Recap No 187: What's new this week in mobile gaming?

In this week's recap #187, 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 Archero 2, early access for Palmon: Survival , and something new for Valorant Mobile.

Mobile games releases of the week

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

• Archero 2 is out on Play Store and App Store, and builds on the foundations of the first opus with faster-paced gameplay and improved challenges.
• Penguin Sushi Bar, an adorable management game, has landed on Play Store. Manage a sushi restaurant on an ice floe with cute penguins and charming graphics.
• Where Am I? is a revamped version of GeoGuessr on Play Store and App Store that challenges you to recognise places from short videos.
• Habit Kingdom lets you turn your daily chores into a game on Play Store and App Store. Complete your missions to hatch creatures and send them into battle in a colourful world.

Then there's Provenance App on the App Store, where you can replay retro classics from Sega, Sony and Nintendo directly on your smartphone. And finally, The Dragon Odyssey, an MMORPG by Neocraft, offers a classic experience with dungeons, quests and extensive customisation. It's free to play on Play Store and App Store, as well as on PC.

Pre-registration, announcements, updates and test phases

• Rise of Kingdoms announces a huge update for January, with a brand new Mayan civilization and the arrival of Arthur Pendragon. It's our partner of the week, so download Rise of Kingdoms now!
• Palmon: Survival is now available in early access on Play Store and App Store. This creature-collecting game combines survival and open-world crafting, allowing you to build farms and industrialise your resources with the help of the adorable Palmon.
• The open-world RPG Game of Thrones: Kingsroad enters closed beta on 16 January 2025. Players will have the chance to discover iconic characters and an immersive storyline set in a wintry world. The official release is scheduled for before the end of 2025.
• Wangyue, the urban fantasy game, begins its closed beta. It features NPCs with adaptive AI and parkour mechanics. Players can enjoy immersive gameplay and interact with a rich universe.

The RPG Black Beacon is now available in global beta on the Play Store until 17 January. The game features dungeons, boss battles and a captivating story influenced by your choices and your companions. Next up is NetEase's Marvel Mystic Mayhem, which has launched gradually in a number of regions, while retro RPG Novel Rogue is now open for pre-registration on Play Store.

Meanwhile, the management game As Far as the Eye is available to pre-register on Play Store and App Store. It will be released on 5 March 2025 for $4. The puzzle game Carmen Sandiego will be available via Netflix subscription from 28 January, while Reviver: The First Butterfly, due out on 17 January, is an illustrated romantic tale in which you solve puzzles to bring two soulmates together.

Continuing with Dodgeball Dojo Big 2 anime, arriving on 29 January. Combine cards to attack or defend in games full of style and action. The steampunk MMO Crystal of Atlan is announcing a new beta. And finally, the FPS Urban Heat is available as a soft launch in certain regions on Play Store and App Store.

Other news and events from the mobile games industry

There's more from the mobile JV industry this week:

• Riot Games is building anticipation for Valorant Mobile with an intriguing teaser. An image of Killjoy and rumours of a collaboration with a "major partner" have fans curious.
• Classified as a Chinese military company, Tencent is facing US sanctions that could jeopardise its international business. The company is contesting the decision and asking for a review.
• Crunchyroll announces the launch in 2025 of Crunchyroll Manga, an application dedicated to manga. Exclusively for its subscribers, it will offer a vast catalogue of titles to read.
• Following the announcement of the closure of Dead By Daylight Mobile, a petition gathering over 3,000 signatures was launched. In compensation, the studio is offering rewards for migrating to the PC version.

For its part, Wild Rift is unveiling its ambitions for the year: more content, better technical management and solutions to improve gameplay. We end this recap with the Solo Leveling Arise Championship, which is opening up internationally for the first time. Players will be competing in an intense time-attack mode.

See you next week for a recap of mobile games news!