Subscriptions Worth Your Time
As the video game industry continues to move deeper into a world driven by subscription services, the mobile game landscape evolves with it. Since last year, three standout subscriptions continue to grow and offer lots of options for those willing to pay up for a monthly pass:
Apple Arcade (iOS, $4.99 per month) — over 140 games, many of which are exclusively made for mobile.
Play Pass (Android, $4.99 per month) — a less refined list of over 300 games and apps including hits like Stardew Valley Game Dev Tycoon.
Game Club (iOS and Android, $4.99 per month) -—over 120 games with the goal of revitalizing and updating delisted and older mobile classics.
Sky: Children of Light
iOS and Android, free-to-play
For those looking for something calm and relaxing, Sky offers a simple platforming experience in a striking demonstration of graphical fidelity. Soar from island to island as you solve simple puzzles and collect trinkets and other collectibles. Thanks to the online functionality, you can team up with friends and strangers as you upgrade your abilities and powers. An optional Adventure Pass is available for purchase and gives you additional rewards and tasks.
Pascal's Wager
iOS and Android, $6.99
This one is a little dangerous as it's more expensive to throw your phone across the room instead of a controller. Pascal's Wager does not hide its very clear inspiration from the Dark Souls series, so expect a challenge. The dark and grim world is filled with powerful beasts and the combat focuses on attacking, blocking, parrying and rolling, all while you maintain your stamina bar. If you ever needed the pain that comes with playing a Souls game on the go, now is your chance.
Gumslinger
iOS and Android, free-to-play
Mobile games were once seen as the ultimate time wasters and while Gumslinger's premise and idea are simple in nature, there's a lot of polish and nuance that makes it a joy to play. Play as gummy candy in squishy gun shootouts as you fight to take down your opponent's health bar. Costumes, weapons and the like can be unlocked, giving you something to work for.
Kart Rider Rush+
iOS and Android, free-to-play
If you're in the mood for some racing, Kart Rider Rush+ and its cartoonish style provide solid kart controls and physics along with fun items and plenty of different modes. Rotating events and seasonal updates give consistent players a lot to do as time goes on. A solid mobile racer released earlier this year!
Mario Kart Tour is another great choice as it brings the look and feel of a traditional Mario Kart game to mobile in proper form. Do watch out for the absurdly priced in-game currency and character packs, though.
Maze Machina
iOS and Android, free-to-play (Android), $1.99 (iOS)
Puzzle games feel right at home on mobile and this platform is a great place to incorporate touch controls for smooth playing. Maze Machina is a turn-based swiping puzzler where you guide your character through a set of 16 tiles avoiding traps and enemies. It takes a moment to wrap your head around the concept, but it's certainly worth it and a standout from this year. The artwork is gorgeous too!
Plague Inc.
iOS and Android, $0.99
Although originally released in 2012, Plague Inc. saw a resurgence in popularity when the current coronavirus pandemic started earlier this year. The game throws you into the role of a virus as you attempt to spread across the world through different means of transportation and mutations. A few months later, developer Ndemic Creations created a new mode focused on just the opposite, stopping a disease and saving the world from annihilation. This positive new mode, dubbed The Cure, is the game's biggest update yet and enough to give this strategy game another round of applause in 2020.
Guardian Tales
iOS and Android, free-to-play
In the mood for an RPG? Guardian Tales is set in a bright and colorful world where you control a cast of four characters and fight in automatic battles. Puzzles reminiscent of The Legend of Zelda work great with the top down view and there's also a PvP mode. There are gacha mechanics but it is more than doable to grind for character shards and equipment on your own.
Genshin Impact is another great mobile RPG featuring an open world in a 3D environment, although it is also available on PC.
Pokemon Go
iOS and Android, free-to-play
Although it isn't making headlines like it did at launch in 2016, Pokemon Go had its biggest year yet as it shifted game mechanics and events to cater to players staying home throughout the year. The virtual weekend-long Go Fest and the addition of Remote Raids allowed players to play from their homes, particularly for events that usually require heading outside to capture creatures in a real-world map. Now, with the introduction of seasons and the first round of Generation 6 monsters, Pokemon Go heads into 2021 with even more promise.
A3: Still Alive and Other Multiplayer Games
The recently released A3: STILL ALIVE is a new multiplayer game that blends the dark fantasy open-world RPG and Battle Royale genres. There are over 300 characters among five class types, but there's also a few wild modes like the one that lets two teams of 100 players each battle it out.
Eve Echoes is not a port of EVE Online on PC but instead its own MMORPG specifically designed for mobile that finally launched this year.
Call of Duty Mobile continues to impress with solid online multiplayer action. There are plenty of events and Season 13 starts this month.
Among Us gets a special shoutout for its recent spike in popularity and because it's actually really good. And addicting. Although it was originally released in 2018, Among Us left its mark on 2020 and is certainly worth a try.
Photo courtesy of Thatgamecompany
