Apple Arcade Games of the Week: Console Quality on the Phone

We’ve reached a pinnacle with mobile gaming, providing some quality games that may as well be AAA titles on a PC or console. This week, we take a look at three games that may as well be on PC and console.

Various Daylife
Developer: Square Enix

The storied developer Square Enix brings us another RPG instant classic, in the form of the oddly named mobile game Various Daylife. It’s the year 211 of the Imperial Era, and there’s been the discovery of a new continent. As part of the latest colonists, you’ll explore the newly discovered land, learning every secret and encountering some daunting monsters as you live your life to the fullest in the city of Erebia.

Gameplay has you interacting with a lovable cast of characters and going on expeditions across the land, battling monsters, weather conditions, and food management — you either press on with the adventure or retreat to the city to explore another day. Character growth depends on the work you choose in the town during the day and how you go about your adventure. With more than 20 job types, how you grow as the continent’s newest colonist is entirely up to you. Battles play out in a Persona, Bravely Default, Dragon Quest style of turn-based combat. While simple at first glance, you have to plan out your fights against monsters carefully.

Oceanhorn 2
Developer: Cornfox and Bros

If I told you you could have a Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild gaming experience on your phone, I’d look at me crazy too. But Oceanhorn 2 does just that in its glorious way. Set 1,000 years before the first game, Oceanhorn 2 takes you on a breathtaking journey across the beautiful world of Gaia. A young Knight faces the impending Dark Army led by the Warlock Mesmeroth. It’s your job to fight for the fate of the world. Armed with only a sword and shield at the start, you’ll make your way across a 15+ hour journey against massive bosses, dozens of sidequests, and clever puzzles that would even make Link think twice.

Hot Lava
Developer: Klei

Remember playing “The Floor is Lava” as a kid, hopping on objects around you to avoid touching the floor? Now there’s an entirely parkour based game off of it called Hot Lava. Run, jump, climb, and surf in the first person across insane environments flooded with hot molten lava. You’re going to need an itchy finger for this one to stay alive. It’s more of a quirky Mirror’s Edge but focused on hopping around the environment, trying to stay above the lava. You can even compete against friends to show off the best times in completing each map in the fastest time.