Six of the best: Apple Watch games
Has the time come for videogaming on your wrist? Why yes it has...
Gaming has a brave new frontier in the form of the Apple Watch.
As we speak, armies of developers are trying their hand at fashioning interactive experiences for it, puzzling over how best to make games work on a 1.5in display.
The truth is, they’ve not all nailed it yet. Even a short time with the device is enough for anyone to understand it’s very much not a PlayStation on your wrist.
The screen blinks off whenever it can, and doesn’t fare well with fast responses when it’s on; there’s no audio and visuals are jerky slideshows or simple canned animations; having to hold your wrist in front of your face and tap away with the other is an ergonomic nightmare.
No surprise, then, that most of the games we’ve tried are rubbish. But we’re not giving up on it yet. After all, it’s only been around for a few weeks, and who’d have thought that smartphone gaming would get this good?
And anyway, among all the dross there are gems such as the six games in this list.
(Note that ratings in this round-up are specifically in relation to each game on Apple Watch, not how it fares elsewhere.)
1. Lifeline… (£2.29/US$2.99)
What is it?
Essentially a Choose Your Own Adventure on your wrist. Lifeline… places a stranded astronaut’s very survival in your hands, as you make decisions regarding what they do next — for example, should they sleep by an engine possibly spewing radiation, or risk a night under an alien moon?
Is it any good?
The script is smart, funny and poignant, and the straightforward interface, short session times, and a story playing out in real-time, make it perfect for Apple Watch aficionados wanting something properly good to play on their new wearable.
How’s the iPhone app?
You get the same story and an atmospheric soundtrack, but this is one of those rare games that is far better on Apple Watch.
Stuff says ★★★★✩
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2. Rules! (£2.29/US$2.99)
What is it?
A devious and tightly focused memory test that merrily smashes your brains out with a brick. Over ten rounds, you get rules (“Tap ascending”, “Blue if you see red”) that must be applied to tiles featuring cute little robots, monsters and other objects.
Is it any good?
Very much so. The cunning bit is that all prior rules are only referred to by number; when you’re on round eight and trying to remember what the third rule was, it’s very easy to slip up and make an incorrect tap. Do so and your game is over, potentially scuppering your daily target.
How’s the iPhone app?
A very different beast, with a four-by-four grid and three different modes. If you make it to level 100, we salute your memory skills and dexterity, along with assuming you’re some kind of robot.
Stuff says ★★★★✩
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3. BoxPop (£free + IAP)
What is it?
A straightforward puzzle game that has you wink out every visible light by moving in L-shaped leaps and bounds, like a lonely, drunken knight on a tiny chess board. Like Rules!, the game offers a daily challenge, and the aim here is to complete five puzzles.
Is it any good?
The game’s brevity and simplicity do it plenty of favours, and the L-shaped move system enables surprisingly complex puzzles and solutions within the confines of the tiny Apple Watch display. The only minor snag is you might get stuck and end up staring at your wrist for ages.
How’s the iPhone app?
More of the same, but with some nice music, animation, and larger boards as you work your way through the game. IAPs exist for eradicating ads and giving you an undo capability.
Stuff says ★★★★✩
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4. Trivia Crack (£free + IAP/£2.29/US$2.99 for ad-free)
What is it?
An asynchronous multiplayer quiz game that’s roughly Trivial Pursuit minus the board. You spin the wheel to pick a category, and are then faced with a multiple-choice question. Successive correct answers give you a shot at a challenge round, where you can win a crown. Get all six to win the game; or if you’ve the most after 25 rounds, you’re the victor.
Is it any good?
Like BoxPop, the straightforward nature of Trivia Crack combined with how quickly you can play a round makes it ideal for Apple Watch. Playing against real people is fun, and the huge number of questions means you’re unlikely to see duplicates for a good long while.
How’s the iPhone app?
Actually less nice than on Apple Watch. The free version’s ad-infested, both versions have an IAP shop, and there’s a messaging system full of bots asking you to sext. Our advice: use it to start games, and then head back to your Apple Watch.
Stuff says ★★★★✩
5. LightsTapPro (£1.49/US$1.99)
What is it?
One of a large number of lights-out logic puzzles that have arrived on Apple Watch. You know the drill: tap a cell and it along with its four neighbours switch. The aim is to turn all the lights out within a set number of turns.
Is it any good?
It’s not the most exciting nor the most original puzzle game you’ve ever played, but it works perfectly well on the wrist. Most challenges can be defeated within a short space of time, making the game well suited to filling the odd moment.
How’s the iPhone app?
Bar some sound effects and animation, the game’s identical on iPhone — although there are far better puzzlers on that system.
Stuff says ★★★✩✩
6. Runeblade (£free)
What is it?
According to the blurb, an “award winning fantasy adventure for Apple Watch“. In reality, we’re in tap/idle territory here, with a smattering of RPG. You set out against the forces of evil, swipe your weapon about, collect gold, upgrade your powers, and then rinse and repeat.
Is it any good?
It’s OK, in a fairly mindless ‘dip in and out’ sort of fashion. The basic gameplay is tapping a sword icon and strategising a bit about power-ups. So while you won’t be buzzing with excitement at any stage, it’s quite nice to launch the app every now and again to find a few hundred thousand gold coins waiting for you, while a ‘giant frenzied grab’ gets a thorough stabbing. If only the coins were real…
How’s the iPhone app?
It doesn’t do much, merely providing some instructions, and a couple of screens that looks suspiciously like IAP gem purchasing might be on the way.
Stuff says ★★★✩✩
Craig Grannell
Contributor 
