Games

5 Best AR Games to Play on Your Smartphone

Published

8 years ago

August 11, 2016

Thanks to the ever-evolving world of technology (and animated Japanese monsters), everyone and their dog is now interested in augmented reality (AR). So, in light of the new fascination, here’s 5 great AR games to play on your smartphone.

Pokemon Go

Available on Android | iOS

OK, OK – it’s an obvious mention, but a necessary one nonetheless, as finding virtual Pokemon has officially become more important than finding love (fact), with the Pokemon Go app overtaking Tinder for having the most active users. Pokemon Go works alongside Google Maps to deliver a free-to-play augmented reality Pokemon experience unlike anything before it, requiring players to traverse the dangers of the outside world so that you can nab that rare Squirtle or Magikarp.

Ingress

Available on Android | iOS

Few people know this, but the developers behind Pokemon Go also have another super-popular game available, Ingress. Somewhat similar to Pokemon Go, Ingress uses real-world location tracking to create a battlefield of sorts between two faction. The gameplay consists of capturing “portals” at places of cultural significance, such as public art, landmarks, and monuments to create controlled points and oust the other faction. The game has a huge following and has a science fiction back story with a continuous open narrative.

Kick Ball (AR Soccer)

Available on Android | iOS

Going to play outside is so last week – what happened to some good ole indoor sports? Kick Ball is a simple yet ridiculously amusing game for office colleagues looking to waste some time before a meeting. Using the phone’s camera and AR, a football is projected onto the environment, with the goal of playing keepy-ups. Players can flail their feet in the air with hopes of making contact and pulling off some skills that Messi himself would be proud of.

The Real Strike

Available on iOS

Have you ever wanted to shoot your friends… virtually, that is? Real Strike is an app that can help you do exactly that! It mixes up the camera and the real-time computed 3D gun animation into an integrated view, allowing you to turn your house, street, office or whatever environment you are in into a military simulation field. And, you can also record and make a short movie while you play.

Clandestine: Anomaly

Available on Android | iOS

Clandestine: Anomaly is almost the Space Invaders for a new generation. Developed by Zenfri Inc., this location based AR game turns the player’s home into ground zero for an alien crash landing. Players are hurled into the middle of an inter-galactic conflict, where you’ll have to use your phone’s camera, and accurate shooting skill, to gun down alien spacecraft before they touch down. Great for killing time, and intergalactic scum.