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Thursday, March 12, 2020

App Army Assemble: Summer Catchers - Does this runner's gameplay match the standard set by its beautiful aesthetic?

We ask the App Army

App Army Assemble: Summer Catchers - Does this runner's gameplay match the standard set by its beautiful aesthetic?

Summer Catchers is an undeniably beautiful-looking game with its gorgeous pixellated art style. It also tells a heart-warming tale about a young girl who lives in the frozen North heading South to discover what summer actually looks like. It's all sounds lovely, but what about the gameplay? Does that match it's gorgeous aesthetic? We asked our App Army to find out
Here's what they said:

Slava Kozyrev

With Summer Catchers iOS gamers receive yet another representative of endless runners, this time courtesy of Noodlecake Studios. The good thing it supports MFi Bluetooth controllers, although I am not sure whether this fact gives you an advantage over traditional touch control scheme.
The problem here lies within the game mechanics according to which performing any in-game action (jumping, accelerating, bashing, etc) apart from automatically moving forward requires selecting and then tapping the designated button on the right side of the screen. Several successive errors and you are out.
I understand that the developers aimed to shake things up a bit and bring something new to the table by also adding text adventure and interactive story elements to the mix. But the main trouble is that due to the dynamic nature of the game I was unable to string a long perfect run unlike in the signature Alto series where you gradually get into the groove and enjoy the ride for solid 5-10 minutes. For me, Summer Catchers very quickly turned into Summer Crashers.

Paul Manchester

I was looking forward to this game and the first moments seemed promising, but that soon ended. The game looks good with nice pixel animations and overall quality finish. However, underneath this is one of the most tedious runners I’ve played. Runs are short and rely on luck for the most part.
You have a limited number of parts to help clear obstacles, but as soon as these are used up it’s back to shop to buy more. The fact that the game is restricted by this loop and actual run playtime seems so short, I quickly tired of trying to progress. It’s definitely a pass from me.

Mark Abukoff

Simple retro runner with different tools to get past different kinds of obstacles, recognizing each variety of obstacle and remembering which tool (that you have to purchase for each level) to use. Music and sounds appropriate for the genre.
Controls are simple and work well enough. Graphics look sharp and appealing. Aside from that, I’m not a big fan of endless runners and honestly found nothing remarkable about this one, but if you are a fan, the challenge of this will probably appeal to you.

Jc Ga

The genre of endless runners is not my favourite and the gameplay consisting essentially of clicking on the action icons remains simple, but there is a strategic dimension in the choice of actions, like in deck building. The pretty graphics, the cute little details, the charming universe kept me curious.
The levels with "bosses" renew the pleasure by offering stimulating challenges. It’s not a game I would play long sessions of but plunge into it for occasional runs. The game is rather repetitive by its genre, but it’s a well-finished game, and it contains quite poetic surprises. It will not satisfy all players, but if you enjoy runners, it clearly deserves to be tested.

Robert Maines

Summer Catchers gameplay did not initially impress me. Unlike most auto runners your limit on how far you can go is determined not so much by your reflexes but by the random nature of action icons served up to you as your buggy motors along. This means your game can end through no fault of your own which is very annoying. I found this very off-putting and was going to delete the game.
But sticking with it, the game grew on me as I progressed and I’m quite enjoying it now. The game’s retro visuals look good although the sound is forgettable. Persevere and you might end up liking this game as I did.
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Raquel Segal

The game is beautiful, but I don't know if I liked it. Buying tools left everything a little confusing for me. I couldn't pass some obstacles, making the game a bit boring and repetitive. I wish I liked it more :( I don't have very good reflexes, so I think this game is not for me.

Pierpaolo Morgante

I played this game quite a bit, and my overall impression is honestly neutral. The “bad” parts balance out with the good parts. I’ll describe what I liked first, then I’ll move to what I didn’t like. I liked the graphics, which are very nice and polished. I liked the soundtrack/music and the atmosphere, it is dream-like. All these features show great attention to the details from the developers, and it is quite a delight.
What I didn’t like was the overall game mechanics, unfortunately. I don’t mind a platform game or a runner. This one though was a little frustrating, as you are limited in your actions and you always have to buy more objects to use.
I got unlucky quite a few times, as I had a run that needed only the hammer tool, and there was no way I could buy that many. Overall, it is not a game I recommend, but it’s also not a game I wouldn’t recommend. For sure, look it up before you buy it though.

Marc Russell

Summer Catchers is a well-presented game using a pixelated art style, whilst this looks good on a phone, it doesn’t look too good on a tablet, but is still playable. The game overall is very polished and looks like a decent amount of effort was put into the look and feel of the game.
The game is an endless/auto-runner where you buy moves before each run and perform each move to avoid oncoming obstacles. Each run you try and complete tasks to progress further into the game. Unfortunately, the game itself is a simple concept that has been repeated many times on mobile but as a premium game.
It seems to have all the tropes of a free-to-play game to slow your progress down to make it extend the life of the game. For instance, only one task can be accomplished each run and also needing to buy specific items to complete a run with the currency you earn in-game.
The big issue I have is that at any one time there are actions shown on the screen which you can perform to avoid the oncoming pitfalls and take no damage, the actions are displayed randomly down the side of the screen, these are taken from the pool of actions you purchased or had leftover from previous runs.
Being random, you may not have the required move in your list for the oncoming obstacle, which means you have to quickly swipe one away, and then another random one from your remaining ones will replace it, this still may not be the one you require, meaning you cannot successfully navigate the obstacle. Take too many hits and the level is over.
This does mean you can fail a level, not because of your reflexes or that you didn’t purchase enough of the required actions, but because of the random nature of the way your moves are given to you, which you can then perform. This also means you can’t play a level to see how far you reactions take you as you will run out of them and your damage will end the run.
I guess this method was used to make the game “different”, but it ends up making it frustrating and for me not fun to play. I’m not sure if this can be fixed as this is the bit that makes the game “different” and removing or changing the way the game works will just make it another endless runner. For that reason, I can’t recommend the game unless you are happy with this type of gaming mechanic.

Oksana Ryan

I loved the look of this game but unfortunately, that was as good as it got. To get past obstacles in the way as I drove I had to buy tools to knock them down, jump over or boost my way up hills. These tools were bought using mushrooms collected on the course.
There were other tasks to perform to get through the course but I never got to them, instead, the game soon took on a repetitive theme of the short drive - back to start and buy more tools. A short drive - back to start and buy more tools. After more attempts than I care to think about I got bored and gave up. Definitely not for me.

What is the App Army?

The App Army is Pocket Gamer's lovely community of mobile game experts. As often as possible, we ask them for their thoughts on the latest games and share them with you.
To join, simply head over to the Facebook Group and request access by answering the three questions. We'll then get you in right away.

Genshin Impact, the iOS-bound, Breath of the Wild-inspired open-world RPG, is heading to Nintendo Switch

Release date still unknown

Genshin Impact, the iOS-bound, Breath of the Wild-inspired open-world RPG, is heading to Nintendo Switch



Genshin Impact caused quite a stir when it was announced last year due to its abundant similarities to Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. At its core, the game is an open-world adventure with anime-style characters and a more traditional RPG levelling system than BOTY.
I can certainly see why people are drawing comparisons – the stamina meter, cooking system, enemy designs, etc – but some disgruntled gamers took it way too far at last year's ChinaJoy, with one peeved player smashing his PS4 in protest.
A ridiculous overreaction? Yes, maybe. But as industry analyst Daniel Ahmad pointed out at the time, Chinese gamers seemed to be taking Genshin's blatant cribbing of ideas from BOTW quite personally.
The news today is that Genshin Impact will eventually launch for Nintendo Switch. We already knew that a mobile version is in the works, but it's nevertheless good to hear that Switch owners will also be able to give it a go.
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The game was previously planned to launch this year, though as Nintendo Life points out, its publisher has since said that the release date is "to be announced", perhaps suggesting that it's still a ways off yet.
Honestly, I think Genshin Impact looks pretty neat. It definitely hews a little too closely to BOTW in several key areas, but its anime-inspired visuals and distinct world design appear sufficiently different in my eyes. The fact that it's heading to mobile also has me super intrigued because it looks to be a fairly ambitious, large-scale project.
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Chances are it probably won't launch until later this year at the earliest. As long as they can get it out before Breath of the Wild 2, eh?
You'll find more info over on Genshin Impact's official site, including the latest updates, character bios, and details on the tie-in manga

Genshin Impact, the Breath of the Wild-inspired RPG, is looking for players to test its latest closed beta

Here's how to sign up for the game's latest closed beta

Genshin Impact, the Breath of the Wild-inspired RPG, is looking for players to test its latest closed beta

Genshin Impact is the controversial open-world RPG that drew the ire of some gamers last year for its abundant similarities to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Earlier this week, the announcement came that a Switch version is on the way, but I'm primarily interested in how this ambitious title works on iOS and Android.
Thankfully, a select few will now be able to get some hands-on time with it by signing up for the game's latest closed beta. It's set to showcase the Liyue Harbor area and will "allow players an opportunity to understand the legend of the Geo Archon and unveil the secrets of this gorgeous city". The beta will kick off at some point in Q1 2020.
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The original closed beta featured Mondstadt, the "City of Wind". New characters and adventures await in Liyue Harbor, so it's probably worth getting involved even if you participated the first time around.
For those not in the know, Genshin Impact is an open-world RPG set in the fantasy realm of Teyvat. It's a story-focused title with an elemental combo-based combat system and plenty of impressive locales to explore.
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As I say, it originally made news for its clear cribbing of ideas from Nintendo's Breath of the Wild, including the stamina meter, cooking mechanics, enemy designs, and more. That said, the overall presentation is quite different, with Genshin Impact going for a more anime-style look that sets it apart just enough from its most obvious inspiration.
If you'd like to get involved in the closed beta, you can sign up now over on the game's official site. It looks like they're taking PC, iOS, and Android-based applicants at the moment. No release date for the full game has yet been revealed, though it was originally set to launch this year.

Genshin Impact, basically Breath of the Wild for mobile, is getting another closed beta this month

Heading to mobile, PC, and consoles later this year

Genshin Impact, basically Breath of the Wild for mobile, is getting another closed beta this month
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iOS + Android
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Genshin Impact
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Genshin Impact's latest PC, iOS, and Android closed beta is set to begin later this month on March 19th. According to Gematsu, those who signed up to take part should be notified shortly. 
To say this one looks good would be an understatement. But there's a slight problem: Some people, including attendees of last year's ChinaJoy event, believe that Genshin Impact hews a little too closely to Nintendo's beloved The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
It's hard not to spot numerous similarities between their world and enemy designs. In some cases, it's outright glaring. Sure, the addition of popular mechanics like a stamina meter and cooking system could be put down to coincidence, but when added together, it does feel like calling it "Breath of the Wild-inspired" doesn't tell the full story.
As much as you could rag on Genshin Impact for taking liberally from BOTW, the reality of the matter is that it still looks really darn impressive, doubly so considering it's targeting mobile devices.
The anime-style character designs, addition of more typical RPG levelling systems, and vastly different combat mechanics might be enough to separate the two and allow Genshin to shake the ripoff label, though that remains to be seen.
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The game's first closed beta took players to Mondstadt, the "City of Wind". This latest test unlocks the stunning Liyue region. Check out the trailer above to get a proper feel for the area. All told, I'm getting slightly reduced BOTW vibes from the latest footage, so I'd advise giving the PS4 gameplay trailer a watch to see some of the more overt similarities.
Genshin Impact is set to launch for PC, consoles, iOS, and Android later this year. If the mobile version arrives in a half-decent state, it could well be one of the biggest games of 2020.

10 Must-Play Free Action Games for iPhone & Android

We've already shown you our favorite new action games that have come out this year, but now it's time to share our all-time top ten list. These games are available for both Android and iPhone, they don't have intrusive ads or freemium schemes, and most importantly, they're all completely free to play.
Action games range from endless runners to racing games and fighting games. As such, the sheer number of games that fall under this category can make it hard to choose something worth playing, so we came up with our own list of the ten best action games for mobile devices. Though all the games in this list come with in-app purchases that can enhance gameplay, we made sure to avoid pay-to-play games and ones that were full of annoying advertisements.

1BLEACH Brave Souls

Based off the hit anime and manga series, BLEACH Brave Souls follows the story of Ichigo Kurosaki, a teenager endowed with the special ability tap into the spirit world to fight otherworldly monsters known as hollows. The game does a great job in capturing the spirit of the franchise, and features awesome graphics and intuitive controls that'll have you slaying evil spirits for hours on end.
As a hack-and-slash RPG, BLEACH Brave Souls comes standard with all the elements common to role-playing games, such as the ability to improve your characters' base stats through experience gained in combat. In addition, the game gives you the freedom to assemble your ideal squad from a roster of characters to better reflect your style of combat.
Fans of the anime will really love the game's unlocking system, which allows you to collect, control, and level up characters from the anime, such as Rukia Kuchiki, Kenpaki Zaraki, and Renji Abarai. And just like the show, BLEACH Brave Souls lets you perform each of the characters' special attacks such as Ichigo's Getsuga Tensho to help you dispatch powerful opponents with cruel efficiency

2Pokémon Rumble Rush

Pokémon Rumble Rush is one of the newer titles to come out from the famous franchise, and it sports straightforward gameplay that children of all ages can enjoy. In it, you'll take on the role of an adventurer tasked with battling and catching Pokémon of all stripes while exploring uncharted islands on behalf of the Adventurers Club.
Exploration is key to Pokémon Rumble Rush. This is done through the use of Guide Feathers, which reveal previously unknown regions and the Pokémon that inhabit them. From there, you'll battle with Pokémon of varying types to collect as pets or donate to the Adventurers Club.
Its worth noting that unlike other Pokémon games, there's no way to evolve your critters in Pokémon Rumble Rush — instead, you can only catch evolved forms like Charizard or Raichu outright. That being said, the game features a simple system to enhance a Pokémon's health or strength through attachments like gears, which can be refined from ores that you can collect as random loot from defeated bosses.

3Lost in Harmony

Lost in Harmony seamlessly blends elements of obstacle running and rhythm games into a fast-paced musical odyssey set in the surreal dream world of two best friends as they cope with illness and grief. A poignant storyline that's too good to spoil combined with a beautiful soundtrack easily makes this one of the best action games for mobile right now.
Unlike most running games, Lost in Harmony has finite stages where you slide across lanes to gather stardust, all while avoiding obstacles and tapping on rhythm orbs that are tied to the musical score. More maps are unlocked as you progress through the story-driven game, along with different outfits and skateboards that you can purchase with stardust collected to customize your characters.
Lost in Harmony also comes with an expansion pack which tells the tale of M.I.R.A.I., a robot whose harrowing story of escape is told through a collection of new courses and accompanying musical tracks. In addition to its story modes, the game also lets you design your own courses, complete with music, which you can then share with the community.

4Into the Dead 2

Into the Dead 2 combines elements of running and zombie genres to make a terrifyingly exciting first-person running game. Unlike its predecessor, Into the Dead 2 is a story-driven, stage based runner that has you travel a certain distance to make it to safety and progress to the next level.
The object of the game is to survive for as long as you can — and as with other zombie games, you have to do this without getting mauled by the legions of undead that stand in between you and the loving arms of your anxious wife and daughter.
Like the original, dodging zombies like an NFL receiver is essential to going the distance and surviving the post-apocalyptic nightmare that is Into the Dead 2. Thankfully, the game's controls are customizable, which helps you hit the ground running, so to speak.
To add spice to Into the Dead 2, crates containing various weapons are scattered across the field. You also earn credits as you play, which can be traded in for various perks like animal companions. As with the original, there's tons of weapons to unlock and equip as you progress through the game, and with 7 chapters to play through, you'll definitely need all the arsenal you can get your hand on to survive the zombie horde.

5CarX Drift Racing 2

CarX Drift Racing 2 is one of the most challenging and addicting mobile racing games out. It's sure to push your driving skills to the limit, regardless of whether you're racing alone or against others. While not as focused on going extremely fast as other titles like Need for Speed, the game is almost guaranteed to have your adrenaline pumping as you drift through extremely sharp turns at high speeds.
The game boasts console-quality graphics, customizable controls, and mechanics that add a layer of realism rarely found in mobile racing games. While CarX Drift Racing 2 offers a multiplayer mode to compete with players, it requires you to do solo races at the outset to ensure you first hone your drifting skills and experiment with speed, angles, and so on for consistent performance on the track.
CarX Drift Racing 2 features a wide array of cars that you can unlock, and though unofficially, comprises of cars made by famous OEMs like Subaru, BMW, and more. To perfectly match your style of drifting, the game lets you completely fine tune your ride from the ground up. These mods range from body panels like the fenders and wing, to brakes and tires, and that's barely scratching the surface.

6Tales of Wind

Also known as Laplace M, Tales of Wind is a massive online RPG that first gained fame as a PC game. In it, you'll take on the role of a hero out to save the world from ruin. As is common with MMORPGs, the game lets you customize your character's appearance before embarking on your epic quest to ensure you stand out from the sea of players populating the world.
Beyond that, Tales of Wind also features several character classes that you can play as — from a spell-casting mage, or a cleric that specializes in the healing arts, to an assassin or warrior that excels in melee combat. For tougher quests, you can even team up with other players and summon monsters to help you clear dungeons that may be beyond your capabilities.
And if you're a fan of Stardew Valley or Harvest Moon, Tales of Wind has you covered. It features a mini-game that will have you farm your very own plot of land to grow and trade crops, look after livestock, and more. So if you've been looking for a quality RPG with tons of content and decent storyline to boot, you should definitely give this little gem a try.

7Warhammer 40,000: Freeblade

If you've ever had the urge to pilot a giant robot and rampage through city streets like a bull in a china shop, then Warhammer 40,000: Freeblade is the game for you. This sci-fi game from the popular Warhammer franchise has all the hallmarks of a great mobile game: Great graphics and touch controls, intense missions, and full character customization.
The intuitive controls make it easy to employ a variety of weaponry and wreak havoc on an assortment of enemy units that range from lowly grunts to tanks and robots. Your mech's movements are automated in a pre-determined route, which makes it a lot easier to concentrate on combat.
You can level up through combat and game progression, and this rewards you with precious loot, resources, and currency. With your currency, you can customize your mech by changing its color and upgrading its armor, or by crafting more powerful weapons to make it more potent on the battlefield.

8Shadow of Death

Essentially a stickman game on steroids, Shadow of Death is a straightforward side-scrolling RPG that will have you hack and slash your way through hordes of shadowy creatures in a quest to reverse the calamity that's befallen your once-beautiful world. Featuring stunning visuals and effects, the game evokes the feeling of doom and gloom as you play, and has the ability to suck you in without realizing.
As a side-scrolling game with simple controls, gameplay is straightforward and will have you slaying monsters off the bat. Don't be fooled, however, as the game gets pretty challenging right from the start as you fight your way through various types of creatures that can deal damage up close or from a distance.
Fortunately, your character becomes more powerful as you level up, and beyond unlocking more powerful skills and perks, you can also equip better weapons and armor to cut down monsters more easily. Not only that, you can also save and use other fallen heroes such as Quinn Nephilam the cursed mage, in addition to enlisting monster companions like ice wyverns to fight with you.

9Brawl Stars

A top-down action game with MOBA elements, Brawl Stars pits you against players across the globe in intense, three-on-three matchups in different modes of objective-based play. Gameplay is extremely fast paced, and features short three-minute matches that are set on small maps to guarantee encounters.
Thanks to its simple controls, just about anyone can play competitively in Brawl Stars. This helps ensure you have a steady supply of players to go against anytime you want to battle online. In addition, there's also up to 15 heroes with unique abilities like melee combat, shooting, and tossing explosives that you can unlock and upgrade, so you're sure to find a favorite character that will match your fighting style.

10Talking Tom Hero Dash

Unlike the noisy Talking Tom series of games that largely entertained little kids, Talking Tom Hero Dash is a great endless running game that anyone can enjoy. Just as its name implies, the game will have you take control of the talkative feline and dash through the streets of his beloved city in a quest to save it from an army of rampaging raccoons.
As with any running game, Talking Tom Hero Dash has a straightforward premise that entails running through the city streets for as long as you can to score the highest points while dodging obstacles and oncoming traffic, in addition to collecting coins and tackling raccoons. As you progress, you also have the ability to rescue and enlist other characters like Hank and Angela to keep things interesting.
While commercials are present and occasionally pop up as full screen ads every few stages along with banners that appear on the main screen, they don't negatively affect gameplay in the least. Beyond those, you have the added option of watching ads voluntarily to collect rewards and earn a second attempt at a stage after getting knocked out.