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.
Highwater is a pretty solid adventure game about a teenager trying to get off the planet during the end of times. The earth is completely flooded, so he’s trying to get to Alphaville and somehow get on one of the ships heading to Mars. The game has a pretty good story and it’s got a good sense of exploration. The turn-based fighting can be a bit confusing at times, but it’s nothing a little trial & error can’t fix. Highwater may not be super deep (get it?), but has enough to keep you hooked.
Spongebob: Get Cooking has been flipped more than a day old Krabby Patty. This game was originally a F2P game on the App Store, then it was released as a paid version, then it was ported to the Switch as Krusty Cook-Off, and now it’s here on Netflix. SB: Get Cooking is a decent little cooking/serving game that unfortunately gets a bit stale after a couple hours. I’m a huge Spongebob fan, so it’s nice to see all the fanfare incorporated in the game. I just wish there was a little something extra added to keep things fresh as you progress.
Terra Nil is a really polished reverse city-builder where it’s all about restoring the land to its former glory. The hand painted visuals are beautiful and the landscapes are all randomly generated. So, you never play the same game twice. Unfortunately, Terra Nil didn’t click with me as much as I had liked it to. It just felt like just restoring the land wasn’t a big enough payoff. I much prefer building sustainable cities I guess. Regardless, it’s still a well made game and I’m sure a lot of people out there will love it.
I absolutely loved Valiant Hearts: Coming Home. The original game was such a unique experience and VH2 felt like it topped it in almost every way. The game is like a mixed bag of every genre. There’s exploring, puzzles, point & click, action, and more. The story didn’t feel as deep as the first game, but was still well told in my opinion. I would suggest playing through the first game prior, but unfortunately it’s not on the App Store anymore. Luckily, Valiant Hearts: Coming Home is still worth playing even if you haven’t played the first.
Mighty Quest Rogue Palace is one of those games that are just “there”. It’s a decent hack & slash roguelike, but just felt hollow to me. The writing is fairly witty and the art style looks good. Hell, the gameplay isn’t all that bad either! But, for some reason all of it together just feels mediocre. There’s nothing that really sets Mighty Quest apart from the hundreds of other games like this on the App Store. Might Quest Rogue Palace is still a good game. It’s just missing something that would make it great. Unfortunately, I don’t know what that is.
Raji: An Ancient Epic is a must-play for anyone with a Netflix subscription. The story is well written, the visuals are beautiful, and the theme is really unique. You rarely see games with ancient Indian mythology. Raji does a great job making you actually care for the character. I will say that although the fighting is fun in the game, the on-screen controls are tough to get used to. With five buttons and a v-stick, I found myself taking my eyes off the action a lot in order to make sure I was using the right attack move. I guess that’s just part of mobile gaming though. Regardless, Raji: An Ancient Epic is a gorgeous experience that needs to be checked out.
Transformers: Forged to Fight feels like another F2P fighting game with a popular IP. I was excited for this one because I’m a fan of Transformers, but it just wasn’t that fun. I will say that the character models all look great and there is a ton of polish. The fighting is pretty standard. You have a few different attacks, the ability to block and strafe and your special attack. The game focuses more on “everything else” rather than its main mechanic which is fighting. You have Raids, Arenas, Daily Missions, Fog of War, and more. Forged to Fight has a couple different resources that you use to upgrade and purchase new bots. Thankfully there are no IAPs, but the game does have an energy timer that keeps you from playing after a few fights. Transformers is just another F2P fighting game that got snagged up by Netflix before it was released. It’s not a bad game if you’re into these titles. Everything plays well enough. There just is t enough there outside of the theme to keep me playing.
Now this is what I like to see on these subscription platforms. World of Goo was an iOS classic that faded off into the App Store Abyss. Everything about this 2D platformer was/is perfect. Whether on Netflix or not, I’m glad to see the game re-released for a new generation to play. World of Goo has been remastered with hi-Rez visuals and even an all new save function for Netflix. We need to see more classic games like this get revamped for the new generation. World of Goo Remastered is a must play for anyone that has a mobile device and a Netflix account.
Paul (@hashtagNOEN)
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