A Little Mobile Gaming

I don't have anything new happening on the PC gaming front--I've decided to revisit one of my strategy favorites, Against the Storm, largely to see what has changed since the last time I played.  I've barely dipped my toes back into the storm cycle but I'm already intrigued by what I've seen.  I also purchased a DLC pack featuring a new playable race (frogs) awhile back and hadn't touched it.  In the future I'll report on all the new changes (and the frogs!).  So, for this week, I thought I'd talk about a couple of my personal mobile favorites.

I know that people have a tendency to cringe when mobile gaming is brought up.  Let's be real though, you probably have a couple of games lurking on your phone that you like to pop open from time to time.  My personal mobile gaming style tends to be games that are convenient for times when you're stuck waiting for something--the types of games that can be played in short bursts and that can be quickly closed with no feeling of losing out.  Currently, I like to spend my short lunches (we get 30 minutes--and that counts one of the few bathroom breaks I get throughout the day) managing my Fallout Shelter vault.  I originally played Fallout Shelter when it first came out and basically reached the limit of what was available--my vault was maxed out with inhabitants and there was literally nothing else to do.  Luckily/smartly the game has been expanded so that there doesn't feel like there's much of an end to it.  

Fallout Shelter includes cute pets!

When I originally played Fallout Shelter all you could do was manage the production in your vault and send dwellers out to explore the wasteland.  Now, there are questlines where you can send your dwellers out to accomplish certain goals (after a navigating a build full of combat scenarios) for rewards; there's an entire crafting system for weapons and outfits; there are collectible pets that are not only cute, but provide buffs for your dwellers; there are collectible themes (from the Fallout series) that can be used to decorate your vault; and, in true mobile gaming fashion, there are plenty of opportunities to interact with ads to earn rewards (of course...but they're actually not too egregious).  The game has totally changed since those olden days!

One fun aspect of Fallout Shelter has been the crossover content with Amazon Prime's Fallout series.  You can do quests to unlock special characters from the series.  There are also outfits, pets, and themes associated with the series!  

This new and improved Fallout Shelter is perfect for short bouts (and also longer ones when you're trying to manage all your junk and items).  I don't turn on notifications or anything (not like I can just up and play whenever), but like to try to complete quests during my lunch break or after work.  If it has been awhile or if you enjoy Fallout and are looking for something fun for your phone, give it a go. (*You can play it on PC through Steam...I'd recommend mobile though) And just a disclaimer--yes, there's the normal micro-transactions and whatnot, but it isn't pushed on you very much.

My other favorite is THE stereotypical mobile game--Candy Crush.  I love a good match 3 and Candy Crush is one of those never-ending types that manages to be challenging enough to be fun.  There are plenty of in-game competitions, challenges, and events to keep you engaged.  It's much more egregious when it comes to ads, microtransactions, and all the normal mobile gaming sins.  It's great for short bouts when you just want to play a level or two (and some are ridiculously easy and can be completed in a few minutes).  Popping all those little candies is just so much fun though!

Have a great weekend and enjoy some gaming time (even mobile!)!