Recap #232: What's new this week in mobile gaming?

In recap #232, we take a look at the week's must-have mobile games releases, mobile news and pre-registrations/test phases you won't want to miss.

Sit back and relax as we bring you the week's mobile games news! On the programme: we'll be taking you on a journey of coziness with the announcement of Lovania, the soft launch of the AFK Journey Homestead standalone, the release of Heartopia and a whole host of other news.

Mobile games releases of the week

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

• Heartopia makes its mobile debut this week. A cross between The Sims and Animal Crossing, Heartopia aims to take over from the life simulations on Play Store and App Store.
• ROM: Golden Age on Cross is back with a worldwide release. This blockchain version of the original game released in August features exactly the same exploration of the continent of Calderas and all the mechanics of this MMORPG, on Play Store and App Store.
• Cozy Caravan is out on Apple Arcade: become a merchant in the countryside of a world populated by anthropomorphic animals, each more cute than the last.

Last but not least, Bouncemaster, the free Epic Games game of the week.

Pre-registrations, announcements, updates and testing phases

Here's a selection of the pre-registrations and beta releases that made their mark this week on Android and iOS.

• Lovania has been announced by Moonton, in a trailer that mixes cute life simulation, adventure, encounters with NPCs, housing and all kinds of activities.
• Ball x Pit is coming to mobile, the roguelite that mixes strategy, shooter and ball fusion for ever-more delirious effects.
• AFK Journey: Homestead is being soft-launched in Canada, Australia, the Philippines, Indonesia and the UK. This standalone game focuses on housing and decoration and will turn your AFK Journey characters into good little soldiers ready to restore and decorate your personal estate.
• Backpack Battles has been announced. Take the RPG experience with as many secondary activities as possible, mix that with inventory management and you've got this new title, soon to be available on the App Store.

Then there's TavernTale from Chilly Room, an indie RPG which is now open for pre-registration on Play Store and App Store. Mystic Realms, the indie roguelite card game, is coming to Play Store and App Store. Traces of the Wind, meanwhile, is out in Asia on Play Store.

TR-49, the puzzle game from Inkle, opens for pre-registration on App Store. Silver Palace presents a new pre-beta gameplay trailer, set in a Parisian belle époque atmosphere. Meanwhile, the free-to-play RPG Sea of Remnants also presents a new gameplay trailer. We also learn that MU Dark Awakening, the MMORPG, is coming to Play Store and App Store on 23 January.

Then there's E.D.E.N. The Last Line, the hero shooter which is now open for pre-registration on Play Store and App Store. You can also pre-register for the MMORTS Order of Kings, 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:

• Sony has filed a patent for an AI assistant, trained on the playthroughs of the most skilled players to help you with complicated games. The idea would be for this transparent NPC to appear to give you advice.
• Ubisoft is closing Halifax: 71 additional employees have been made redundant, most of whom were working on major mobile titles such as Rainbow SIX Mobile and Assassin's Creed Jade.
• Kojima Productions presents its own line of gaming accessories for PCs, including a gaming tablet. It's the result of a partnership with ASUS ROG.

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