Year Walk
You might have already heard about Year Walk – it has received near-universal praise for its originality and quality. It actually started out as a movie idea – which really says a lot about how seriously it takes its narrative. Based on the strange Swedish tradition called the “Arsgang” (Year Walk), the game involves a protagonist named Daniel who goes on a Year Walk journey. Along the way, he encounters mythical creatures and strange circumstances, in an adventure that will leave you thinking long after you finish. Year Walk is atmospheric, but in a very understated way that makes it unique. It feels more melancholy than scary, and the inhabitants of its world each seem to have their own fascinating back-story. If all you know about Swedish culture is IKEA and meatballs, you should take some time and check out Year Walk.
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
Perhaps no other game so perfectly captures what the iOS is capable of as a game platform than Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons. Another Swedish entry, Brothers features a moving story that slowly unfolds as you help two brothers try to save their ailing father. The game’s unique controls are the real star – you use two virtual thumbsticks to control the brothers as they travel through hostile landscapes. You often must perform two actions at the same time – one with each brother – making this game a real challenge at times, but one you will never tire of. As well, Brothers offers some of the most gorgeous vistas and environments you will find in any game today – this is truly a massive console experience packed into a little iOS package. And the story is amazing; it is full of emotional moments that grip you from the start right to the awesome ending. Trust me, you will be astounded that you are playing this game on your iPhone.
There is no iOS version trailer for this game, but here is the PS4 trailer to give you a sense of what it’s like:
Yes, the iOS platform is home to some deep and rewarding gaming experiences, and after playing these 5 titles, you’ll see why. And, as an added bonus, many of them are cheaper than their console or PC versions. So stop playing Candy Crush Saga for a moment and instead put your iPhone to work playing some REAL games – you might find that your casual gaming days are over.