Mobile gaming is now a respected and legitimate platform, with countless console classics making the successful migration to iOS and Android, and myriad games specifically designed for use on smartphones and tablets.
League of Legends fans will be excited – Wild Rift, a spin-off of the PC game is now available on iOS and free to play as a regional Open beta version.
Compared to its PC parent, it is much less dense and suitable for players of all abilities. A successful transition from PC to mobile is no mean feat, and it is a testament to the developers at Riot Games that the game evokes the same spirit and excitement on touchscreens, while still being a complete reimagining of the LoL classic.
Let’s look at Wild Rift and some other popular titles which have made a successful transition from PC and console, now available for mobile gamers.
LoL: Wild Rift
League of Legends: Wild Rift is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game where players select a champion (as characters are known) and engage in combat.
The gameplay of the mobile version is similar to the PC original, but with some modifications for the format, such as casting abilities with dual stick control – with the left stick for moving your character and the right stick for aiming your abilities.
Players can choose from a selection of champions who fulfill different roles, before engaging in the usual 5 vs 5 battle, with the main objective being to destroy the opposing side’s base, and the basic strategies are pretty much in tune with the PC version,
New features
The main difference between the original and the mobile version is its accessibility – Wild Rift doesn’t require players to tackle one of the most intimidating aspects of the game. It lets you know what your champion does, where they go, and perhaps most importantly, why.
Other changes, apart from the previously mentioned dual stick control, include a smaller map, and match times a more mobile-friendly fifteen minutes.
For new players, the game is chock full of tutorials, some of which unlock a new champion upon completion. Aiming for weapons is made simpler, placing more of an emphasis on positioning. New skins are available, as well as new champions and accessories.
Basically, the mobile game is the result of over a decade of trial (and sometimes error) by Riot Games, with an assortment of some of the most successful and popular features, which will appeal to seasoned LoL players and newbies alike. We still, however, wait for the full game version.
Other popular iOS games
The rapid evolution of mobile technology has meant that the platform has become legitimate in the eyes of experienced gamers. Developers have seen the potential and migrated numerous popular titles across. However, there are also many other games designed specifically for iOS which have soared in popularity, broadening the reach of online gaming.
Call of Duty
This franchise is one of the world’s most popular – a first-person shooter regarded as a modern classic on console and PC. It made the leap to mobile in October 2019 and is seen as one of the benchmarks in successfully transposing a complex and involving video game into an effective mobile format. Tons of unlockable items, excellent gameplay, and intuitive controls ensure its continuing popularity.
Baldur’s Gate
One of the most popular and enduring role-playing games, Baldur’s Gate first came out in 1998 on PC. Set in the Forgotten Realms Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting, it has been lovingly rendered with graphic and gameplay enhancements, but keeps the spirit of the original perfectly, and appeals to role-playing fans and newbies alike.
Casino games
Online casinos have greatly broadened the appeal of gambling to those, who may never have set foot in a land-based casino because they offer the anonymity that is lacking in the land-based counterpart. The flip side of confidentiality can often be a lack of transparency, which is why websites explaining what makes a good mobile casino has gone up in popularity. The advanced technical capabilities of mobile devices, especially iOS, meaning that the experience is more immersive than ever regardless of the kind of game selected, doesn’t overheat and offers no delays.
Among Us
This 2018 multiplayer social deduction game has proved a wildly popular mobile-specific game, gaining traction last year due to exposure on YouTube. The game is for 4 to 10 players, with up to 3 players randomly selected to be imposters on a spacecraft. The imposters must avoid detection, meanwhile killing the crew and sabotaging the craft. The game has garnered significant attention, with a large online following, and becoming the basis for numerous memes.
Forza Street
This stunning racing game hit the PC market in 2019, quickly rising in popularity. The iOS game is just as gorgeous graphically but without a top-line mobile device, like iPhone 6 and newer, the gameplay can be a bit demanding. That said if you do have the equipment the action is exciting and engrossing.
Talos Principle
One genre of game where the mobile device reigns supreme is the puzzler. And one of the top puzzle games is Talos Principle, a rich and rewarding gameplay experience. You play as an AI robot charged with solving puzzles, whilst also posing existential and philosophical questions. The result is a game that is every bit as engrossing as it is enlightening.
Mobile gamers are now spoilt for choice on iOS. Everyone is catered for, whether they prefer high octane shooters, intense racing action, or high stakes casino games.