2013 was an unbelievable year for mobile games.
More than any other, the year has proven that the mobile platform can be more than viable
source of top quality entertainment.
With so many outstanding titles released this year, narrowing down the absolute best was
no easy task.
We here at Game Mob have spent the last month scouring the App Store coming up with our
favorites.
Many hours of deliberation and a little bit of arguing has brought us to our final list.
It should be noted that to earn a place on this list, the game had to be released, at
least at launch, as a mobile exclusive.
So sit back, relax and enjoy.
Here is
THE TOP TEN MOBILE GAMES OF 2013
NUMBER 10 Hundreds
Released in the very first week of 2013, Hundreds is a love letter to design.
Utilizing intuitive controls and game mechanics so well suited to the platform, Hundreds is
sublime to play.
A challenging puzzler that will not only test your brain, but your reflexes as well.
Developed by Semi Secret software with elegant design that only Greg Wohlwend can bring to
a title, Hundreds is an outstanding game and that is easily worth your time.
NUMBER 9 Plants vs Zombies 2
When we initially got our hands on the soft launch of this title earlier in the year,
we were apprehensive when it came to the "freemium" aspect of the game.
Instead of the steady progression we were once used to, we were met with IAP barriers
and a frustrating grind.
Since then, PopCap and EA have significantly tweaked the monetary system, making PvZ2 extremely
fun to play.
Sure, a few of your favorite plants are still locked away, only to be purchased with real-world
money, but there's no denying the evolution of the game, as well as a much-needed facelift
definitely adds to the gameplay experience.
NUMBER 8 Kingdom Rush: Frontiers
Last year's Kingdom Rush took the basic concept of a tower defense game and introduced a few
challenging mechanics.
Instead of simply placing and forgetting towers, the game required a lot more interaction from
the player.
Hero characters are an upgradeable tour-de-force, that you can relocate depending on the situations
you're coming up against.
The player must also use skills during times of crisis to sway the outcome of a specific
scenario.
Kingdom Rush: Frontiers isn't so much an evolution of the original, but just more of what made
it so great.
With a load of new hero characters, amazing new map designs and more of the polish introduced
in the original, Kingdom Rush: Frontiers nets a safe place in our Top-10 list.
NUMBER 7 Infinity Blade III
The Infinity Blade games are no stranger to accolades when it comes to the world of mobile
gaming.
IB3 is a technological marvel.
With some of the best graphics you'll see on a mobile device and gameplay that started
a genre, Chair and Epic Games have done it again.
This time around, Infinity Blade introduces two playable characters, a host of new locations,
challenging combat and all-new Clashmobs (kind of an epic boss that can only be defeated
by millions of players world-wide working together).
There was never any question as to the inclusion of this stunning entry to the series in our
Top-10 list.
NUMBER 6 Oceanhorn
For as long as people have had smart phones capable of playing complex games, there has
been a cry for a game along the same vein as The Legend of Zelda series.
Oceanhorn delivers in every way.
Gorgeous graphics, a smooth framerate and an interface that's extremely easy to use
make the game one of the best zelda-like titles available today.
Add the fact that you've got music by Nobuo Uematsu and Kenji Ito, two of the finest RPG
composers alive.
Oceanhorn is an incredibly polished, well written adventure.
NUMBER 5 The Room Two
Ever since playing the original, we were hooked on this new style of game.
This level of interaction with a touch-screen feels so natural, almost like holding a real-life
ornate lock-box in your hands, being able to push, pull, turn and flick at its tiny
details.
And it's these controls that really make The Room stand out.
Combined with an eerie, paranormal storyline and challenging puzzles, The Room Two is a
complete package.
We would definitely like to see more!
NUMBER 4 Year Walk
The Swedish ritual of taking a vision quest through a forest is an odd concept to base
a game around.
Simogo have not only pulled it off, but have made one of the most satisfying horror themed
puzzle/adventures out there.
With graphics reminiscent of animated paper cut-outs and a brilliantly creepy ambience,
Clever puzzles will have you scratching your head and the genuinely thrilling story-telling
is thoroughly engaging.
NUMBER 3 DEVICE 6
Having a game in any Top-10 list is quite an achievement.
Simogo managing to pull it off twice in a single year?
Amazing.
Following up from their critically acclaimed, and our Number 4 title of 2013, Year Walk,
comes DEVICE 6.
DEVICE 6 brings together suspenseful storytelling within an interactive adventure game.
You follow the footsteps of a young, misguided girl named Anna.
As you uncover more of the game, the well designed puzzles that intertwine the story
will keep players glued to their devices.
Filled with unique and vivid imagery, layered with the ambient music, DEVICE 6 is an experience
unlike any other and has certainly set the bar for text-based adventures.
NUMBER 2 Badland
Badland is a game of pure wonderment.
You control a bunch of funny-looking, furry, flappy things and your one goal is to make
it to the exit pipe at the end of each level.
With an aesthetic similar to that of Limbo, only with vivid color, Badland is utterly
gorgeous.
The sound design is perfect.
From the machinery in the background, to the insects and haunting sounds of unknown monsters,
everything is intensely creepy.
Even the objects you're avoiding in the foreground has some sort of eerie, ancient feel to it.
You've simply got to play this one to experience it.
Brilliant.
NUMBER 1 Ridiculous Fishing
Vlambeer is like little engine that could.
The quirky development team from the Netherlands has been the victim of more than one cloning
attempt where less scrupulous developers have taken it upon themselves to copy their designs,
almost verbatim and launch them before Vlambeer's titles ever saw the light of day.
Some people say that Vlambeer bring it upon themselves by being very open about the development
process, even going so far as to live-stream coding sessions.
But Vlambeer took it all in stride and delivered one of the finest games ever released on mobile
platforms.
Ridiculous Fishing is the story of a weary old fisherman on a quest to avenge his father's
death.
Uhh, at least I think that's what it's about.
Cast your lure and guide it down as far as you can.
As soon as you hook something, you start reeling in your line, snagging as many fish-like things
as possible before they reach the surface and fly in to the air.
When they do, blast them out of the sky with an array of weaponry and earn cash for each
one killed.
A silly concept it may be, but one that simply works.
I can honestly say that Ridiculous Fishing is a perfect game.
There you have it folks, our Top-10 mobile games of 2013.
As always, top-10 lists are subjective, so don't feel too bad if your favorite game didn't
get a mention.
Go ahead and let us know your thoughts in the comments.
We'd love to get your input.
Thank you so much for joining us and for your ongoing support throughout 2013.
Have a wonderful holiday, and stay safe!