GAMES OF THE WEEK - The 5 best new games for iOS and Android - April 18th
Horror, foxes, and perfect putts
Another Thursaday is upon us! How are there this many in a year? I have no idea. However it's happened, Thursday is when we round-up all the very best new games that have come out for iOS and Android over the last seven days. That way you know which of the hundreds of new games that come out for mobile every week are worth your time. Pretty sweet deal, I think you'll agree.
This week we've got horror, foxes, golf, and a reimagined retro classic that's stuffed so full with references that you're going to miss half of them the first time round. We've got paid games, we've got free games, and, while we don't really like to blow our own trumpets, we're pretty sure we've absolutely nailed this list.
We've included links so you can grab the games from the App Store or the Google Play Store with a minimum of hassle. And we've whammed in some videos to give you an even better idea of what to expect if you do make a purchase.
Remember that we've played all of these games as well. This isn't some hype-train party - we legit think that of all the games we've spent some time with, these are the ones that you should definitely be playing. This is a regular feature too, so make sure you click here to bookmark our Games of the Week hub page - that way you're never going to miss out on a single mobile game that's worthy of your attention.
Agree with what we've said? Disagree? Just like posting random GIFs? Well then make sure you take advantage of the comments section at the bottom of the article. We're particularly fond of cute animal GIFs, in case you were wondering.
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1
Distraint 2
Horror games aren't just about the undead and survival. The best horror experiences understand that the darkest things come from deep inside the human mind, and Distraint 2 definitely fits in among that hallowed and horrifying group.
Not only that, this is one of the most welcoming adventure games we've played in a long while. It's smart in all the right ways, and simple without ever sacrificing depth. Throw in a wonderful art style and a constant atmosphere of dread and you're left with something special.
Click here to download Distraint 2 for iOSClick here to download Distraint 2 for Android
2
Foxyland 2
A super cute retro-style platformer that you can play on your own or, if you'd prefer, you can get a friend involved on the same device. You're going to need something with a large screen to make that feasible, but it's a nice twist on the sometimes lonely life of a mobile platformer player.
This one is pretty familiar, but there's enough going on that you're going to get wrapped up in it all the game. Everything comes together to create a game with one foot in the past, one foot in the present, and more than enough understanding of both eras to make something really enjoyable.
Click here to download Foxyland 2 for iOS
Click here to download Foxyland 2 for Android
3
Pocket Cowboys - Wild West Standoff
What happens when you mix a turn-based strategy with Clash Royale, throw in a wonderful Wild West aesthetic, and then stick some board game-style ideas into the pot? Well, you end up with something like Pocket Cowboys. It's a smart multiplayer game with loads going for it.
Every turn you choose one of three actions, as do the other players. But it's all secret, so you might be aiming to shoot at a square where no one's going to be when it's time to pull the trigger. That extra layer of prediction and guesswork pushes this one into the upper echelons of mobile multiplayer.
Click here to download Pocket Cowboys - Wild West Standoff for iOSClick here to download Pocket Cowboys - Wild West Standoff for Android
4
The VideoKid
Where Crossy Road took the shape of Frogger and made it more friendly, The VideoKid does something similar with Paper Boy. You're skating along an isometric road, and it's up to you to toss VHS casettes into the correct mailboxes. Oh, and you're going to have to avoid most of the 80s and 90s while you do.
You'll get run over by cars, fall into the sewers and skate with turtles, and get smashed off your board by someone who looks a lot like David Hasselhoff. It's fun, it's light, and it's got the sort of arcade exploration that lots of people are going to love. Try throwing a VHS at the couple making out on the bench and you'll see what we mean.
Click here to download The VideoKid for iOSClick here to download The VideoKid for Android
5
PGA Golf Tour Shootout
I love a good golf game - who doesn't? And this one walks the line between the stuffiness of a proper PGA game and the more arcade end of the genre with some panache. There's a card-based system for building up your sandwedges and putters and whatnot, and the golf itself works perfectly on touchscreen devices.
The free to play here seems pretty solid as well - there's always something for you to hit with your clubs, which is really all you want from a game like this. It's slick, it's fun, and you can take the skills you learn in solo mode online to take on all comers. Pick it up, I reckon this one's going to surprise you.
Click here to download PGA Tour Golf Shootout for iOSClick here to download PGA Tour Golf Shootout for Android
