Recap #201: What's new this week in mobile gaming?

In recap no. 201, 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 bring you the week's mobile games news! On the agenda: the unexpected return of Flappy Bird, the opening of pre-registration for Civilization: Eras & Allies and much more!

Mobile games releases of the week

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

• Mr. Rabbit Magic Show, from the creators of Rusty Lake, is celebrating the studio's 10th anniversary with a strange, free narrative puzzle on Play Store and App Store. The game features around twenty acts for 1 to 2 hours' play.
• Flappy Bird is making an unlikely return via theEpic Games Store, although its creator is not involved. It's an opportunity to rediscover this classic...
• Caverna, the cult board game, is coming to Play Store and App Store with a single-player and multi-player mode for up to 7 players. For $12, you can develop your cave, breed animals and optimise your dwarf tribe.
• ONE Fight Arena offers turn-based PvP battles with athletes from the ONE Championship league, on Play Store and App Store.

Sleepy Stork lets you help a stork get to bed in 100 levels of physical puzzles on Play Store and App Store for $4. Meanwhile, World of Goo 2 is out on Play Store and App Store, with 60 new levels, new species of Goo and an immersive soundtrack.

And finally, Crunchyroll is celebrating the month of May by adding several premium games to its mobile subscription: The Amazing Shinsengumi, Corpse Party, White Day, Shogun Showdown and Shin Chan. These titles can now be accessed via the Crunchyroll app.

Pre-registration, announcements, updates and test phases

• Civilization: Eras & Allies, formerly Conquest and Alliances, is opening pre-registration in a number of Asian regions on Play Store and App Store. This Rise of Kingdoms-style strategy MMO features city management, alliances and historical wars.
• Uma Musume: Pretty Derby is finally arriving in a global version on 26 June on Play Store and App Store. This training and racing simulator and idol game features spectacular 3D races, virtual concerts and fine management of your stable of equine waifus.
• Arknights Endfield is entering the closed beta phase in China, with registration open until 11 May. This 3D A-RPG plunges you into the perilous world of Talos II, with tactical combat and a polished atmosphere.
• Game of Thrones: Kingsroad will be officially released on Play Store and App Store on 21 May. Despite criticism of its aggressive monetisation, Netmarble's game is set to win over fans of the licence with its strategic gameplay.

Moving on to Mutant Genesis, which will be available from 20 May on Play Store and App Store, with over 200 collectible cards, a single-player mode, PvP, co-op and a rank system inspired by Pokémon badges. FAU-G Domination is out of early access on Play Store, with gameplay akin to Call of Duty Mobile.

Knights of Baphomet - Shadow of the Templars is back soon in a remastered version on Play Store and App Store. Rediscover this cult adventure with George and Nico in an investigation combining humour, conspiracy and buried treasure.

For its part, Project Bang Bang is planning a test phase in China on 16 May, with pre-registration open until 8 May. Dragon Sword, the open-world ARPG, goes into closed beta on 8 May. We end this section with Stella Sora, a hack'n'slash narrative RPG, which enters a new closed beta phase until 16 May.

Other news and events from the mobile games industry

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

• Overwatch mobile might not be completely dead. A new partnership between Nexon and Blizzard mentions a future Starcraft game, but above all it raises hopes of an official Overwatch mobile port, although this has not yet been confirmed.
• Wild Rift will benefit from Wild Rounds and the Organized Play programme in 2025, reviving interest in mobile esports. Riot introduces a variety of 1v1, 2v2 and relay formats, accessible via the Curry.gg platform.
• Infinity Nikki is rolling out its "Bubble Season" update on 29 April, with a new co-op mode. This will breathe new life into the game before its release on Steam, with a mix of mode and exploration.
• Sonic Rumble, Sega's multiplayer party game, has had its release on the Apple Arcade postponed to an unknown date. Originally scheduled for 8 May, the title will take longer to launch.

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