It's the very end of December, and at this time of year it's customary for video game websites to pick out their favourites titles of the previous year.
We'll be popping up our “official” collective top 5 on the 1st of January 2015, but as we build up to that, the AppSpy team is all going to take a little time to run you through its personal favourites.
First up, my turn.
Skylanders Trap Team
The best thing about Skylanders Trap Team isn't the compulsively collectible toys, nor is it the rock solid mix of platforming and combat. It's not even the dedicated controller, superb voice acting, or top notch visuals.
The best thing about Skylanders Trap Team is that it sets out to be a true port of the full console experience, and it nails every last bit of it. An astounding achievement.
Animal Boyfriend
I fell in love with Animal Boyfriend as soon as I heard about it.
The hands-on didn't disappoint either. It's hilariously poorly translated, but that works in its favour, and the core conceit - that animals can be turned into humans for you to date - is wonderfully weird. Sure, the game is relentless with the F2P shenanigans, and it certainly isn't for everyone, but that's part of this niche little number's appeal.
Rush Horizon
Sun-kissed stretches of tarmac, a rocking soundtrack, and a shiny red car - setups for video games don't get much better than those found in the likes of Rush Horizon.
Undoubtedly inspired by the likes of Out Run and Burnout, Rush Horizon is a loving tribute to the classic arcade racers of yore, while still keeping one foot firmly in the door of modern mobile gaming - its other big inspiration is Temple Run. Like the sports cars in its garage, Rush Horizon is compact, thrilling, and beautiful.
Tiny Realms
Tiny Realms is the best strategy management game since Clash of Clans.
There. I said it. It's out there.
It feels like a real advancement over Supercell's behemoth, with far more emphasis on tactics and strategy. The multiplayer is super deep, with a really cool Battlegrounds mode, and the updates are continually filled with new content and improvements. Single player is lengthy too, with plenty to be getting on with if you want to go solo. Go get it, it's awesome.
Lionheart Tactics
I'm not the biggest fan of Japanese Strategy Role Playing Games - such as Disgaea and Final Fantasy Tactics - so I was totally ready to dismiss Lionheart Tactics as simply “not for me”.
But it totally was for me.
It's a hugely compulsive tactical grind through loads of enemies, featuring a bunch of character types with their own unique properties and skills. It's also drop dead gorgeous, and one of the best examples of free-to-play this year.
