11 iPhone and iPad games that get cloud saving (mostly) right
Save and sound
If you own multiple iOS devices, they'll merrily sync calendar info and reminders and photos of your dog Skip. But game saves? Nope. For the most part, games have you trudge through the same bits on each separate device, gleefully pretending the cloud doesn't exist.
Some titles get game saves right, mind, syncing progress online so that whether you grab your iPhone or iPad you can pick up where you left off.
Naturally, Apple doesn't have a handy 'games that support cloud sync' category on the App Store, so we've listed 11 titles we reckon show how things should be done. Let us know in the comments about any of your favourites that we've missed.
Space AgeBy Big Bucket Software - buy on iPhone and iPad
Old school cosmic adventure Space Age not only syncs your progress, but also the current point in the level you're playing. This is especially handy given that the adventure sections are a lot easier on an iPad.
"Matt Comi and I come from a 'professional software' background, and we both feel games should take advantage of advanced system features as much as productivity apps do," explains co-creator Neven Mrgan.
"And we don't do this for bragging rights, either - it's genuinely useful to be able to continue a story-based, long-play game like Space Age on your other devices."
Infinity Blade IIIBy Chair Entertainment - buy on iPhone and iPad
If you're barrelling through the third helping of 'swipe-based swordplay meets Punch-Out!!', you can switch between devices as long as Infinity Blade III's cloud save is on (tap the cog and then Options to check).
LimboBy Playdead - buy on iPhone and iPad
Beautiful and bleak, Limbo is also brutal regarding puzzles and barriers. Its cloud sync is a touch opaque, in that you aren't automatically propelled to the furthest point reached. However, you can access all completed checkpoints from the pause menu.
Food Run HDBy Kevin Ng - buy on iPhone and iPad
It might be a fairly simple infinite-runner, but Food Run HD has tough challenges, such as collecting edible colleagues as you go. Thanks to iCloud saving, completed levels and saved chums are synced across devices.
"iCloud sync is so important these days now we expect to be able to play games across multiple devices," says creator Kevin Ng. "There's nothing more aggravating than having to replay a bunch of levels on your iPad that you've already completed on your iPhone, and it can sometimes put you off playing completely."
StrataBy Graveck - buy on iPhone and iPad
Puzzlers hugely benefit from cloud-based saves, and so it's a delight when one actually offers them. Complete a level in stitch 'em up Strata and you can continue working through the game from that point on another device.
Super Stickman Golf 2By Noodlecake Studios - buy on iPhone and iPad
Side-on bonkers mini-golf title Super Stickman Golf 2 syncs all your progress, which is just as well given the huge number of courses and extras the game boasts.
Monument ValleyBy ustwo - buy on iPhone and iPad
To be honest, we wish sync in Monument Valley was perfectly precise, pushing the exact state of a puzzle between devices. But it at least syncs progression of the original linear level set.
Edge ExtendedBy Mobigame - buy on iPhone and iPad
The original Edge and Edge Extended both sync unlocked levels.
Mobigame CEO David Papazian says the system pre-dates iCloud and was something of a sync pioneer on iOS. "When the iPad arrived, it was obvious some players would play on an iPhone when outside but on the iPad once they got home," he says, enthusing about sharing game progress between devices.
David adds that there are technical challenges to such systems that perhaps explains why they're not more commonplace: "This feature can generate conflicts, especially if games are running in parallel, or you're offline on a device for some time. So we always work with the most advanced state, ensuring no-one loses any progress."
BadlandBy Frogmind - buy on iPhone and iPad
Merely reaching the end of a level in Badland is tough enough once you're deep into the game, let alone saving plenty of clones as you flap for your life. Fortunately, cloud sync ensures your progress is available on any device.
Bean DreamsBy Kumobius - buy on iPhone and iPad
Simple, playable and one of a relatively small number of platformers to really shine on iOS, Bean Dreams syncs level progress and rewards.
Mr. Particle-ManBy Michael Falk - buy on iPhone and iPad
Mr. Particle-Man marries old-school arcade sensibilities with modern touch controls; get anywhere into the game and you'll learn the difficulty level's been picked from the former.
"It starts gently but ramps up into an incredibly challenging game, and so I knew players would want to take a break and try certain levels later," reasons creator Michael Falk. "I also during development play tested across different devices, and so it just made sense to support iCloud sync. So whenever you pick up the game to try and beat a level, your data's waiting for you on whichever device you have handy."