Let’s face it, we don’t always have time for a 3 or 4-hour game session, but we want to play something. Mobile games are fine, but we want something to add to our Gamerscore, or we just prefer the feel of a controller in our hands over a cellphone or handheld device. Well Mastiff has recently released a collection of games that will test your skills but won’t take up a ton of your time. Arcade Islands : Volume One is chock full of options for you to play.
The title is actually a series of 33 mini games laid out across 6 different islands. Each island has a loose theme, and you must win a specific number of stars before you can progress to the next island. One of the nice things about the game is that all games can be played solo, but most can be played with up to 3 friends as either teams or in versus mode. Can you earn 3 stars in every game or even top the global leaderboards?
Many of the games will look familiar, even if the names don’t ring a bell. There are versions of Snake (Super Vegan Anaconda) Zuma (River Defense) Air Hockey (Frosty Hockey) Asteroids (Meteors) and many more. Honestly, some of the games that aren’t based on well-known games or take a new twist on them are some of the ones that really shine. Hi Tech Lines and Hex Eggs really test your ability to think on your feet and solve puzzles. No matter if you like tower defense, puzzle, shooters, or old-style arcade games, there is something here for you.
The graphics are colorful and bright in all the games. Before you enter a game, there are instructions on the side of the screen which makes things a bit easier. They explain the goals, game controls and in most cases give you a few tips to help you get a better score. Each of the 33 games has its own music which fits nicely with the game. Since you are only playing each game for 3 to 5 minutes at most per round it doesn’t get repetitive or to the point where you have to mute it.
Arcade Islands : Volume One is out now on Xbox One and Playstation 4 and carries a price tag of $19.99. While it may not be a game that you play every day, it is a fun title to relax with once or twice a week – especially with friends. Some of the games will test your coordination while others will test your ability to quickly solve puzzles, but none should be that bad once you get the control schemes down.
