July has been the calm after the big conferences especially with the mega games as we gear up for some bigger releases in August. Luckily, there are tons of games to check out and despite the low season, one of the games in today’s roundup is a new release of July.
Sneak In (Binoguere Studios)
Sneak In is a tribute to Zuma. For those unfamiliar with Zuma, it is a moving match-3 puzzle game where the colorful marbles move towards a stone frog at the end and if it gets there, it’s game over. Sneak In throws on a modern minimalistic skin and adds in elements like different types of marbles to create its own challenges. There are literally hundreds of levels available to play through and the progression of difficulty is done very well, making it easy to grasp as you need to think faster. It has fun music tripping along in the background that makes this experience rather charming as well. Sneak In is a great twist on a classic game, even when accuracy is still something incredibly hard to master, making us dig our own graves. On top of all of that, it is completely free and features no ads. Must play.
Alto’s Odyssey (Noodlecake Studios)
The sequel to 2016’s Alto Adventure, Alto’s Odyssey is a July new release. We were big fans of the original and now Alto’s Odyssey takes us from the snowscape to the desertscape. If you’re unfamiliar with this game, it is an endless runner with the main mode seeing Alto (or other unlocked characters) surf through the different desert environments as it goes through sandstorms and waterfalls and temple ruins. The music is mesmerizingly beautiful. There are three objectives to achieve in each level to move along to the next (much like the first game), and on the other hand, for the more peaceful gamers, there is also a Zen mode with no game overs and just continuous sand dune surfing. The predecessor was a massive success, so suffice to say, Alto’s Odyssey outdoes it with some additional challenges and creative use of the environment to build some fantastic obstacles that are visually stunning.
Seeds – The Magic Garden (Znavit)
Seeds- The Magic Garden is a game about matching up two tiles to grow and navigate a sprout to the sun-filled surface. There are some bonuses and fertilizers that will enhance the action, like a paintbrush that changes the color you swap places with. There is a noticeable difficulty and steady challenge to this one, though perhaps it’s the mental mind-games of shifting pieces to move two pieces instead of three or the idea that the sprout can move any direction, remembering that when it loops, it will explode that specific looped patch, forcing you to start over. However, in some cases, that could be useful. There’s something unique about Seeds and there’s a real incentive to finish the game as when you get through it, a real tree will be planted in your name. Seeds has its heart in the right place and while it takes a little while to grasp the concept itself, it works as a challenging puzzle game to get those mind juices flowing.
Tiny Derby (Triple Boris Games)
Tiny Derby is a game where you control a yellow critter by using specific boosts and hazards to help it and hinder others. It’s sort of an action puzzle game, and while the first few levels of Tiny Derby may be an easier stroll in the park, the levels get frantic fast. They are short each and works very well for the mobile game player to pick up and put down fast. It’s all about timing and quick-thinking to put the right pieces in so that the yellow critter can win in the end. Yet, it’s colorful and fairly easy to understand. There is a decent amount of content available with 120 levels and different environments and the bad guys are unique in their own way. It’s a fun game to say the least, especially in short doses. As challenging and frantic as it gets, its suitable for those little moments when you’ve got not time for a long gaming sessions.
Sky Dancer Run (Pine Entertainment/TOPEBOX)
Sky Dancer Run is an endless runner all about parkouring through different landscapes and obstacles. The controls are simple as we double tap to jump and tap left or right to reach the next platform. It’s a nice concept. The challenges keep coming and there are myriad objectives to achieve in order to move forward. The setting itself is also very pretty. In a heap of many endless runners, this is a genre where parkour fits really well. However, it’s easy to be fooled by its easy beginnings before things get difficult fast and as the weather changes and the terrain get more dangerous. There is a skill in figuring out the controls to properly navigate your runner. It’s often exhilarating and a lot of fun. There is a terrific sense of achievement from getting further each time and landing on islands that looked looked like a sure miss. Sky Dancer Run is a guaranteed good time download.
What games have you been playing? Share them in the comments below.