Features

[Update] Here are the first iPhone and iPad games to support Metal in iOS 8

Updated with new games

[Update] Here are the first iPhone and iPad games to support Metal in iOS 8
|
iOS

Metal. It isn't just a style of music and a group of elements any more. It's also a part of iOS 8 that speeds up the conversation between your A7 or A8 chip and the game you're trying to play.

To use lots of technical jargon babble, it makes games run much faster. Super duper faster if Apple's numbers are to be believed.

But which games use this new framework? Why the ones in the list below, obviously. You'll need iOS 8 installed to make the most of them. And sorry, if you've got anything less powerful than an iPhone 5S, you're not going to see any difference. iPhone 5C, I am looking at you.

We'll be updating the list as more games start to use Metal, so keep your eyes peeled.


Modern Combat 5: Blackout [download]

Slick and shouty man-shooting FPS with lots of explosions and canals. At review we called it "a big explosion of guns, grunts, and buzz cuts."

Asphalt 8: Airborne [download]

Gameloft's Gold Award-winning free to play racer looked pretty impressive before Metal came along. At review we called it "a brilliantly put together arcade racing package," adding that "Asphalt 8: Airborne is every bit as exciting as you might have hoped."

Mr Crab [download]

A Bronze Award-winning 3D platformer that sees you scuttling around some decent-looking environments. At review we said "though Mr. Crab is a clever and entertaining platformer, there's nothing fresh about it. It's still worth some attention, mind."

Epic Zen Garden [download]

Not so much a game, more a proof of concept demo showing that Unreal Engine 4 can run on iOS 8. Looks ridiculously snazzy.

Beach Buggy Racing [download]

An impressive looking 3D cartoon racer sequel. Lots of sand and sea and totem poles and palm trees.

Plunder Pirates [download]

Rovio and Hidoki's new Clash of Clans style midcore strategy battler thing. Again, lots of sea. And boats.

Defenders [download]

A sparkly tower defence game with lots of special lighting effects and cannons. It got a Bronze Award when we reviewed it and we said "while there's plenty of meat on its bones, some irksome issues take the shine off things slightly."

Harry Slater
Harry Slater
Harry used to be really good at Snake on the Nokia 5110. Apparently though, digital snake wrangling isn't a proper job, so now he writes words about games instead.