In today's review of the best free games of 2017, we're going to focus on a few of the most popular genres for mobile devices, with games to test your reflexes and have a fun time without complications, suitable for all audiences: here are some of the best platform, runner and arcade games of the year.
Sonic Forces Speed Battle
We begin with one of the most recent releases on the list, although its protagonist is one of the great classics of video games: the latest title starring the most famous hedgehog is, as you might expect, a game where you have to move at top speed, putting your reflexes to the test. Technically it's a runner , but the truth is that, by focusing on online competitions where much of the success depends on our ability to set obstacles for others (and dodge them ourselves), it's quite reminiscent of Mario Kart.
Sky dancer
Sky Dancer is another runner worth giving a chance, although in a very different style from the one starring Sonic, starting with the fact that here we play alone and continuing because both the aesthetics and its gameplay mechanics are much more minimalist and we would say also stylized, something that is part of its appeal in reality and that contributes to giving it a distinctive touch compared to most of the game's titles, inviting us to jump between floating islands in dreamlike scenarios, doing acrobatics and parkour moves.
Heart star
In the genre of platforms we always find a few indie gems and 2017 has been no exception, starting with this Heart Star that we already recommended in our mid-year review and that continues to be one of the most recommended titles, even although its aesthetics, decidedly childish, may throw us back a bit at a given moment. Beyond aesthetics, the grace is that to overcome the levels we will have to manage the two protagonists, who move in parallel worlds.
Super Phantom Cat 2
The first Super Phantom Cat had a similar experience to what we discussed regarding Heart Star. At first glance, the game's aesthetic might lead you to believe it was a children's game without much appeal, but this not only turned out to be one of its charms, but you also discovered that beyond that aspect, it was a genuinely entertaining retro-style platformer . The sequel has continued in this vein and doesn't offer any major innovations, but it manages to retain all the strengths of the original title.
Once Upon a Tower
We're going to recommend yet another platformer , and we're not taking too much of a risk by doing so because Once Upon a Tower , like the previous Mars Mars from the same studio, is winning over everyone who tries it. It also features simple but polished graphics, although it departs from the 8-bit aesthetic of its predecessors and challenges us to become a princess and climb levels until we reach the top of the tower where we're trapped and put an end to it—with the help of a few weapons, of course.
Dragon hills 2
Dragon Hills 2 also incorporates some platforming elements, though it's more accurately described as an arcade game with plenty of action. Despite its name, which was quite fitting for the original title, this second installment pits us against much more than dragons: zombies, robots, cowboys… We'll have to fight an impossible amalgamation of creatures that have little in common except being dangerous and crossing our path. Not only will we be able to defeat them, but virtually every element of the environments is destructible.
Drag'n'boom
In Drag'n'Boom, dragons are indeed the stars , but we don't have to destroy them; instead, we embody them. Our objective is to raze kingdoms while dodging knights who dare to challenge us and, of course, breathing fireballs. The premise is quite fun, but the key to this game's success lies in its well-designed controls and the sheer enjoyment of the gameplay, despite its simplicity. It doesn't have a multiplayer mode, but we can compete to achieve the highest score.
Stranger Things The Game
The last arcade game we're going to recommend has also achieved enormous popularity in the relatively short time since its release. One might think this is solely due to the appeal of the series that inspired it (and that's certainly its biggest draw), but its virtues go far beyond simply letting us explore some of its most iconic locations and play as its characters. It's an essential title for those who enjoy retro -style games, with the added charm of being completely free (no in-app purchases).
