Recap #256: What’s new this week in mobile gaming?

In this recap #256, we round up this week’s must-play mobile games, the latest mobile gaming news, and pre-registrations and beta tests you won’t want to miss.

Make yourself comfortable – we’ve summarised all the news about mobile games from the week for you! On the agenda: Dave the Diver opens pre-registration, the sci-fi hit Caves of Qud arrives on mobile, Cookie Run Crumble takes us by surprise, and we’ve got loads more news to share with you.

This week’s mobile games releases

This week has seen a flurry of release announcements, with numerous games now available on the app stores:

• Star Sailors is out on Android and iOS: This turn-based action collectible RPG is here. In the ruins of the Magic Explosion, search for Relics to rebuild the Human Kingdom by following your compass from one QTE battle to the next and making the most of your buffs and class synergies.
• Unhinged has arrived on mobile: it’s a survival game set in a horror-themed world, featuring the main character, Ava, a young woman trapped in a block of flats with a menacing figure. She’ll try to escape by making split-second decisions and with the support of her friends Claire and Ben.
• Fortunes of Battle has been released on the app stores: dice and courage combine to create a unique roguelite experience. Navigate through forgotten treasures, creatures and tough dilemmas where your choices make every adventure unique, both in tactical battles and as you progress through the game.
• Lost Twins 2 is available on mobile: in this puzzle-platformer, you create new paths by rearranging the world around you. Play as Abi and Ben, a pair of twins, in a laid-back adventure for one player or two-player co-op, set in a poetic art style.

Digimon Up has arrived on Android and iOS. Meanwhile, the simulation game Golden Lap is available on the app stores. Gnomia, the cosy gardening game, is also available on the Play Store and App Store. We round off this section with the Epic Games Store’s free game of the week, The Ouroboros King.

Pre-registrations, announcements, updates and beta tests

Here’s a round-up of the pre-registrations and betas that made the news this week on Android and iOS.

• Pre-registrations for Dave the Diver ahead of its release on 27 August: the game puts you in the wetsuit of Dave, a diver who heads out to sea to fish for over 200 species whilst it’s still light, before returning to run his sushi restaurant in the evening. Each underwater run earns you money and resources to upgrade your gear.
• False alarm regarding the release of Symphonia: the game is only open for pre-registration and everyone has taken down their articles on the subject. Symphonia is a world where music creates life and you must ward off the silence by reuniting the original orchestra.
• Caves of Qud is currently being ported: winner of a Hugo Award, this roguelike switches to portrait mode, featuring a simulation of 70 factions, 100 mutations, and great freedom of action within a coherent world.
• Cookie Run: Crumble is now open for pre-registration: on the cards is a mix of auto-battler and deck-building. Gather your noobiest cookies and help them gain experience.

Next up is the announcement of Zeus God of Arrogance by Cum2Us. Monster Hunter Outlanders will launch its third beta on 7 August. Meanwhile, the MMORPG Afterglow has launched its open beta. Langrisser: Sea of Sword has been announced. Floatopia is launching its test in China on 24 July.

More news and updates from the mobile gaming industry

The mobile gaming industry has more news for you this week:

• Roblox is set to let people create games using text prompts: Roblox maintains that this won’t lead to a further increase in the volume of AI-generated rubbish on its homepage.
• Scholarships from the University of Silicon Valley: through a brand-new programme, you can receive up to $15,000 per term towards your studies there, provided you’ve reached a specific level in certain games such as MMOs, simulations, gacha games or roguelites.

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