In contrast to most video games, dying is not a possibility in Gris, nor is there any overwhelming feeling of defeat. The gameplay doesn’t involve fighting enemies with advanced combat skills or gaining experience points to develop an extensive skill set. Instead, the game revolves around simplistic puzzles and platforming with little impact.
The world depicted in Gris initially appears as a nearly colorless 2D watercolor painting. However, as you progress and unlock new traversal abilities, the environment becomes flooded with vibrant hues. There is no conversation to give clues about the plot, but you’ll gradually realize that Gris conveys as much about life, loss, and love as any highly detailed console game with lengthy dialogues.
Number 9. Hitman Go
The Hitman franchise is renowned for its expansive and unrestricted sandboxes that allow players to stealthily navigate parties or museums, locate their mark, and eliminate them using creative methods. Hitman GO deviates from this formula, as it does not offer such gameplay. Nevertheless, it does provide a collection of clever, expertly crafted puzzles that gradually become more intricate as you progress. These puzzles are never excessively challenging, and can be completed within the duration of a single bus ride.
Although Hitman GO’s visuals resemble a stripped-down board game and its depiction of violence is abstract, it still manages to embody the series’ scrupulous and gratifying essence.
Number 10. Tokaido
Many people have used Android phones to enjoy mobile renditions of popular board games like Monopoly or Ticket to Ride. These games are usually enjoyable, if not particularly transformative. However, Tokaido breaks this mold. As an already almost impeccably balanced board game, Tokaido particularly excels on mobile platforms for one reason: It doesn’t feel like a board game. While the board is still present, and the primary rules remain mostly unchanged, playing Tokaido on Android is more akin to playing a video game.
The characters, no longer mere game pieces, are now fully animated. When you pause at a shop or temple, you’ll come across a storefront reminiscent of any role-playing game. The camera even zooms in on your movements, as in a more conventional video game. Although other board game adaptations have attempted this feature, Tokaido executes it with unparalleled success.
