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[PaulBizkit]

Got a new phone for my birthday and jumped from Android 4.1 to 6.0.1 and boy it's different.

(Rant start)
Gone are the days of fresh new IPs that present you with simple and innovative gameplay mechanics like Angry Birds, Cut The Rope and Hitman Go in favor of apps that psychologically try to trick you into spending money.

FF Brave Exvius, south park, fire emblem, dbz, every game from an already established franchise is a gacha game where you never get the character you want and every element that can be quantified is sold to you in one way or another.
(Rant end)

I've been playing only pokemon go (first time that i've ever been able to play it properly) and today I installed Animal Crossing Pocket Camp. Two games, so far, without invassive micro transactions.

So, mobileGAF, what games can you recommend me that are NOT gacha games?

 

[EdgeXL]

My god, tons.

Slayaway Camp

Franbow

2-Bit Cowboy series

Star Command

Whispering Willows

A Normal Lost Phone

Mechanic Escape

Monument Valley Series

Stellar Wanderer

A Good Snowman Is Hard To Build

Neon Shadow

Deus Ex GO

The Deep Paths

Legend of the Skyfish

Vampire Legends

Ys Chronicles

Badland

Knights of Pen & Paper

You Must Build A Boat

Evoland

The Beggar's Ride

Framed

Batllevoid

Virtua Tennis

Kemco Toei publishes a bunch of RPGs - some are pretty good. Check out Modern Combat 4 and 5 from Gameloft.

 

[Rdfaiz]

Kairosoft

 

[PaulBizkit]

My god, tons.

Slayaway Camp

Franbow

2-Bit Cowboy series

Star Command

Whispering Willows

A Normal Lost Phone

Mechanic Escape

Monument Valley Series

Stellar Wanderer

A Good Snowman Is Hard To Build

Neon Shadow

Deus Ex GO

The Deep Paths

Legend of the Skyfish

Vampire Legends

Ys Chronicles

Badland

Knights of Pen & Paper

You Must Build A Boat

Evoland

The Beggar's Ride

Framed

Batllevoid

Virtua Tennis

Kemco Toei publishes a bunch of RPGs - some are pretty good. Check out Modern Combat 4 and 5 from Gameloft.

Awesome, I'll check those games, thanks. BTW do you need both hands to play them? I tried virtua tennis but I just couldn't get used to the controls

 

[EdgeXL]

^ Some yes, some no. Neon Shadow is an FPS game so obviously it needs two hands whereas games like Slayaway Camp and Star Command only require one hand.

 

[Bodom78]

Check out DATA WING

 

[wondermega]

Another gaffer and I made this game a couple of years ago. It's pretty low budget, but I'm proud of how it came out gameplay wise, especially considering the touchscreen play.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.me.nullengine.android

 

[Seraph_Nicholas]

Here's my current favorites -

GunboundM is a great rendition of the classic, recommended if you like Worms.
VOEZ is the best rhythm game ever made, though the tracklist is very japanese.
War Robots is a pretty great online shooter, based around mech combat.
Oh, and the new Puzzle Fighter. Definitely a gacha, but the core game is as solid as ever.

 

[jshackles]

So, mobileGAF, what games can you recommend me that are NOT gacha games?

Since you mentioned Brave Exvius I'll assume you're a fan of Final Fantasy. I've been playing Final Fantasy Dimensions II on Android and having a good time with it. It was a GACHA game in JP, but they changed up the US / Global version to remove all the gachas and microtransactions so it's actually pretty decent.

Although not a "total Final Fantasy experience" (it's kinda like Exvius / Record Keeper where you fight battles, equip your characters, move around the map, gather quests, repeat) it's actually well done. The downside is that it costs money up front, but I've got about 30+ hours out of my purchase so far so I'm pretty happy with that.

Not for everyone, but it might be up your alley if you like Final Fantasy but don't like gachas.

 

[Toadthemushroom]

Million Onion Hotel came out recently, it's brilliant.

There's also Aka to Blue, a new original shmup that's by ex-Cave staffers. It's a bit like Dodonpachi Maximum which was originally a Windows Phone exclusive.

 

[Z3M0G]

Check out Last Man On Earth. Its Dont Starve with Zombies.

Its P2W of course, but what isnt.

 

[BANGS]

My god, tons

To narrow it down, which ones actually have decent controls? It's a shame how mobile games forget they are mobile games and use console type controls so you're forced to cover half the screen with your hands at any given time...

 

[sometimes i game]

Have you played Implosion? Game is amazing. Awesome touch controls.

Honestly there are so many if you would simply look outside of the Top 20 on the sales chart. Many sidescrollers or racers, some "console quality" 3rd person.

 

[Toe-Knee]

Knacks quest

 

[Ubername]

To narrow it down, which ones actually have decent controls? It's a shame how mobile games forget they are mobile games and use console type controls so you're forced to cover half the screen with your hands at any given time...

I paid for GTA LCS on iphone and got a minute or so in before I had to come to grips with that point

 

[Rellik]

To narrow it down, which ones actually have decent controls? It's a shame how mobile games forget they are mobile games and use console type controls so you're forced to cover half the screen with your hands at any given time...

I paid for GTA LCS on iphone and got a minute or so in before I had to come to grips with that point

Do remember you can use controllers with phones if the game supports it. My phone even came with the DS4 app pre-installed.

 

[Ubername]

Do remember you can use controllers with phones if the game supports it. My phone even came with the DS4 app pre-installed.

Wow, that's amazing. Thru micro usb or wireless?

Though tbh I don't think I'd go through that trouble but the option is nice.

 

[BANGS]

Though tbh I don't think I'd go through that trouble...

This. I'm not gonna carry a controller with me and if I'm home, I might as well play a console game lol

 

[Ubername]

This. I'm not gonna carry a controller with me and if I'm home, I might as well play a console game lol

I think there are places where I could imagine doing it, say a plane or in a hotel or something since I don't have a Switch and my PSP is busted. They do have all the GTA's on the apple store as well. But honestly I'd just rather have them put some buttons on the damn phone, since there are like 2 scenarios ever in my life where I've appreciated having to use a touch screen to navigate my phone (scrolling news... maybe scrubbing videos), everything else I just can't.

 

[Horsemama1956]

This. I'm not gonna carry a controller with me and if I'm home, I might as well play a console game lol

If my wife wants the TV I'll put my tablet on the coffee table and play an emulator or something if I don't feel like play a mobile game. I use a DS4 plugged in via USB or USB Snes controller. Not really any different than playing on a WiiU gamepad or Switch undocked.

Some people might still want to sit with their wife or whatever and not necessarily watch what they are watching.

 

[BANGS]

Fair point, I personally use my 3DS for those situations but I guess getting a PS4 controller for mobile games is a better budget option...

 

[Horsemama1956]

Fair point, I personally use my 3DS for those situations but I guess getting a PS4 controller for mobile games is a better budget option...

Personally have no interest in owning a 3DS or anything like that. I just play old shit I missed via emulation or fire up something like Wayward Souls which just plays better with a controller.

 

[sainraja]

How/which app allows you to connect your DS4 controller?

 

[DiscoJer]

If you like space 4x games there's a new one that's pretty nice, Uciana

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.birdshel.Uciana

 

[EdgeXL]

To narrow it down, which ones actually have decent controls? It's a shame how mobile games forget they are mobile games and use console type controls so you're forced to cover half the screen with your hands at any given time...

I haven't had any trouble controlling any of the games I listed. For the record, I only recommend games I have played and beaten (if there is a campaign).

Game control schemes vary but a couple of examples - Slayaway Camp uses a "slide" mechanic and works very well on mobile. Star Command has combat which may require you to tap the screen at a certain time which also works well.

Neon Shadow being an FPS does require you to move your character and aim your gun just like any other shooter but I got through it just fine.

 

[autoduelist]

Anyone have good tactical android game recommendations?

Also, if you like tower defense get Dungeon Warfare.

There are tons of others I could recommend, but I'd need genre to tie it down some.

 

[Pepboy]

Dragon Quest games are great on Android, arguably the best way to play some of them currrently.

DQ III and DQ V I would especially recommend (V first, it's on sale!)

They were originally SNES and DS games ported to Smartphones and are so fun.