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Win yourself a free copy of shape-shifting puzzler, Girabox!

It’s often hard to find the balance between puzzle games that are too complicated, and puzzle games that aren’t complicated enough. But in our experience, the best mobile puzzle games, and the best puzzle games in general, are actually very simple. Look at Portal, for example, and you see a game which centres around one fairly simple mechanic: creating Portals. But what makes the game incredible is how it gradually builds complexity around that.

Girabox is a puzzle game that plays with a similar idea. The central mechanic of the game sees you solve puzzles by spinning shapes, trying to use gravity to move your icon to the goal. Sounds simple, right? Well, just like those previously mentioned puzzle games, Girabox builds complexity as the game goes on, presenting players with a challenge while also retaining that accessible simplicity.

And never one to turn down a good puzzle game, we’ve partnered with Girabox for this week’s giveaway. We’ve got both iOS and Android copies of the game, so if we’ve peaked your interest, be sure to enter down below.

In order to throw your hat into the ring, all you have to do is fill out one of the entry boxes. Please make sure you fill out the correct one for your device, though, as that will affect what code you get if you win. Also please have a glance at our terms and conditions.

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PT – Girabox iOS giveaway

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PT – Girabox Android giveaway

We’ll let you know in a week whether you’ve won the giveaway! If you can’t wait to play Girabox, you can also find it on Google Play, the App Store, and even Steam.

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Claim free in-game rewards in Summoners Glory: Eternal Fire this weekend

Summoners Glory: Eternal Fire, BHG team’s first ever game, launches this Sunday on October 18. Blending together the turn-based, hero collector, PVP, and MMORPG genres, Summoners Glory: Eternal Fire aims to immerse players in the world of Kairasia as they battle against Morganter, the Demon Lord.

Morganter’s reign of terror on the people of Ertos looked like it would be the end of civilisation as they knew it, but the Goddess of the Initial Fire stepped up just in time. Shining her light of hope on humanity, the heroes of Ertos felt the power of the Initial Fire. With the leadership of the Gods, the heroes of Ertos face Morganter for the final time. As a Phantom Master, it’s up to you to bring peace to Ertos once and for all.

In this dungeon crawler, you assemble a squad capable of toppling Morganter. There are hundreds of unique heroes scattered around the world called Phantoms. Defeating these powerful Phantoms may lead them to pledge their allegiance to you, so it’s worth battling these strong opponents once you have prepared for battle.

If you start playing Summoners Glory: Eternal Fire, be sure to enter code PocketTactics at the character creation screen to get some powerful in-game rewards. The items include experience buffs, summoning books, an SS Rank Phantom, and even gold. Don’t worry, this code doesn’t expire so feel free to use it at any point.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meNAwL9FfSc?modestbranding=1&rel=0&feature=oembed]

Summoners Glory: Eternal Fire will be arriving on Android and iOS devices at the end of the week. Players can pre-register their interest to play on the Google Play Store and App Store right now.

Want to play a different MMORPG while you wait for Summers Glory: Eternal Fire to launch? Check out our best mobile MMORPGs guide which highlights some of the best games available on Android and iOS.

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The Project Cars Go closed beta is live for the next two weeks

Project Cars Go, the one-touch racing game from Slightly Mad Studios, is now in closed beta for iOS and Android users. The closed beta period started on October 14 and will end on October 27, giving players plenty of time to test their racing skills against the toughest opponents the road has to offer.

Unlike Slightly Mad Studios’ console games Project Cars 1 & 2, which focused on being a fully fledged driving simulator, Project Cars Go aims to simplify the complex mechanics of racing while maintaining an aspect of realism. Project Cars Go allows players to take a spin in 50 licensed cars on 12 unique tracks, three of which are based on real-world races.

The one-touch racing mechanic in Project Cars Go allows players to drive with ease no matter where they are. Here’s what Ian Bell, CEO at Slightly Mad Studios has to say about this feature: “Condensing the key moments of what a driver does out on the track—brakes, entry-points, exit points—into a ‘One Touch’ mechanic was an interesting project for us at the studio, as we wanted to retain the authenticity of the Project CARS franchise but cater for what our fans want on a racer they can play on the go.”

Unfortunately, if you didn’t sign up to the closed beta then it looks like you won’t be playing Project Cars Go any time soon. Currently, there is no release date for the full game. In the meantime, check out this trailer, which debuts new gameplay.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwZIkswIr1w?modestbranding=1&rel=0&feature=oembed]

If you weren’t one of the selected players to join Project Cars Go closed beta, definitely check out our best mobile multiplayer games list, which features a number of racing games. There should be something you fancy on that list no matter what device you happen to own.

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Markiplier ditches YouTube to become a fantasy barkeeper

YouTube superstar Markiplier is set to enter the world of AFK Arena alongside his lovely dog, Chica. He’s taken up residence as the new barkeeper in the Noble Tavern, a sort of home away from home where you can summon heroes and have a break between adventures.

His likeness has been recreated in AFK Arena’s vibrant style, meaning he doesn’t look out of place among the other NPCs. He’s also lent his voice to the role, so you can expect to hear both words of wisdom and encouragement from the man himself. Plus, whenever you visit the Noble Tavern, he’ll be right there waiting to help you summon powerful allies to your team.

This is only the latest in a series of AFK Arena collaborations with major stars. Earlier this week, we covered the game’s ‘Cheat on your RPG’ ad campaign featuring Elijah Wood. The first of those TV spots sets up Wood’s secret love for AFK Arena and his rocky relationship with orc Uzgahk the Horrid. Yes, it’s all a bit wild.

Here you can see Markiplier and Chica in AFK Arena:

New characters arrive regularly in AFK Arena, but the Markiplier collab is something a little different. Recently, new recruitable heroes Zaphreal and Lucretia joined the fray, and there was even an AFK Arena Assassin’s Creed crossover not too long ago.

If you’re willing to risk losing dozens of hours of your time, you can grab AFK Arena now from over on the App Store or Google Play. Oh, and be sure to use code “BestRPG4BusyU” to net yourself 500K Gold and 500 Diamonds. We also keep an AFK Arena tier list and a regularly updated list of AFK Arena codes.

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Mario Kart Tour’s Anniversary Tour brings big rewards and classic courses

Mario Kart Tour‘s 1st Anniversary Tour is fast approaching, and it’s set to reintroduce a handful of popular city courses. You can also expect to earn some handy rewards during this limited-time celebration, including additional rubies and more. The current Los Angeles Tour will soon draw to a close, meaning time is of the essence if you want to grab its themed rewards.

It’s hard to believe that it’s already been a year since Nintendo’s kart racer arrived on the scene. The game has changed drastically over those 12 months, with its regular content drops helping to flesh out the core experience. Nintendo has also offered new ways to play, such as a fan-requested landscape mode, improved driving controls, and an extensive multiplayer component.

The 1st Anniversary Tour is slated to launch next Tuesday, October 6th. The main draw will no doubt be the five returning city courses, but you can also net yourself some decent log-in goodies by playing the game throughout the 14-day event. And, as a bonus, every reward you earn will also get you some extra rubies. Not bad at all.

Here’s a trailer for the Los Angeles Tour:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PU4DVSd13H0?modestbranding=1&rel=0&feature=oembed]

If you’re an avid MK Tour player, you’ll no doubt find our Mario Kart Tour challenges guide to be of great use. And you can grab the game itself from over on the App Store and Google Play as a free-to-play title.

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Badlanders is essentially Escape from Tarkov mobile, now open for pre-registration

October, 1: Badlanders has now opened for pre-registration globally.

Badlanders is a new survival game from mobile behemoth NetEase that recently entered closed beta in select regions. You’re dropped into a warzone and challenged to scavenge for supplies in order to repel enemy forces, with your ultimate goal being to acquire items with the highest value, then make your daring escape.

Dotted around the map are some all-important escape points for you to reach. If you manage to hold one down successfully, you’ll leave the battlefield with your gear intact. Niko Partners Senior Analyst Daniel Ahmad likened the game to Escape from Tarkov, a gritty first-person shooter that shot to popularity earlier this year. As Ahmad said in a recent Twitter thread, NetEase is especially skilled at bringing popular PC or console genres to mobile.

There are three distinct trading systems to make use of in Badlanders. Exchange, as the name suggests, allows you to purchase and sell some basic supplies. Prism gives you the chance to acquire more premium loot with enhanced attributes, and Auction lets you set your own prices and trade freely with other players.

Here’s a recent trailer:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CcIp7kxPaQ?modestbranding=1&rel=0&feature=oembed]

It’s all about supply and demand, so you have to be smart about your pricing strategies if you want to make some decent cash. And you’ll need every penny you can get in order to insure your favourite items. Doing so will allow you to regain, for example, your preferred gun after a certain amount of time. That is unless someone steals it from your corpse.

The persistent loot system is largely what will set Badlanders apart from similar games on mobile, and it already sounds like an interesting spin on several established genres. For now, only Android players in the CBT regions can give it a go, but the game has in fact opened for pre-registration globally with a few exceptions. If you’re in Belgium, Taiwan, Vietnam, Mainland China, or any of the CBT areas, you won’t currently be able to pre-register.

Here are some handy links to Badlanders’ App Store and Google Play pages. The former lists its expected release date as October 24th. And, while you’re here, why not check out our list of the best mobile multiplayer games?

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Zaphreal and Lucretia are the newest characters to join the AFK Arena roster

The popular idle RPG, AFK Arena, has just announced two brand new characters are coming, Zaphreal and Lucretia. The pair are a married couple with a tragic backstory that you can check out by watching a couple of upcoming animated shorts, with the series titled Tales of Esperia.

The first short is Memory of Lucretia, which provides a brief history of the characters and shows the moment that the pair were torn apart. The second is titled, Desperation, and will bring even more depth to the lore of AFK Arena and the characters it is based around. Zaphreal and Lucretia are available from September 29, and players can redeem one of them for free until October 26.

Choose wisely, as players that choose Zaphreal, of the Celestials faction, will harness his lightning attacks that deal massive damage. those of you that choose Lucretia, with the Hypogeans, will go for a character with a physical combat-style that features curved attacks that cut her foes to shreds. AFK Arena is available for free from Google Play and the App Store. While waiting for Zaphreal and Lucretia to release, check out our AFK Arena codes and AFK Arena tier list.

Check out the Memory of Lucretia short below:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NV0mWrbwmk?modestbranding=1&rel=0&feature=oembed]

The Desperation short can be seen here:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lQYHZ-YqiQ?modestbranding=1&rel=0&feature=oembed]
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Win a free copy of mystery-adventure game The Almost Gone!

Who doesn’t love a good mobile mystery? Whether it’s inspecting intricate objects in The Room, or exploring a whole planet in Krystopia: Nova’s Journey, mobile is specially equipped to offer little mysteries to dip in and out of. That’s why, this week, we’ve decided to partner with Playdigious and give away some Android and iOS copies of The Almost Gone. This mystery-adventure game is a little like if Monument Valley collided with Gone Home – a mobile mystery game where you uncover secrets by moving between rooms, and inspecting them for clues.

But each room or scene in The Almost Gone is a beautiful 3D diorama, that you can move, and tap to highlight objects of importance. If you hadn’t guessed, we absolutely love 3D dioramas on mobile, whether its Bad North, Monument Valley, or Game of Thrones: Tale of Crows, and The Almost Gone is no exception. We’d honestly play this game just for how aesthetically pleasing it is.

But luckily it also has a pretty captivating mystery, as you unlock each scene like a little puzzle box. If this sounds like your kind of game, be sure to enter for a copy below!

There are two entry boxes, one for Android and one for iOS, so please be sure to enter the correct one for your platform, as otherwise you won’t be able to play the game. Also, if you plan to enter, be sure to have a glance at our terms and conditions first.

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The Almost Gone – Android Giveaway

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The Almost Gone – iOS Giveaway

Alternately, if you can’t wait to play The Almost Gone, you can purchase it on Google Play or the App Store. For more similar recommendations, our list of the best mobile puzzle games will help.

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Here’s when Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent launches in Japan

Square Enix has announced the Japanese release date for the highly anticipated free-to-play mobile JRPG Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent. Pre-registration is now live in Japan for Android and iOS, and the game will be available to play from October 28, 2020. A localisation and international release date are yet to be announced.

We don’t know much about Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent as of yet, though Square Enix has revealed the combat features a command battle system with parties consisting of up to eight members. It is a prequel to the much-beloved Octopath Traveler and set in the same locale of Osterra. The original Octopath Traveler is a turn-based role-playing game, which initially released on Nintendo Switch in 2018 followed by PC, and Google Stadia in later years.

Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent is already proving to be extremely popular, and as of now has surpassed 500,000 pre-registered accounts. To commemorate this milestone, composer Yasunori Nishiki, best known for his work on the original Octopath Traveler soundtrack, has released a brand new song.

Check out the new trailer below:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IgnLXSBRWk?modestbranding=1&rel=0&feature=oembed]

Be sure to check back here to be updated on the international release date when we get it!

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The Unfinished Swan, from the developer of Edith Finch, is out now on iOS

Annapurna Interactive has released the artistic adventure game, The Unfinished Swan on iOS. The game was originally developed by Giant Sparrow, now famous for the popular indie title, What Remains of Edith Finch, and was actually the developer’s first game.

The Unfinished Swan sees you step into the shoes of Monroe, a ten year old orphan who is chasing a swan that escaped from a painting, and ran off into a mysterious storybook kingdom. You traverse the world in chapters, using paint to find a path through different regions, but also encountering all sorts of strange and wonderful characters in search of the eccentric ruler who built the realm.

The Unfinished Swan was originally released on the PS3 back in 2012, and though it’s also available on PS4, never made its way to PC. The game was highly praised, though, and even won two BAFTAs in 2013: one for game innovation, and the other for best debut game. It’s exciting to see The Unfinished Swan make its way to mobile, as we think the walking-simulator-esque format will really suit the platform.

If you want to watch some gameplay for yourself, check out the original launch trailer below:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA6KMMhnJCQ?modestbranding=1&rel=0&]

You can find The Unfinished Swan on the App Store, where it will set you back $4.99 (£4.99).

If you’re looking for some other similar titles, see our best mobile puzzle games guide, or our best iOS games list!