Top mobile games of 2022

 

From putting together Avenger cards in Marvel Snap to learning the joys of needlework in Stitch, these five mobile games provided some of the finest pleasure available right in your pocket.

If you have a smartphone or a tablet device charged, you're more than ready to explore the world of mobile gaming, which has risen by leaps and bounds in the previous few years. 2022 has been another significant year for mobile games on iPhone and Android, with creators using the medium to create unique experiences, put new spins on classic genres, and enhance on popular titles with feature-rich updates.

Netflix's debut into the mobile gaming industry was one of the most significant moves in this field, as the streaming giant is building the groundwork for its future by providing its users with access to some of the greatest titles on the market. Netflix is spending big on interactive entertainment, with 55 games in production, the creation of a brand-new studio in Finland, and the start of work on a "AAA" game.

In other news, Microsoft boosted its cloud gaming strategy this year with additional day-one releases through its Game Pass subscription service and better touch capabilities, Apple Arcade remained a decent value for money, and Google revealed that its Stadia platform will be closing down in early 2023. This year has seen a slew of amazing games hit the market, while income from the Google Play and Apple App Stores has reached new highs.

We looked at the games that look, play, and feel the best on this platform to choose the top mobile games of 2022. (excluding any cloud-based games). These are games that are intended to be accessible, to give fast bursts of pleasure, and to bring unique concepts that you would not find on a Desktop or console.

Marvel Snap

We looked at the games that look, play, and feel the best on this platform to choose the top mobile games of 2022. (excluding any cloud-based games). These are games that are intended to be accessible, to give fast bursts of pleasure, and to bring unique concepts that you would not find on a Desktop or console.

Want to exploit a field advantage to summon multiple Thors, instantaneously morph Bucky into the Winter Soldier, or risk the Time Variance Authority's wrath by forcing a match to conclude two turns early? All of this and more is possible in Marvel Snap, a game that understands its audience and delivers immensely realistic entertainment one card at a time. You'll soon find yourself wasting hours of your time to a game that hooks you in with its well honed mechanics and sleek graphics if you have a flexible deck, some fast thinking, and a little ahead preparation.

But the greatest part? Each encounter is a quick clash between equally matched competitors, lasting only a few minutes. In a fast-paced world when time is precious, Marvel Snap is a fascinating distraction that constantly encourages you to try out new cards and techniques while you're on the move.

"The advent of digital collectible card games has led to an explosion of different approaches to the genre. Mostly, though, new games have adapted the fundamentals of physical CCGs. With Marvel Snap, Hearthstone veteran studio Second Dinner has reduced the collectible card game to its most essential pieces and reimagined them, creating a combination of systems that are elegantly simple without ever feeling simplistic." -- Steve Watts

Stich

Some of the finest mobile gaming experiences come from the most unexpected areas, and it's safe to say that few people expected digital needlework to be as engrossing as it is in Stitch. Stitch employs the art of stitching as the foundation for a charming game that plays like Picross but with beautiful stitchwork. It's deliciously simple to get your bearings, and with Lumen developer Lykke Studios at the helm, the controls are simple and straightforward.

The remarkable attention to detail on show in Stitch is the true thrill. Every thread, button, and stitch is prominently shown here, and weaving them together into a one-of-a-kind artwork feels gloriously peaceful as you combine your resources to gradually convert your canvas into a work of art. While there are some challenging times that will make you reconsider your next move, Stitch is dependably calming and makes creative use of its touchscreen capabilities to give stitching catharsis.

Knotwords

With games like Wordle reigniting a need for pure logical enjoyment, we've witnessed a resurgence in games that put your brain to the test. Knotwords is a perfect illustration of this, since it may appear to be a repainted crossword puzzle, but it manages to put a new twist on one of the longest-running brain-teaser activities still in print circulation today. Knotwords, a blend between word and logic puzzles, throws out typical crossword clues in favour of arranging available letters into a "knot" that can subsequently construct legitimate words.

It's a deceptively easy strategy at first, but it becomes increasingly difficult as you play and are pushed to shake your brain for the correct answers. It's essentially a more complex game for anyone who finds Wordle too simple for their tastes, and with an eye-catching design, a generous number of puzzles to work through, and an extra-challenging mode for anyone looking to spend all day staring at their screen while every cog in their head turns, Knotwords is a fantastic sharpening stone.