Seth Dickinson
Steam: Korvalain
EDIT: The only real issue I had with Shadowrun is that it was poorly optimized and not meant for phone-sized screens so trying to move someone over 1 spot was almost impossible and you can't zoom in to make your tapping more precise and the text was legible but very small.
SteamID: edgruberman GOG Galaxy: EdGruberman
Penny Arcade Rockstar Social Club / This is why I despise cyclists
I played it up to level 8 and got a few decent riders from the loot boxes, but it turned into a chore. All the microtransactions are expensive and the monthly sub is 5 euros. Its crazy, its just a casual racing game against bots, yet they act as if their players would want to spend a shitton of money on it.
Not any more they aren't. And I'd buy them in a fucking heartbeat if they were.
Unless I've missed something...
Steam | XBL
Isn't there a 1 week free trial?
Yeah haha and I'm on it. There's just a mountain of games that I don't know the quality of. My time is valuable and was hoping someone could point out a sleeper hit for me. Like I really enjoyed Knights of Pen and Paper... Hoping to find games like that.
Working through Thimbleweed now. Awesome port (and game)
FFT was impossible to play on a phone. It might be doable on a tablet.
I played through FFT on my Kindle fire HD 10 inch and it worked reasonably well. I suspect my biggest issues were just interface issues from games that are that old (info that should have been more readily accessible during battles was buried under multiple levels of menu).
SteamID: edgruberman GOG Galaxy: EdGruberman
Edit: not forever because it ran slow or anything. Port was flawless. You get the good dialog and none of the slowdown from the psp port. It's mostly the touchscreen interface.
Yeah, somehow FFT is the worst mechanically of the Tactics games. Including Tactics Ogre.
Also, now I'm sad, because I just realized I have this game, and a bluetooth controller, but apparently that doesn't work, so I will continue to not play it I guess.
The Monster Baru Cormorant - Seth Dickinson
Steam: Korvalain
I'd rather they release Tactics Ogre. Or *gasp*, a new Tactics game. Go back to the real grim dark roots.
The Monster Baru Cormorant - Seth Dickinson
Steam: Korvalain
The menu and info systems were already super convoluted in FFT for the psx. Must be horrible on the phone.
Yeah the touch controls were a weird hybrid of gesture and precision tapping. Like to move the cursor through the menu you could swipe anywhere. Then you tap the menu item or cursor to select it. I didn't have took much trouble with that. It was little QoL improvements that the game is missing because of its age. The big one was when casting spells you had to they would just give you the proper enemy names in the battle order. You had to then look up which guy on the field had that name and that was like 3 menus deep. But you had to back out of spellcasting to get there, then go back to spellcasting. It was really tedious.
SteamID: edgruberman GOG Galaxy: EdGruberman
The Monster Baru Cormorant - Seth Dickinson
Steam: Korvalain
It's been advertised as having "350 games," which may be more reasonable as "350 games and apps," but I don't see nearly that many. Pocket Gamer's list has only 51 games, which more closely reflects what actually appears to be available. Which... kind of isn't a lot, when you account for individual tastes.
Right now my list is a little too tailored to my own tastes: Hoplite; 80 Days; Card Crawl; Stardew Valley; 3D Anatomy (heh); Pocket City; Polytopia; I Love Hue. Today I need to try Licht Speer, Monument Valley, Limbo, Mars: Mars, Reigns: Her Majesty; Thimbleweed Park; Lumino City; Tiny Bang Story; Framed 2.
I should have some actioney, real-time game, but I hate those on phones. Anyone who likes those games have a rec for the best? Or any underdogs that deserve to leapfrog KOTOR et al. on a listicle buried in the depths of the internet?
But honestly, if this isn't some kind of new career, why not stick to the genres you can actually have an honest opinion about? No one is supposed to be able to appreciate all genres.
Seems odd that only Sorcery! 4 is on that list and not its predecessors. But they can all be played standalone.
KOTOR may be just too obvious, of course it is, but it should still be on there. It's not just a classic game, but it's a surprisingly good port that works well on a phone.
Steam | XBL
You have very good eyes, young'un.
I'll probably try that, but, hey, an assignment's an assignment. It's a deal with this guy where I'll write him a few articles but one of them gets to be about my own indie game. So it's mercenary all around.
Door Kickers isn't on Play Pass. Will definitely play Mini Metro today, it sounds perfect.
Battle royal opens up at level 7
Nothing felt pay to win.
Unlocks were okay for team deathmatch.
Third mode in development
Battleroyal map had boss marker, summoned "cerberus" which looked more like demon dog from ghostbusters 1.
Won a single BR mode but felt no reason to keep playing.
Give it some time unless you really want the goodies from this first season.
http://www.fallout3nexus.com/downloads/file.php?id=16534
That's the best one I've heard all day
Hmm, Door Kickers was on that list. Guess that list is worse than we thought!
Steam | XBL
Most of their paid games are really good, I would personally suggest Ninja Village and Biz Builder Deluxe, along with staple Game Dev Story.