The 5 best mobile games of April 2019
Cults, pigeons and guns
Things started warming up considerably in April, and we're not just talking about the weather. It was a solid month for mobile gaming.
Only one game scored a 9 out of 10 Gold Award from us in April, but there were a bunch of other efforts that really weren't far off. We had to deliberate for, oh, a good 30 seconds to decide which games would make the cut.
Special shout out to PGA Shoot Out, which we suspect will somehow survive the disappointment of its omission, and also Stone for featuring a pot-smoking koala.
May promises to be an exciting month for iOS and Android gamers. You can read about that elsewhere, though. Right now, here are the five mobile games that we've been enjoying most in April.
1
Pigeon Wings Strike
Pigeon Wings Strike might be another side-scrolling endless runner, but by golly does it get things right. For one thing there's its super speedy 2D racer conceit, which sees you racing against your fellow pigeons at breakneck speed.
Then there are the thrilling shmup elements, and a whole bunch of variations and embellishments that keep you constantly on your toes.
2
Bombastic Brothers
Bombastic Brothers lives up to the bold claim of its title by offering some of the best action gameplay we've encountered on mobile for some time. There's more than a hint of Metal Slug to its visually opulent side-scrolling platform-shooter action.
Thankfully, the slick moment-to-moment action is more than enough to live up to the comparison.
3
OCO
This bold little puzzle platformer wins the title for most stylish game of the month, hands down. Its circular infographic-like levels fold in rhythm action elements to mesmeric effect.
Essentially OCO is an autorunner where you must quickly collect dots and exit the level, but the presentation and audio design lift it way above such a generic description.
4
Distraint 2
Here's one of those rare horror games that doesn't resort to cheap jump scares or oodles of gore to convey fear. Distraint 2 uses clever psychological tricks and a creeping sense of dread to make your neck feel all tingly.
It's also a really solidly put together adventure game in its own right, with clean controls and a streamlined UI. But it's all about that icky atmosphere.
5
Cultist Simulator
Cultist Simulator is a deeply strange yet thoroughly enticing narrative card game in which you must guide the path of an aspiring student of the dark arts. The way it leaves you to figure out its arcane systems for yourself is particularly brave, and it might just have you praying to a dark god for enlightenment.
But any frustration is ultimately offset by a tactile UI, high quality writing, and layers of strategic depth.
