As we move into this subscription based model in mobile gaming, it’s tough to keep track of what game is on what platform. A lot of these subscription platforms try and end up failing, but some look like they are here to stay. Apple Arcade has proven to be successful and now Netflix seems to be hanging in there so far.
So, what do we do with these games? It’s tough to review them seeing how if you already have a subscription to the service, it’s not hard to download the game for yourself and see if it’s worth your time or not. So, similar to Arcade Attack, we’ll keep an ongoing article updated with the games we’ve played so far, with a few notes on how we feel about it.
Hopefully this will help give some extra exposure to some of the games that quietly release throughout the week and who knows, maybe add a few extra subscribers for Netflix. Because I’m sure they totally need them…..🤷‍♂️
I followed the Skies of Chaos journey since its early concept and patiently waited for it to be released. Now that it’s here, Skies of Chaos is everything that I wanted and more. There are so many fine details in the pixel art that it’s hard to see it all while moving through a level. It’s got a great story, fun levels, and some excellent boss fights. My only issue with it is that it’s not on the actual App Store so everyone can play it.
Tomb Raider Reloaded is a weird one. First off, I absolutely love the Tomb Raider franchise and it works really well with the whole Archero mechanic. Unfortunately, the Netflix version is the exact same game as the version on the App Store. Same IAPs, same “energy” timer, etc. Regardless, Tomb Raider Reloaded is a solid title and probably the best “Archero-like” game out there. I just would have liked to have seen an unlocked version for Netflix with no IAPs or timers. It’s pointless to have two versions of the same game. At least this one you can play if you don’t have a Netflix subscription!
Dust & Neon is a pretty solid dual stick shooter. It’s all about shooting down enemies, upgrading your base and weapons, and getting back out there to shoot more enemies. The whole futuristic Wild West theme is pretty cool and the visuals are absolutely beautiful at times. Unfortunately, I wasn’t a big fan of the shooting/reloading mechanic. I felt like I was spending more time tapping the screen to reload than I was actually shooting. Dust & Neon is still a pretty fun looter-shooter that’s worthy of your precious data.
Lucky Luna is a pretty solid pixel art adventure game. It took me a little while to warm up to it. The game starts off fairly slow and it was tough getting used to not being able to jump. Once I figured out that Lucky Luna’s mechanics were like a really polished Tomb of the Mask style game, I really started to enjoy it. I still feel like there was a little something missing, but I could never put my finger on it. Either way, I had a good time playing through it. Lucky Luna is well worth your time. Just give it a little time to get going.
I was hesitant about Asphalt Xtreme at first. The Asphalt series took a crazy turn once it went F2P. Gameloft actually did a decent job with the Netflix version of this game. Sure, you still have all your card collecting and loot boxes, but everything can be purchased with the in-game currency. Not to mention, the IAPs were all pulled and there are no signs of timers. The game itself is a pretty solid off-road racing game. It has all the over-the-top antics that Asphalt fans are used to. And the visuals look pretty damn good. Asphalt Xtreme may not be the perfect Asphalt racing game, but it’s the best we’ve got at the moment!
Relic Hunters Rebels is a really solid looter/shooter/RPG. There is so much to do in this game. There are different characters to unlock and upgrade, weapons, game modes, etc. It’s almost overwhelming at first! There’s also tons of polish with full voice acting and even background stories for each character. The only thing that’s keeping Relic Hunters Rebels from getting five “SNAPPs” is that the gameplay loop got a little same-y after a while. Regardless, It’s a game that’s definitely worth playing.
TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge is such a great game. Any gamer that’s got a little gray in their hair remembers playing the classic turtle’s game at the arcades. Shredder’s Revenge is a well done beat em’ up that takes you back to those days. My only issue is the on-screen controls. There are just way too many buttons covering the screen. Especially if you’re playing on an iPhone. If you have the option, I’d recommend playing on the Switch. If not, this version will do. Either way, this game needs to be played.
Spiritfarer took me by surprise. It’s a slower paced game, but kept me intrigued all the way to the end. It had a rough start with a lot of crashing in the beginning . But after the last update, the game ran pretty smoothly for me. Unfortunately, I didn’t really click much with the story in Spiritfarer. It’s supposed to be sad, but I just didn’t have that many emotions for the characters. Regardless, the boat management and exploration was enough to keep me hooked. I would definitely recommend playing this game on the iPad if possible though. Things can look pretty tiny on the small screen.
Rival Pirates was a big miss for me. It’s a beautiful looking game with some really smooth controls, but there just wasn’t enough there for me. It’s a multiplayer battle royale-style game and that’s pretty much it. You can unlock some new ships and lands, but it wasn’t enough to keep me playing. honestly think this would’ve done better if the game had some sort of campaign. It would’ve been cool exploring an open sea with this top-down view. But, if you’re looking for a pirate themed multiplayer game, this is your title.
Paul (@hashtagNOEN)
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