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James Pinnell reviews the latest games for iOS smartphones & tablets.

Albion Online THE HANDHELD SANDBOX.

Free with IAP

Originally a Kickstarter darling, Albion Online has grown organically into a deep, detailed sandbox MMO. Based on a classless system, players grow as they go, building skills via crafting, fighting, gathering and building. With its simple 3D top-down graphics, Albion was always a perfect candidate for mobile and its release has seen a carefully managed UI redesign to suit touch devices.

It’s worth noting that this is not a casual experience – Albion requires a fairly significant time investment to thoroughly enjoy, due to its heavy focus on guild vs guild play, territory conquering, and player-run trading system. But like Eve Echoes, another deep and engrossing MMO ported onto the mobile space, the benefit of a portable device allows for play in more places.

Controls are a mixture of on-screen joystick and touch – the game will detect when you are in a combat or gathering scenario and change context to match. You can jump on and off mounts with ease – although I will note that in this case a larger screen is advised, although it still runs and plays surprisingly well on a phone screen.

Gameplay wise, there’s a lot in this package – you can be combat focused, learning either physical or magic skills, or you can be a farmer, building a home and plot to grow crops to sell into the economy. There are battles big and small, both in an arena or in the world. You can even settle on a private island and set up your own stores, hire labourers, and automate your business.

The spectacular part of Albion Online is the complete lack of compromise – this is the PC version to a tee. Not only is it cross-platform with the PC and

Mac versions, but every single feature and option is available. It runs exceptionally well on both Android and iOS based on testing, and transitioning between any platform is very simple.

Because of this, there are also no mobile specific drawbacks – no ads, no currency packs, no pay to win. It’s an exceptional package and recommended for anyone with even a passing interest in RPGs.

RuneScape THE CLASSIC MMO HITS MOBILE.

Free with IAP

RuneScape was one of the first free MMORPGs to truly gain a following back in the very early 2000s.

Originally starting as a browser game based on the Java programming language, it was slow and janky, but eventually grew into an incredibly detailed and deep sandbox with over 200 million users. Its current version, known as Runescape 2, is the third iteration and the basis for the mobile port – which, as it currently stands, is a very clunky experience. Like Albion, Runescape is cross-platform, meaning the PC and mobile versions work in sync. But unlike Albion, Runescape has not been optimised well for the mobile experience. In most scenarios there is a LOT on screen, and much of it is streaming into the world as you play, meaning movement is clunky and menu content is hard to read and fills most of the screen. Functionally, the game is exceptionally detailed and engrossing, but the mobile client does not do it any favours at all.

Huntdown A GRITTY 80’S FUTURESCAPE.

Free Demo ($14 for full version)

If you’re a fan of older run-and-gun shooters - think Contra - Huntdown is a spectacular throwback to the dark and dirty future of the 80s and 90s. A detailed and gory love letter to the past, players take control of a bounty hunter determined to clean up the streets – for cash of course. There are three characters on offer, each with different weapons and skills, and 20 levels (in the full version) to blast your way through. Graphics are in gorgeous, 16-bit “Super Nintendo” style detail and a smooth 60fps flow throughout. There’s also, thankfully and highly recommended, support for controllers. The original download is essentially a demo that includes the first level – unlocking the full game is a $14 hit, which seems fairly high but is also in line with other platforms (PC and console), which offer the exact same experience. There’s also full iCloud/Google Play support which allows cross-saving across phones, tablets and TV. But beware – it is exceptionally difficult, especially at later levels.

Boom Karts CERTAINLY A KART RACER.

Free with IAP

Boom Karts is absolutely what it says on the tin – a Kart Racer. There’s not a lot of personality here, as everything looks, feels and sounds obscenely generic, but on the plus side it performs in the way many other Kart racers on mobile forget – it’s fun. Not only is it a fun arcade distraction, it runs fast and smooth, controls well (though there is no controller support), has a variety of levels, karts, avatars and real-time multiplayer. There is a single player challenge system, blueprints to unlock and customise new Karts, and upgrades. Unfortunately, it does feature currency packs, loot boxes and all the usual mobile guff, but thankfully much of it is completely avoidable. The league system is surprisingly detailed although much of your progression is linked to upgrades, rather than skill of play. In many cases I stuck to the friendly races and enjoyed them – unlike flashier competition like Mario Kart and Sonic Racing, Boom Karts allows you to simply and easily jump into a race with a mate.

Tour De France 2021 NO CARDBOARD OBSTACLES HERE.

Free with IAP

I feel like Tour De France 2021 is far too obsessed with the concept of itself to let players who aren’t cycling tragics genuinely enjoy this cycling competition-cum-management simulation. On the plus side, when you do get to play it’s an interesting look at the strange way these competitions are raced. The meat and potatoes of play is based around building and training a team of riders and then competing them in a simulated TDF or custom multiplayer race. There’s some base building, and management of things like stamina and morale – as someone who doesn’t watch professional cycling, it was a fun experience. But then there’s the trivia. So much trivia. Not only that but it’s linked to progression. Why? I would assure you that while there would be a chunk of the TDF fan base here, most players would just want to race. Additionally, there’s a lot of bugs – I had the game slow down and crash on occasion, as well as an exceptionally long loading time between levels.