Recap #169: mobile games news of the week

In this week's recap #169, we take a look at the week's must-have mobile games releases, mobile news and pre-registrations/test phases not to be missed.

Sit back and relax as we round up all the week's mobile games news! On the agenda: the release of BTS Cooking On, the announcement of the Dragon Ball MOBA and the potential release of FFXIV on mobile.

Mobile games releases of the week

This week has been rich in release announcements, with many games now available on the stores:

• The magical world of Xadia opens up to you with the release of The Dragon Prince: Xadia, the new Netflix game inspired by the animated series of the same name. This multiplayer action-RPG lets you explore dungeons and bosses with attractive art direction. It's available on Android and iOS.
• BTS Cooking On is out, and K-Pop fans can now become chefs at their favourite group's restaurant. This management game lets you cook alongside the members of BTS, while unlocking recipes and mini-games. It's available now on Android and iOS.
• With the release of Sword of Convallaria, fans of tactical RPGs can rejoice. This pixel art game combines strategic turn-based combat with a gacha system. The game is available on Android and iOS.
• Kingdom Rush 5: Alliance takes the fundamentals of tower defence and adds the ability to manage two heroes simultaneously. With 27 heroes, 16 campaign levels and three game modes, this new opus promises long hours of strategy. Available on Android and iOS for around 8 euros.

We continue with the release of Vampire Survivors+ for the Apple Arcade. This roguelite with its gothic atmosphere and addictive gameplay includes DLC and a multiplayer mode. Meanwhile, the retro JRPG Alter Age, available on Android and iOS, offers a classic adventure with an original twist: the ability to change characters' ages to modify their skills.

The puzzle game Superliminal plays with perspective and optical illusions to give you a unique first-person experience. It is available for 8 euros on Android and iOS after a free trial.

After a long wait, Earth: Revival will be officially released on 15 August. This survival game, which combines resource management and combat against aliens, has already proved very popular during its test phases. The roguelike deck-builder Monster Train is coming to the Apple Arcade on 5 September, with simultaneous battles on three levels of a train travelling through a fantasy world.

Still on the subject of release announcements, The Puzzle Maker: Cebba's Odyssey is a puzzle game that lets you solve and create your own puzzles. It will be coming to mobile in 2025. Finally, get ready to become a boxing manager in Punch Club 2: Fast Forward. This retro-style management game puts you in control of a boxing gym where you'll have to train your fighter. The game will be released on iOS on 22 August for €10.

Pre-registrations, announcements, updates and testing phases

In addition to the recent releases, we have more test announcements and pre-registrations in stock this week:

• The announcement of the first Dragon Ball MOBA came as a surprise to fans of the licence this week. Dragon Ball Project: Multi immerses you in a 4v4 battle game where you play as legendary characters from the Dragon Ball universe. The regional beta will be available on 19 August in France on Android, iOS and Steam.
• Publisher Playdigious has announced the imminent arrival of Children of Morta on mobile. This pixel-art game, a blend of RPG, roguelike and dungeon crawler, offers a touching narrative experience centred on a family fighting corruption. Pre-registration is now open on Android and iOS, ahead of the game's scheduled release on 7 October.
• Volleyball fans will soon be able to enjoy Haikyu! Touch the Dream. The game, based on the anime of the same name, is now open for pre-registration in South-East Asia on Android and iOS.
• Ghost Story: Love Destiny is an MMO dating game that is starting its alpha phase in South-East Asia on the Play Store and App Store. Inspired by the Love O2O series, this game lets you experience an online love story with classic MMO mechanics and a touch of AI.

The famous explosive kittens are back with Exploding Kittens 2 on Netflix. Pre-registration is open for this new version on Android and iOS, which promises to be as chaotic as ever. Next up, DC Heroes United launches pre-registration on the Play Store and App Store for a unique interactive experience. This streaming series lets you shape the destiny of the Justice League superheroes.

Last but not least, Mist Survival is in soft launch on Android in selected countries. This real-time survival game requires you to manage resources and expand your territory in a hostile world.

Other news and events from the mobile games industry

The mobile JV industry has more news in store for you this week:

• Square Enix is surprising fans with a potential mobile adaptation of Final Fantasy XIV. Although not officially confirmed, this version called Final Fantasy XIV: Crystal World could see the light of day by the end of the year, first in China, then in the rest of the world.
• A new studio, Marauder Tech, is set up by Activision veterans and former NFL players. Their first project, Price of Glory, will be a turn-based strategy game set in a medieval fantasy world. A promising project to keep an eye on.
• The International Olympic Committee is trying to appeal to Gen Z with Olympic World on Roblox. This interactive space offers mini-games based on the Olympic disciplines and educational content on the values of the Olympic Games. A bold project to promote sport among young players.

See you next week for a round-up of mobile games news!