![\"\"](\"https:\/\/arcader.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/top-10-apple-arcade-games-worth-playing.jpg\")
<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
There\u2019s a widespread stigma attached to mobile titles\u00a0that has pushed\u00a0them to the bottom of the popularity charts for years \u2026 at least when compared to PC and console experiences. Of course, there are exceptions. Pok\u00e9mon Go and Clash of Clans, for example, have proved\u00a0games on the smallest screen are more than just microtransaction-heavy propaganda or digitized tabletop adaptations. Like other extensive catalogs, Apple Arcade<\/a> is filled with\u00a0games that raise the bar \u2013 from experimental JRPGs to ported blockbusters. Try out the ten gems listed below if you\u2019ve got an iOS device and want to break into the mobile scene.<\/p>\n Click here to watch embedded media<\/a><\/p>\n The most mechanically involved game on this list, Oceanhorn 2, offers a fantastical sandbox in third-person perspective with a dynamic camera. Visually reminiscent of Breath of the Wild, the RPG is also available on last-gen consoles, making this solid port all the more impressive. The graphical fidelity is particularly striking \u2013 city towers cast long shadows over cobblestone paths, and scalable grassy knolls stretch as far as the eye can see. Real-time combat with well-timed dodge-rolls, opportune sword slashes, and precise accuracy with sidearm makes the moment-to-moment action feel fluid and exciting. Oceanhorn 2 isn\u2019t The Legend of Zelda, but it comes damn close and shouldn\u2019t fly under your mobile radar.\u00a0<\/p>\n Click here to watch embedded media<\/a><\/p>\n Before you start cycling through painful memories of arduous high school English classes, you should know that Dear Reader is not only about parsing through classic texts; it\u2019s also a word puzzle game. These puzzles range from simply filling in blanks with proper words or phrases to swapping lines to create coherent sequences of plot events. With over 50 books to flip through, you\u2019ll find that this is the perfect game to stimulate your mind before bed, while commuting, or during breaks in the day. It also helps that Dear Reader appeals to more than one audience, namely, bookworms and puzzle enthusiasts, young and old.\u00a0<\/p>\n Click here to watch embedded media<\/a><\/p>\n Sorry, we can\u2019t get through this list without mentioning at least one gacha game, but, trust me, they\u2019re not all<\/em> bad<\/a>. Star Trek: Legends might not have the epic intergalactic space cruiser battles that the J.J. Abrams remakes showcased, but the boots-on-the-ground combat is strong and flashy. You\u2019ll wait your turn to buff your party\u2019s morale for added damage and team attacks. Certain abilities trigger short cinematic takedowns. Word to the wise: play through the story before you start rolling the dice for new crewmembers. You\u2019ll want to spend your time learning the accessible flow of battle \u2013 learning what DPS, tank, and support classes can bring to engagements \u2013 crafting a mission and bridge team (those who stay behind can provide buffs for your mains) that utilizes their respective strengths, and discovering which abilities are the most valuable.\u00a0<\/p>\n Click here to watch embedded media<\/a><\/p>\n Grindstone eradicates the monotony of dungeon-crawling loops with an intuitive puzzle-solving system directly influenced by match-three games. You play as Jorj, a Viking warrior down on his luck. He enters the monster-infested mines atop the nearby mountain range in the hopes of earning enough money to get his family out of their wintry Scandinavian village. The satisfying sound of Jorj\u2019s blade coming down upon rows of colorful beasts constantly brought a smile to my face, and enticing rewards that popped out of treasure chests and high-tier enemies forced me to weigh survival against riches constantly. The cutesy character\/creature designs are the cherry on top.\u00a0<\/p>\n Click here to watch embedded media<\/a><\/p>\n It\u2019s no secret that Apple Arcade could do with more JRPGs. Even so, Mystwalker\u2019s Fantasian checks all the boxes: an amnesiac protagonist living in a cross-dimensional universe, gorgeous, dioramic environments, a diverse cast of pals that pack a mean punch, deep turn-based combat, and Nobuo Uematsu\u2019s musical expertise. What more could you ask for? Well, what if I told you that Fantasian pushes the JRPG formula even further\u00a0with\u00a0\u201cDimengeon battles?\u201d Bypass random encounters and, instead, take on entire armies of enemies you\u2019ve skipped in one epic fight with power-ups galore. You can watch the trailer above to see this revolutionary mechanic in action.<\/p>\n Click here to watch embedded media<\/a><\/p>\n Shantae and the Seven Sirens<\/a> doesn\u2019t reinvent the wheel for the almost two-decades-old franchise. In fact, it polishes the platforming formula and cartoonish art style that previous installments are known for. In this outing, Shantae navigates a tropical island and even dives below the watery depths to explore a sunken city on occasion. Colorful cutscenes and hearty tunes sell the happy-go-lucky atmosphere of Shantae\u2019s world. But the responsive movements and attacks \u2013 perhaps the most important aspect of highly interactive mobile games \u2013 sets Seven Sirens\u2019 gameplay apart from many of the other titles on this list.\u00a0<\/p>\n Click here to watch embedded media<\/a><\/p>\n The Oregon Trail first launched in the 1970s, and despite being marketed as an educational game, it paved the way for future adventure experiences. As a \u201cwagon leader\u201d with their own backstory (e.g., banker, carpenter, farmer), you set off on a harrowing cross-country journey with a small band of settlers. Gameloft\u2019s modernized version of the classic honors the legacy of the original while dismantling its controversial features. You\u2019ll still work to survive the horrors of the vast wilderness \u2013 devastating diseases and near-fatal injuries as well as impoverishment. However, this time around, Native Americans are playable protagonists relinquishing the original\u2019s harmful depictions of indigenous peoples as savage villains.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Click here to watch embedded media<\/a><\/p>\n Thatgamecompany\u2019s Journey appropriately inspires the long-awaited sequel<\/a> to Alto\u2019s Journey. Alto\u2019s Odyssey is an endless runner, but don\u2019t let the \u201csimplicity\u201d of its gameplay fool you. Sandboarding through shimmering dunes, past quaint settlements, and over deadly canyons can be particularly punishing, especially when the sun dips below the horizon and obstacles along your route become harder to spot \u2013 every second counts. A late flip off a ramp could be the difference between gaining speed or starting over. If you\u2019re looking for something a little more relaxing, you can hop into Zen Mode for a low-stakes, atmospheric cruise down Odyssey\u2019s endless, beachy slopes.\u00a0<\/p>\n Click here to watch embedded media<\/a><\/p>\n Sure, this selection might appeal to fans of the Cartoon Network show, but it\u2019s still worth your time and attention if you enjoy RPGs. Most movie\/television-to-video-game adaptations miss the landing, making Unleash the Light a diamond in the rough; it has no right being as good as it is! Vivid art evocative of the popular cartoon, an original story written by series creator Rebecca Sugar, performances by the beloved voice actors, turn-based combat that relies on combos, skill trees, and party customization, and a sizeable cast of playable crystal gems and their more powerful fusion counterparts make Steven Universe\u2019s mobile journey a perfect homage to its base material.\u00a0<\/p>\n Click here to watch embedded media<\/a><\/p>\n NBA 2K<\/a> is arguably the best sports franchise on consoles, with some microtransaction-focused caveats, of course. The Arcade Edition somehow manages to translate the already-polished dribbling and shooting mechanics from controller to touchscreen. Pair that with the deep MyCareer game mode where you make a baller and rise through the ranks to become a new era GOAT, and you\u2019ve got everything you need to live out your basketball fantasies on the go. Head-to-head modes like online multiplayer and blacktop also make a reappearance if you\u2019re looking to drop buckets on trash-talking friends. And, finally, a new game engine tops this all off with better animations, AI, and on-\/off-court presentation. This is hands down the best-looking game on mobile devices.\u00a0<\/p>\n Are there any games that you\u2019d recommend? Please leave them in the comments section, and be sure to check out our other two genre listicles: Top 10 Shooters<\/a> and Top 10 Action Games To Play Right Now<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nOceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm<\/h2>\n
\nDear Reader<\/h2>\n
\nStar Trek: Legends<\/h2>\n
\nGrindstone<\/h2>\n
\nFantasian<\/h2>\n
\nShantae and the Seven Sirens<\/h2>\n
\nThe Oregon Trail<\/h2>\n
\nAlto\u2019s Odyssey: The Lost City<\/h2>\n
\nSteven Universe: Unleash the Light<\/h2>\n
\nNBA 2K21 Arcade Edition<\/h2>\n
\n