Game Theory: Smartphone Free Game World Domination

Remember when mobile phones used to be a simple tool for communicating with people and actually felt like you were carrying a brick in your pocket? Now try to remember what games those phones usually had. For most of us it was Snake and Tetris and, as addictive as they were, having to press the phone against your nose just to see what you were doing on the minuscule display sort of detracted from the enjoyment of playing the game.

Nowadays of course, nearly everyone owns a smartphone, which are just like super-evolved telephone boxes except they aren’t blue, they fit in your pocket and are, at present, unable to perform time travelling functions. However, what these devices lack in time distortion they make up for in entertainment value.

Which is just as well. With all their hi-tech conveniences, it seems that the lure of gaming plays a big part when choosing a mobile. Whether you go for an Android, iOS or Windows phone device, they all boast an obscene amount of immensely fun and addictive games designed to keep your attention. For the most part, these games are completely free which makes it easy to get lost in a sea of dross while looking for the elusive gem of title. To guide you through these rocky waters, here are some of the most worthwhile free games that each OS has to offer.

For iOS

iOS 5 launched amidst much hype but data released this week suggests iOS apps are crashing more than Android. Of course, taken out of context, that seems quite concerning but the actual numbers are tiny – 0.51% (iOS) and 0.15% (Android) of all new app launches. So, two of the best on iOS are Temple Runner and Rop ‘n’ Fly 2.

Temple Runner

This is one of those iOS games that end up on your ‘most addictive’ list. With impressive graphics, you’ll be tilting and swiping your iPhone to get away from what appear to be monkeys wearing masks straight out of Phantom of the Opera, whilst trying to avoid obstacles such as pit falls and flamethrowers as you run along straight and narrow walkways. This game promises you long nights of trying to get your score to one million while simultaneously cursing those destroyed walkways and pledging to rebuild the pavement in order to make the game easier.

Rope ‘n’ Fly 2

This is another suspect in the smartphone game takeover for iOS. A simple game; just swing from building to building without touching the ground. The graphics are quite basic and the controls consist of tapping the screen to shoot and release your rope and the ragdoll mechanics make the game fun even if you’re just watching. It’s like tying a Beanie Baby to a string and pretending it’s Spiderman, it just never gets old.

For Windows

Last week, information was ‘leaked’ on the upcoming Apollo from Windows Phone, with claims the mobile platform would be based on the Windows 8 kernel. Whether true or not (while confirming the veracity of the leaks, Microsoft says no such decision has yet been made) for now we must make do with the games available. A couple of good ones that have surfaced recently are King of the Sea and Fastball 2.

King Of The Sea

This is a game that very closely resembles Battleships, the game where you always got your friends to tell you where the enemy ships were so you always won. That aside, this is a must-have for two reasons; one, it’s Battleships on your phone and, two, it’s Battleships on your phone with multiplayer options. That’s right, now you can play with your friends online as if they were in the room with you, although with much less brawling over who cheated due to the distance between players.

Fastball 2

If King Of The Sea isn’t quite your cup of tea, then maybe you could try your hand at Fastball 2. Such an easy sounding game, all you have to do is roll a ball from left to right or right to left, avoiding obstacles in the way. It’s not until you actually play it that you realise this game is an evil plot designed to drive us all insane.

Android

Finally we have the Android OS with probably the most devilish plot to keep humans distracted out of all three OSs. Even more evil than a free game such as Temple Runner, more dastardly than Fastball 2, Android outdoes both of the other systems by taking the single most addictive game known to mankind and making it free.

Angry Birds

That’s right, we’re talking about 100% free Angry Birds. Not Angry Birds Lite, no, the full seven original stages of Angry Birds. Free. Angry Birds is notorious for its replay-ability and consistent stream of DLC which is sure to keep you on your phone playing it for days. You can pick up a game of Angry Birds and not be seen or heard from for weeks, the only sign of life being the pizza delivery guy showing up at 6 o’clock every night for a fortnight. With Angry Birds, there’s no going back.

The best part about these games isn’t that they’re free but rather that they will essentially save you money in the long run. Quality games that provide hours of fun for absolutely no cost will stop the urge to buy a slew of really poor games for £1 each every other day and another massive plus point is that they transfer to every new phone that comes out (so you can play them forever!) Which means you are, in a roundabout way, saving money forever.

This article was written by Thomas Foelster who works for the money saving and voucher code site Savoo.co.uk