Best Apple Arcade games
As we’ve seen Apple Arcade lets users play premium games as often as they like for a set monthly fee. But which ones are worth your time? We’ve been burning our way through Arcade’s library ever since the launch of iOS 13. We tested primarily on iPhone, but also tried all the games here with an Xbox controller to see if this worked and how well it suited the gameplay; we found that many games supported Bluetooth controllers despite not mentioning this in their App Store description.
1. What The Golf?
Available from fave.co/2qlIFsI
This bizarre and genuinely funny sports sim – ‘Golf for people who hate golf’ – hits a hole in one for relentless ingenuity: the courses feature exploding barrels, cats and runaway cars, and half the time you find yourself playing with a cow or a carpet instead of a ball. As soon as you feel like the makers must have exhausted the possibilities of the format they surprise you yet again.
Age 9+ • Single player only • Supports hardware controllers
2. Grindstone
Available from fave.co/2Lmlbe5
Here’s Arcade’s take on the Bejeweled/Candy Crush template, and as you’d expect it’s both gorgeous and far more interesting than most of the clones in that space. Trace a path across matching creatures – accounting for certain complications, such as treasure chests, boss monsters and magic stones that let you transition to a different colour – and then hit Go. Instead of a gentle tinkling of jewels, you’ll be rewarded with a ridiculously gory (albeit cartoonish) animation. Far easier to pick up than it is to put down, Grindstone also wins the prize for the most addictive Arcade game we’ve yet tried.
Age 12+ • Single player only • Supports hardware controllers
3. Bleak Sword
Available from fave.co/2qn5ADY
Devolver’s low-fi action RPG takes the style and atmosphere of Dark Souls and puts it through an 8-bit filter. Use quick swipes to dodge monsters and slash them bloodily to pieces: it’s fast, exciting and masses of fun – as well as super-cool to look at.
Age 12+ • Single player only • Supports hardware controllers
4. Spaceland
Available from fave.co/36bo9KH
Turn-based squad strategy game that strongly recalls the classic board game Space Hulk, only simpler and graphically cuter. Controlling a handful of heroic space rangers, you’re investigating an alien-riddled abandoned colony, shooting, kicking and grenading your way to various mission goals. Great fun.
Age 12+ • Single player only • Supports hardware controllers
5. Shinsekai Into the Depths
Available from fave.co/33IRiv3
Cast into a stunningly detailed, treacherous underwater world, you will be pursued not only by ice slowly setting in but a swathe of sea creatures ranging from cute to downright terrifying. Blast around with jet packs, mine minerals to convert into oxygen and uncover the secrets of the depths in this gorgeous, vibrant and unique underwater exploration game.
Age 4+ • Single player only • Supports hardware controllers
6. Mutazione
Available from fave.co/34PEkwJ
Singularly lovely gardening-themed adventure game, in which the mutants and monsters you encounter play (mostly) second fiddle to a compassionate story about loss and the healing powers of community. Strongly recommended, but give it a chance: it takes a while to get going.
Age 12+ • Single player only
