I can't recommend Stardew Valley enough. It's $5, but so absolutely worth it. Especially since there are no mtx, and is still getting updates, albeit a bit behind the PC version. One of the best uses of $5 on the app store imo
this post was submitted on 19 Jun 2023
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Gaming
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Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rails.
Genshin Impact successfully had my attention for over five hundred days. It's a regularly updated game that can be played entirely F2P, and I love that concept. Anyone who claims that you have to whale to get good at the game is wrong. You just have to play the game and ignore that some Youtubers and Twitch Streamers seem to believe that fake big numbers are the only way to improve in that game. In reality, I've watched streamers ignore that, and instead opt to play with their favorite romantic pairing or favorite character because they just enjoy the game more that way.
Honkai Star Rails seems to be a similar concept, however it faces a dilemma where it is a turn-based game and as a result the battle mechanics, so far, have to be more carefully considered. For example, I run a defense-healer-single attack-AOE attack team. So far, I tend to die if I don't do that. The gameplay is more simplistic than Genshin Impact, but the battles are stronger and tend to take longer. Bright side: because it was recently launched you get a bunch of free pulls! Yeah!
Honestly I found Genshin to be a very refreshing open world rpg. It’s pretty easy, low stress, and if you don’t buy into the streamer hype, very accessible cheap game.
The music is fantastic, and the world is beautiful. Cross platform also makes it a breeze to switch between my phone and ps5
I havent played Genshin but from what i have heard, Star Rail(from the same developer) is even better(though very different gameplay). Tighter story telling, amazing music(timed with in game actions) and a lot of quality of life features that dont exist in Genshin.
Having played both, Star Rail is just different. It takes a "quality over quantity" approach, so the content it has is better, but there's not much of it. There's maybe 20-30h of game in there right now, if you do everything. Genshin's more like 200h.
I put about 20+ hours into Monster Train on the PC/Steam Deck late last year and ended up picking it up again on iOS. It has me hooked all over again.
If you've enjoyed games like Slay the Spire in the past for deckbuilding rougelikes, it's perfect to hammer out a battle pretty quickly. The main difference is each level is like playing three battles of Slay The Spire since there are three "lanes" that the enemies move through. It has enough depth and replayability that you can go for quite some time before burning out.
Plus, you can add googly eyes to every character/minion in the game and I can't not play with that option turned on.
Basically if i'm playing on my iPad it's probably Slay the Spire. (Works on phone too, but i find it rather small).
Mindustry is my go-to when I need to kill time offline. Cross compatible with pc android and iPhone on LAN I think, I haven't played multi-player in a long time. You could transfer save files as well. Originally a lite Factorio, last I played they added a new planet with different mechanics.
Old School RuneScape
The mobile app is definitely what turned me back onto OSRS. I wish I had more time, because the gameplay is like comfort food to me.
Shattered Pixel Dungeon is fun. And hard.
Arknights (shout out to my kbin mag [email protected]). It's a fun lil tower defense that you can easily pull out and grind some materials. Keep in mind that it is a gacha game, so there's definitely aggressive monetization, but it's definitely on the F2P-friendly side in terms of gacha.
Most of the Kairosoft games.
Since I have a Netflix sub, the Three Kingdoms version of Reigns has been pretty fun.
On Android there's a 2D clone of Civ V.
The Apple Arcade program is nice. I recently download the TMNT game from there and it is pretty fun.
Old School Runescape. One of the best games ever made imo
I'm enjoying Diablo Immortal when I'm not at my PC to play Diablo IV. Interloper is also good if you like space combat. Terraria can be fun, too. Vampire: The Masquerade - Night Road is also a good one if you like text-based RPGs.
How much money do you typically spend in Diablo, and how far did you get?
I've spent nothing on Immortal (Diablo IV was expensive enough), but I'm still in the campaign. I don't plan to play it seriously or dive too deep into the endgame. I just wanted a good ARPG on my phone and Immortal, despite the monetization disaster, is a good game at its core.
I just downloaded Tightrope Theatre - and it is pretty awesome rn. A classic platformer challenge, it has a hundred levels and is enjoyable
Letterpress, since the launch of the iPhone, is still the best word game around if you ask me.
So simple, and yet so complex. A little bit of stratego in terms of holding real estate, but a vocabulary challenge at it’s core.
For word games I really like the digital implementations of Paperback. Originally a boadgame but the app versions is great, epsecially for those who like both deckbuilders as well as word games.
I like the followup Hardback even more but haven't played the app version of that yet.
Shattered Pixel Dungeon, Slay the Spire and a bit of Nikke: Goddess of Victory on the side.
I've seen Shattered Pixel Dungeon recommended several times, so I better check it out.
What is Nikke like? I couldn't really tell much about it from the screenshots on the App Store. What do you like about it and what keeps you coming back to it?
I don't think I've played anything but Marvel Snap since it came out. It's a turn based Marvel card battler, that also scratches the Hearthstone itch I get. Highly recommend!
How much money do you spend in it to keep it interesting?
It's true that you could potentially spend a lot on in-app purchases, so I have a personal strategy. As long as I'm getting entertainment and value from the game, I'll purchase the battle pass each season, which costs around $9 USD. This lets me to unlock a bunch of additional content by playing. I avoid the "deals" and "sales" they offer to prevent being continuously charged small amounts.
Does Apple Arcade count? If so I’ve been playing Agent Intercept
of course! Any recommendations there?
Grindstone is the best (and on Arcade (no in-app purchases)) - I finished all the levels long ago (but they my have added new ones) — just the daily competition (The Daily Grind) is a lot of mileage for a long time player. I spend easily an hour a day grinding - it’s the best!
On Android, but Raid Shadow Legends is fun. If you ignore the buy-this pop ups its easy to play for free. Also Magic: Arena is fun.
Im not sure if you’re into card games, but Marvel SNAP! Is my go to. It’s on Android and iOS.
Dokkan battle, but keeping my attention is a overstatement. I mostly just sign in and do my daily missions.
I‘m playing „Rumble Heroes“ for some time now and I like it. It has mtx but they are truly optional. There is some grind to it after reaching about level 30 or so, but I like to do that in boring situations. Can recommend.
I’m a huge HTYD fan so I’ve been regularly playing Rise of Berk everyday.
I really like the musical puzzle game "Okay?". Its one of the old classic app games to me, and has basically a million levels.
I do not play a lot of mobile games, but when i do, it is Marvel Snap.
I also do not usually play card games, but this one is very very easy to learn and pick up, and quite addictive once the flow starts going.
exactly the same for me and some of those variant arts are on fire.
Mtg Arena if you like magic.
Lichess puzzle mode
Tetris is an all time favorite of mine, but im carrying an O-Droid for that. The touch screen mobile versions are ok too though.
Kittengame
Chess/Lichess. Just a suggestion: There's some apps and sites that have premium features, but: Lichess has all the features for free, no ads, is open-source and great UI. :)
I've heard of Lichess and have seen it recommended several times around here! I just downloaded it. I wish I was a better chess-player...I tend to do the same things over and over again and struggle with really "progressing" beyond basic moves/openers...I always end up getting crushed pretty early on.
There's a puzzle mode that I would check out. Using that to practise helps you to improve your perception.
Chess is a lot about learning. I would recommend looking at some strong or unusual openings. You can also try to play against the AI at level 2-3. It can be relatively unforgiving, but also isn't too hard and can get you a few moments of success and happiness. :)
Chess YouTubers like Eric Rosen and Chess vibes are nice. GothamChess is also popular.
Lastly, if you play online, create an account and use it. If you play anonymous you'll likely meet a cheater and also your ELO won't be adjusted. Playing in an ELO that suits you helps you to find opponents who aren't gonna make for a one-sided game.
It's a bit niche, but I like Japanese mahjong (not the tile matching thing, the actual game) and have gotten hours out of an app called Kemono Mahjong. Cheap, onetime purchase w/no micro transactions and you can play against adjustable AI offline or online with others. It has plenty of guidance for new players.
I play Fate grand order
Ooh what’s this one like? How is it different from other gacha/ anime style games?
I've been enjoying the idle game Egg Inc. It is a fairly enjoyable and free to play "numbers go up" type game. They don't force ads on the players, but they are encouraged. For the past few updates they have been removing little bits of the free to play friendly features, and increased prices on some of the premium stuff, but it's still a decent way to toss an hour or two into a day.
Shattered Pixel Dungeon. I have another phone, this one is recent, with at least 2k games on it
Evan consistently updates Shattered Pixel Dungeon, and I fucking love his game. It's it's own version of the open source Pixel 
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This is now the fourth or fifth time someone has recommended this one to me....I think it is high time I pick it up!
Any advice for a first-time player?
Haha I had to chime in.
Best beginner tips - explore a level fully before you drink any potions. Certain "potion" rooms will always have the potion that solves the puzzle in them on the same floor -
- fish room will have an invisible potion,
- evil crystal sentry will have a haste potion,
- gas filled room will have a purity potion,
- Wooden door can be burned with fire pot,
- Magic fire can be put out with ice potion,
- Completely trap filled room has a levitation pot on the same level
Upgraded items (wands/armor/weapons# x , potions of strength, and scrolls of upgrade cannot be destroyed by bombs, or explosive traps/stones. This is a good way to identify items with bonuses (armor/weapons)
Well of health will cleanse all worm cursed items, heal you to fill, and remove all negative status (including hunger/starvation)
Oh also. Sneak attacking/surprise attacks - yellow exclamation above their heads. Moving through a door, with an anemy right behind, will close the door behind you, and cause them to have to open it - meaning you get a free chance to attack and auto-hit.
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