What is the best alternative to&#x20;Game Dev Story?

Publisher:Butterscotch Shenanigans

Controller Support:Yes

The game revolves around deliveries that take time to arrive to your fireplace. There are time constraints on these deliveries that force the player to wait, unless you purchase postage stamps by unlocking combo's. As such, most of the time played in the game will be in a more 'idle' situation waiting on the deliveries instead of actually using the deliveries to solve the puzzles. See More

531 86

score 172 · Answer 2

Little Inferno

Top Con

Most of the time is spent waiting and not on puzzles

Top Pro

Intriguing wordplay-based puzzles that keep the player guessing

Certain items may have odd properties or work together with other items to create unexpected results. A list of combinations, where the only hint is the name of the combination, gives the game another puzzle-like layer that you are required to solve to progress further. For example, a somewhat vague sentence (such as Wooden Block Combo) will be given and the player must analyse and choose the correct materials in order to process further. See More

Top Con

Costs too much

Top Pro

Delightfully warped gameplay makes for an amusing way to burn digital objects

You spend most of your time throwing things in an ill-conceived invention for kids called the Little Inferno fireplace. By setting things on fire you get money that you can spend to buy more things to throw in the fireplace. There is a subtle plot that may make you re-evaluate your actions. See More

Top Con

The game is quite short

Little Inferno is a short game. On average, the main story takes a little bit over three hours to complete, while completionists need about four hours to explore everything. See More

Top Pro

Minimalistic, eerie puzzles, gameplay and narration pointing out how the games we play manipulate us

Top Con

No puzzle diversity or large number of mechanics added

The gameplay mechanics in Little Inferno stay the same: you use the fireplace in order to burn materials and create combo's. Even when unlocking newer catalogs with new materials to burn, not much changes in terms of gameplay. The puzzle hints that are provided also are quite similar, which can make the game feel rather monotonous. See More

Specs

Platforms:Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows

Genre:Puzzle

You'll have to find clues, interpret symbols, use correct items in appropriate places to unearth the mystery of the room. See More

172 23

score 222 · Answer 3

The Room

Top Pro

A good variety of puzzle types makes sure that the game never repeats or gets tiring

Top Con

The control scheme can get slightly frustrating

The touch controls of navigating in 3D can be difficult at times. See More

Top Pro

Immersive

Top Con

Should be free

Top Pro

Great atmosphere is set by the wonderful music and well done design

Due to an excellent choice of music and incremental telling of a dark story, the game creates a nice bit of tension and a creepy vibe in an otherwise simple and calm game. See More

Top Con

Ends abruptly

The Room is relatively short. Experienced players will be able to beat it in less than two hours. And it ends abruptly. Luckily there is a sequel. See More

Top Pro

Amazing graphics allow for a level of detail not always found on mobile games

The Room has very detailed graphics that show the intricacies of all the items. See More

Specs

Genre:Puzzle

PC only via Steam. See More

222 31

score 140 · Answer 4

Osmos HD

Top Con

Not available on Android anymore

Top Pro

Relaxing all around design that is great for lounging and passive play

Due to games ambient soundtrack and calm gameplay, this game creates a no-stress environment, allowing it to be thoroughly enjoyed at your own pace. See More

Top Con

Gameplay is too short

The content of the games lasts about 5 hours, which could be easily done in one sitting. See More

Top Pro

Multiple game modes to choose from keeps the gameplay fresh, by switching it up

There are two game modes for Osmos to choose from: Odyssey and Arcade. Odyssey is a 27-level long campaign mode that takes you through the story of Osmos, all the while progressing in complexity. On the other hand, Arcade is a free-play mode with adjustable difficulty and game types that are unlocked once Odyssey mode has been completed. See More

Top Con

Not free

Top Pro

Beautiful visual design that shows a lot of polish and love

The visual design is clear and beautiful, giving all the necessary gameplay information while being very pleasant to simply look at. See More

Top Pro

Wonderfully ambient soundtrack that suits the gameplay perfectly

This award-winning hypnotic ambient soundtrack will make you forget about your surroundings and completely engross you. See More

Top Pro

Accommodating multiplayer mode, whether you want to play locally or online

Osmos HD offers a local and online multiplayer mode that offers 6 distinct arenas. See More

Top Pro

Easily try the game for free thanks to a free demo that is available

If you are not convinced that this game is worth your money, you can download and play a demo from the Google Play store. See More

Specs

Genre:Puzzle / Arcade

There are multiple mods available that extend the gameplay or even just change it outright. This way there are many choices to the player as to how they would like the game to play. See More

140 25

score 543 · Answer 5

Pixel Dungeon

Top Pro

A variety of mods are available, which extend the gameplay by a large margin

Top Con

Pixel Dungeon is hard

Pixel Dungeon's difficulty can be a turn off for some players as it is quite challenging. While there will be those that enjoy such difficulty, those looking for something easy may not enjoy the game. See More

Top Pro

Tons of replayability thanks to the randomly generated level

In true roguelike fashion, levels are randomly generated each time a new game is started. On top of this mechanic, Pixel Dungeon goes one step further by randomizing effects of all items as well, so it's impossible to tell if a dropped item will have a positive or a negative effect based on its sprite representation. See More

Top Con

Overly random

A lot of people see roguelike design as being based around randomness. It's actually a far more precise set of balances than that. A lot of roguelike developers shy way from "randomly generated content" in favor of the term "procedurally generated content." The reason for this is that a well designed roguelike is well balanced enough that if you lose or win, it's all because of the actions you took. Pixel Dungeon has a habit of sometimes generating dungeons that are basically impossible and sometimes generating dungeons that are laughably easy. See More

Top Pro

Challenging and fun gameplay that lends itself well to repeat plays

Pixel Dungeon's gameplay is intuitive, allowing for it to be easy to get into. What is great though is that it's also very challenging, quickly making the experience both rewarding and addictive. Just one more game is a thought many will have before actually turning off their device. See More

Top Con

Randomness cannot be turned off

Since everything in Pixel Dungeon is randomized, sometimes a player's character can get killed in ways that cannot be avoided. There is no way to escape this issue since randomization is baked in with no way to turn it off. See More

Top Pro

Detail-oriented design lends itself well to many gameplay elements, giving a feeling of polish and care not normally found on mobile

Small details in the art design helps to add immersion to the gameplay. See More

Top Pro

A good variation in items allows the player to constantly discover new and exciting ways to tackle the game

Next to the typical selection of buffs, de-buffs, potions (that can be either consumed or thrown), weapons and armor (the latter two have to identified and can carry with them bonuses and curses), there are also less common items like random teleportation scrolls, map reveals, etc. See More

Top Pro

Easily play without an internet connection as the game can be played in-full offline

Pixel Dungeon does not require an internet connection to use, making for a good game to play when there is no internet to connect to such as on flights. See More

Top Pro

Beautiful pixel artwork that should offer a good bit of nostalgia for anyone who grew up with games that look similar

This looks like one of the good SNES RPGs. For someone who grew up loving those games, that's a huge plus. See More

Top Pro

Being completely free and open-source means that anyone can try the game in order to see if they like it

No advertisements, no in-game store, and available for free with the source code available on GitHub. *There is a link in the game where users can donate money to the developer. This of course does not mean you have to, but it is marked as a game with in-app-purchased because of it. See More

Top Pro

Has a reasonable amount of strategical depth where the player can easily plan out their next move

The top-down, turn-based nature of the game gives the opportunity to plan out a complex series of moves. This way there is no time constraint, and the player can leisurely strategize what they would like to do next. See More

Top Pro

Hold your device as you like as the game can be played in portrait or landscape

Allowing the user to switch from portrait or landscape makes for an easy way to switch playstyles (one handed, two handed) depending on what device is being used (tablet, phone) as well as what is most comfortable for the user. See More

Specs

Genre:Roguelike

Publisher:watabou

Controller Support:None

A detailed aesthetic, a great score and an intriguing narrative together create a world that engrosses you from the very beginning. See More

543 75

score 541 · Answer 6

Superbrothers Sword & Sworcery

Top Con

Doesn't work on modern Android

Crash loop. See More

Top Pro

Excellent atmosphere that compliments the engrossing story

Top Con

Costs too much money

Top Pro

World enveloping puzzles that build upon the last in order to keep the player interested

Puzzles in this game are not too difficult and usually can be quickly figured out by being attentive of your surroundings. But they are not supposed to be hard, they are meant to bring you further into the world. It is through these puzzles that the player will feel more and more connected to the world and story of the game, making for an experience one will remember. See More

Top Con

Subpar gameplay

The gameplay often times feels convoluted or just too high concept. Art in the place of gameplay, which some may enjoy, but those looking for deep game mechanics should look elsewhere. See More

Specs

Genre:Puzzle / Adventure

The power struggle between gangs has resulted in the death of your father. You have flown from Hong Kong to avenge your father's death. The missions vary, and all could be plausible making it easy to get lost in the story. See More

541 89

score 183 · Answer 7

GTA: Chinatown Wars

Top Pro

Compelling events make the story interesting

Top Con

Controls on touchscreen are not that good

Driving can be pretty difficult with the touch screen controls, though there are two different settings, so one may work better than the other. See More

Top Pro

Local multiplayer is more fun than you'd think

The local multiplayer takes advantage of this open-world game in the best ways possible. You can challenge another player to different activities - including Death Races (last alive or first to the finish wins), Stash Dash (get to a delivery van first and make deliveries while the other player tries to stop you), Liberty City Survivor (1v1 battle against your opponent with many police around), and Defend the Base (co-operatively protect targets from incoming bad guys). See More

Top Con

Not an original game

While not a con for everybody, this game has virtually nothing new about it. It was originally launched for the PSP (PlayStation Personal) and Nintendo DS (dual screen - new generation of GameBoy). The tutorial is borrowed from the PSP version, while it retains the mini games from the DS version. See More

Top Pro

Decent graphics

The graphics and lighting effects have been improved over the original version (on the Nintendo DS) to a point where they're good enough for modern mobile gaming. See More

Top Pro

Controller support for improved controls

GTA: Chinatown Wars has built in controller support which means it is compatible with the Google Nexus Player as well as the Amazon Fire TV. This means you can play it on your phone/tablet with a Bluetooth controller, or on an Android console on the big-screen TV with a Bluetooth controller for an even more console-like feeling. Note: not all Bluetooth controllers are supported See More

Specs

Genre:Open World / Action

Publisher:Rockstar Games Inc.

Controller Support:HID

Fiz tends to be a slow game, which means it can lead to loss of interest while playing. See More

183 40

score 76 · Answer 8

Fiz : Brewery Management Game

Top Con

Can get dull

Top Pro

Fun even without beer knowledge

Great business model game similar to Kairosoft games. See More

Top Con

Not a lot of variety in visuals or music

The 2D sprite graphics are a little generic, just as the music. This can get tiring after a while as little of the aesthetics of the game change as you progress. See More

Top Pro

Great depth of beer brewery gameplay that yields quite a lot to explore

There are a huge selection of recipes for beers, that need the correct amounts of specific ingredients that can be made with the correct equipment by the correct staff and sold to the market that demands it. Make a mistake in balancing any of these points and suffer the consequences. See More

Top Con

Weak - Game dev tycoon like game

Content of the game is poor. It consists of setting up a brew of a special beer and sell it at a place for that beer. There are a few~3-4 upgrades for 4 parts of your brewery and you can recruit employees. Buy a new recipe for beer and restart the brew. I love the genre - but this title is without love and without content. Instead get GameDevTycoon, Graveyard Keeper or Potato weaponshop for example. See More

Top Pro

Variety of gameplay elements keeps the player engaged

To break up the monotony of constant stale management of business there are challenges and events that happen, usually in the form of a goal that you have to reach in order to get a reward, that you can take on or ignore. Additionally, you can exercise your fingers by trying to catch mice that run around your brewery, these mice will give you money and recipe scraps. See More

Top Con

Not a free game

Specs

Genre:Economics-based

Playing Ridiculous Fishing can run through a fully charged battery pretty quickly. See More

76 14

score 41 · Answer 9

Ridiculous Fishing

Top Con

Eats battery

Top Pro

Polished arcad'y gameplay that's great in quick spurts as a time-waster

Ridiculous Fishing offers a fun casual gaming experience that is enjoyable in short or long bursts. See More

Top Con

Should be called ridiculous price

Top Pro

Can be played while offline, which is great for those who may not always have an internet connection

Ridiculous Fishing allows the game to played while offline. See More

Top Pro

Varying level design gives a good sense of progression and change

In the assortment of level there is a different look for each in and out of the water. See More

41 11

score 158 · Answer 10

Out There: Ω Edition

Top Pro

Each playthrough is unique thanks to the procedurally generated levels

Out There procedurally generates the game by generating random modular elements on each playthrough, making for a unique experience on every play through. See More

Top Con

Uninspiring gameplay

There is an extremely limited number of actions to undertake. Playing it sometimes feels like a grind. See More

Top Pro

Fun turn-based resource management where you are always juggling items on the fly, which requires a lot of quick thinking

Out There features a great mix of turn based strategy with complex resource management. The resource management works by only allowing you so many slots to store needed materials. These materials are collected on and around planets, and vary depending on where you are. So it makes for a situation where you need to carefully manage your inventory in order to have the necessary materials on hand to survive, which is no an easy task. See More

Top Con

The graphics are a power-hog

While the graphics are beautiful, the 3D graphics are a hog and if you're going to be playing this on the go you should probably grab a powerbank if you want to play it for any extended periods of time. See More

Top Pro

Beautiful art that shows off tons of polish, making for a gorgeous looking game

The game has beautiful hand drawn graphics as well as a great score with lonely overtones, which creates a fantastic and original feeling atmosphere. This sort of polish in a mobile game is not always the norm, which is why Out There tends to stand out above many other options. See More

Top Con

Each replay feels very similar

There is a multitude of ways to die in Out There, and being that the game is a roguelike, there will be a lot of restarts. Each and every death brings the player back to the beginning, to do everything over again. This can be frustrating, and a cause for lulls in play at each beginning. See More

Specs

Genre:Roguelike / Strategy / Simulation

Publisher:Mi-Clos Studio

The artistic design of the game is quite dream-like, with hand-drawn characters and levels. Its sound design is equally impressive. See More

158 44

score 5 · Answer 11

Spirits

Top Pro

Impressive style and quality

Top Con

Broken on Android Marshmallow devices

Unfortunately, Spirits doesn't work with Android devices with Android 6.0 Marshmallow installed (or higher). The game simply freezes or crashes instantly while loading. See More

Top Pro

Whimsical artistic style

This game is ethereal and relaxing, while at the same time engaging the player in challenging puzzles. The main character is comical, yet beautiful at the same time. It's almost like The Wisp and Lemmings had a child. See More

Top Con

Slow-moving gameplay

Spirits is intended to be a slow, relaxing game, though some may not enjoy the extent of the title's slowness. See More

Top Pro

Great atmosphere

Dream-like art direction with hand-drawn characters and levels, and excellent sound design. See More

Top Pro

Varied, Lemmings-style puzzles

The game has interesting and often challenging puzzles, especially if you wish to complete the level perfectly, made possible with varied abilities of spirits that get introduced throughout the game. See More

Specs

Genre:Puzzle

Touch controls for movements such as jump can be hard to pull off as the swipe gesture needs to be very exact. See More

5 0

score 16 · Answer 12

Another World

Top Con

Some issues with the control scheme

Top Pro

Challenging and fun

For what is a 20 year old game to still hold in gameplay, story and presentation is quite a feat and an enjoyable one at that. See More

Top Pro

Great remake

The newly added HD graphics show that much time was spent creating a fantastic remake of what was a very iconic game. See More

Top Pro

Controller support

Another World features controller support for MOGA devices as well as the Xperia Play. See More

Specs

Genre:Adventure

16 1

score 4 · Answer 13

Bad Hotel

Top Pro

Good controls

The drag and drop controls work well for this type of game. See More

Top Con

Irritating sound design

The samples used in the music of this game can be irritating and annoying. See More

Top Pro

Streamlined tower defense mechanics

Bad Hotel has stripped away all of the fluff from tower defense and has boiled it down to it's essence without making it too simple. See More

4 0

score 3 · Answer 14

Gunman Clive

Top Pro

Good touch screen controls

The touch screen controls are accurate and work very well for this platformer. See More

Top Con

Death means a restart at the beginning of the level, no halfway points

Gunman Clive has zero mid level checkpoints, which means upon death the player will have to restart all over again at the beginning of the level. See More

Top Pro

Tough as nails

Very challenging game in the same vein as Mega Man for platforming, boss battles, and gameplay. See More

3 0

score 3 · Answer 15

SC Blacklist: Spider-Bot

Top Pro

Three modes of play

There are three modes of play available in game with a different robot to play in each. See More

Top Con

Has trouble connecting to UPlay

In what is at this point expected behavior from Ubisoft there is apparently connection problems with this game to their servers. See More

Top Pro

Transferable currency to PC title

Being that this is a companion app for the PC title Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Blacklist, Ubisoft has made the in game earned currency transferable to the PC title. See More

3 0

score 20 · Answer 16

First Strike 1.1

Top Pro

1/4 of revenue is given to charities that help reduce nuclear arsenal

One quarter of all sales of First Strike 1.1 goes to a charity to help reduce missile arsenal in the world. See More

Top Con

No mid game save

There is no mid game save which means for some of the longer harder battles if one leaves the game, there is no going back to it. See More

Top Pro

Clear message about the pitfalls of nuclear war

First Strike 1.1 illustrates a very clear anti-war bombing message. See More

Top Pro

Looks great

The effects of missiles flying and exploding are impressive to watch. See More

20 2

score 15 · Answer 17

Back to Bed

Top Pro

Interestingly uses mind bending architecture in the gameplay

Players must figure out how to traverse the architecture in order to get items they need to use to help guide the the main character, who is sleepwalking. It is through this mind bending architecture that the core of the gameplay lies as each level is a puzzle in and of itself to figure out how to gain all the items needed, which is only half the gameplay as once that is figured out they then need to guide the sleepwalker to their goal. See More

Top Con

Puzzles could be deeper

With such an amazing graphic design, the level of depth to the puzzles feels almost disappointing. See More

Top Pro

Excellent sound design

From its background music to its voice work, the sound design of The Room Two not only fits with the theme but adds to the player's immersion in the game and overall experience. See More

Top Pro

Surreal graphics

The graphics of Back to Bed are very surreal, as if Dahli and Escher had teamed up to design a game. See More

15 2

score 43 · Answer 18

Doom & Destiny

Top Con

Translation errors

With a game that's heavily focused on storytelling grammatical errors are quite noticeable. See More

Top Pro

Great storytelling

Doom & Destiny is very well written. Full of references, humorous dialogue and excellent satire of RPGs. See More

Top Con

Why pay for a mobile game, when loads of free ones

Top Pro

Beautiful

Doom & Destiny has a colorful, detailed aesthetic. See More

Top Pro

Fun gameplay and hilarious dialogs

Specs

Genre:RPG