The fight over which console is "better" is horrendous, and even more so between consoles and PCs. I'm not even going to go there. Where I will give my two cents is on mobile gaming. There is almost no dispute between mobile gaming and other platforms, because people write off mobile gaming pretty consistently as not being "real." I play "real" games too, and have for most of my life. And because I love games I know the value of a good one, despite where they come from. So here are four mobile games that I think deserve a bit more respect.
Before I get into my list, it does some good to talk about the strengths of mobile gaming in general. If you're reading this on anything other than a computer then you can already play mobile games. It's that easy; no consoles, TVs or super powerful PCs that cost about three iPhones. There are a lot of unique games being developed by new or indie companies, and there are increasingly more and more popular console games being ported for mobile. There's enough variety on the mobile market that there really is something out there for everyone. You can be anywhere from a casual app peruser to a hardcore gamer, and there will be a mobile game that is perfect for you, guaranteed.
It should also be noted that the games I'm discussing are exclusively mobile. There are tons of amazing games that are released on several platforms, including mobile, but to make my point that these games are just as good as any console game, I'm sticking to mobile developed only.
1. "Lili: Child of Geos" by BitMonster Games
$4.99
iOS (September 2012)
"Lili" is a game that I revisit again and again. It's beautiful, calming and easy to play. I don't recommend this game for those who only like hardcore games, because even on "hard" this game is fairly simple. However, if you want to explore a beautiful island, meet interesting characters or become the hero of what is basically a civil rights revolution, then this game is for you.
You play as university student Lili, who travels to the island Geos for her degree thesis. She's there to study flowers, but she soon realizes there's a deep rift between the wood-made Constructs and their masters, the Spirits. It is your choice to either keep on studying flowers, or lead a class revolution that would leave a tear in Karl Marx's eye.
This game isn't as overly political as it sounds; it's actually quite fun and carefree considering what it represents. What I like most is how relaxed "Lili" is by way of its objectives. Sure, there are certain tasks you have to complete to progress the game, but you never have to actually do what the game says. If you want to just break into all the homes and steal treasure, pick flowers or talk to villagers, you can, and the game won't bug you about it. "Lili" is a great example of how a game can transport you to an amazing place you would never get to visit otherwise.
2. "Detective Grimoire" by SFB Games
$1.99
iOS, Android (January 2014)
"Detective Grimoire" is a great game, and I'm super mad about it because this is the only game of the series SFB Games has and will make. But this is such a good game that I will subject you to the same heartbreak I still feel to this day. You play as the titular Detective Grimoire, sent to a tourist location called Boggy's Bog to investigate a murder. Boggy's Bog is a swamp with a legend about a large, mythic frog thing that lives there. I guess people find that appealing?
This game is odd in an incredibly charming way, from the location to the characters to the dialogue (which is fully voiced). This game definitely requires some thinking and detective work, so if you want something more mindless I'd look elsewhere. It is up to you to not only figure out the murder you were summoned to solve, but to uncover all the mysteries surrounding Boggy's Bog. If you fancy yourself a good mystery, then this game is for you. I also recommend this to fans of the classic point and click adventures, as this game is very reminiscent of the good games in that genre. The story is awesome, the music is awesome, the art is awesome. I'm very mad it's so awesome.
3. "Devil's Attorney" by 1337 Game Design
$2.99
iOS, Android (October 2012)
Let me just start by saying that the game's intro is worth the price itself. I have linked it below in all its '80s wonderfulness.
"Devil's Attorney" is a turn-based strategy game, a genre with which I had no familiarity before playing this. It's easy to pick up whether or not you've played this type of game before. You play as the witty Max McMann as he defends clients with moral abandon. His clientele isn't guilty per say, at least not legally, because Max McMann never loses. You go up against a variety of prosecutors all with different skills, and it is your job to destroy the opposing counsel's credibility without losing all of yours. With the money from the successful cases, you get to buy various items for your apartment, appearance and more that give you extra skills in the courtroom. The dialogue and voice acting in this game is hilarious, I have never played a more clever game. Every case is amusing and there are a lot of great references to pick out. There's a lot of charm and style in this one.
4. "Radiation Island" by Atypical Games
$2.99
iOS (January 2015)
"Radiation Island" is probably the most hardcore out of the bunch. It's a first-person open world survival game, with zombies, crafting and multiplayer. That's a lot of words that may or may not mean anything to you. Basically, this game offers everything a console game does for $3. For me, it seems like the love child of "Far Cry" and "Minecraft."
The developers don't hold your hand one bit; you're just thrown onto this mysterious island on which you have to feed yourself, stay healthy, find out what the heck is going on and stay away from sword-wielding zombies. This game is gorgeous; many a time I have died from being distracted by a sunset or an animal. This is a good game for those who want to try something more challenging, but have never played a survival game before. "Radiation Island" will push your mobile device to its limits, so I recommend that you enjoy this one close to a power source.
So, I'm hoping that regardless of your stance on mobile games, and how "real" they are, that you find some use out of this list. There are plenty more great games that I'll leave up to you to discover on your own. Because, honestly, there's nothing like getting a cheap game on a whim and being completely and unknowingly blown away by it.
