When comparing Cardinal Quest 2 vs TinyKeep, the Slant community recommends Cardinal Quest 2 for most people. In the question“What are the best roguelikes on Android?” Cardinal Quest 2 is ranked 6th while TinyKeep is ranked 18th. The most important reason people chose Cardinal Quest 2 is:
Often you will see paid character classes or currency in mobile games. Luckily in Cardinal Quest 2, the currency is earned by successful or failed runs, and even the paid character class can be earned through a boss fight mechanic, making it something to work towards. This way everything in the game can be earned just by playing, and not spending money. The purchasable content is there for those that would just like to unlock things faster.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Nothing is locked behind a paywall, you are free to play as you like without worry of being coerced into spending money
Often you will see paid character classes or currency in mobile games. Luckily in Cardinal Quest 2, the currency is earned by successful or failed runs, and even the paid character class can be earned through a boss fight mechanic, making it something to work towards. This way everything in the game can be earned just by playing, and not spending money. The purchasable content is there for those that would just like to unlock things faster.
Pro A good choice of character classes allows for a mix of different strategies in the gameplay
There are six character classes that are available to use; paladin, ranger, pugilist, fighter, wizard, and thief. Though not all are available from the start and need to be unlocked through play or in-app-purchase (all can be unlocked through play). Having a good selection of classes to play with allows for different experiences to be had, which extends the playtime.
Pro Very streamlined item management that does not get in the way, allowing the player to concentrate on the gameplay, over organization
Cardinal Quest 2 is more streamlined over its first title. When picking up equipment, the user is given the option to sell if it is worse than what is already being used or worn. Making equipment management a lot easier.
Pro Lots of Google Play achievements to earn, which makes for some interesting tasks on top of the regular gameplay
There are a bunch of achievements that can be earned in the game, thus giving the player something to strive towards. This way the player can feel a sense of progression as well, since roguelikes tend to be light in this area.
Pro The included immersive mode allows for full screen gaming on devices that use a software navigation bar
Cardinal Quest 2 features full screen immersive mode on any Android device with OS 4.4+, which is great for those who have devices that use stock Android, as they can game full screen, hiding the software navigation bar.
Pro Deep gameplay that allows for plenty of customization choices
Depending on the character class used and items equipped, different strategies can be used and experimented with. Making for a deep game that allows for plenty of different setups.
Pro Randomly generated levels allows the game to always stay fresh and new
Each level is randomly generated, allowing each play to feel fresh and different from any other. There is no telling how each floor will be laid out, which makes for a game with limitless replayability.
Pro Immersive mode suppot allows the game to play in full screen, hiding the software navigation and notification bars
TinyKeep has support for immersive mode on Android 4.4+. This allows the game to be played in the entire screen on devices that uses navigation software buttons.
Pro Good controller support that makes for more tactical control of the game
TinyKeep has controller support for SHIELD devices as well as any HID controller, which is great for those that would prefer to play the game with a controller over using a touch screen.
Pro Being SHIELD compatible and Tegra optimized allows for a more graphicly intensive experience over the majority of games found on Android
Tiny Keep works with all SHIELD devices as well as other Tegra devices such as the Nexus 9. This allows for a more graphically intensive game, due to taking advantage of the Tegra GPUs.
Pro Different endings and Game+ mode give plenty incentive to play the game for a long time
There are 3 different endings to the game, which gives a good bit of incentive to replay numerous times in order to see them all as well as a Game+ mode that makes the game even more difficult.
Pro Fun mechanic where the environment can be used against enemies
Parts of the environment in the game can be used against ones enemies, such as spike floor traps, turned over fire pits or even captive NPCs. Utilizing these objects or NPCs adds an extra set of tools to aid in the players fight to reach the end of each level.
Cons
Con Not a full traditional roguelike
By excluding a hunger mechanism commonly found in the roguelike genre there is no penalty for skipping turns, which can make certain areas and aspects of the game easier than other roguelike games.
Con Only works on limited devices
TinyKeep, being a very graphically intensive game has been ported specifically for Tegra K1 devices with newly added support for the Tegra 4. Sadly this means that devices without a Tegra K1 or 4 will not be able to run the game.