Apple expands Arcade with three new games
Arcade, Apple's gaming platform, is getting a new addition at the beginning of May. One game comes from a solo developer, another from an indie studio from Ireland. There is also a 3-match puzzle from an Android developer.
About once or twice a quarter, Apple officially announces what's new on sale in the Arcade. This time, the following titles are intended to whet the appetite for the paid plan of ad-free games.
"A Slight Chance of Sawblades+"
A chicken dodging falling circular saws - that's the concept behind "A Slight Chance of Sawblades+" (here's the link to the preview in the App Store). The arcade-style game was developed by Yong Kian Chin, who lives in Singapore. The pixelated 2D retro graphics are accompanied by 8-bit music. It can be played on iPhone and iPad, a controller is recommended.
"Dicey Dungeons+"
"Dicey Dungeons+" (see preview here) was first released back in 2019. It has received "very positive" reviews on Steam. The deck-building roguelike game invites you to fight monsters, sends you on a quest for loot and lets you develop your hero. The developer is Irishman Terry Cavanagh, who has already created over two dozen games.
"Summer Pop+"
And then there's the 3-match puzzle "Summer Pop+", another Candy Crush clone. By successfully lining up colourful whatevers, you can collect toys, defeat octopuses or make ice cream. For those who like it ...
At least no advertising
The games announced for 3 May 2024 are likely to fill gaps in Arcade that may not even exist. All three new additions are aimed at mobile gamers, with only "Dicey Dungeons+" also being playable on Apple Vision - although this is not even available outside of the United States
In addition, the chicken chainsaw duel will not even be exclusive to Apple, but will also be available on Android, simply with adverts. Anyone waiting for the thousandth new 3-match puzzle will probably have other problems anyway.
At least the inclusion in the Apple Arcade cosmos ensures that the games are available without annoying adverts; at the price of a monthly fee of 7.90 francs, which will increase in May.
Updates for more games
In addition to the new launches, Apple is also announcing updates for other arcade titles.
- From 15 April, players of "Hello Kitty Island Adventure" are invited to the in-game event "Imagination Celebration", in which they must search for the mystical stones before the ghost queen Kuromi in order to restore joy and magic to the island.
- On 18 April, players of "Sonic Dream Team" can visit the new "Sweet Dreams Zone", a "brand new, cosy environment with particularly challenging stages", according to the announcement.
- In the "Game Room", a collection of classic board games, the classic checkers game will be added.
In addition, "Japanese Rural Life Adventure", "What the Car?", and the urban planning simulation "Outlanders" will also receive updates.
This news doesn't knock your socks off? Wondering where Apple's journey in the gaming topic is heading? Then listen to our podcast "Take a Byte", where I recently talked to my colleagues Samuel and Florian about exactly that. Click here to go straight to the episode.
Journalist since 1997. Stopovers in Franconia (or the Franken region), Lake Constance, Obwalden, Nidwalden and Zurich. Father since 2014. Expert in editorial organisation and motivation. Focus on sustainability, home office tools, beautiful things for the home, creative toys and sports equipment.