Recap188: What's new this week in mobile gaming?

In week's recap #188, 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 programme: an announcement for Dark and Darker mobile, the release of Gods&Demons and a whole host of other announcements!

Mobile games releases of the week

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

• Cassette Beasts, a creature-collecting game, is available on the App Store and Play Store. Available for $8, the game takes an original approach by allowing players to take on the shape of the monsters they capture.
• High Seas Heroes features naval battles in a post-apocalyptic world. This game from Century Games, available free on Play Store and App Store, features collaborative battles and bosses to take on.
• Gods & Demons, a new game from Com2uS, features PvE and PvP combat with five unique races and classes. Free to play and available in French on Play Store and App Store, it includes an idle system for collecting rewards.
• Hero's Adventure, a Wuxia-style RPG, offers 10 different endings and an immersive experience in a fantastical medieval Asian world. Available on Play Store and App Store for $6.

We continue with Turnip Boy Robs a Bank. This pixel art game is available on Play Store and App Store for $6. And to finish with the releases, MapleStory Worlds is coming to Play Store and PC. Available in the US and Europe, the game lets you create personalised worlds using MapleStory assets.

Pre-registration, announcements, updates and test phases

• Dark and Darker Mobile will be released in Canada on 5 February. This RPG, battle royale and extraction title from KRAFTON features six unique classes and a dark medieval atmosphere.
• Crashlands 2 is scheduled for release on 10 April. Players will be reunited with Flux Dabes in a survival adventure on the planet Woanope, featuring a basic construction system and a colourful open world.
• Candy Crush Solitaire will be released on 6 February, a mix between classic Solitaire and Candy Crush power-ups. The game will be available free-to-play on Android and iOS from 6 February.
• Path to Glory is launching in early access on Play Store. It combines city-building with mini-games such as jousting. Despite an unconvincing trailer, it's still accessible on Android.

Following the release of Girls Frontline 2, the first opus will return in 2025. My Father Lied will be released on 30 May 2025. We continue our recap with Mahjong Wish from Tencent, which is coming to mobile and is currently being tested in Japan and Hong Kong on the Play Store.

Duet Night Abyss announces its closed beta until 10 February. Duck Salami Detective, meanwhile, is opening its pre-registration on Play Store and App Store and will be released on 9 April 2025. The same goes for ETE Chronicle, which is also open for pre-registration on Play Store. My Time at Sandrock begins its beta in China on 23 January, and Enlisted also opens its pre-registration in China. The beta starts on 10 March, again in China.

The shooter and infiltration game Delta Force: Hawk Ops has postponed its release until summer 2025. We continue with Ace Trainer, a creature-collecting game launched in early access in the United States, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan on the Play Store. Meanwhile, Chainsaw Juice King, a mix of management and action, is available in early access in several regions on Play Store and App Store.

Level Infinite is launching Pool City - 8 Ball, a 3D billiards simulation, in early access in several countries on Play Store. Dragon Quest X, adapted as an MMO for mobile phones, will be released shortly in Japan. And finally, the Apple Arcade will be welcoming Three Kingdoms HEROES, Final Fantasy+, and Trials of Mana+ in February.

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