Welcome to the Weekender, your weekly look at the best new games, sales, and updates. It’s been a quiet week on the site as we cycle back through some of out buying guides, the only things of note you may want to catch up on is Stardew Valley‘s impending iOS release, and we revived our guide to the Best Games Like XCOM.
Meanwhile, we’ve got three new releases and a whole lot of sales to talk about. Read on!
Out Now
Grimvalor (iOS Universal) – Full Review Coming Soon!
The Dark Souls franchise has inspired an entire sub-genre of gritty, deadly, fast-twitch, action-RPGs. In large part, these games populate PC and console markets, but there’s a brand new option designed for mobile. Grimvalor by Direlight games is an action-RPG-platformer set in a gloomy fantasy world and featuring fast-paced combat. You jump, dodge, roll, and attack all the while learning your enemy’s attack pattern to best exploit it. You also die. A lot. At least I do. Naturally, as you progress you gain experience and levels, your abilities improve, and you gain new special attacks. Grimvalor is driven by a story that provides a nice narrative without getting in the way of the action. It’s a fun game, looks great, and the controls are rock solid. If you’re good at these skill-intensive action-RPGs you should definitely pick this one up.
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ELOH (iOS Universal and Android)
Audio-based puzzle game ELOH is made by the creators of Old Man’s Journey and is all about letting the rhythm guide you to a solution. It’s laid back, with no ads, timers, move limits—just you, the puzzle, and the music. There are 85 levels to work through so it promises plenty of play for the price.
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The Tower of Egbert (iOS Universal)
Egbert is a sorcerer in need of a tower. That’s where you enter the picture in The Tower of Egbert. You must build the little fellow a tower high
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Sales
Lost Portal (Review) (iOS Universal): $.99
You’ve picked up and enjoyed premium, single-player CCG Lost Portal right? It features Magic: The Gathering like duels wrapped in a compelling role-playing game and is just a dollar for a limited time, a fraction of the price of a booster pack in one of those big-name CCGs. If you need more convincing check out my 5-star review.
Reigns (Review) (iOS Universal and Android): $.99
Reigns Her Majesty (Review) (iOS Universal and Android): $.99
The Reigns saga might just be the most successful indie franchise in the history of mobile gaming. The third installment, Reigns: Game of Thrones, is coming out next week (and available for pre-order now) and puts you on the throne of Westeros. It’s safe to say it’ll do well. In advance of this release the first two titles are on sale for just a buck each. This is the lowest price ever for Reigns Her Majesty.
Poly Bridge (iOS Universal and Android): $.99 on Android
Poly Bridge is an entertaining bridge-building simulator that made the jump to mobile over a year ago. If you’re a sim fan this one is worth picking up, especially for play on a tablet.
Strike Team Hydra (Review) (iOS Universal and Android): $1.49 on Android
Wave Light Games is known for their impressive turn-based tactical RPGs and Strike Team Hydra is the latest, and first foray into the sci-fi realm. It features the same combat as the Demon’s Rise franchise and is on sale right now for Android users.
Icewind Dale (iOS Universal and Android): $1.99
Overhaul Games is continuing its slate of sales on classic RPG ports. This time Icewind Dale is just $2, down from $10. This is by far the cheapest it’s been and is a great time to pick up a new, old RPG.
Jade Empire (Review) (iOS Universal and Android): $4.99
Yet another RPG sale… Jade Empire is half off. It’s inspired by the myths and legends of ancient China and full of places to explore and plots to uncover.
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic (iOS Universal and Android): $4.99 on iOS
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic is a little dated at this point, but has long been enshrined as one of the best RPGs of all time. It’s also half off and worthy of inclusion in your mobile-game collection if you’re into Star Wars, RPGs, or nostalgia.
Seen anything else you like? Played any of the above? Let us know in the comments!