The Top 10 Mobile Games of 2014

BreakingModern — ’Tis the season to be gaming, and I’m here to count down the Top 10 mobile games I’ve played thus far. This isn’t a comprehensive list of course. It’s only my humble opinion. But I definitely recommend everyone download these 10 games right away.

10. Hay Day

Hay Day mobile gamesI was very hesitant to include this game on my list. After all, the theme of the game is running a farm, which reminds me all too much of the overhyped Facebook game Farmville (yes, before Candy Crush, there was Farmville, clogging up the notification feeds of users everywhere). But Hay Day is different. In Hay Day not only can you harvest crops and collect products from your animals, but you can use those crops and products to make other things, such as pizzas and sweaters, with a host of other cool features. Plus there are neighborhoods, so you don’t have to bother your friends on Facebook (you know who you are). Available free for Android on Google Play and Apple iOS.

9. Flappy Bird (Or Whatever Parody You Can Find of It)

FBP Flappy Wings mobile gamesSadly, this is the only game on this list that isn’t on the App Store anymore. As all of you probably know, the game’s creator, Doug Nguyen, took the game down because he thought it was too addicting. (If it wasn’t addicting, it wouldn’t be on this list now would it?) If you bought this rage-quittingly awesome game, I don’t have to explain why this game is on this list. But for those of you who didn’t jump on the phenomenon on time (I’m one of those people), I would recommend the game (or some version of the game) for its simplicity. It doesn’t use fancy graphics or any cool mechanics to make people enjoy it — it’s just extremely challenging gameplay. Here’s some good alternatives to the original.

8. The World Series of Poker

World Series of Poker moble gamesThe mobile version of the World Series of Poker goes on this list because, in my opinion, it’s the best poker game on any app store right now. Nowadays, online gaming has largely become portable, leading many online poker players to go mobile. WSOP includes several cool features, like the poker tournaments. And don’t worry if you lost all your money on a night of foolish gambling — the game has a daily bonus, which lets you refill on chips, so you can keep on losing. It’s available free for Android on Google Play and Apple iOS.

7. Rivals at War

Rivals at war battle screenRivals at War is a surprisingly addicting strategy game. The player has no control over the actual gameplay, only the choice of teams who battle against each other. However, therein lies the awesomeness of the game. With the inclusion of 16 different nations and the ability to customize every soldier’s name, there is fun to be had outside of the zone of combat. Players can customize their own squads and name them after their favorite special forces, like Delta Force or SAS. In a massive online multiplayer world, there’s truly fun to be had with this game. You can read my full review here. It’s free for Android on Google Play and Apple iOS.

6. Clash of Clans

clash of clans logo mobile gamesClash of Clans is on this list not just because it’s extremely popular (there are some popular games that I had to omit), but because it combines two awesome forms of gameplay. With both real-time strategy in attack and tower-defense features, Clash of Clans is an awesome fusion of gaming genres, something I’d like to see more of in other mobile games. If that wasn’t enough, Clash of Clans also has a huge multiplayer community, where players can join together in clans and fight against other clans. Although for me that stuff doesn’t matter — if you dare come and raid my castle, my troops will be right over to turn yours into a pile of rubble. You can see my Clash of Clans tips here, and download the free apps for Android on Google Play and Apple iOS.

5. World of Tanks Blitz

WoT cover mobile gamesOkay, I will admit, this game has an unfair advantage because it was ported over from PC, but still, World of Tanks Blitz stands as one of my favorite mobile games ever. Great multiplayer gameplay, stunning graphics and it retains many of the features found in the PC game. I say many, because some features were downgraded in the port i.e. there are only three nations with tanks in the mobile version, while the PC version has six. However, the mobile version retains the original’s awesome tech tree with a huge amount of upgradable features. But remember, there’s no respawning in this game, so make every shot count. I’ve got a full review here, and the app is free for Android on Google Play and Apple iOS.

4. Deer Hunter 2014

Deer Hunter 2014 mobile gamesDeer Hunter is enjoyable for a number of reasons. Aside from the mundane ones like great graphics, smooth mechanics and awesomely addicting gameplay, Deer Hunter 2014 takes place around the world in 16 exotic locations. This isn’t your normal hunting safari game in which you are confined to the woods or an African safari. These stages go from the Caspian Sea to the Himalayas. With local animals at every location, this is a revolutionary hunting experience for anyone. You can even learn a thing or two about the animals you slaughter. Nothing beats an educational experience like looking up and learning about the poor (probably endangered) exotic creature that you blasted five seconds earlier. The mobile game is available free for Android on Google Play and Apple iOS.

3. Real Racing 3

real racing 3 gameplay mobile gamesThis may not be my favorite racing game ever, but it has to go on at least the Top 5. Why is that? Well, the game manages to do the near-impossible feat of combining a huge amount of realism in racing with enjoyable gameplay. In Real Racing 3, not only will you have a huge amount of real life cars available to you (yes, all these cars can be procured to drive in real life, although the professional racing ones might be hard to come by), but the game’s mechanics mimic that of actual racing. The player gets an incredibly fun and realistic experience. It reminds me a lot of Forza Motorsports, so fans of that popular console game should find Real Racing 3 a good fit. It’s available free for Android on Google Play and Apple iOS.

2. World Conqueror 2

World Conqueror Soviet mobile gamesThis choice may be a bit biased, since I’m an RTS gamer at heart, but World Conqueror 2 has bite to match its bark. The campaign itself is extremely deep, with detailed scenarios of both WWII and the Cold War. If that wasn’t enough, there are 8 different conquest scenarios that give the player Risk-based situations to play in where, unlike campaign mode, there are no set objectives. If I had to compare this game to anything, I would say it’s an advanced version of Risk. You capture squares to take down your enemy and there are a multitude of units in the game, including infantry, tanks and artillery, so you must learn to balance those units in Starcraft-like manner in order to claim victory. An added bonus: Whenever two units engage, it zooms into a real-time cinematic (Advance Wars style for those that remember), which brings me back to games I used to play. I wrote a more in-depth review here, and you can download the game for Android on Google Play or Apple iOS.

1. Asphalt Assault 8

Asphalt 8 cover mobile gamesThe number one mobile game I’ve ever played this year can be summed up in two words: beyond awesome. Like World of Tanks Blitz, this is also a PC-ported game, but unlike the former, Asphalt Assault 8 doesn’t skimp on any features from the PC. The graphics are the best out of any mobile game I’ve ever seen — the cars and the nitro boosts are ported in full from the PC version. Even the famous wrecks in the game retain their quality. However, this game appeals to me because it has everything I want from a video game. There are a huge amount of cars to choose from, tracks from all over the world and, most of all, spectacular crashes. Asphalt Assault 8 takes me back many years and makes me feel like the kid that played his first videogame again. The only drawback is this take up around 2 GB of data on your phone, so make sure you have enough room. I wrote a full review on this awesome game, and it’s free for Android on Google Play and Apple iOS.

Well, that concludes my Top 10 mobile games roundup for 2014. Just remember, this is only my personal opinion. However, I highly encourage you to get these games. They are all great fun and well worth your time. Have a merry Christmas, or happy whatever other holiday you celebrate, and I’ll be back next year.

For BMod, I’m Puching Zhang.

All screenshots: Puching Zhang

Featured/Header image: Happy 25th birthday Game Boy” by flowolf via Flickr Creative Commons

Puching Zhang

Author: Puching Zhang

Based in Chicago, Puching Zhang covers the gaming beat for BreakingModern.

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