November was the month of less is more. A lot of the games that made it onto this list are incredibly simple conceptually but are executed well either in graphics or gameplay. It was hard to decide exactly what order to put these games in because many of them are very equal to the games directly above or below them. Gameplay is used mostly as a means of judgement. The games that made it to the top were the most fun to play and the most engaging out of all. Also, check out the list of top the top 10 mobile games of October here!
#10. Wildshade
Wildshade is a horse racing game that uses magic as a means of attack on other players. Pick up attacks and use them against your opponents in a very similar to how the attacks function in Mario Kart. The overall race mechanics of this game are not super complex. There is no real-time multiplayer option. The game relies instead on a pre-recorded high score basis. However, the graphics are clean, uniform, and pleasing to the eye making for a pretty enjoyable experience. It is unusually satisfying to move your horse down the track and watch it run. If you are into horses and horse races, this would be a fun game to check out.
Wildshade is available on iOS and Android systems for free.
#9. Tales of Luminaria
This is the newest gacha game/ anime RPG where 21 main characters must fight animalistic monsters in order to stay alive in this world. The game takes its form in playable episodes where players fight their way through battles in order to hear the next part of the story. Running through the world, which has many new things to see, while being told the story is a pretty interesting experience, though each episode does take a while to download.
Tales of Luminaria is available on iOS and Android systems for free.
#8. Petal Crash
This is the mobile adaptation of the unique puzzler that has already been released on PC and consoles. The color scheme perfectly matched that of the early 90s Gameboy era of puzzles. The gameplay is simple to understand, but can be very challenging to execute. The goal is to match colored blocks together. Each block touching the matching blocks is then pushed outward. It is up to the player to match these blocks just right in order to create chain matches. There are many different modes in the game, so it stays engaging to play. Petal Crash could be your next new puzzler game.
Petal Crash is available on iOS and Android devices for $6.99 USD.
#7. Jump Jerboa
This is another simple, yet innovative game. It is a platform jumper that is incredibly challenging, but can be played with one hand laying down. It takes minimal effort to play, yet is still very challenging. The aesthetic of the game is not great as it is a pixel game that takes place on a grey background with white platforms and a white character. Some fun colors or any sort of change to the art style would make this game look much more appealing. However, the gameplay is very good. There are new additions and obstacles every few levels to keep the player engaged.
Jump Jerboa is available on iOS and Android devices for free.
#6. FarmVille 3
The iconic game is back and better than ever. There is added diversity of character customizations and animal choice. The gameplay is still very similar to previous versions of this game. Grow feed and lumber in order to grow your farm and collect more animals. Aesthetically speaking, this game is vibrant with lots of greens and yellows to heighten your mood. It is calming and relaxing, just as every good fame simulation game should be.
FarmVille 3 is available on iOS and Android devices for free.
#5. Monopoly Solitaire
Two classic, yet somewhat unrelated, games are combined seamlessly to create the ultimate game that somehow seems to make time disappear. If you are a fan of solitaire, definitely give this game a try. By combining these two games, each one becomes twice as engaging. You are really just playing two games at a time, and at the down time of one, you can play the other. There is a bit of overlap in gameplay, but not much is needed. The graphics are simple, the music is simple, the gameplay is simple, yet somehow the game feels innovative and very fun to play. It is a single player game, so it would be best used as a nice way to pass time while out and about.
Monopoly Solitaire is available on iOS and Android devices for free.
#4. Pikmin Bloom
This AR game is made by the same company that made Pokémon GO and a lot of the gameplay is very similar. The game really encourages its players to take a walk and move around which is a nice feature and makes playing this game into an activity that can be shared or even become a new experience. There is not much of a multiplayer aspect to the game, and there is not much to do with one’s Pikmin once they are collected. However, it is still exciting to watch them grow and feed them their favorite snacks.
Pikmin Bloom is available on iOS and Android devices for free.
#3. Rob Riches
A puzzler adventure game that makes you think, but is extremely gratifying once the puzzle is solved. Reminiscent of an Indiana Jones aesthetic, yet with a smaller, minimalist art style. This is a game that absorbs its players and keeps them absorbed. Just when you finish celebrating your completion of one puzzle, the game hits you with the next one in a loop of new and interesting and a mix of easy and truly challenging. This game is seamless and well worth the money.
Rob Riches is available on iOS and Android devices for $3.99 USD.
#2. Sparklite
This is an open world action adventure RPG that uses hack and slash gameplay to attack monsters and gain sparklite, the in-game currency. There is a lot going on in this game. It is an exploration game that comes across really well on mobile, which is pretty rare. The world is interesting as well with strange new plants, NPC’s to talk to, and little hidden objects that may contain bonuses if you tap them. The game offers full controller support, so if the touch screen controls don’t quite cut it, you can change that. The art style uses 2D pixels and a really effective use of color and vibrancy. The game has nice progression possibilities if you use sparklite to upgrade your weapons and health bar to become more powerful.
Sparklite is available on iOS and Android devices for $6.99 USD.
#1. LEGO Star Wars: Castaways
This is the Apple Arcades big game of the month, and it did not disappoint. Aesthetically speaking the developers nailed this open world RPG. The world of LEGO Star Wars: Castaways feels spacious, modern, and playful all at the same time. There is so much to do in this game from reenacting scenes from the Star Wars franchise and completing quests to racing with other players and grabbing a friend to complete the quests with. The only drawback is the lack of chat ability in a game that relies so much on its multiplayer aspect, but it is understandable why the developers chose this as Apple Arcade games are often enjoyed more by younger players. If you are a fan of the Star Wars franchise, then this is definitely a game you will want to try out.
LEGO Star Wars: Castaways is available in iOS devices through the Apple Arcade.