Don't be sad, though. For one, the Apocalypse hasn't happened. For two, we have a bunch of exciting iPhone, iPad, and Android games to look forward to over the next 12 months.
We've handed out plenty of Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum Awards over the course of the past year, and we're hoping to hand out even more in 2013.
Below, then, are 20 games that we think will be serious contenders for Pocket Gamer Awards. Star Command By War Balloon Games - coming to iPhone, iPad, and Android in January 2013
This Game Dev Story-esque simulation was originally supposed to be released back in 2011, but various delays have meant it'll be docking in January 2013, instead.
In this lovely-looking title, you create your very own starship captain; construct and customise a unique vessel for him to pilot; and set off across space on 17 different missions. Real Racing 3 By FireMonkeys - coming to iPhone and iPad in February 2013
If Real Racing 3 is anywhere near as good as its Platinum Award-winning predecessor, we'll have an extremely shiny gem on our hands when it's released.
FireMonkey's sequel will arrive on the iOS circuit packing improved graphics, real-world tracks, new cars, and a larger Campaign mode. Space Hulk By Full Control - coming to iPhone and iPad in 2013
In this Warhammer 40,000 spin-off, you and a squad of hardened Space Marine Terminators are pitted against against waves of alien baddies called Genestealers.
Your aim is to overcome these threats and search abandoned freighters for valuable artefacts and powerful pieces of technology. Ace Attorney HD By Capcom - coming to iPhone and iPad in 2013
In these award-winning hits, you're tasked with using evidence and your cross-examination skills to prove the innocence of a variety of clients. Final Fantasy IV Square Enix - coming to Android in early 2013
In 2007, Square Enix released a revamped edition of classic turn-based SNES RPG Final Fantasy IV on Nintendo's DS. This Android title is an enhanced port of said remake.
FF IV is one of the best instalments in Square Enix's acclaimed franchise. Its dramatic plot and interesting characters make sure of that. Oceanhorn By Cornfox & Bros. - coming to iPhone and iPad in 2013
We've had a close eye on Oceanhorn ever since it was unveiled. Its über-colourful graphics and charming soundtrack are to die for.
There are plenty of action-RPGs on the App Store, but this is probably the closest you're ever going to get to a full-3D Zelda-esque title on the iPhone and iPad. Infinity Blade Dungeons By Chair Entertainment - coming to iPhone and iPad in 2013
Chair Entertainment's forthcoming slasher isn't like its predecessors. At all. In fact, this Unreal Engine-powered sequel is more Diablo than Punch-Out!!
Don't expect to be battling your way to the evil God King, either. Your aim in this title is to craft the infamous Infinity Blade. Prevail By Johnny Two Shoes - coming to iPhone and iPad in the near future
Prevail is a side-scrolling action game that features an intriguing mix of Scribblenauts-style graphics and Grand Theft Auto-style gameplay.
Basically, your objective is to jack UFOs and blow stuff up en route to rescuing your friends, who've been abducted by pesky otherworldly beings.
Badland By Frogmind - coming to iPhone and iPad in February 2013
The first thing you'll notice about this physics-based side-scroller is its Limbo-esque visuals: they're ruddy gorgeous, to say the least.
Badland is the creation of ex-RedLynx duo Johannes Vuorinen and Juhana Myllys, who both worked on Xbox 360 hit Trials Evolution, as well as MotoHeroz. Siegecraft TD - Lizardmen By Blowfish Studios - coming to iPhone and iPad in 2013
Last year, Blowfish Studios released the action-packed Siegecraft. It looked outstanding, but its gameplay left a lot to be desired.
The Australia-based developer is now working on a tower defence title set in the Siegecraft universe. Blowfish is hoping it'll end up being the "best-looking 3D tower defence game on iOS". Year Walk By Simogo - coming to iPhone and iPad this winter
Beat Sneak Bandit and Bumpy Road creator Simogo is currently working on a 2D adventure title all about folklore, strange creatures, and the occult.
Year Walk is set in Sweden during the 19th century. In the game, you're tasked with opening rifts and bending dimensions in order to understand the strange events that occurred on New Year's Eve. Fist of Awesome By Nicoll Hunt - coming to iPhone, iPad, and Android this winter
Fist of Awesome is a humour-filled Double Dragon-style side-scrolling beat-'em-up from Nicoll Hunt, who developed iOS and Android puzzler Hard Lines.
According to Hunt, this pixel-art brawler is the only iOS title in which a grizzly bear punches you square in the chops. What more do you need to know? Sentinel 4: Dark Star By Origin8 - coming to iPhone and iPad in Q1 2013
Sentinel 3: Homeworld nabbed an impressive Gold Award at review, so we can't wait to delve into its follow-up, which is expected to go live on the App Store in Q1 2013.
Details about Sentinel 4 are currently a little scarce, but we do know that it will be set on a distant alien planet and will contain 20+ levels. Aralon 2 By Crescent Moon Games - coming to iPhone and iPad late 2013
It's early days for this sequel to Aralon: Sword and Shadow. Gameplay details are virtually non-existent, and we don't even know the upcoming game's proper name.
Still, another high-quality 3D action-RPG for our mobile devices can't be a bad thing. Banana Kong By FDG Entertainment - coming to iPhone and iPad in 2013
Banana Kong is another fantastic-looking title from the brains behind Blueprint 3D and Cover Orange. Just LOOK at those visuals in the video above.
In this Donkey Kong Country-style endless-runner, you take control of a cuddly ape, who must run, jump, and ride animals through the jungle while collecting fruit. Core By Luma Arcade - coming to iPhone, iPad, and Android in 2013
Once again, we know very little about this title. Why are we interested in it, then? Well, it boasts some of the best visuals we've ever seen on a mobile device.
Also, the game is going to be a multi-platform and cross-genre experience. It will be available on high-end PCs and consoles, as well as on social networks and mobile devices. Chaos Domain By Holy Warp - coming to iPhone and iPad in Q1 2013
There aren't enough side-scrolling shooters on the App Store, which is why we're pleased that Holy Warp is working on a Contra-style title for the iPhone and iPad.
Chaos Domain will feature 30 stages of classic run-and-gun gameplay, and a whole bunch of upgradable weapons. Danmaku Unlimited 2 By Doragon Entertainment - coming to iPhone and iPad in 2013
This sequel to acclaimed bullet-hell shooter Danmaku Unlimited takes place shortly after the events of its predecessor.
Danmaku Unlimited 2 is packed to the rafters with five frantic stages and giant boss battles. The new in-house engine that powers this game allows Doragon to pump out HD visuals at 60 frames per second. The Harvest By Luma Arcade - coming to iPhone, iPad, and Android in 2013
Windows Phone 7 title The Harvest is an action-RPG that takes place on a planet ravaged by a destructive alien civilisation, who use humans to create cyborgs.
As you make your way through each area of this game, you'll have to defeat waves of invaders and giant bosses, and find hidden items and upgrades. The Other Brothers By Tobgame - coming to iPhone, iPad, and Android in 2013
The Other Brothers has the potential to be the best mobile platformer of 2013. Seriously.
Its levels aren't linear, you see. Each stage is actually more like a maze that spans multiple levels. So, you have to climb ladders and drop down shafts to progress.
Failed to mention my favorite game: Avabel Online. It's an MMORPG for iOS and Android (obviously runs smoother with the new Tegra 3 Android devices) that is only in Japanese. The English version won't be released for either OS until Apple approves the app -__-". The pains apple causes me... Anyway it's a game with classes, swordplay, magic, chatting, a dungeon, field fighting, PvP, money systems, and experience. It looks great and is in full 3-D.
Cool list. I'm a mobile game addict and definitely gonna try most of games you shared.
I think you missed some of the top games that are going to get released in mid 2013, you should read about them as well:
It's a crappy thing to compare the first iPad to other tablets. It was the 1st of its kind and poorly underpowered even for its time. The iPad 2 is old but it is still a beast in performance and highly compatible with all the other apps like that Xoom tablet. After having the iPad 4 for awhile, in terms of quality of games and apps, I'm happy to have gotten the iPad. iPad apps usually are designed a lot better than the Android apps on a tablet, it's like night and day when I use the Asus and iPad to the point I hardly touch the Asus anymore.
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funkyflychicken |23:10 - 3 January 2013
I considered a new iPad Mini, just for the sake of playing a few digital board game conversions a bit earlier than they would come to Android. But at 500+ dollars, and being a gimped model already, I couldn't see investing in it. I know a lot of people want to, though. I just don't get it...lol. I mean, I'm not poor, but I can't see spending that kind of money just to play a handful of games on the go. I had a hard enough time justifying the price of a 3DS for my daughter earlier last year (2012). My iPad 1 I had, was obsolete before the first year was up. I hated it, was embarassed I spent that much on it, and sold it 5 months in. In comparison, I had a Motorolla Xoom that my daughter now uses, and it's still highly compatible with the apps on the Play Store. And my Nexus 7 is one heck of a beast 7" tablet. The wife today got her HTC Evo 3D, and is in love with the clock, weather, and social widgets.
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jeffyg3 |16:26 - 3 January 2013
Well I agree...for games Android falls really short with the number of good exclusives iOS games get. People who game a lot and want the best games on the go and only play on their cell phones or tab, iPads and iPhones are far & away the better choices.
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funkyflychicken |15:47 - 3 January 2013
How is the Android Jellybean OS buggy? It allows much more flexibility and customization than anything iOS offers. That makes little sense at all, honestly.
And I know this is PocketGamer, but with a device of this expense, games are really an afterthought. It's one thing if your company is giving you these devices, but I find it kind of sad that people pay 600 bucks for a device just for a few games (and really, there aren't THAT many killer games on iOS as opposed to Android, and if I REALLY wanted to game on the go, I'd use my daughter's 3DS or Vita).
For me, though, Android is just fine, and also gets a few exclusives of it's own. I bought the device for media consumption and web browsing, with games secondary. I had an iPhone, iPod touch, and briefly an iPad 1 which was a piece of junk. I hated the iPod touch as well, and just got my wife to drop her iPhone for an Android phone.
To each their own, though, but Android's OS is far from buggy, especially since ICS. You want a big mess? iTunes on a PC for syncing multiple accounts/devices.
It's how it is every year. iOS ALWAYS gets much better games than Android and much more of the better quality games. Android then later gets the "table scraps" from iOS after a long period of time.
I was an Android gamer and switched to iOS last year, so I know how it feels. I still have my Asus tablet, so I can still play Android games. My company switched to apple, so I have a free iPad and iPhone and I must say, although I'm missing some features, this is a much smoother and far less buggier OS. Anyways, gameswise, Android is an ugly stepchild compared to the amount of quality games iOS gets year after year.
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funkyflychicken |12:34 - 3 January 2013
And I should note that I was one of the few who thought Infinity Blade wasn't really all that. I don't get why Infinity Blade gets so much love, but something like Avengers Initiative is shat on. Same damn game, pretty much. almost exactly, just different paint job (also runs great on my Nexus 7).
I'm curious about trying Demon's Score, but I'm not a huge Squeenix fan (especially nowadays), and at 20 bucks and hearing it's quite "wierd" just for the sake of being wierd, I dunno... Anyone wanna try to convince me Demon's Score is worth the price?
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funkyflychicken |12:32 - 3 January 2013
Infinity Blade Dungeons and OceanHorn are the only 2 iOS games that I feel like I'm missing, and I'm sure OceanHorn or something like it will eventually make it's way over. I'm enjoying "Horn" right now, and it runs smooth as silk on my Nexus 7. No way I'm spending 500-600 bucks on some locked-down handheld just to play a few mobile games...
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