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At techTography, I don’t believe in breaking promises, so let’s welcome the Best Games of 2019, on the Apple App Store, according to Apple. Just like the Apps, the games were also categorised by to device. There is a Game Trend of 2019 and an Apple Arcade Game of the Year.
iPhone Game of the Year 2019
The first game is Sky: Children of the Light by thatgamecompany.
If flying has always been a dream for you, this game is perfect for you. It’s an immersive game that lets you explore seven “dreamlike” worlds to reveal the mystery of the game. At the beginning of the game you
… arrive as the Children of the Light, spreading hope through the desolate kingdom to return fallen Stars to their constellations
thatgamecompany from their App page
Have a look at their website for more information. So, if you can’t keep your curiosity at bay, head over to the Apple App Store on your iPhone or iPad. Just make sure you have enough space on your phone because the game is in the vicinity of 875.1MB (size as on iPhone 7). The game is free but has a range of bundles you can buy for anything from R14.99* up to R299.99* on the South African Store or $0.99* to 19.99* on the US store, available here.
iPad Game of the Year 2019
Hyper Light Drifter by Abylight S.L. won this category.
At first glance, you might think this game was released in the wrong day and age. The game is designed based on 16-bit graphics of a few millennia ago. Not really, but gaming graphics has come a long way since the 16-bit age. The game is an RPG adventure exploration game where you manoeuvre through a desolate world in ruins, looking for ways to survive. Their website has more information. On the more modern side, Hyper Light Drifter features 120 fps gameplay on an iPad Pro and up to 60 fps on compatible iPhone and iPad models. Again, make sure you have enough space as this game needs about 850.7MB (size as on iPhone 7). The game cost R79.99* on the South African Store and $4.99* on the US store. It’s available from this link.
Mac Game of the Year 2019
Mac Game of the Year was swooped up by GRIS from Devolver / Nomada Studio.
GRIS is all about exquisite art and precise animation. On Nomada Studio’s website, Gris’s background is explained.
Gris is a hopeful young girl lost in her own world, dealing with a painful experience in her life. Her journey through sorrow is manifested in her dress, which grants new abilities to better navigate her faded reality. As the story unfolds, Gris will grow emotionally and see her world in a different way, revealing new paths to explore using her new abilities
Devolver / Nomada Studio from Nomada’s website
Do yourself a favour and visit the site to see awesome in-game screenshots. It’s available on Steam for Mac for R115.00 in South Africa and $16.99* in the US. Also available on the Apple App Store for mobile devices for R79.99* on the South African store and $4.99* on the US store. Clean out your mobile device for this one. GRIS needs 2.1GB (size as on iPhone 7).
Apple TV Game of the Year 2019
Last but not least, Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap by DotEmu is the Apple TV Game of the Year for 2019.
Your character is cursed into a half-lizard, half-human monster and your goal is to look for a cure. The character’s curse escalates with each dragon slain and transforms it into different animals. Animations in this game are hand-drawn and you listen to a re-orchestrated soundtrack. Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap is available on the Apple App Store for R129.99* on the South African store and $10.99* on the US store. This one comes in at 793.1MB (size as on iPhone 7).
Game Trend for 2019
Blockbusters Reimagined was the trend for this year. Game developers from huge brands jumped into the iOS environment and released an arsenal of new, but old games. The games are original and authentic releases and definitely not remakes of old games. Games include Call of Duty: Mobile from Activision Publishing, Pokémon Masters from DeNA Co, The Elder Scrolls: Blades from Bethesda, Assassin’s Creed Rebellion from Ubisoft, Mario Kart Tour and Dr. Mario World from Nintendo, Gears POP! from Microsoft Corporation, Alien: Blackout from D3PA and Minecraft Earth from Mojang.
Apple Arcade Game of the Year 2019
Apple recently launched Apple Arcade. It works on the same basis as Apple Music, Showmax and Netflix. Apple Arcade is free for the first month whereafter you pay a subscription of R84.99 in the South African store and $4.99 in the US store. This gives you access to over 100 new games on your iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple TV. Up to six members of your family can get access to one subscription and games can be downloaded to be played offline.
Sayonara Wild Hearts by Simogo was the winner of this category.
The game is all about driving motorcycles, doing dance battles, skateboarding, heart breaking and much more. You need to balance the universe after a young woman’s heart is broken. A custom-written pop soundtrack will be playing in your ears while you go out to restore balance in the universe. Find it now on Apple Arcade.
Conclusion
Hope you will have a game-filled December with this list of Best Games of 2019.
