How to play 11 upcoming iPhone and iPad games right now
Around the world
We're always waiting for new games to come out. Even when we have a game we've been waiting months for, our mind drifts to thinking about what comes next. We're weird like that.
But the beauty of iOS is that you can go and play some of the most hotly anticipated games right now - because they're available in other countries as part of a "soft launch" beta test.
You'll need to make yourself an App Store account for the country where the game is available - so follow our guide here to do just that - then follow the link, download the game to your device, and start playing.
Ridge Racer Draw & Drift (New Zealand)
The next Ridge Racer is doing things slightly different. You start each race by drawing out the perfect racing line on a top-down map of the track.
Then, the camera swings down, the action returns to classic Ridge Racer, and you have to tap with impeciable timing to unleash massive drifts and outdo your opponents.
It's fun, and it also has online multiplayer and the usual car collecting and upgrading stuff.
Speed Freeks (New Zealand)
Most Warhammer games are about cards, strategy, and dice. This one is different: it's an intense car combat game where ork racers hop in hand-made cars and mow down their opponents
The controls are simple: the car moves by itself, letting you focus on shooting vehicles with machine guns, rocket launchers, energy beams, and more.
Between races you'll need to look after your territory to defend it from marauding enemy clans
The Trail (The Philippines)
Peter Molyneux and his team at 22cans haven't said much since the whole Godus debacle. But the team is hard at work on their next game
This is best described as an endless… walker. Your character wanders slowly through picturesue landscapes while you pick up loot and other junk to craft better shoes and tools
All the while, you're hoping to get to the town of Eden Falls. Who knows what will happen when you get there. Maybe Peter Molyneux will appear and make a promise he certainly can't keep.
Angry Birds Evolution (Hong Kong)
You thought there were a lot of Angry Birds games? There are way more that haven't even been properly released yet.
Right now you could play Angry Birds Blast (UK), Angry Birds Holiday (Philippines), Angry Birds Football (UK), and Angry Birds: Ace Fighter (Signapore - may be removed).
Not to mention Angry Birds Evolution, which is like a two-player dodgeball game where you evolve Angry Birds like they're Pokemon. Except, wouldn't you want to devolve birds and turn them back into dinosaurs? Those prehistoric lizards would make light work of the bad biggies.
Rival Gears (Australia)
Here's a fancy pants racing game with hover cars and slick sci-fi visuals. It's got a full singleplayer campaign, online multiplayer, and a garage full of cars.
it's not doing anything we haven't seen before in dozens of other games but it looks to be doing them all rather well. You can watch James play it in the video above
Asgard Rift: Battle Arena (UK)
Look, I don't know. It's got cards. It's got grids. It's got strategy. This is all going a bit over my head
But if you're into your tactical battlers - this one has online multiplayer, to boot - and you're looking for something now you're bored of Clash Royale, check it out
Elder Scrolls: Legends (Canada)
Oh god, more cards. But I've played Skyrim at least. So we're half way there.
This is essentially Bethesda's take on Hearthstone. It has turned the heroes and villains of the Elder Scrolls series into little floppy bits of cardboard so you can do battle with other players online.
This might be a big game when it comes out so you can get the drop on everyone else and start working on your perfect deck by heading to the Canadian App Store account… pronto.
Call of Duty: Siege (Australia)
Agh! No more cards. I'm banning cards. Cards are over.
Fieldrunners: Hardhat Heroes (Canada)
Fieldrunners was a big deal at the birth of the App Store. Like Rolando, Angry Birds, and Cut the Rope, it really showed what sort of games you could play on an iPhone.
But we haven't seen a new Fieldrunners game for years… until now
Sadly, this isn't what you might expect. While it still has aspects of tower defence gameplay, it's more like Clash of Clans than anything.
Which could be good - Clash is not incredibly popular with millions of players for no reason. But with so many Clash clones out there, it's a little tough to get excited for yet another. Still… Fieldrunners!
DC Legends (New Zealand)
Marvel isn't the only one with mobile games that bring together their cast of comic characters
DC's also got an RPG - and this one has Batman. Who is cooler than Batman? No one, probably. There's also Superman, Wonder Woman, Harley Quinn, Green Arrow, and more.
Each has their own abilities and super powers so you'll need to pick the perfect team of heroes if you want to save the world from Nekrom and the Manhunters. Which is a great name for a ska band.
Dawn of Titans (Saudi Arabia)
Is this game still not out?! I feel like we've been following this game for years and years.
It's another social strategy game but this time, developer NaturalMotion (of CSR Racing fame) has put an enormous amount of work into the visuals to really make them pop.
You'll see thousands of troops fighting on the battlefield, and enormous titan beasties helping turn the tide for your team. It's a sight to behold - but when is it ever coming out?
