Pocket Playground - Mobile Game Reviews

  Agent Dash What is Agent Dash?     Special agent on the run. Agent Dash is a casual endless runner game available on iOS and Android devices. It was created by the developers of Full Fat Productions and released in 2012. What to expect:     Sprint through an evil lair and various terrains in this endless runner as a secret agent on a mission. To control the character, swipe left and right, up to jump, and down to slide to avoid obstacles that come your way. Go around tight curves and try not to fall as the ground below you crumble away making the game even more intense. Collect shiny diamonds when running to be used in the menu shop to buy special items and characters. Pick up gadgets to help get you through the levels such as a jetpack, slow-mo, and invisible cloak. Check out Heavy's Top 10 Tips  on strategies to get a high score and dodge danger. Diamonds can be used to upgrade these gadgets so that they can be used longer. Microfilms, availab...

  Timberman What is Timberman?     Chop away! Timberman is a casual game available on iOS and Android devices. It was created by the developers of Digital Melody and released in 2014. There is also a Timberman 2 - VS Battle which is a multiplayer version of this game and Timberman: The Big Adventure, a 2D platformer.  What to expect:     Become a lumberjack in Timberman as you wield an axe and chop away. Timberman is a very simple game in which you must chop trees and other structures as fast as possible, getting a high score. Chop as fast as you can to not run out of time and obtain more rewards. Be careful by trying to avoid branches that can hit the character on the head, making you lose. To do this, tap the screen on the left and right and switch sides so the branches miss you. Scoring points rewards you with a certain number of logs that is the same as your score, so getting a higher score grants you more logs. If you are new to Timberman, iMore's...

  Survivor!.io What is Survivor!.io?          Protect your brains! Survivor!.io is an action zombie survival game available on iOS and Android devices. It was created by the developers of Habby and released in 2017.  What to expect:     Defend yourself against hordes of zombies and monsters invading the city with 130 levels to play through. The levels can be played using five energies identified as a lightning bolt with a maximum of 30 energy you can have. Use up all the energy and wait for it to regenerate after 20 minutes. Once spawned into a level, a small wave of zombies will appear, increasing as you get near the end. Take them out using weapons and abilities that can be acquired and upgraded using biofuel, small green gems around the map. Crates can also be found and destroyed around the map that contains health, powerups, or coins.      Coins can be used in the menu to evolve your character's stamina, strength, tenacity,...

  Apple Knight What is Apple Knight?     An apple a day keeps the bad guys away. Apple Knight is a 2D action platformer game available on iOS and Android devices. It was created by the developers of Limitless and released in 2019. This is the first installment of the game with a sequel.  What to expect:     Go on an adventurous journey in a 2D world as a knight, taking on enemies and completing levels. Face wizards shooting fireballs, giant bats, guards with broadswords, and more along the way. To control the character, hold the left and right arrows to move forward and backward, up arrow to jump, the double right arrow for a boost, the sword icon to attack, and the apple icon to throw apples. Every level is different and can be played on four difficulties like Story, Casual, Hard, and Ultra Hard which make them more challenging. Need help getting past certain levels? Touch, Tap, Play's Apple Knight Tips and Cheats Guide  has your back to get you throu...

  Fallout Shelter What is Fallout Shelter?     Build your underground civilization. Fallout Shelter is a role-playing game available on iOS and Android devices. It was created by the developers of Bethesda and released in 2015. The game is based on the Fallout series about life during a post-apocalyptic world after a nuclear war.  What to expect:     In Fallout Shelter, you are given an underground vault for which you are in control. People called "Dwellers" help to keep the vault functioning. Dwellers can be assigned to any rooms you can build in the vault like a diner, medical bay, water treatment, and power generator using bottlecaps. Diner, water treatment, and power generator rooms are important for the resources and functioning of the vault. A sufficient amount of all three resources is vital for the dwellers' health. It can take time to obtain resources, so you can rush the process which can be risky to get them faster. If a rush succeeds, resources ...

  Snake.io What is Snake.io?     Slick and stealthy. Snake.io is a strategy game available on iOS and Android devices. It was created by the developers of Kooapps and released in 2016. What to expect:     The game's name may give it away, but you are playing as a snake in Snake.io. In the game, your snake spawns in a random spot and the goal is to survive for as long as possible. Around you are small dots of various colors which your snake can eat for energy to grow longer. Control your snake by using the joystick to move in any direction and a boost button to go faster which does use energy. Be on the lookout for other players' snakes when moving around to avoid dying. Your snake can die by running into the bodies of other snakes causing it to lose all of its energy, so be careful of snakes using boosters who may cut in front of you. Take out the other snakes by making them run into you, collecting their energy to grow longer. Level Winner's  Tips and...

  Terraria What is Terraria?     A world of adventure. Terraria is a 2D sandbox platformer game available on iOS and Android devices. It was created by the developers of 505 Games and was released in 2011 to computers and consoles, then mobile in 2013. Similar to Minecraft, this game has a world to explore if you have not already. What to expect:     Terraria is similar to Minecraft in a way that not only is it this blocky world, but there is so much to see and do. Create your character with a set of customizations and once finished, give them a cool name. After that, it is time to create a world with settings to choose from to make it more interesting. Choose between small, medium, and large which determines the size of your world. Worlds can be given a name and then generated. The character will spawn with a copper sword, axe, and pickaxe to help gather resources, inventory, a health bar, and a mana bar represented by blue stars that are used for magic. An NPC...

  Galaxy Attack: Alien Shooter What is Galaxy Attack: Alien Shooter?     Defend the galaxy! Galaxy Attack: Alien Shooter is an action space shooter game available on iOS and Android devices. It was created by the developers of Abigames Studio and released in 2022. What to expect:     The name of the game is just what it is. In Galaxy Attack: Alien Shooter, you are the commander of your spaceship through the galaxy.  Simply slide your finger around the screen to move the spaceship. Go up against waves of alien bug-like creatures trying to destroy your ship, blasting your way through them equipped with powerful blasters. Destroying the aliens drops weapon upgrades for you to pick up that make your spaceship even stronger as the waves get bigger and bigger. Check out Level Winner's Tips and Tricks  for strategies to use within the game. There are different modes to try like endless waves of enemies, arena, and boss fight. Coins can be rewarded for co...

Crash of Cars What is Crash of Cars?     Speed into battle. Crash of Cars is a multiplayer car battle game available on iOS and Android devices. It was created by the developers of Not Doppler and released in 2017.  What to expect:     Crash of Cars is a competitive multiplayer game where players use cars equipped with weapons to destroy their opponents' cars. Choose a map to play on from over 10 to play on. Control the cars by pressing and holding the left and right sides of the screen. To acquire weapons, look for blue cubes with question marks that appear around the map and drive into them, which can give you a random weapon, shield, boost, or health to survive against other cars. Destroying enemy cars drops crowns to collect that also generate around the map. The more crowns you collect, the higher number of coins rewarded once your car is destroyed.      Coins can be used to unlock common level cars on a prize machine of 100 coins. Rare,...

  Subway Surfers What is Subway Surfers?     Be on the run! Subway Surfers is an endless runner game available on iOS and Android devices. It was created by the developers of SYBO Games and released in 2012. What to expect:     Dive into a world of color as the main character Jake, a spray paint artist, is running from a guard and his dog. Dodge obstacles like barriers, bushes, walls, and moving trains for as long as possible. To control the character, swipe left and right, up to jump, and down to roll. As you go further, the game starts to speed up, meaning your reflexes have to be fast to avoid hitting obstacles. Powerups can be picked up along the way like boots that make you jump higher, a paint jetpack, a hoverboard, double points, and a pogo stick. Pocket Tactics'  Subway Surfers Guide  for using these powerups correctly could help your high score.     Gold coins that are collected while running can be used in the menu shop to purchase ...

  Jetpack Joyride What is Jetpack Joyride?     Up, up, and away! Jetpack Joyride is an endless runner action game available on iOS and Android devices. It was created by the developers of Halfbrick Studios, the creators of Fruit Ninja which was released in 2011 and a sequel in 2020.  What to expect:     The main character, Barry Steakfries, is trying to break out of a lab, and to do so, he needs the help of a jetpack to escape. Using a bullet-powered jetpack, avoid obstacles in the way such as laser beams, zappers, and missiles hurdling towards you. To control the jetpack, hold down your finger on the screen to go up and release to go down. Vehicle powerups can be picked up along the way like motorcycles, flying dragons, and mechanical robots like S.A.M (Strong Arm Machine) by picking up tokens which grant immunity from obstacles until the vehicle is destroyed. The farther you go, the higher your score will go which is counted in meters. Game Informer share...

Among Us What is Among Us?     Who can be trusted? Among Us is an action and mystery game available on iOS and Android devices. It was created by the developers of InnerSloth which was released in 2018, becoming very popular with millions of gamers around the world. What to expect:     Hone your detective skills in this mystery-solving game called Among Us. Teamwork is very important in this game as you work with other players online in fifteen-player rounds. There are different maps to play on and two roles that are given randomly which are Crewmate and Imposter. Roles are kept hidden so it is difficult to know who you can trust. As a Crewmate, you must complete tasks around the map while avoiding the imposter, the mystery person who eliminates the Crewmates. If all of the Crewmates complete their tasks, they win, but if the Imposter eliminates all of them, they lose. The Imposter must be sneaky in eliminating the other players to avoid being caught by turning off l...

Geometry Dash What is Geometry Dash?     Jump, jump, slide! Geometry Dash is a platformer game available on iOS and Android devices. It was created by the developers of RobTop Games and released in 2013. Accompanied by some awesome music soundtracks in the background, playing this game gets you in a jumping mood.  What to expect:     Jump your way through the many levels of Geometry Dash as a cube while listening to music soundtracks of various artists. Each level is very different with a lot of jumping and sliding and is rhythm-based meaning the movements of your cube mimic the rhythm of the song. To jump, you tap the screen and slide by not touching the screen. You must successfully get through each level by avoiding obstacles like spikes and jumping at the right moments as the cube slides. There are three secret coins to collect that appear throughout each level in which you can earn achievements. Completing the levels grants you an achievement eith...

Smashy Road: Wanted What is Smashy Road: Wanted?     Go on a hot car pursuit. Smashy Roads: Wanted is an arcade racing game available on iOS and Android devices. The game was created by the developers of Bearbit Studios which was released in 2018. A sequel to the game, Smashy Road: Wanted 2, is also available which was released in 2021. What to expect:      In Smashy Road: Wanted, the police are pursuing you at every corner you turn. You must evade them for as long as possible, trying not to crash into barricades, buildings, traffic, and driving into water. To play, you simply use your thumbs to control the car, pressing the left side of the screen to turn that direction, and right to turn in that one. No timer is present, so drive as long as possible without being caught or wrecking your car. The longer you keep going, the higher your score and wanted level will increase, going from police cars to military tanks on your tail that shoot at you. Learn some tricks...

  Crossy Road What is Crossy Road?          Why did the chicken cross the road? Crossy Road is a mobile endless hopper arcade game available on iOS and Android devices. The game was created by the developers of Hipster Whale and released in 2014.  What to expect:      Crossy Road is a game that the whole family can take turns playing. It is an endless hopper game meaning that your in-game character must keep moving forward to avoid losing. There is a big roster of characters and animals to choose from that have unique appearances and movements including mystery characters, and using Pocket Gamer's How To Unlock Guide , you can find out how. The goal of the game is to see how far you can go without failing. By tapping the screen, your character will move forward, and by swiping left, right, or down, it will move in those directions as well. Seems easy? Well, there is more. As you move forward, there are obstacles to avoid such as moving c...

  Fruit Ninja 2 What is Fruit Ninja?     Sliced fruit coming right up! Fruit Ninja is a mobile arcade game available on iOS and Android devices. The game was created by the developers of Halfbrick Studios with the first installment being released in 2010 and the second, ten years later in 2020.  What to expect:     The name "Fruit Ninja" is exactly what the game is all about. You become a ninja who slices many kinds of fruits which is the main objective of the first Fruit Ninja game and this one. Using the tip of your fingers, you control the blade to slice the fruits by swiping across the screen. Fruits will be flying into view from the bottom of the screen where each one that you slice is worth one point. Slice multiple fruits at one time, and you can get combos worth even more points. Beware of flying bombs though, as slicing them will deduct ten points from your score. Keep an eye out for special bonus bananas that offer special powers such as a magnet ...

  Roblox What is Roblox?          A universe built on creativity. Roblox is a virtual universe available on iOS and Android devices. It was created by the developers of Roblox Corporation, first released on computers in 2006, then to iOS in 2012 and Android in 2014. Today, Roblox has over 200 million active players on the platform. What to expect:     Within Roblox, there are a lot of games for you to play that are created by players themselves. There is a wide variety of options and genres to choose from like horror, action, adventure, role-playing, racing, and much more. Thanks to Beebom for their list of the Best Roblox Games  to play, these are some you want to try out if new to Roblox. Create an account and your own character by choosing an outfit where you can purchase items using Robux, the Roblox in-app purchase currency. Make friends by adding them to your friend list, playing games together, and chatting via the in-game text chat....