9 Mobile Games Worth Trying in 2019

Hey Hero Club, it is Fighter xaos and as someone who finally got a decent mobile device I recently decided to try out a bunch of the games I have been missing out on. Now, that I have tried out these 9 games I can give people my thoughts and impressions. In addition, tell people which ones are really worth trying and which ones that people may want to wait a longer on. Also to note, is that none of these games are bad, but some are a bit more impressive or fun than the others. Also why I cannot claim that these are pay to win, some games are also less aggressive about buying add-on’s and what not than others.

 

So from here on, I will be discussing their merits based on fun, how much they bother players about spending actual money, and how fair they are with their “gacha” rates. The order in which these games are discussed in do not necessarily reflect how they rank. However, I will get to that at the end in my final thoughts. So, here are the details and thoughts on each game. All of these games are available on Android and iOS devices.

 

Dragon Ball Legends: 

The way this game works is that its gameplay is set as a team fighting game with card battle aspects. Players freely control the character in a 3D space, by just swiping their fingers on the screen. Swipes control the movements while tapping confirms players’ attacks. Also, tapping on cards and certain other things on the screen will do activate additional attacks as well as character enhancements.

Now, Dragon Ball Legends is a game that is not pay to win! As a matter of fact, several of the game items required to level up characters are devised to have players level-grind within missions. The store aspect is really to just sell things for the gacha part of the game like summoning characters.

 

Azur Lane:

This game is a shooter and RPG hybrid, that plays like a mix of an RPG and a classic side-scrolling shooter. The concept is based on anthropomorphic boats from World War 2 fighting. When playing the main game, it is just like a shooter where players control their characters movement with a virtual joypad. However, the characters aim and shoot on their own, and how well they shoot is based on their stats.

Now, this is where the RPG elements come in, as the game has plenty of avenues for players to spend money on things. There is in-game currency to spend on making the “dorm” look good. The “dorm” being the area where players can place theirs characters and have them earn experience points passively to level up. However, the rate in which they do so depends on how “comfortable” the dorm is. This is where the game tries to compel players to spend their money even though it is not entirely necessary. Yet, the game does reward the player decently for daily login and for completing missions.

The gacha side of this game is fairly generous, as the game makes sure players are able to build/ summon characters for free, with a seemingly size roster of characters. On top of that the rates for obtaining rare characters is more generous than a lot of other games, as they are estimated to be roughly 7%. Compared to other games having a 7% drop/ unlock rate for rare items is a decent advantage for any player whether they be new, or a pro.

 

Honkai Impact 3rd:

The game seems like character action games made by Platinum, of course it is not exactly one of the those games. However, there several elements I notice from games like Bayonetta within Honkai Impact 3rd. Now, players control a character in 3D space with a virtual controller. There are attack combos and variations that players can perform, as well as a version of what Bayonetta would call “witch time.” This where if players pull off a dodge at the right moment, time slows down giving players’ character ample time to launch a big attack.

Also, there is an interesting mechanic where players need a party that is set for the types of enemies. Each of these characters, players can control are strong against certain types of enemies and weaker to others. In addition, there is an extra strategy/ challenge in knowing when to switch characters in and who to bring for different levels. The gacha part of the game is something I admittedly not dived into too much, but the gameplay itself is fairly refined. Normally mobile games do not mobile require players to really dive into this mechanic, but it is interesting how it is a focus. It really shows how this group managed to make a character action game work on touchscreens without feeling awkward.

 

Shin Megami Tensei Liberation Dx2:

Surprisingly enough this mobile release in the Shin Megami Tensei franchise is straight up a regular JPRG with classic tropes from the series. It includes the ability to recruit demons, fusing demons, and there’s even a section where it turns into a classic 1st person RPG like the original games. However, the game does shove its store in the player’s face too much. Yet, to advance further in the game it does not seem players need to pay to play, but just do traditional level grinding. Also, the gacha part of the game is generous, as the game gives rare summon guaranteed cards. Overall, the game blends elements from the classic Shin Megami Tensei games, but manage to incorporate stuff from the spin-off series, Persona. This blend of the two diverging series will easily draw in a wider audience.

Star Ocean Anamnesis:

Star Ocean Anamnesis is an action RPG that has a gameplay similar to Dragon Ball Legends; in that a character is controlled by moving a finger across the screen and attacks are done by tapping the screen. The game also has the same feature of tapping specific attack buttons on the screen to trigger special attacks.

Now, Star Ocean Anamnesis’ gacha aspect is fair! The game gives players a free summon per day and logging in each day gives the player a decent amount of in-game currency. Small warning though, this game is graphically intensive and even though I was playing it on the latest iPad, the device managed to still become very hot from processing this game.

 

Final Fantasy Brave EXVIUS:

This installment in the Final Fantasy franchise plays like one of the classic Super Nintendo games. The game uses an old school pixel style for the characters, but other parts of the game uses modern graphics. On the sound front, the entire game uses high quality music and none of it is MIDI, making it sound modern.

The gameplay is truly like classic Final Fantasy game, and for those familiar with the series it seems to be like Final Fantasy VI (also known as Final Fantasy III in the United States). Tapping commands in the menu and executing them are extremely similar, which works extremely well for a mobile game. Just like with Star Ocean the game is fairly kind to players by giving them in-game currency which is used for the gacha part of the game. Yet, even without playing much of the game, and by just logging on every day I was able to get a decent amount of the currency. I eventually used that bonus to get some decent characters, without spending an actual cent.

 

Girls Frontline: 

Now, this is probably the weirdest game on this list! It is not in terms of gameplay, but in all of its menus and how overwhelming they seem. The game does have a tutorial but unfortunately when I played it, there were some parts that was left untranslated, so I was left feeling more confused. However, with recent patches the game’s translations could be fixed for newer players. Anyways, the main gameplay is like a strategy RPG, the characters are in a formation players can set, but the characters position in the formation affects their strength. This part of the game is fun while the gacha part of the game is not too bad.

For the gacha part, the game gives players plenty of in-game material to obtain characters; though it is not really necessary, as some missions unlock characters once they are defeated. However, having friends will also be a big help when playing, but it is hard to find people who have been on recently. This game is supposed to be really popular, but I have not been able to find friends to add. I honestly think that Girls Frontline has not yet reached the popularity here in the U.S. as it has in Japan or China. If players like strategy RPG type games then this is still a good one to at least try!

 

Master of Eternity:

This game is very simple to describe, as the gameplay is almost exactly like the strategy RPG series, Super Robot Wars. The characters are all in giant robots that move on a grid and have specific attacks depending on their position on top of other skills. Now, majority of the roster is women, which makes for good waifu fodder and unlocking them does not pertain to the gacha part. In actuality, the gacha system of the game about getting better robots for players’ characters to pilot. The game even informs players when the characters they can get to pilot the robots will be unlocked, so there is no mystery or luck to it. Also, like Girls Frontline the game gives the incentive to add friends, but unlike the latter it is easier to acquire them; having friends to play with makes the overall game easier, and allows players to not spend real money.

Fate Grand Order:

This game has been around for a while and is it extremely popular around the world being based on the Fate series. Now, this game is an RPG and plays a little different to traditional JRPGs, but it still has the same core mechanics that they have. The game gives players a list of options for attacks the characters in the party have, and makes players choose three options for their attack. However, players do not really get to choose which character and which attack to use specifically, as the choices change each turn during the battle phases.

Fate Grand Order’s biggest issue though is that it seems to be the most money hungry mobile game on this list. I have yet to spend a penny on the game, and it would visible show that it hurts my advancement in game. The game does allow players one free summon, but to attempt another summon players will require “saint quartz.” However, the game does not generously give it out after missions, as others on this list do. Luckily because of the game’s popularity, it at least helps to counterbalance the system as players do not need to always worry about summoning, as they can borrow a character from someone else’s game.

 

Final Thoughts:

After playing each of these games for multiple days I began to notice how mobile games can become easily addicting. In addition, I could easily realize how and why the games tempt people to spend actual money on them. Several mobile games seemingly put too many limits on how much players can do before being required to pay, or being forced to wait things out. Keeping in mind that games should be about how fun they are, and how less they should require limits or a gacha system makes it easier to narrow down which three of the nine are immediate choices to be played. Whereas, the other six games are more of the “pick a poison” variety. Nevertheless, here are the top three I immediate recommend over the others:

 

First, I would have to recommend Final Fantasy Brave EXVIUS, as Square Enix learned from their terrible mistakes from All The Bravest. Now, unlike this game, All The Bravest was developed as what most see mobile games as, a greedy cash grab. However, Final Fantasy Brave EXVIUS is not forcing players to buy anything! In addition, both the story and the gameplay are refreshing, feeling like the Final Fantasy games of the Super Nintendo era. Furthermore, the game features great music and the ability to play as other characters from classic Final Fantasy games. Having this interactive melting pot of Final Fantasy characters makes this game the real winner here.

 

The next recommendation would have to be Azur Lane, as this game is incredibly fun to play and has a lot going for it. Personally I enjoy its character designs the most, both with their normal look as well as their super deformed and cute appearance during gameplay. In addition, it has a very generous gacha rate for characters and very active community that is more than willing help other players. Having this community to rely on makes the game highly gratify, and makes for an enjoyable team experience.

 

Lastly, I would recommend Dragon Ball Legends, obviously because I am a Dragon Ball fan! Now, the game actually really won me over with its great graphics and fun gameplay. In addition, the character selection is very impressive, and it continues to grow with every new update/ event. So, for players who are not satisfied with the current roster they still have of seeing their favorite characters appearing within the possible future. However, there is the con of having to do side quests for certain items that are not guaranteed to drop just to level up characters, but it is not terribly frustrating. Also, I wish the gacha rate could be more favorable to player than it already is. Yet, beggars cannot be choosers.

 

In conclusion, I believe mobile games are truly beginning to become better as the years go on. Ironically mobile games made based on popular anime series and/ or pre-existing video game franchises seemingly grasp the mobile concept well. However, there other mobile games coming out of Asia based on anime ideal slipping under the radar too. Hopefully, other developers will take notice of this to advance this gaming platform.

 

Finally, I want to thank everyone who took the time to read this article, as well as decided to check out these games. Also, please feel free to leave comments and opinions on these choices in Hero Club’s comment section, or its various social media pages. Furthermore, for more tidbits on gaming and other stuff follow me, Fighter xaos, over on Twitter. Anyways, I will see everyone next time either here on Hero Club, or over on one of my various live streams!

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