Summary
Although the mobile space is full to the brim of indie and free-to-playidle games, some publishers have seen the success of the mobile market and endeavored to provide mobile users with experiences based on their successful AAA franchises.
From mobile-exclusive sequels to interpretations of beloved franchises adapted for the mobile market, the unique portability and accessibility of mobile devices have forged some unique experiences in AAA series.
8LEGO Star Wars: Castaways
A Creative, CustomizableStar WarsEnvironment On Apple’s Gaming Ecosystem
Nearly 20 years after the inaugural video game entry of what has remained aconsistently reveredLego-themed subseries, the collaborative IP ofStar WarsandLegobricks is arguably as strong as ever. As such, while titles such asLego Star Wars: The Skywalker Sagamay hold down the fort in the console and PC space, more experimental, customizable experiences such as Gameloft’sLego Star Wars: Castawayshave become powerhouse mobile titles.
While the title is locked behind Apple hardware — and the gameplay loop generally revolves around perfecting runs through a more limited selection of levels — the incredible polish seen in gameplay and visuals does much to encourage more engaged play. Alongside themed events similar to the best examples of the live-service model,Lego Star Wars: Castawaysremains a relatively consistent way to access a more hands-off, easy-going Lego Star Wars experience.
WhiletheHaloseries of seminal FPS titlesmay have defined their genre, IP-owner Microsoft has seemingly had no issue propping up the sci-fi shooter franchise with adaptations into multiple varied genres. From RTS and light-gun titles to the twin-stick shooters ofHalo: Spartan AssaultandHalo: Spartan Strike, the high-octane antics of UNSC super soldiers are no longer limited to first-person shooters.
While the originalHalo: Spartan Assaulttitle has been ported to PC and Xbox consoles since its 2013 release on mobile devices,Halo: Spartan Strike’s updated adaptation of the top-down formula remains on a small screen. With a consistent feel, aesthetic, and sound with the rest of theHalofranchise, the two Spartan mobile titles may not scratch the itch of mobileHaloFPS titles, but they remain supremely solid ways to takethe world of Xbox’s flagship franchiseon the go.
Although thePikminseries isdefinitively not one of Nintendo’s biggest IPs, the near 25-year-old RTS franchise has remained one of the console manufacturer’s most resilient properties. With core gameplay pillars regarding movement in an outdoor environment and nurturing the growth of life outside,Pikmin Bloom’s GPS-oriented design broadens the series' reach to mobile devices.
As an extension ofPikmin,Mario, andLegend of ZeldacreatorShigeru Miyamoto’s ideathat “Pikmin are all around us,“Pikmin Bloomdoesn’t just complement otherPikmintitles such asPikmin 4due to its shared IP, but due to its extension of a shared philosophy. In collecting fruit, planting flowers, and growing more Pikmin as players walk,Pikmin Bloomgamifies exercise in a way not many mobile titles have been able to consistently manage.
While the collectible card game action of CD Projekt Red’sGwent: The Witcher Card Gameis not exclusive to mobile devices, the tactile nature of TCG gameplay arguably works best when coupled with the swipes and touches of a mobile device’s input. Similar to othercollectible card game titles such asHearthstone,Magic: The Gathering, andPokemon TCG Pocket,Gwentis tactically and aesthetically intricate while being seemingly approachable to new players.
As the name suggests,Gwent: The Witcher Card Gameis based on CD Projekt Red’s much-reveredWitcherfranchise of RPG titles based on Andrzej Sapkowski’s novels. Beyond that,Gwentis an extension of that beloved lore, as the game ofGwentis an in-universe activity that can be played for fun or coin around the Continent of theWitcher.
However, whileGwent’s multi-faceted gameplay is still ongoing within its multiple ports, it should be noted that CD Projekt Red has stopped supporting the title and is simply updating the game at a maintenance level at the point of writing.
Although the PvP arena combat ofStar Wars: Hunterswas seemingly designed with mobile devices in mind, it would be remiss not to mention that the sci-fi hero shooter is also playable on the Nintendo Switch family of systems. With an extremely diverse set of characters — ranging from a lightsaber-wielding droid and a Wookie warrior to a literal set of Jawas in a trench coat — and a plethora of environments from across the galaxy,Star Wars: Huntersis a title with a supremely silly sci-fi aesthetic.
Controlling characters in round-based, objective-focused third-person combat,Star Wars: Hunters' seeming priority of providing varied playstyles is continued in its live-service model. Although the title isset between the events ofReturn of the JediandThe Force Awakens, the character roster is emblematic ofStar Wars' expansive chronology, with Ewoks, Mandalorians, and KX Imperial Security Droids fighting their way through the chaos.
With the somewhat surprising commercial success of the critically adored Ubisoft titleValiant Hearts: The Great War, the existence of a sequel in the same hard-hitting illustrative vein is not shocking. However, withValiant Hearts: Coming Home’s originally touted as a mobile-exclusive title on Netflix’s game platform, the title has arguably become synonymous with the platform.
WhileValiant Hearts: The Great Warwas a breakthrough hit on PC and consoles, the slower pace and point-and-click-esque puzzles of its gameplay ensured that a mobile experience would not be hindered by graphical issues or lagging controls. Although the sequel installment has since found a place on PC and consoles, the narrative-led WWI puzzle-adventure title is just as comfortable on the mobile devices it called home for almost a year.
While themobile gaming ecosystem is home to a plethora of AAA-standard titles, the limited hardware of mobile devices can seemingly lead players to expect a less developed gaming experience. However, with the FPS juggernautCall of Dutyseries making the jump to mobile, with near as many modes and experiences as console and PC titles, that philosophy is something that has to be set somewhat aside forCall of Duty: Mobile.
Containing Multiplayer, Zombies, and Warzone modes of play,Call of Duty: Mobileprovides an experience on mobile devices that — unless played on a portable console such as a Steam Deck — is the optimal way to play the FPS franchise on the go. With custom classes and even an ESports scene,Call of Duty: Mobileensures that the FPS series has a solid foundation onthe industry’s most prolific platform.
Although some mobile titles based on AAA franchises have been released afterPokemon GO’s 2016 launch, and some are no doubt more technically robust thanPokemon’s foray into the mobile space, arguably none have made the impact thatPokemon GOhas in its near-decade on the platform. By championing social features and GPS connectivity, Niantic’s interpretation of Game Freak’s pocket monster formula has proved to be insurmountably resilient.
Withits own meta of gym challenges, evolution, and battling,Pokemon Godistinctively sets itself apart from the corePokemonfranchise. However, its influence can clearly be felt in such software as the Nintendo Switch titlesPokemon: Let’s Go Pikachu&Pokemon: Let’s Go Eevee,which incorporatePokemon GO’s simplified catching mechanics and portability into its own gameplay design.
