Let’s face facts – mobile games have a bit of a stigma to them. Most people immediately write them off as being little more than pay-to-win timesinks, while others have a hard enough time accepting that there are games out there that offer more depth than Snakes. But ever since the iPhone led to the smartphone revolution, mobile gaming has made vast leaps and bounds to be as legitimate a platform for deep gaming experiences as console or PC. In order to prove this point, we went ahead and compiled a brief list of games that offer long-lasting gaming experiences on mobile platforms.
Now keep in mind that this isn’t a ranked list – we’re not saying any of these games are better than any other game. We’re simply highlighting a few of our favorites. So read on, and let us know what games we were so dumb for obviously forgetting.
Terraria
If you aren’t aware of what Terraria is by now, allow me to break it down for you. Terraria is an side-scrolling action-adventure set in a procedurally generated 2D world where you gather resources, fend off all sorts of evil creatures (zombies, werewolves, giant hungry eyeballs with nasty big pointy teeth, etc.), and explore an expansive, ever-changing world. As you travel the surface, the lush green forests may become an expansive desert of cacti and… well, not much else. It’s a desert. However, that desert can then lead to an ocean filled with sharks, piranha, and other sea-faring creatures that would love to gnaw on you. Or it may lead to a mountainside where you find caves that lead you to a vast array of underground tunnels, caverns, lagoons, or the brimstone pits of The Underworld.
Terraria isn’t just about exploration, though. You’ll gather resources like copper and stone that can be used to build shelters or craft items to help you fend off the untold threats. From time to time, you may even find yourself engaging in battle against one of the game’s many world bosses, like the carnivorous Plantera (see what they did there?), or the mechanized skeleton head, Skeletron Prime. Only by using the items you’ve built will you be able to survive them all, so, you know… good luck with that.
The game was originally released on PC in 2011, but in August 2013 the game quietly came to iOS and Android devices. For the amount of places to explore and things to collect in the game, as well as a control scheme that more or less carries itself well on mobile devices, Terraria is one of the best values you’ll find on either the iTunes Store or Android Marketplace.
Game of Thrones Ascent
As readers of George R. R. Martin’s fantasy epic and fans of the critically-acclaimed television series can tell you, the land of Westeros can be a bit, erm, “perilous.” However, if political intrigue at the tip of a blade speaks to your inner tyrant, and you enjoy a surprisingly deep strategy game, considering giving Game of Thrones Ascent a shot.
Now I can already hear some of you out there shouting “b-but it’s a Facebook game!” …yeah. And? In Game of Thrones Ascent you are the leader of a small House in Westeros. As you grow your House you’ll have the opportunity to forge alliances with the more known houses, each one granting a bonus that can enhance your personal style of play. You’ll also recruit Sworn Swords, warriors who will serve you more or less faithfully, whom you can send out on missions as you progress through the storyline.
Yes, there is a storyline, and it delves deep into the lore from the novels. Developer Disruptor Beam reached out to established writers, including former BioWare scribes, to pen a multi-act campaign that weaves a tapestry of warfare, political backstabbing, and actual backstabbing. Game of Thrones Ascent is currently available on the iTunes Store.
TownCraft
We recently announced the launch of the official TownCraft wiki, but we think it’s worth another mention if only for how utterly unique the game actually is. You see, TownCraft is a resource-gathering city builder set in a strange and surreal medieval world where you’ve been kicked out of every major kingdom in the land. Rather than simply roll over and succumb to nature, you say “screw that” and decide to build your own city and become a friend (or rival) to the feuding kingdoms.
Each time you start a new town, you’re giving a brand new environment to play with thanks to the game’s procedurally generated maps. Early on you’ll be foraging for supplies to build shops and homes, and forage for food by fishing and farming. As you progress and your town grows, you’ll welcome new residents into your town whom you can hire to work in your shops to increase their efficiency. You will also play host to travelers who make their way to your town to buy, sell, and trade goods. Oh, and you’ll be doing this while the two rival kingdoms – the tyrannical Queen Omnibus and the narcissist King Oligarchy – vie for absolute control of the kingdom.
TownCraft‘s developer, Flat Earth Games, has vowed to never offer microtransactions in the game, meaning that any and all future content released will be yours for free. TownCraft is available on both iOS and Mac.
Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft
When you think of multiplayer games with a hardcore competitive scene, odds are a collectible card game isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But with Hearthstone, the Warcraft-themed CCG from Blizzard Entertainment, that’s definitely changed. A deceptively simple card game on its surface, once you dive in (if you haven’t already) you’ll quickly discover one of the deepest experiences around.
Hearthstone centers around you building your deck based on one of nine different heroes, each with their own unique cards and abilities to aid a particular play style. Do you want to be able to absorb damage while chunking your opponent with heavy strikes? Perhaps Garrosh Hellscream is the Warrior for you. You prefer sustainment and keeping your minions alive? Anduin Wrynn and a Priest deck may be the best option for you. You say you want to build a rush deck using nothing but Murlocs? …you’re just the worst… but if you insist, we have a portal for all of your deck-building needs at Hearthpwn.
The key to victory in Hearthstone is knowing your deck, and being able to counter your opponents when the time comes. The barrier to entry may be a bit frustrating for your first few matches, as you learn the game and collect cards by levelling your preferred heroes, but once it sinks its hooks in you’ll find yourself eating, breathing, and sleeping Hearthstone. As of this writing it’s only available on iPad, but Blizzard has promised iPhone and Android versions by the end of 2014.
Infinity Blade Trilogy
It wouldn’t feel right to end any sort of “awesome mobile games” list without mentioning the series that’s proven, time and again, that PC-like gaming experiences are possible on your cell phone – Infinity Blade. All three games share similar controls and combat, as you explore an vividly detailed game world through tapping highlighted points on your screen, and engage in one-on-one combat with enemies by dodging, parrying, and striking when an opening in their defense appears. Add in some RPG elements like leveling, skill upgrades, and weapon progression, and it’s easy to see why this has become one of the premiere mobile franchises.
Each game in the Infinity Blade series has expanded on the game’s rich and detailed world. The first game sees you storming a castle to do battle against the immortal God King. Infinity Blade II expands greatly on the comparatively-thin plot of the original, as well as incorporating the lore established in the game’s first spin-off novel. By Infinity Blade III, you have an established game world with a history and character that can rival the very best of AAA role-playing games.
All three Infinity Blade titles are available on the iTunes Store. While each game in the series stands well on its own, playing them together is a rewarding and engaging experience that tells a truly epic story.
So, there you have it – some of the most enjoyable experiences you can find on mobile platforms today. There are many more games that I could talk about, of course, and perhaps at some point I will. If there’s one you’d like to see in the future, speak up in the comments section – and if you’re a fan of any of the games on this list, become a contributor and help us expand their wikis. You can find all the information you need to do so by visiting our Help Wiki.