Popular Mechanics (South Africa)
Games and toys: A round-up of top mobile-phone games.
THERE IS a reason why the mobile-gaming industry is booming – mobile games are inexpensive, accessible and addictive. And, even better, you don’t need to splurge on a console to play, when all you need is your smartphone. Here are three of our recent favourite titles.
SKY: CHILDREN OF THE LIGHT
/ ANDROID, IOS
If you played Flower, Flow or Journey, you’ll immediately be drawn to Sky: Children of the Light, a beautifully animated MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game) by the same developers. Sky is a game where you soar and explore seven dreamlike realms. It’s an adventure through a world of fantasy and wonder as well as the spiritual sequel to Journey but with more features such as cosmetic customisation, levelling up, puzzles and collectibles. Sky has no enemies or dialogue – it’s just you, as you make your way through a whimsical world restoring the stars to the heavens – and, sometimes, when you see another player (real players, just like you), they can help you complete a co-op puzzle. This creates an unspoken but shared experience that’s about being on the same journey and in the same moment. Sky is relaxing, intriguing and quite possibly the prettiest mobile game you’ll ever play.
HATOFUL BOYFRIEND
/ ANDROID, IOS
We bet you never thought you’d be playing a pigeon dating simulator! This avian love story sounds cute but it’s actually quite dark. Hatoful Boyfriend is set on an island inhabited by sapient birds after a mutated strain of the bird flu causes a pandemic that nearly wipes out all humans… Essentially, the birds gained human levels of intelligence and there was a war in which they came out on top. What? Now, you are the only human at the best pigeon school looking for a pigeon partner in all the wrong places. (And yes, there are other kinds of birds if pigeons aren’t your thing.) That said, it’s still quite a lighthearted game that’s replayable because of the multiple endings that you can unlock. It’s weird, but hopefully you’ll find some birdie to love.
STARDEW VALLEY
/ ANDROID, IOS
Stardew Valley is an adorable and addictive farming simulation that will see you planting and harvesting crops, fishing, working the mines and interacting with villagers as you attempt to restore Pelican Town to its former glory. It’s a seasonal sandbox game, which means the crops, fish and wild items change over time. There are also RPG elements – you will find yourself crafting objects and killing monsters. It sounds ridiculously simple but it’s surprisingly complex and the effort you put in truly shows – a date with a villager may turn into a lifelong relationship, and what you choose to focus on will determine your success. Perfect for fans of Animal Crossing, Harvest Moon or Terraria, Stardew Valley is a magical mobile game with a massive lifespan and charming soundtrack. It has a lot of heart and will definitely capture yours.