Since Apple Arcade launched in 2019, the video game subscription has slowly built its subscriber base. What it offers is over 200 high-quality games that are free of advertisement or in-app purchases. All this for a fixed monthly fee of Rs 99. There’s something for everyone on Apple Arcade. Brain teasers, magical quests, endless runners, sports games, beloved classics and more — with new amazing games and updates added every week. The last few days we have been playing two new games on the service — Air Twister and My Bowling 3D+.

Air Twister

Princess Arch soars through the sky, raining destruction on bizarre invaders, saving her planet from destruction. Air Twister is one of the most beautiful games to have hit Apple Arcade and it shows the potential of the video game subscription service. When Arcade launched in 2019, the first obstacle was to convince iOS device owners to pay for another monthly subscription service, which is ad free and doesn’t have any irritating in-app purchases. It wasn’t an easy task but here we are in 2022 with a strong catalogue of over 200 games — all at your fingertips, free of advertisement, free of in-app purchases and all taking advantage of the powerful chipset running any Apple device.

Air Twister, in fact, shows how good the display is on an Apple device. I have been playing this game mostly on the iPhone 13 Pro Max, stepping into the shoes of Princess Arch. It’s an endless shooter that involves a lot of taps and swipes to ensure the Princess is able to shoot enemies down. And the touch response on the display is absolutely stunning, not failing the user even for a millisecond.

The graphics in the game is gorgeous as the Princess moves through different fantasy environments, manoeuvre through tunnels, oversized gardens, around giant floating mushrooms and more. Once you log in, you are sure to spend at least 45 minutes to one hour. The device doesn’t heat up and there are no frame drops while playing.

Created by the legendary Yu Suzuki, the game is in the same league as Apple Arcade’s Sayonara Wild Hearts, Fantasian and Oceanhorn 2. At the same time, it appears to be a far more powerful successor to Space Harrier, which Suzuki developed in 1985 for Sega. It was a fast-paced shooter game in a third-person perspective, set in a surreal world comprising brightly-coloured landscapes. Here players need to shoot down geometric shapes and take on giant bone dragons. The best part of the gameplay is when the player swipes the finger across the screen to lock in on a number of enemies, taking them all out together.

Sure, it’s like a classic arcade shooter but the graphics are enticing. Each level is like visiting a chapter from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, trippy and full of colours. Ensuring you return to the game time and again each day is the arena-style soundtrack by Dutch composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist Valensia. It’s like flying through a never-ending Queen concert. Who knows, you may even end up putting your lyrics to the music.

Having given a freehand to Suzuki, the title shows that video games can be creative. It’s the same Apple had done with Fantasian, created by Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi. I am sure that Apple Arcade won’t bring such games every other week or month but titles like Air Twister do translate into subscriber retention.

My Bowling 3D+

All right, don’t judge me but I love playing bowling and pool on the phone. For the past few days, I have been trying out My Bowling 3D+ from iWare Games, which has an outstanding selection of classic recreation games on Arcade — Pro Darts 2022+ and Pro Snooker & Pool 2022+, besides several others on the App Store.

What makes this bowling game any different? First, graphics is stunning and so is the combination of colours. Second, playing against the computer doesn’t mean you will win all the time; it’s not easy. Third, you can choose to play with up to four friends. Fourth, the degree of fine tuning you can do before the ball rolls out, reminding you of the opening scene in The Big Lebowski.

It’s the kind of game that will keep bringing you back to the phone time and again. And the soundtrack is such that it doesn’t get repetitive or jarring. There is the option to synchronise with the iCloud so that the game works well across Apple devices. Within the game there are options like Tournament, League and Quick Play. There is also an online game option which lets you play against opponents from around the world.

Coming in July on Apple Arcade

Arcade Originals: Subway Surfers Tag (SYBO Games)

Launching July 15, the most downloaded game ever spins off the rails with Subway Surfers Tag. For the first time in the series, players will be able to explore exciting interactive arenas with trains and tracks as they skate, grind and tag their way towards a new high score. Players will join the crew across multiple off-limit, interactive city locations as they free skate across the arena, grinding rails, landing jumps, tagging objectives, and blasting the clean-up crew bots to gain sweet combo point action. But watch out. The Guard and his mechanical minions are not about to put up with these shenanigans and are hot on their heels.

Arcade Originals: HEROish (Sunblink)

Launching July 22, play as one of six epic heroes, summon troops, sling spells, and destroy enemy towers to achieve victory in this exciting head-to-head castle defense game. Players can enjoy single-player adventures with three campaigns filled with campy storytelling, sweeping musical scores, and hand-crafted environments. Players can build custom decks and upgrade cards to create monstrous combinations of troops and spells as they aim to defeat their opponents, destroy the Soul Gem that gives them power, and move to the top of the leaderboards.

App Store Greats: Samorost 3+ (Amanita Design)

Launching July 8, the award-winning creators of Machinarium and Botanicula, Samorost 3+ is an exploration adventure and puzzle game. It follows a curious space gnome who uses the powers of a magic flute to travel across the cosmos in search of its mysterious origins. Players can visit nine unique and alien worlds teeming with colourful challenges, creatures and surprises to discover, brought to life with beautiful artwork, sound and music.

App Store Greats: Kingdom Rush Vengeance TD+

Launching July 29, face empires of mighty enemies, clash against supreme bosses, unlock new towers, and train legendary heroes in Kingdom Rush Vengeance TD+. This near endless tower defense game includes an epic selection of towers and upgrades. Players can create devastating combinations of towers, abilities, and special powers to stop enemies and bring down six mighty kings in the most fearsome of boss fights.