There has never been a better time for mobile gaming. The quality of mobile games is much higher than it has ever been, and some big titles are being given mobile releases.
What’s more, mobile phones are becoming more and more powerful, allowing for better graphics, better multiplayer modes, and more realistic physics. For example, the chipset in the latest iPhones has 6 separate cores. Four of these run on low power to extend battery life when performing low-intensity tasks, while the remaining two cores are high-performance variants that run at a clock speed 2.65 GHz, putting them on par with many desktop processors.
Not to be outdone, the latest Android phones come with even more power. For example, the Samsung S20 Ultra has an eight-core processor that can run at up to 2.8 GHz and 16GB of RAM.
So if you’re looking for games to play on your Android device this spring, here are some options to consider.
1. Minecraft Earth
Minecraft has been a popular game that’s seen releases on just about every platform. Its simple graphics and open-ended gameplay have made it a huge success.
Going further, Microsoft recently released Minecraft Earth, combining the blocky construction game with the real world through augmented reality. It’s a sort of Pokemon Go meets Minecraft game, but hasn’t seen the same excitement and buzz that Pokemon Go did in 2016.
Users can build their creations on a smaller scale using tabletop mode and then make them life size. Using the augmented reality, you can then walk around your construction and expect it from every angle.
Minecraft Earth also requires you to go outside and collect materials to help you in construction. This takes the mining element of the game and adds a physical movement requirement to it.
The main downside to this is that the materials are not attached to physical businesses or landmarks, so you often find that the materials are in places that are inaccessible or dangerous, like the middle of a highway or on secured private land.
2. PokerStars
PokerStars is the world’s largest poker site. It has also been around longer than many other operators, which has given them plenty of time to refine their platform. This has created a very polished gameplay experience for customers. While many still choose to play through their computers, PokerStars also offers a fully optimized Android version that contains all of the same features that you get through the desktop version.
You can play ring games and even enter tournaments against people from all over the world, right from your smartphone. You will struggle to find a better mobile poker experience for Android.
3. Call of Duty: Mobile
Call of Duty is the best selling first person shooter franchise of all time, having been released for PC and several generations of consoles for more than a decade.
Taking advantage of new, powerful smartphones and the popularity of other mobile first person shooter games, Activision has decided to launch a mobile version.
Call of Duty: Mobile was launched at the end of 2019 and has received high ratings in the Google Play Store and positive reviews from critics. It is free to play, but is packed with microtransactions.
Long time fans of Call of Duty will love the fact that it features maps, modes, and characters from previous games, meaning you can enjoy a bit of nostalgia on the go.
Unlike other portable versions of Call of Duty, like the ones released on Nintendo DS, Call of Duty: Mobile has some very intuitive and easy to use touchscreen controls.
4. Forza Street
Although it won’t hit the Google Play Store until 5th May, Forza Street promises to be a blockbuster game for Android. Microsoft’s Forza franchise is one of the leading racing simulator titles on the market and has proved a worthy challenger to Gran Turismo.
It will feature many licensed cars and have cross-save capabilities for users with Xbox-Live accounts. This will let you use your car collection from the PC version of the game, which is already available to play.
The only downside is that it won’t be a full-featured car games like other Forza titles, with some suggestions that the racing element of the game will be severely cut down. This may be necessary though, since console races in Forza titles can last a long time with die hard fans using dedicated chairs and other accessories. This is impractical for a mobile game.
