Mobile Gaming 2021 | Looks Like A Cheap Mobile Game Thread

Seijuro · Feb 21, 2021

So my wife is not a big gamer, but loves playing Homescapes, a puzzle game where you also renovate houses. She's annoyed though because of the MTX make it very hard for her to progress without spending mony. Since I don't know the first thing about mobile games, I'm asking here:
Any advice on alternatives on the Google Play Store? Games with simulation aspect, renovation, makeover (she also played Project Makeover, but that also seems to be greedy). Something in the direction of The Sims, but no farming games (like Stardew Valley).

DinkyDev · Feb 21, 2021

Seijuro said:
So my wife is not a big gamer, but loves playing Homescapes, a puzzle game where you also renovate houses. She's annoyed though because of the MTX make it very hard for her to progress without spending mony. Since I don't know the first thing about mobile games, I'm asking here:
Any advice on alternatives on the Google Play Store? Games with simulation aspect, renovation, makeover (she also played Project Makeover, but that also seems to be greedy). Something in the direction of The Sims, but no farming games (like Stardew Valley).

Not quite home makeover, but maybe she'd like Pocket City? No mtx, simple version of sim city etc... nice art.

Pocket City - Apps on Google Play

A casual city building game. Become the mayor and create your own metropolis!

play.google.com

MarioW · Feb 21, 2021

Seijuro said:
So my wife is not a big gamer, but loves playing Homescapes, a puzzle game where you also renovate houses. She's annoyed though because of the MTX make it very hard for her to progress without spending mony. Since I don't know the first thing about mobile games, I'm asking here:
Any advice on alternatives on the Google Play Store? Games with simulation aspect, renovation, makeover (she also played Project Makeover, but that also seems to be greedy). Something in the direction of The Sims, but no farming games (like Stardew Valley).

Don't have a suggestion for an alternative so much as a strategy. I'm close to level 5000 on Gardenscapes (by the same developer) without spending. Occasionally, I get stuck on a level for a couple of days or more. The key is a level of patience and logging in diligently every day to collect your free currency and boosts, storing those up, using your free lives to attempt the level multiple times, then after a few days blowing your boosts and currency to get past the level once you have enough stored. If she can get past her frustration and believe every level is possible without spending, then hopefully she can find peace and approach the game this way. Indeed, I'm playing the metagame of seeing whether I can "beat" the developer by getting to the "end" without monetizing, which helps give me both the will to carry on while proactively not taking shortcuts by monetizing.

Killercow · Feb 22, 2021

Warhammer Odyssey is out now:

‎Warhammer: Odyssey MMORPG

‎Old school 3D MMORPG - no Autoplay. Immerse yourself in the iconic Warhammer Fantasy world. Classic MMO gameplay with measured tactical combat. Group focused play with genuine danger and challenge. A Warhammer Fantasy MMORPG like no other. Morrslieb the Chaos Moon grows large in the…

apps.apple.com

Rodney McKay · Feb 23, 2021

I'm trying to remember a golf game that came to mobile a while back.

I think it was a port of a SNES era game (I think) with realistic players, behind the back style (like Mario Golf).

Weirdly can't find it by searching on the app/play store, maybe it was delistes or something.

Saucycarpdog · Feb 23, 2021

Rodney McKay said:
I'm trying to remember a golf game that came to mobile a while back.

I think it was a port of a SNES era game (I think) with realistic players, behind the back style (like Mario Golf).

Weirdly can't find it by searching on the app/play store, maybe it was delistes or something.

I think you're talking about Neo Turf Masters and your right, Dotemu seems to have delisted the game.

awp69 · Feb 23, 2021

It's still downloadable via purchase history if you bought it.

luca · Feb 23, 2021

Is the iOS version of Chrono Trigger good? I seem to come across great impressions of it in the App Store reviews but then I see YouTube videos complaining about the Steam version which is based on the mobile one calling it ugly. I'm considering it, and it's nice it got controller support.

BetterGraphics · Feb 23, 2021

Pachimari said:
Is the iOS version of Chrono Trigger good? I seem to come across great impressions of it in the App Store reviews but then I see YouTube videos complaining about the Steam version which is based on the mobile one calling it ugly. I'm considering it, and it's nice it got controller support.

Keen to know about this too. Just got a Backbone controller and wouldn't mind stocking up on Square games if they support it.

awp69 · Feb 23, 2021

Pachimari said:
Is the iOS version of Chrono Trigger good? I seem to come across great impressions of it in the App Store reviews but then I see YouTube videos complaining about the Steam version which is based on the mobile one calling it ugly. I'm considering it, and it's nice it got controller support.

I think it's a good port. Goes on sale every once in a while.

Killercow · Feb 24, 2021

The great puzzler/platformer Chronology has been rescued from 32bit hell and is now available again on modern devices, 6 years after its latest update:

‎Chronology - Deluxe Edition

‎A platform-adventure game about time travelling, puzzle solving and a friendship between an Old Inventor and a Snail. "When Braid and LIMBO had a pretty baby" - bagogames.com Key Features: • Solve puzzle by travelling back and forth in - or freezing - time. • Characters with heart and...

apps.apple.com

awp69 · Feb 25, 2021

Couple of Final Fantasy VII games announced for mobile. One a battle Royale style game (surely F2P) and another called Ever Crisis that is supposed to cover all the FF VII games storylines. Sounds maybe like the FF XV pocket edition so hopefully premium.

Final Fantasy 7: The First Soldier and Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis Announced for Mobile - IGN

Square Enix has announced Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier, a battle royale game set in Midgar before the events of Final Fantasy 7, and Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis, a "chapter-structured single player game covering the whole of the FFVII timeline - including the events of the original...

www.ign.com

Saucycarpdog · Feb 25, 2021

awp69 said:
Couple of Final Fantasy VII games announced for mobile. One a battle Royale style game (surely F2P) and another called Ever Crisis that is supposed to cover all the FF VII games storylines. Sounds maybe like the FF XV pocket edition so hopefully premium.

Final Fantasy 7: The First Soldier and Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis Announced for Mobile - IGN

Square Enix has announced Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier, a battle royale game set in Midgar before the events of Final Fantasy 7, and Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis, a "chapter-structured single player game covering the whole of the FFVII timeline - including the events of the original...

www.ign.com

Ever Crises sounds like it could be good. I'm hoping for premium as well.

The salt in the other threads is amusing to watch in any case.

Saucycarpdog · Feb 27, 2021

ICYMI: The retro 80s-themed sidescroller Huntdown is coming to mobile (again)

Awesome Platform Shooter ‘Huntdown’ Gets Announced for Mobile 5 Years After Being Announced for Mobile – TouchArcade

Navigating the world of mobile games is always tricky business. As we've talked about numerous times over the years, mobile gaming has a negative stigma in the traditional gaming space, and the timing of multiplatform releases can be integral into how well your game is received.

toucharcade.com

Delroy · Feb 27, 2021

I'm looking for a few good, short, fairly straightforward and/or easy game that I can play on the side as I work through Persona 5 Strikers. I'd like a game with a defined endpoint, for example I just finished up Embracelet. Any suggestions?

Saucycarpdog · Feb 28, 2021

Delroy said:
I'm looking for a few good, short, fairly straightforward and/or easy game that I can play on the side as I work through Persona 5 Strikers. I'd like a game with a defined endpoint, for example I just finished up Embracelet. Any suggestions?

-Florence
-There is No Game: Wrong Dimension
-Tomb Toad
-Steamworld Quest
-Astrologaster
-Donut County

Delroy · Feb 28, 2021

Saucycarpdog said:
-Florence
-There is No Game: Wrong Dimension
-Tomb Toad
-Steamworld Quest
-Astrologaster
-Donut County

I've played all but Tomb Toad and There is No Game. Thanks for the recommendations, I'll look into those two for sure! If you have any others, please feel free to share.

rsfour · Mar 1, 2021

Lol Jetpack Joyride 2 with the IAPs and stamina system. Nothing says uninstall faster than stamina.

Zaubrer · Mar 1, 2021

rsfour said:
Lol Jetpack Joyride 2 with the IAPs and stamina system. Nothing says uninstall faster than stamina.

yea, agree. strange how devs still try that monetization route when there are seemingly a dozen better ways

Saucycarpdog · Mar 1, 2021

February Recap

Titan Quest: Legendary Edition

iOS / Android

Knightin'+

iOS / Android

Survival Z (Apple Arcade)

iOS

Fury of Dracula

iOS / Android

Warhammer: Odyssey

iOS / Android

Inked

iOS / Android

Total Eggscape!

iOS / Android

Rodney McKay · Mar 1, 2021

rsfour said:
Lol Jetpack Joyride 2 with the IAPs and stamina system. Nothing says uninstall faster than stamina.

If Trials Frontier didn't have a stamina/fuel meter I genuinely think it would be one of the best mobile games ever.

When it first came out I played it on my iPad Mini and I could "cheat" the stamina system (and the long time it takes to do upgrades) by setting the clock forward a day. I played a ton of the game that way and it was pretty great until they started requiring an online connection and you couldn't use that loophole anymore.

It had a great look, ran well, and had a TON of content, but it was all ruined by the stamina gauge, the lengthy timers on upgrades, and the randomized wheel spin for getting upgrade components (requiring you to replay levels over and over to get what you needed).

I reinstalled it recently to see how it was and apparently they didn't have the game optimized for high framerate phones. The games runs at double speed on a 120hz phone, haha.

Zaubrer · Mar 2, 2021

Saucycarpdog said:
Inked

iOS / Android

how is Inked? App Store reviews are mixed at best, but it looks so cool

Megasoum · Mar 4, 2021

I've been playing The Room Old Sins on my android phone for a few days now and really enjoying it.

I realized that I might as well play it on my tablet (Android as well) so I installed it there but I can't get the cloud saves to work. Anybody has experience with that stuff?

My in-game profile on my phone was originally an offline profile. I tapped icon to sign in with Google on the profile page and then turned on the toggle for cloud saves. When I loaded my profile afterward it unlocked a bunch of achievements all at once which makes sense since I have already done some progress.

Now on my tablet I went straight to the Google Sign-in button and then also turned on the cloud saves option but it doesn't seem to be downloading my profile. I still only see three "New Profiles" button on the Profiles screen.

I tried signing out and back in and toggling the cloud saves button a few times on both devices but no luck.

Anybody has an idea?

Edit: nvm, I have now finished the game on my phone haha. Great game.

Kinan · Mar 4, 2021

Damn, Warhammer Odyssey looks and plays pretty awful. Old Mythic Warhammer MMO was way better in both deparments. Maybe it gets better further in, but just could not bring myself to play it for more than 2 hours.

D_Reynholm · Mar 4, 2021

Kinan said:
Damn, Warhammer Odyssey looks and plays pretty awful. Old Mythic Warhammer MMO was way better in both departments. Maybe it gets better further in, but just could not bring myself to play it for more than 2 hours.

I know, such a shame. I am still hoping for a "real" mobile MMO, something like GW2 with no autoplay would hook for me.

jon bones · Mar 4, 2021

Kinan said:
Damn, Warhammer Odyssey looks and plays pretty awful. Old Mythic Warhammer MMO was way better in both deparments. Maybe it gets better further in, but just could not bring myself to play it for more than 2 hours.

next hope: Diablo Immortal...

fingers crossed for that one

Saucycarpdog · Mar 4, 2021

Arcade brawler Clan N:

‎Clan N

‎Clan N is a beat'em up game which combines the classic arcades gameplay with today's modern brawlers. With a fast paced nature, you have to dodge, block and use your light, heavy and special attacks wisely to progress. With an ancient far east theme, you'll get challenged across 7 different...

apps.apple.com

Clan N - Apps on Google Play

Fight alone or with your friends in this arcade inspired epic brawler!

play.google.com

Strategy Roguelike Deckbuilding card game Tavern Rumble:

‎Tavern Rumble

‎Tavern Rumble is a Free Strategy Roguelike Deckbuilding Card Games Start your adventure with basic mercenary cards, fight your way up, get loot and strengthen your deck to fight strong Bosses along the way. Discover synergies between each cards. A card might be useless on their own, but use it...

apps.apple.com

Tavern Rumble: Roguelike Card - Apps on Google Play

Enjoy 30 minutes of deckbuilding in a Roguelike Card Games adventure

play.google.com

Megasoum · Mar 5, 2021

Are some games on Android not crossbuy?

I bought the first The Room game on my phone but when I go to download it on my tablet it doesn't show as purchased.

I can actually see it in my purchase history in my account settings on the tablet but it still doesn't show as purchased on the store page.

Killercow · Mar 5, 2021

Tokyo 42, a PC/Console port by Gameclub:

‎Tokyo 42

‎Tokyo 42 is a hyper-stylish isometric open-world shooter. Framed for a murder you didn't commit, you'll delve into a world of assassins, deadly corporate intrigue and... tactical cats. Skillful shooting, bullet physics, and sneaky stealth all play a role in the ultra-colorful kinetic frenzy. Spin…

apps.apple.com

SP!NG by SMG Studios (pretty fun release this week):

‎SP!NG

‎Experience the zen and skillful world of SP!NG. With only one touch, flow through hundreds of hand-crafted levels. Unlock new themes that change the look and feel of your experience. Earn new characters and perfect levels to unlock new challenging modes. Features: * 500+ levels (and more to...

apps.apple.com

Nerun · Mar 5, 2021

Football Manager 2021 Mobile is now included in Google Play Pass

Killercow · Mar 7, 2021

I've finished (100%) SP!NG, the latest Apple Arcade release by smgstudio on Apple Arcade in a weekend! That was quite good and addictive.

RoadDogg · Mar 7, 2021

Killercow said:
I've finished (100%) SP!NG, the latest Apple Arcade release by smgstudio on Apple Arcade in a weekend! That was quite good and addictive.

Any tips on how I am supposed to get my time down to sub 20 seconds for the daily challenge when the first level of it takes at least 19 to clear in its own?

Killercow · Mar 8, 2021

RoadDogg said:
Any tips on how I am supposed to get my time down to sub 20 seconds for the daily challenge when the first level of it takes at least 19 to clear in its own?

Sadly I'm not good with timed levels so I won't be able to help you there !

Rodney McKay · Mar 8, 2021

Megasoum said:
Are some games on Android not crossbuy?

I bought the first The Room game on my phone but when I go to download it on my tablet it doesn't show as purchased.

I can actually see it in my purchase history in my account settings on the tablet but it still doesn't show as purchased on the store page.

Is it an older tablet? Some Android devices if they're an older Android version or hardware might not have an app show up if it's not compatible.

You can always try downloading and I stalling the .apk file and installing it that way to see if it works.

The Room 1 is pretty old at this point, so it would be weird if that's the case.

Megasoum · Mar 8, 2021

Rodney McKay said:
Is it an older tablet? Some Android devices if they're an older Android version or hardware might not have an app show up if it's not compatible.

You can always try downloading and I stalling the .apk file and installing it that way to see if it works.

The Room 1 is pretty old at this point, so it would be weird if that's the case.

Ended up fixing the issue by deleting the cache and data on my Tablet's Play Store app. When I went back in it saw it properly right away!

Voidance · Mar 8, 2021

Is there a way I can get a game save off my iPad and put it on my iPhone? The game does not have iCloud saves and I'd rather not lose hours of progress restarting on my phone. I remember there were programs back in the day that allowed you to see some of the device's file structure, but I can't remember what they were called and, more importantly, if they still work.

Killercow · Mar 8, 2021

Voidance said:
Is there a way I can get a game save off my iPad and put it on my iPhone? The game does not have iCloud saves and I'd rather not lose hours of progress restarting on my phone. I remember there were programs back in the day that allowed you to see some of the device's file structure, but I can't remember what they were called and, more importantly, if they still work.

If the game doesn't support iTunes File Sharing (and most don't) you won't be able to do so I think without being jailbroken AFAIK.

Voidance · Mar 8, 2021

Killercow said:
If the game doesn't support iTunes File Sharing (and most don't) you won't be able to do so I think without being jailbroken AFAIK.

Thanks! That's what I expected but still annoyed there's no easy way to transfer.

Killercow · Mar 10, 2021

After Tokyo 42 last week, Ancestors Legacy: Viking‪s, the historical RTS, has been ported from PC to mobile by GameClub and is now available:

‎Ancestors Legacy: Vikings

‎The sound of clashing swords and axes. The smell of burning buildings. The thrill of battle, and the glory of Valhalla. Take command of a viking army and march against your foes. Raid their resources, pillage their towns, and deal a deadly fate to any fools that raise their arms against you. In...

apps.apple.com

Saucycarpdog · Mar 10, 2021

You know what, I'm gonna grab a month of gameclub just to show my appreciation for the work they are doing.

Katana_Strikes · Mar 10, 2021

Any good tower defence games recently?

OhSatan · Mar 10, 2021

Killercow said:
Warhammer Odyssey is out now:

‎Warhammer: Odyssey MMORPG

‎Old school 3D MMORPG - no Autoplay. Immerse yourself in the iconic Warhammer Fantasy world. Classic MMO gameplay with measured tactical combat. Group focused play with genuine danger and challenge. A Warhammer Fantasy MMORPG like no other. Morrslieb the Chaos Moon grows large in the…

apps.apple.com

neat didn't knew this existed, gonna try it now.

jon bones · Mar 10, 2021

T minus 20 days til Wild Rift

CANT WAIT

awp69 · Mar 10, 2021

Killercow said:
After Tokyo 42 last week, Ancestors Legacy: Viking‪s, the historical RTS, has been ported from PC to mobile by GameClub and is now available:

‎Ancestors Legacy: Vikings

‎The sound of clashing swords and axes. The smell of burning buildings. The thrill of battle, and the glory of Valhalla. Take command of a viking army and march against your foes. Raid their resources, pillage their towns, and deal a deadly fate to any fools that raise their arms against you. In...

apps.apple.com

I decided to finally do the GameClub trial to check out this and the port of Tokyo 42. Ancestors seems like a good game but it's very difficult to play on an iPhone with touch controls. Biggest issue is that the screen moves around to the wrong place when clicking to move a group. I don't know. Maybe I'm doing something wrong but a similar game like Company of Heroes plays much better and more user friendly IMO.

Tokyo 42 also is a mess with touch controls. Too many tiny buttons. Unplayable for me.

There are so many PC games that would be great with touch but these weren't the best ideas to port to attract users. (Though I'm sure others may be more difficult to get the original devs on board).

Anyway, I don't like subscriptions in general. I'll just stick with Apple Arcade for now.

Killercow · Mar 11, 2021

awp69 said:
I decided to finally do the GameClub trial to check out this and the port of Tokyo 42. Ancestors seems like a good game but it's very difficult to play on an iPhone with touch controls. Biggest issue is that the screen moves around to the wrong place when clicking to move a group. I don't know. Maybe I'm doing something wrong but a similar game like Company of Heroes plays much better and more user friendly IMO.

Tokyo 42 also is a mess with touch controls. Too many tiny buttons. Unplayable for me.

There are so many PC games that would be great with touch but these weren't the best ideas to port to attract users. (Though I'm sure others may be more difficult to get the original devs on board).

Anyway, I don't like subscriptions in general. I'll just stick with Apple Arcade for now.

I absolutely agree. While I commend the effort here, these are weird titles to port as they won't really bring a lot of subscribers. But yeah, might be difficult to get more natural or higher profile titles.

Saucycarpdog · Mar 11, 2021

Some releases from this week:

Arcane Golf:

‎Arcane Golf

‎Arcane Golf is a miniature golf puzzle game set in a fantasy world full of dungeons, dangers, gems, and geometry. Play across 250 levels set in 4 unique courses inspired by classic adventure games. From enchanted gems that can instantly teleport the ball, to slimes that swallow it whole...

apps.apple.com

Arcane Golf - Apps on Google Play

Fantasy mini-golf puzzles in a world of dungeons, dangers, and geometry.

play.google.com

Mini DAYZ 2:

‎Mini DAYZ 2

‎A deadly virus plagues the world. Animals are running wild. People are running wilder. Civilization has collapsed and the end times are here. Only you can help humanity. Here’s how: - Meet fellow survivors and become their fearless leader - Embark on dangerous raids alone or with...

apps.apple.com

Blind Drive:

‎Blind Drive

‎Blind Drive is an audio-based, black comedy arcade action game. You’re blindfolded and going against traffic. Cars rushing past, angry drivers yelling at you. Cops on your tail. And you can’t see a thing. Can you do it? The entire game is experienced through your ears. Play as Donnie, trying...

apps.apple.com

Zaubrer · Mar 13, 2021

Blind Drive looks certainly interesting.

Also, saucycarpdog, thanks for keeping this thread alive! Although I don't engage in it that much, I'm still very thankful for your updates and recaps!

Delroy · Mar 13, 2021

Tomb Toad is on sale. Is it worth a look?

Saucycarpdog · Mar 13, 2021

Zaubrer said:
Blind Drive looks certainly interesting.

Also, saucycarpdog, thanks for keeping this thread alive! Although I don't engage in it that much, I'm still very thankful for your updates and recaps!

No problem, I like having a thread where mobile games can be discussed in a sane manner. ;)

Delroy said:
Tomb Toad is on sale. Is it worth a look?

The mechanics are very simple and I'm sure some people will get bored of the game if they try to play it all in one sitting, but I liked it for what it was in short bursts.

Gonna post some more releases because I'm sitting at work bored:

Giant Dancing Plushies:

‎Giant Dancing Plushies

‎Giant Dancing Plushies is a light rhythm game rooted in the joy of simply dancing. Help your adorable peculiar music lover’s Kaiju conquer the planet... dancing! Unlock your giant plushies, upgrade them with a bunch of abilities and make them unstoppable! Play fast missions or compete in...

apps.apple.com

Giant Dancing Plushies - Apps on Google Play

Defeat your plushie's enemies using stomps and abilities in time with music!

play.google.com

Dawncaster: Deckbuilding RP‪G

‎Dawncaster: Deckbuilding RPG

‎Play as a cunning rogue, a brutal warrior, or a mysterious Seeker wielding arcane magic. Or create your own class and play as who- or whatever you want to be! Start playing today, create a unique deck with access to over 300 cards and see how far you can venture into the corrupted lands of Umbris.…

apps.apple.com

Dungeon Village 2

‎Dungeon Village 2

‎A new legend begins here! Build and manage a town in grasslands, snow fields, even in the underworld! Set up inns, weapon stores, and more to convince adventurers to come visit. Use items and equipment to power up your adventurers and help them get more gold and experience from their quests...

apps.apple.com

Dungeon Village 2 - Apps on Google Play

Enter a world of magic and adventure and create your own RPG-style town!

play.google.com

I've never been a big kairosoft fan but I played and enjoyed the first dungeon village so the sequel may be worth a look.

awp69 · Mar 13, 2021

Giant Dancing Plushies is great. You can tell it was probably originally meant as a F2P game. But it's an addictive rhythm game where you control giant plushies that dance to the beat and have different moves to destroy stuff. Fun game!

Dawncasters looks promising but not sure how many of those deckbuilders I really need.

Mobile Gaming 2021 | Looks Like A Cheap Mobile Game Thread

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