Like gaming platforms such as Steam on PCs, the Google Play Store allows developers to release “Early Access” games to the general public. This allows mobile gamers to play the game before it’s officially ready.
It also helps the developer in different ways. First of all, this means that the public can leave feedback on bugs and features they would like to add. Developers can also sell Early Access games or sell in-app content. This means that if you like the game, you can keep supporting it until the final version is released.
There are advantages for the players too. First, you can play the game before the general public does. It also allows you to support game concepts that would otherwise never make it to the mainstream market. The coolest aspect of Early Access games is the opportunity to participate in the development of the game. Your feedback can influence the final look of the game!
Of course, always remember that these Early Access games aren’t finished yet. They can glitch or lose your progress. If that’s okay with that, let’s take a look at four of the best Early Access games.
How to get early access games
Previously, Google Play had separate sections of the store for early access games. At the time of writing, we could not find any of these sections either in the app or on the internet.
However, finding Early Access games still works simply by searching for “Early Access†in the Play Store. These games have “(Early Access)†in their titles and will also repeat in the description that this is essentially a beta version of the software.
OctoMaze (3.99 US dollars))
OctoMaze is the only game on this list that needs money up front, but it’s already such a solid little puzzle that we wouldn’t mind spending a few dollars on it. The idea is simple enough, but in a real game it can be difficult to complete each level.
You control the tentacle of a purple octopus with a rather intimidating jawline. You need to grab a set of items while avoiding traps and bad guys. If you have everything you need, the level ends and you move on to the next.
Some of the best mobile games were puzzles with simple basic mechanics, which were then skillfully iterated over. Angry Birds is such a game. The premise is simple: just shoot down the pigs and buildings with the slingshot birds. Yet its levels are endless.
OctoMaze starts with simple puzzles, but the task is very fast, and some puzzles are just racking their brains. The aesthetics of the game takes us back to the good old days of computer puzzles. It worked great on our Galaxy Note 10+, but it didn’t fill the entire screen. On phones with a 16: 9 aspect ratio, this shouldn’t be a problem. It has the potential to become one of the great puzzles for mobile.
Another game – a life simulator (Ad supported)
Another Life – Life Simulator has some fascinating ideas, although it still needs some work. The game is graphically very simple, the main action takes place through the text. Basically, you control the life of a virtual person from birth to death.
Along the way, you need to make key decisions that will affect what kind of person your character will become and whether he will have a good life or not. In many ways Another Life resembles fantasy simulators such as Princess Maker or Long Live the Queen, only with a more realistic setting.
Some random problems occur here and there throughout the game. For example, our first character was invited to a school debate at the age of 5. What a precocious kid!
With age, your character gains hit points that can be used to buy various items that provide perks and bonuses. As far as we can see, hit points are not tied to any in-game purchases, and the game is currently supported by a single banner ad that appears at the bottom of the screen.
While Another Life is an incredibly interesting idea and worth trying, it is definitely not a game for young players. Since this is a life simulator, it also deals with darker and more mature themes of life. This is not visual, but, as you can imagine, some aspects of life can cause concern.
Battle Royale by Flying Beagle (Free to play)
Battle royale games have taken the world by storm, and games like Fortnite and PUBG have exploded the charts. Everyone is trying to take a fresh look at these games, but Flying Beagle has something to come up with in its stylized top-down game.
Unfortunately, only those with invite codes can play the early access version of the game. So ask your friends and acquaintances on social media if anyone has invite codes to transfer. Players who distribute invite codes receive in-game currency, so convincing them to part with it will not be difficult.
The game uses vehicles heavily, and the Early Access version has four vehicle classes, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. At the time of writing, there are 30 players in each battle royale and 20 different character skins.
Early Access players are commenting on existing network performance and controls issues, but we think this could be the next big battle royale game. If you receive a code, you can sign in early. Unfortunately, we could only look out the window as other people played. Our code is probably still stuck in the mail!
refrigeration machines ( experimental)
Some of you reading this may recall a classic computer game called The Incredible Machine In that game, you were given goals, and then you had to build a Rube-Goldberg-type machine to achieve that goal.
Cool Machines is not quite the same game as Incredible Machine, but it channels the same energy. In this game, you need to manipulate physical objects to reach your goal. In the demo we played, the goal was to hit the ball in the correct slot.
Cool Machines is a pretty difficult game. The physics engine is always running, except for the object you are currently controlling. This means that in some puzzles, you need to move objects while the scene is playing! For example, you may need to hastily move the board you used in the first half of a puzzle to a new location for the second half.
Early bird, and all that
Mobile games have come a long way, but these early access games show that the industry is not too big to attract casual gamers. Accept the Unpolished Gems and get some early access games!
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