This week in mobile games, a new-retro classic dropped on Apple Arcade that you’ll definitely want to check out. There’s also a great new battle royale game on Netflix that will help fulfill any piratey desires you may have. Additionally, we learned that Monument Valley 3 is on the way — eventually.
With so many fun games to discuss, let’s not dilly-dally any further. On to the main event!
Can you dig it? (yes you can)
Apple Arcade has got into a good retro groove lately – after the addition of Amazing Bomberman and the OutRun-inspired fun of Horizon Chase, we’ve now got pixel-art perfection in the shape of Shovel Knight Dig.
It’s a collaboration between Shovel Knight series originator Yacht Club Games and master mobile game maker Nitrome, and it’s wonderful.
The platform adventuring of the other games in the series is all here, but it’s more tightly focused around digging down to discover treasures and trinkets while taking branching paths through to the end of the game.
Every run through the game feels different, thanks to the way the game is remixed a little every time you play, in true roguelike/roguelite style.
A cracker, then – a beautiful retro aesthetic wrapped up in very smart, modern game design.
All aboard the good ship Netflix
Netflix subscribers have a growing catalog of quality games to check out through the iPhone and iPad app – and the latest is a battle royale game set in pirate-infested high seas.
It’s been made by regular Netflix collaborators Rogue Games and Amuzo, who by this point are tried-and-tested game makers.
While they’ve clearly taken inspiration from the superb Brawl Stars in how you progress and upgrade your characters, in the actual battles it’s never not a good time hooning around on the briny sea firing cannons and dropping explosive mines to take out other pirates. Recommended, and totally free of in-app purchases and ads, just like Apple Arcade games.
Monument Valley 3 is coming, but not soon
Ustwo Games teased out a little more about the much-anticipated Monument Valley 3 this week, as part of an interview around its next game Desta: The Memories Between, which is launching on Netflix next week.
Apparently, the team working on the game is growing, and is starting to narrow down the concept behind the game, though Ustwo Games chief creative officer Danny Gray warns that the game’s still “a long way off.”
We got some early details about the game back in March, too — when it emerged that the game could have a ‘green’ theme and was being directed by eco-warrior and former Subway Surfers designer Jennifer Estaris.
It’s not clear which platform it’ll emerge on just yet – but we’d bet it’s a straight fight between Apple Arcade and Netflix to snap it up as an exclusive. It’ll be fascinating to see which tech giant Ustwo Games chooses to side with.
What else to play this week
That’s all, folks!
That’s all of the iOS gaming news for this week. There are several exciting iPhone games and iPad games on the horizon that we can’t wait to get our hands on. For now, the awesome releases of the last few days are more than enough to keep us entertained, and in a variety of genres too.
If nothing else, make sure to play Shovel Knight Dig since it’s a great new entry in the series. Of course, if you want something a bit more chill, Lettermon is a fun way to relax and pass the time with adorable word puzzles and alphabet characters.
Until next week!
– Neil Alexander Long