Sayonara Wild Hearts
Getting the obvious pick out of the way first, Sayonara Wild Hearts is already being regarded as one of the best indie darlings of 2019 and the best Apple Arcade game so far… though that’s debatable.
This is a rhythm game of sorts, where you control a masked girl on a motorcycle as she weaves through a beautiful neon-lit city, collecting hearts and defeating bosses. You’ll swipe left and right on your screen to move her around, aiming to rack up as many points as possible to get a higher finishing rank.
What’s so striking about Sayonara Wild Hearts is its soundtrack, and it’s this bubblegum synth pop album that flows so well with the gameplay.
Grindstone
If you’re looking for something akin to a Bejeweled or match-3 experience, Grindstone might be the Apple Arcade game you’ve been looking for.
Taking control of a barbarian wielding a large sword, your task is to slice through creepers in order to progress to the next level. The catch is that you can only slice through creepers of the same color, which means you’ll need to plan your route carefully, and avoid getting stuck in a corner with no way to slice.
There are, of course, special items that will allow you to switch creeper colors or even mix and match them in your slices as you progress.
Assemble With Care
One of the more peaceful, story-driven games you’ll find on Apple Arcade right now, Assemble With Care is a lovely little title that basically tasks you with packing and unpacking items.
I know it sounds silly and mundane, but the gameplay is a foil to a simple, yet heartwarming story about a woman who fixes things. You’ll learn more about your characters as you carefully study each item among their belongings, and bring joy to the people around you by fixing their broken objects.
The font choice in Assemble With Care is also impeccable, which I realize sounds like a weird compliment, but it just fits so well with the game’s beautiful watercolor aesthetic.
Shinsekai: Into the Depths
Developed by Capcom, this is one of the more video game-y games on Apple Arcade right now.
Shinsekai: Into the Depths puts you in the shoes of an underwater explorer as you venture around the depths of the sea, fending off monsters and learning more about your surroundings. Shinsekai is shaping up to be quite the enjoyable Metroidvania game that should please fans of the genre.
Cat Quest II
As a follow-up to the very cute Cat Quest, Cat Quest II retains the 2D open world action RPG formula, and still features tons of cute cats and dogs as its primary NPCs and characters.
This is an RPG in every sense of the word, with a main story to follow, and plenty of side content to dive into in the open world. There are skill trees to explore, along with a plethora of cool abilities and spells to check out.
Oceanhorn 2
If you’re looking for your Zelda fix, Oceanhorn 2 should be right up your alley. And if you played the original Oceanhorn, you should know what you’re getting into with this one.
Often referred to as a Zelda-like game, it’s easy to see where the comparisons are coming from. You’ll explore colorful cities, explore dungeons, you’ll have a heart-based health system, and you’re equipped with various tools and weapons to take down the enemies you encounter.
We don’t recommend playing this one on the iPhone though. You’ll probably have a better time with Oceanhorn 2 if you wait for the iPad release with controller support.
Over the Alps
Over the Alps is one of the most beautifully designed games you’ll find on Apple Arcade right now.
This is a choice-driven narrative adventure that tells its story through a series of gorgeous postcards. There are elements of espionage and a spy thriller in here, and the decisions you make will shape the way the story unfolds and what you see through the postcards.
Exit the Gungeon
Enter the Gungeon has finally come to an end, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy more Gungeon goodness with Exit the Gungeon.
Exit the Gungeon is a “dungeon climber” game, where you’re constantly finding the best way upwards to get out of a level. The game plays a little similarly to the rogue-like, however, as there are still elements of randomness to contend with as you discover awesome guns and battle familiar enemies.
Card of Darkness
Card of Darkness is a deceptively tricky game, but it’s definitely a good one to check out if you like the card and deck-building aesthetic mixed with strategy gameplay.
The goal of each level is to reach the end, and you can only do so by removing decks of cards in front of you. Some cards will damage you, some will restore health, and others might gift you with weapons and gold.
There is a bit of RNG involved when it comes to clearing out the levels, but it’s a pretty compelling card game nonetheless.
Overland
Overland is a great strategy turn-based game you can get on Apple Arcade, complete with a grim, post-apocalyptic backdrop.
You’ll need to manage your car’s fuel levels, while also keeping the enemies at bay as you loot areas, find supplies, and maybe spare some resources to help that stranger out before you move on. The levels and characters are randomly generated as well, so every playthrough is different
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