Are you looking for a new mobile game to try this weekend? Here’s a look at some of the games launched this week.
Fruit Fusion (Free on iOS) – From Ratchet & Clank creator Insomniac Games, Fruit Fusion is a timed puzzle game, asking players to create as many matches as possible in a limited amount of time. Fruit pieces are positioned around a center circle, and players tap on these fruit to send them to the opposite side of the circle, with the goal of lining up three or more matching fruit in a row. As players create matches, they can upgrade their fruit and unlock power-ups to earn additional time or bonus points. Gamers earn coins as they play, which can be spent on instant power-ups before a game begins.
Into the Circle (Free on iOS) – From developer ZipZap Games and publisher Gameblyr, Into the Circle offers gameplay based on the sport of curling, as players aim and shoot their disc into target circles on the screen. A survival experience, players are challenged to earn as many points as possible before eventually missing a circle and ending the game. Featuring tap and hold gameplay, users observe a moving aiming line, and tap and hold on the screen to fire when the line is pointing at the target. Players can compete in weekly challenges to climb the game’s leaderboards.
Calimero’s Village ($2.99 on iOS, Android) – From Gaumont Animation and BulkyPix, this city-builder features the popular cartoon chicken, who has just arrived in the town of Hatchington. Players will expand the city, bringing in Calimero’s friends and completing missions while also playing mini-games to earn extra coins and experience.
Castling ($0.99 on iOS) – From developer and publisher Oddlabs, Castling is a strategic puzzle game inspired by chess, asking players to help rebellious chess pieces overthrow their king. To do so, players will move their chess pieces around unique boards, with rivers, walls, bridges and more serving as obstacles. The game features 68 levels at launch, along with six different chess pieces to master. While based on chess, Oddlabs ensures players do not need to be experts in chess to play Castling.
Point Blank Adventures (Free on iOS, Android) – From Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe, this newest installment in the arcade light gun franchise has been designed specifically for mobile devices. Players work to complete more than 250 challenges in 100 levels, as they tap on targets to fire. While levels are timed, and it may be tempting to rapidly tap without care, players earn bonus points for accuracy, and will earn up to three stars on each stage, depending on their performance. As players progress, they’ll unlock boosts to help them complete challenges.
Puzzle House: Mystery Rising ($2.99 on iPhone) – After being released on iPad, Android and Amazon devices earlier this year, Puzzle House: Mystery Rising from PugaPuma is now available on iPhone. The game was inspired by traditional point-and-click adventure titles, and was designed to be challenging, giving players very little in the way of guidance as they advance. The game is the first in a series of games, with the second title, Puzzle House: Port of Call, expected to release in Q4 2015.
Hero Pop (Free on Android) – Originally released on iOS in January 2015, this puzzle game from Chillingo challenges players to clear levels and rescue their friends by shooting balloons at formations from the bottom of the screen. The game contains more than 100 levels to complete, as well as a super balloon system, which allows players to unlock special powers by making large matches.
Impatient Squirrel (Free on Android) – From +AsDesigned Games, Impatient Squirrel launched on iOS in early 2015, and is now available on Android devices. The tile-sliding puzzle game challenges players to move tiles around the screen, with each containing a branch to lead the squirrel to the acorn somewhere in the stage. The game offers 60 levels, set across five different environments.
Cooped Up (Free on iOS, Android, Amazon) – From Nitrome, Cooped Up is a vertical climber, asking players to slingshot their bird as high as possible in an effort to escape the cage. Players can collect worms and other snacks as they climb, but must avoid obstacles, including the cage’s other residents. Players can share their high scores with friends on Facebook or Twitter.
High Dive (Free on iOS) – Described as a \"pseudo-endless arcade diver,\" High Dive from The Frosty Pop Corps challenges players to tap on the left and right sides of the screen to help Walter dive into the water at the bottom of the screen. Easier said than done, the dive height increases after each successful dive, and players must avoid obstacles while falling. It’s worth noting, Walter has multiple lives, so gamers have multiple chances for success. Players can spend their diamonds on new playable characters.
Grim Fandango Remastered ($9.99 on iOS, Android; Price will increase to $14.99) – Double Fine Productions has announced the release of its classic and greatly loved adventure game on mobile devices. This release features repainted, hi-res character textures, dynamic lighting, over two hours of exclusive developer commentary and a concept art browser. In addition, the game’s score has been re-recorded with a full live orchestra. The game’s price will increase to $14.99 after this launch week.
East Legend (Free on iOS, Android) – From Com2uS, East Legend is a hack-n-slash dungeon crawler featuring over 300 collectible characters. Players command a four-person team and can switch between active characters during battle. As players collect extra heroes, they can spend these on upgrading their favorites. East Legend offers four game modes, including the base story mode, boss raids, guild battles and player-vs-player battles.