- Here are the most exciting new mobile games right now, the developers and publishers behind them, and why, exactly, they’ve made the cut
Produced alongside our friends at PocketGamer.fun – THE place to discover your next favourite mobile games – here’s our pick of the best fresh-this-week titles.
While the deals and the stats of the gaming world are important, nothing would happen without the research, funding and, of course, development that goes into making a great game. PocketGamer.fun brings you latest games, lets you see them in action and download right from the page.
So here are the most exciting new mobile games right now, the developers and publishers behind them, and why, exactly, they’ve made the cut.
Monster Hunter Puzzles: Felyne Isles
The world of Monster Hunter has never been so puzzling, or as purrecious, as in the series’ latest mobile spinoff Monster Hunter Puzzles: Felyne Isles. After tests in Canada and Japan, this new match-3 monster-battler has graced Apple and Android devices worldwide as the franchise’s third release in under a year – and the second on mobile.
Developed in-house and published by Capcom, Monster Hunter Puzzles is chockful of references and easter eggs, riffing on the main series while establishing its own clear identity on the gameplay front. Players take control of a Felyne avatar – a cat-like species relegated to supporter, shopkeeper, and Meowcernary roles in other Monster Hunter romps – to take down rampaging beasts to protect an island of Felynes the only way they know how.
Standing out from the crowd of match-3 mobile titles, Monster Hunter Puzzles has boss-like battles with fan-favourite creatures who can disrupt progress on the board with fire, water, mud and other elemental hazards. But players can gain the upper paw with diagonal movement, opening up match potential to deal that many more blows to attacking monsters.
Meowllocation Time even allows players to move pieces around the board without matching them for a short time, then trigger multiple matches at once when the phase ends. There are 450 levels as of launch and plenty of beasts to overcome, from series mascot Rathalos to the frosty Lagombi.
Minesweeper
The 1990s are back in action with grid-based tactics once again sweeping the digital nation, as a modernised Minesweeper has made its way to Netflix. Thanks to the streaming giant’s current mobile model, older fans can set aside any lingering trauma from the original’s near-endless ads and enjoy the classic in an uninterrupted environment – a big win for older players that’ll likely go over newcomers’ heads.
Not only that, but Netflix’s Minesweeper is bursting with colour and packed with daily challenges to complete, plus a brand-new Journey Mode with levels set across world stages. There are no microtransactions either – this is an all-in-one complete package, ready to outshine even the snazziest computerised calculator, just like the old days.
Dusting off classic games on Netflix signals something of a change in approach from the streaming giant as it works to establish itself at the helm of video games.
Cozy Grove: Camp Spirit
Speaking of Netflix, another new exclusive has just landed in the coziest way possible – and this time it’s an actual brand-new game. Cozy Grove: Camp Spirit is a life sim all about kindness, crafting, cooking, and hanging out with every animal from bears to dogs to snails.
Developed by Spry Fox as a sequel to Cozy Grove, this new mobile launch overflows with visual charm that oftentimes could pass for a watercolour painting. And focusing on good vibes only, this indie dev has one clear message to share: Spread a little kindness every day.
Supporting ghostly bears is the name of the game, and on their journey players will explore a unique island, form friendships and customise a bustling campsite, wrapped up in a complete experience without any in-app purchases.
The title marks Spry Fox’s first new game since becoming a Netflix subsidiary, hence this sequel’s exclusive nature.
Knight Lancer
Medieval jousting is, by its very nature, retro. So what could be more fitting than pixelated palfreys in the iOS exclusive Knight Lancer – a jousting game all about 8-bit combat with one clear objective: Unseat your opponent.
Ragdoll physics and online multiplayer offer the ideal combination for ridiculous and amusing gameplay, while 18 story missions provide enough variety to keep even the most battle-worn knight coming back for more. And jousting isn’t just about taking down the other guy in the helmet. Rather, opponents range from sirs to dames and even royalty, whether they really deserve to take that critical hit or not.
Knight Lancer features a customisable knight and horse, and even heraldry. It’s the second game from Towering Towers and marks a stark departure from the first – a cartoony puzzle game called Warmagic: Duels.
Blossom Match
Tripledot Studios’ suitably summery new puzzle game Blossom Match sees players match flowers on a journey to mastery, completing zen challenges and cooling off with soft 3D visuals. Its pretty tiles randomly overlap one another and must be called to a stack where the matches are made, bringing those deeper tiles into play and diverting from the classic match-3 formula.
Tripledot Studios won Best Developer at our Mobile Game Awards 2023 (voting is now open for 2024’s People’s Choice Award, by the way) with a vast library including Woodoku, Word Hop, Solitaire and more.
And now with a blossoming puzzler added to the ranks, time will tell if Blossom Match can grow beyond the weeds into a match-3 trendsetter.
PocketGamer.fun – Your Guide to Instant Entertainment
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The .fun domain is the new home for games and game developers focused on offering a unique benefit to both players and game makers in the industry. As a new domain it’s your chance to give your brand a new distinctive URL and get straight to the serious fun! And domains are incredible value right now. At just $0.99 to register that’s less than the average IAP!
