Mobile, Browser and F2P Games.

[Elcura]

Alright, so console/handheld gaming is pretty straightforward, but when it comes to mobile and browser games things start to change. All in all I haven't paid much attention to these kinds of games but I would like to understand what people like about them and what the good shit is.

I was wondering generally; what is it that people like about mobile/browser games compared to other games?

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Is it accessibility, price, gameplay or something else?

What are you willing to spend on a game and what kind of features/extra do you pay for (if any)? On the flip side, what aren't you willing to buy or shell out for?

What kind of games do you like the most (genre, series, doesn't matter), play the most and why?

Do you play any social games and if so, how easy is it to connect/play with other people?

Do you ever feel frustrated playing a mobile/browser game, if so, why? Or, do you feel like mobile/browser games relieve the frustration caused by more traditional gaming?

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If you didn't read the questions or you don't care that's fine. At the very least, give some links/information about good mobile/browser games.

[Viq]

As far as mobile games, I get the most use out of board games and card games (TCG/deck building) online with my friends. My four most played mobile games are Chess Time, Ascension (deck builder), 헝장기 (Jangki is a Korean variation on Chinese Chess/Xianqi), and Backgammon. These games lend themselves well to being played with friends, or just whenever there's a little downtime like riding the subway. I don't have any desire to play some goofy adaptation of a real video game on my phone. It's not comfortable, and it's very rarely fun. Sticking to the types of games I mentioned is my plan going forward.

It's also worth noting that Ascension is the only game on my list that isn't free. I've bought not just the game, but each expansion too. The total runs about $15. In my opinion, it's the best deck building game out there, and unquestionably the best that has made it's way to mobile. I've logged well over 1000 games played on it, and still play a match or two every day.

[Elcura]

Looking at Ascension, it looks like a classic card game so the mobile app is just to test out cards or decks? Or can you actually play the game as well? The other games you mentioned, do they sell stuff or are they completely F2P?

Thanks for the info regardless.

[Viq]

The Ascension app is the full game, plus all the expansions and promos should you buy those as well. It's fully playable both against AI and online. If you don't know much about deck builders, I would suggest poking around on wiki or youtube to see what the genre is about before dropping money on it. The other games I mentioned are fully F2P. They are just simple adaptations of board games, though I will say that Chess Time's online functionality is pretty solid for both playing Chess with friends or random hobos.

[Slott]

I play a mobile game called Puzzle & Dragons. It's "f2p", but you can (and most likely will) shell out some cash at the game. It's simplistic in nature - like candy crush on crack. Basically, it's a 5x6 grid, and you have 5 different colors and health orbs. Matching 3 causes your monsters to attack or heal. The kicker is you can drag the orb all around the board and displace other boards creating huge combos. There are limited time boss dungeons, events and some fantastic communities for the game, which are extremely friendly.

The next part of the game is the "collectable" part of the game, as you roll a rare egg machine or get bosses from special event dungeons, and can put them into teams. Each monster has their own strengths and weaknesses, skills, leader skills etc, that allow you to make unique teams depending on what you have. You then level, evolve and build your characters and team up. The rare egg machine is a random chance at a monster, and there are certain events when specific monsters have a higher chance of coming out.

Beyond the game's simplistic nature, it allows for me to theory craft out teams, what I want to do for the day/week (since your stamina to go into a dungeon is limited, as it regenerates slowly, unless you throw money at the game)

While the game is f2p, I've been playing since November of last year. I spend hours on this game each day, and when I'm not playing it, i'm discussing it, thinking out teams and other bullshit. Unfortunately, it has its grip on me like an MMO...but I can take it with me anywhere I want. The game's currency is known as "magic stones" which they readily supply you, and even have special events that last a week, where you get 1 per day. Or you can buy them with money to get even more... I've probably thrown between $200-$300 at the game and don't regret it for the amount of time I'm putting into it. It's one of the most successful games in japan (over 16million downloads/players) with markets growing in US and Korea. The company is making something like 3.5 million dollars a day, off this game.

The game has its frustrations (certain bosses are REALLY fucking hard) you can mess up your orb moving/matching, etc. That being said, I'm running late to a party so any other questions lmk or check out the other thread on it (I made it back in february and seems some people are getitng into it now)

[Anoat]

I love playing You Don't Know Jack on my iPhone. It's only 4 questions + Jack Attack per game, but it's free and gives me something constructive to do while I take a poop.

[Salodin]

Ticket to Ride is on Android and iOS now, I highly recommend it.