Top 10 iOS Games of 2014
This year is slowly (well, relatively of course) reaching its end and as far as gaming goes, it has been a great year with no doubt. Although all game consoles and platforms have shown us great games in 2014, we’ll take a look at the games that monopolized our interest and time this year in iOS devices. Due to the fact that there were plenty of games, we decided to list our Top 10 iOS Games of 2014 in order to make things easier.
Let’s take a look at the following amazing titles:
1. Monument Valley by ustwo, $3.99
Also in our top 20 Android Games of 2014, Monument Valley came like a hurricane and was a blast to portable devices. It’s undoubtedly one of the best and most talked about games of 2014. I won’t deny that this game has kept me awake many nights, because one does not simply stop playing MV. The game tells the story of Ida, a princess in a world of impossible geometry and architecture, who is on a journey to be forgiven for something. The player controls Ida and the environment so as to create paths for her, move platforms, create bridges and find passages in order to reach the exit. The game consists of 10 levels, and each one from the other in many aspects. There are also situations where the path is blocked due to various reasons, such as the “crow people”. By the time you get your hands on the game I promise you that you'll find it really hard to pause it and not finish it in one go. I had to restrain myself each time so that I didn’t finish it too soon (yes, I’m that good of a player). Try it out if you haven’t done so yet, you probably won’t regret it.
2. The Wolf Among Us by Telltale Inc, Freemium
If you’re familiar with the DC/Vertigo comic book “Fables”, this game will keep you on your toes with each episode that you experience. The Wolf Among Us is an episodic graphic adventure video game, with the 1st season consisting of 5 episodes. The player controls the main character that goes by the name Bigby Wolf, and can move, examine and interact with other characters or objects. What’s interesting is that with every choice the player makes (for example the answer you give during conversations), future events are influenced according to those choices. The story goes like this: Long ago, a tyrant, Adversay, took control of all the mythical lands that we know from tales and legends. In order to escape the Adversary's tyranny, many creatures and characters known as “fables” came to our world and created a town- Fabletown- in colonial America, where Manhattan is now located. To not be noticed by humans, fables have to purchase a “glamour”, which is an object that gives them the power to take human form. Bigby Wolf (the Big Bad Wolf), is the sheriff of Fabletown and the guardian of the Fables that reside in it. It’s a gorgeous game that will make you ask for more every time an episode is over. Definitely a must for fans of mystery-suspense type of games.
3. Banner Saga by Stoic, $4.99
Banner Saga is another game that captivated thousands of players around the world. While it’s available for various devices, I only had the pleasure of playing it on the iPhone. The gameplay left me speechless. I don’t know where to start from; the art is gorgeous and the story is captivating. It’s an epic 2D RPG game that tells the sad story of Viking-inspired characters that fled their homes to find allies and fight against a dreadful threat. It’s a role-playing game in which decisions and conversation choices affect the events that will follow. The graphics are 2D, and you can't help but notice how especially detailed and beautiful they are; this includes both the characters and environment. As the story progresses you will find yourself more and more attached to the characters and their tragedy. At some point you will probably forget that you're playing this on a handheld device, since it has a lot of elements that you usually find in a console game. It’s definitely a title that will stay with you for a long time.
4. Slender Rising 2 by Michael Hegemann, $3.99
Admit it. If you’re familiar with the Slenderman mythos (even if you haven’t played the game yourself, you have heard of it), you get chills whenever you think of that scary creature. The Slenderman is one of the scariest games that have been released in the past few years and no one can deny that. As a result of its massive success many developers have tried to create a Slenderman game for devices. These attempts however have been lukewarm and created mixed feelings, until Slender Rising showed up and took everyone by surprise. It’s the best slenderman game for devices undoubtedly, and this year Slender Rising 2 has made the experience even better. In this game, just like the original, the player has to move around the location and search for items, all that while avoiding the scary and dangerous entity known as the Slenderman. Just like the other installments it’s a single-player game and if you think that a game for a phone or tablet can’t be too scary, think again. Because Slender Rising will freak you out just as much as the PC equivalent.
5. Leo’s Fortune by 1337 & Senri LLC, $0.99
“I just returned home to find all my gold has been stolen! For some devious purpose, the thief has dropped pieces of my gold like breadcrumbs through the woods. Despite this pickle of a trap, I am left with no choice but to follow the trail. Whatever lies ahead, I must recover my fortune.” – Leopold. Leo’s Fortune is a platform adventure game with the main character Leo, a fluffy ball-like creature with a mustache. The player must hunt down the mysterious thief that stole Leo’s gold coins, in 20 beautifully designed hand-crafted levels. The player travels in 5 different regions, finding trails of his treasure and meeting other characters that are suspects of stealing his gold. The gameplay is very well thought and executed and together with the stunning visuals, this game is a treasure itself for those who purchase it.
Leo's Fortune was also included in our list of Top 20 Android Games of 2014 and was Game Runner-up in Apple's "Best of 2014" App List.
6. Mmm Fingers by Noodlecake Studios Inc, Freemium
Undeniably one of the best freemium games of its kind, Mmm Fingers deserves a spot on the top 10 list. The game’s goal is easy to understand, difficult to achieve. It’s a single-touch high score game, in which you have to make sure you (your finger actually) avoid the small traps and monsters, both of which come bearing sharp teeth. If your finger doesn't slide through them and end up touching them, it’s all over. Bear in mind that the obstacles move, so your movements have to act fast and not get distracted. Every time you reach a new session, you move to a different and harder one. The game also tracks your past high score progress, session high score, and average score. Mmm finger is the kind of game in which you’ll end up losing one way or another achieving only a higher score each time. So, the true enjoyment comes from playing it without caring about lose but instead have fun playing something light-hearted that will keep you company for a long time.
You can read our Download3K review for Mmm Fingers here.
7. Zombie Catchers by Two Men and a Dog, Freemium
I don’t know where to start from with this game. It’s actually one of the funniest games for iOS out there. Honestly, its plot is hilarious, extremely fun and addicting. In the distant future, planet Earth is infested with the undead, but thankfully for us, A.J. and Bud, two intergalactic businessmen, have decided to set up shop on Earth and together our heroes plan to catch all the zombies and make Earth a safe planet while making a profit at the same time! But how does someone make profit from something like that? The answer is… by selling zombie juice! Yes, those two gentlemen capture zombies in order to sell their juice in the drive-thru they own, by squashing them in specially designed machines! The whole plot is even more hilarious when you actually start playing the game and get the hang of it. As a zombie catcher you are required to travel to zombie infested areas, and catch the zombies. This task is easier at first but of course gets harder as you progress and clear levels. I would recommend this game to anyone who is thirsty (not for zombie juice) for something different, interesting and doesn’t take itself too seriously. Definitely give it try!
For an in-depth analysis of the game, read our Download3K review of Zombie Catchers here.
8. Run Sackboy! Run! by PlayStation Mobile Inc., Freemium
The highly popular LittleBigPlanet franchise has graced iOS devices the year that passed, and it’s nothing short of what someone would expect from this famous installment. The iOS version of the game takes the endless runner format and introduces us to a different, yet so familiar world of the LBP series. The characters are also the same, and the attention to detail is very obvious. The developers really put their heart to it and I’m sure no fan or new player was let down by the result. In this game, Sackboy runs for his life in an attempt to escape from the grumpy vacuum cleaner Negativitron. Every time the player gets to a certain point the scenery changes, thus avoiding being repetitive and the quest is enhanced more by adding more items, such as bubbles (used in the shop to buy costumes and power-ups), stickers (used to unlock prizes just like in the PS games) than just coins for Sackboy to collect. The game includes many surprises that you will see while playing. RSR certainly surpassed the expectations and delivered a great game for iOS in par with the PS versions. It’s the same yet it’s unique and can stand by itself. I definitely recommend it for everyone.
You can find our Download3K review of Run Sackboy! Run! here.
9. World of Warriors by Mind Candy, Freemium
A combat strategy game with RPG gameplay and a myriad of great historical warriors. Each warrior has special moves and historical facts. The player’s goal is to battle the mighty Skull Army and defeat the evil King Boneshaker and his menacing bosses. To do that you must travel across the Wildlands and gather the history's greatest warriors, from Romans and Vikings to Knights and Samurai, in order to create an unbeatable army. Although you start off with a single warrior, you will soon collect additional characters and start creating an army of many different warriors. The gameplay style consists of level-based battles which test the player’s reflexive and hand-eye coordination skills. While the IAP can be frustrating, the game itself is entertaining and addictive. It makes you want to move forward no matter what. It’s an easy to learn game that everyone can enjoy.
We have previously reviewed World of Warriors for iOS, so make sure to read our review in case you want further details.
10. Monsu by Boomlagoon, Freemium
Last but not least, we have Monsu, the 2nd endless runner game on our list. In this game the main hero Monsu wants desperately to get back his stolen treasure from the thieving villagers. On his quest he runs and fights the evil villagers with the help of the cards that are unlocked as the game progresses. The player can make Monsu destroy buildings by smashing them, stamp upon villagers, jump over gaps, and avoid spikes among other obstacles. The goal is to go as far as you can while collecting gold diamonds. As you complete challenges you will be awarded with new cards. The cards are categorized in three types: Power ups, Weapons, and Mounts. Monsu is an extremely well made endless runner, unique in certain elements especially with the addition of cards that add a lot to the game’s enjoyment. Monsu is a game that will amaze you and offer you a very enjoyable experience. Give it a try.
And here is our Download3K review of Monsu.
We reached the end of our Top 10 iOS Games of 2014 list. I hope our choices and recommendations are helpful, and hopefully we have introduced you to great games that you didn’t know until now. While I’m sure the new year will bring more amazing titles, the games of the list will stick around for a long time and won’t be forgotten easily. Happy holidays!
