GAMES OF THE WEEK - The 5 best new games for iOS and Android - September 26th
Not including Apple Arcade or games from subscription models.
Hello and welcome to another entry in our long-running GAMES OF THE WEEK series. If you're looking for the best 5 games which have launched onto iOS and Android this week then you've come to the right place.
Those of you who are regular readers will recall that this post is free of games added to subscription services, however this week we've been met with an almost immediate question about that, and as such have a quandry. As you are likely more than aware this week saw the release of a new game which features its own subscription model: Mario Kart Tour.
So, on the subject of Mario Kart Tour - which is among our five of the week - we should clarify that the exemption means games which are only accessible with a subscription already in place. That means that this post won't mention games which are on Apple Arcade, Google Play Pass, or services like Hatch. Although, goodness me, we will most definitely have other features on the site for fans of those services.
This week we've got some great new titles, although I'm certain you've already guessed at two of them based on the above and our featured image. Otherwise we've an abstract puzzler, a real-world narrative experience and a heartwarming puzzler for you.
Remember, if you're looking to check through some of our previous selections then you can always do that at our Games of The Week Hub, it's a great way to find games to fill out that empty storage space on your phone. Or, if you like your news in bitesize chunks, delivered straight to your palm then maybe follow us on Twitter.
Anyway, without any further delay, click through on the big button below to find out more about the 5 best new games for mobile this week
1
Lock's Quest
Lock's Quest was one of my favourite DS games, and so - for me - it's great to have the game available on other formats. Not only that but Lock's Quest's Action-Tower-Defense formula is already, evidently, a great fit for the touchscreen controls of mobile.
The game follows the story of the titular Lock, a child who must lead the fight back a corrupted master of androids and robots. Each level plays out as a fusion of action-RPG meets tower defense, with you handling the finer details of combat while your constructs fight off the vast majority of the enemies. You can make a difference however, a series of battle-changing abilities are unlocked, so it is well worth getting yourself into the fight to turn the battle back in your favour.
Lock's Quest is available now on the App Store and Google Play.
2
Mario Kart Tour
Undeniably the biggest release of the week, Mario Kart Tour is Nintendo's latest mobile offering.
The game has come quite far since it first entered into soft launch earlier in the year. For a start, Nintendo have removed the countdown for unlocking new trophies and has instead added a subscription model onto the upper eschalons of the game's races (200CC) for a lofty $4.99 per month.
But, with that aside, it is an absolutely fantastic kart racer. The controls feel great and the maps mix a selection of classics with a few new ones inspired by real world cities. It's free to start, and you can play for dozens of hours without having the subscription model overly advertised to you.
Mario Kart Tour is available now on both the App Store and Google Play.
3
Vestigium
Vestigium is a relaxing puzzle game with a beautiful, airy art style. It revolves around memorising paths and playing instructions from a hand of cards in order to solve each of its 45 carefully created levels.
Not only is the artwork beautiful, but it is also an exceptionally cleverly made game. Developer Tepes Ovidiu used Buildbox to creat the game without using code, a trend we are starting to see more often and one which lends itself well to those who want to focus more on visual art than spend their time coding.
Vestigium is available now on both the App Store and Google Play
4
Wanderlust Travel Stories
Wanderlust is easily the most experimental game of this week's selection, and it is utterly compelling. It revolves around five explorers who are exchanging stories in a small bistro, you then take on the guiding role of the storyteller as they go on their adventures - managing their expenses and guiding them to their destination. You'll not just be managing their expenses, you'll also need to keep them in great physical and mental health.
Each of the stories are set in our own, real world, and you'll get to journey across six of the world's continents while taking on the roles of the varied storytellers. All in all the fusion of narrative adventure and travel journal totals over 300'000 words,
Wanderlust Travel Stories is available now on the App Store
5
Shape0minoes
Shape0minoes is an abstract puzzle game which builds on the assembly puzzle format - think jigsaw puzzles as a base.
Where it gets interesting is in how each of the levels stack. Once you've slotted together all of the pieces to finish the first puzzle - building the first image - there are two further iterations on it for each level. This means that each level is comprised of three assemblys, each build consecutively over the other.
It's currently available as a premium title over on the App Store, where it is 0.99. The Android version is expected to be released soon and you can pre-register over on Google Play if you're interested.
