Today marks the launch of Sony’s next-generation console, the PlayStation 4, and with it comes an app to kick off our Apps Worth Downloading column. The PlayStation App lets you keep connected to your PS4 and your gaming friends no matter where you are, and also lets you queue up game downloads so they’re ready when you get home. We’ve also got some games for your iOS devices, if you’re not grabbing a new console. Up first is King’s League: Odyssey, a former Flash strategy game in which you manage a team of knights. Finally, Ring Toss Arcade is a casual carnival game experience that combines skill-based ring toss with luck-based slot machines.
PlayStation App (Free)
What’s it about? Keep up with your PlayStation friends and purchase games through Sony’s marketplace for the newly released PlayStation 4 with Playstation App.
What’s cool? If you’re like millions of gamers out there, you might be taking today off to play with your shiny new PlayStation 4. But if you’re one of the less fortunate souls who has to go to work or school, you can still keep up with what’s going on with your gamer friends using Sony’s PlayStation App. It lets you sign into the PlayStation Network to see what your friends are up to and compare trophies, and you can also chat with them from wherever you are. You can also view videos your friends upload of their gameplay, buy games from the PSN and start the downloads on your console, and access second-screen features in games that support them.
Who’s it for? If you’re grabbing a PlayStation 4, make sure you get PlayStation App to go with it.
What’s it like? Check out Call of Duty and Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag Companion for two more second-screen gaming apps for big releases this year.
King’s League: Odyssey ($1.99)
What’s it about? Train and field a team of knights in King’s League: Odyssey, sending them on quests and fighting in tournaments to gain the king’s favor.
What’s cool? The King’s League is coming up, and you want to win it and become the newest member of his royal guard. In order to do that, however, you’re going to need to win quite a few tournaments in King’s League: Odyssey, as well as do quite a bit of training. The strategy game doesn’t put you in the shoes of a knight so much as ask you to decide how your knights spend their time. You’ll recruit teammates and train them in the run-up to tournaments, as well as send them on quests to earn money and use them to conquer villages, all of which send them into battles where you’re helpless to only watch and hope you did your job preparing them well. You can upgrade your troops and there are 46 classes to collect over time, plus four different factions to interact with through quests.
Who’s it for? Fans of strategy games with a side of simulation management will want to check out King’s League: Odyssey.
What’s it like? Find some similar strategy and action titles in Clash of Clans and Army of Darkness Defense.
Ring Toss Arcade (Free)
What’s it about? Ring Toss Arcade is an arcade-style game in which players try their luck and skill at ring toss to earn credits they can then use in the game’s slot machines to earn credits and unlock new games.
What’s cool? Something of a virtual midway, Ring Toss Arcade is at its heart a ring toss game. Players have to carefully aim their rings and time their throws, using touch-and-release controls similar to what you might see in Angry Birds, to flip rings around toys as they move up a conveyor belt. Hitting a toy nets you more coins to be used to get more rings, and your credits can ultimately used to play Ring Toss Arcade’s slot machine. That can unlock new toys and other carnival games, and you’ll also face off against ring toss bosses and see the challenge stepped up as new toys and objects roll up the belt.
Who’s it for? Casual game fans who like skill-based titles and a little variety will have fun with Ring Toss Arcade.
What’s it like? You might also want to check out Ring Toss Pro and Carnival Games for iPhone for some similar casual arcade action.
