Can Apple Compete in Gaming? Hands On With Apple Arcade

Although smartphone gaming has yet to gain the same traction in the US as it has in other parts of the world, Apple is looking to change that with its newest service. For $4.99 per month, Apple Arcade will offer over 100 new and exclusive games that can be played across nearly all of Apple's hardware and software platforms. It launches on iOS 13 September 19, but we got a chance to check it out early and came away impressed.

Hardware and Software Support

Apple Arcade will be available across all devices that run iOS 13, iPadOS, macOS Catalina, and tvOS 13 as a new tab in the App Store. For the most part, the gaming experience is the same across all of the supported devices. The developers we spoke with said minor alterations were made to improve gameplay depending on display size and hardware differences. While the service will be available on all eligible devices in the coming weeks, you might see a warning screen on older devices before downloading certain games that might be too taxing.

On Apple TV, some games work with the trackpad on the Siri Remote, and some work with PlayStation DualShock 4, Xbox Wireless Controllers with Bluetooth, and MFi game controllers. You can also use controllers when playing on an iPhone or iPad, but we found it easier to play using the onscreen controls.

We got a chance to try out a handful of upcoming games last on an Apple TV, an iMac, an iPhone 11 Pro, and an iPad Pro.

The Games

Sayonara Wild Hearts, by Annapurna, is essentially an interactive music video. It follows the life of a young woman after the end of a relationship as she falls into a dream state and becomes a biker in the sky who searches for past relationships and friends to a gorgeous soundtrack. While Sayonara is visually and aurally stunning, we found it to be a little repetitive during our short time with it.

Shinsekai: Into the Depths, from Capcom, follows a lone diver after earth has been flooded following an undisclosed catastrophe. It's a shooter where you have to make your way to safety collecting oxygen and resources and dispatching dangerous sea creatures along the way. Capcom went to extraordinary lengths when creating Shinsekai, going so far as to record the score underwater. It's the most difficult game tried, yet it's still intuitive and easy to pick up.

Where Cards Fall is our favorite title we previewed. It blends a traditional puzzle game with narrative storytelling, though there is no dialogue. The game follows a teenager over 10 years of their life and as you solve puzzles, glimpses of important moments and relationships begin to appear. As you work your way through, you continue to learn more about the character until the final puzzle pieces all the disparate moments together to create a cohesive story. It's a difficult, visually stunning game that is instantly addictive.

A Focus on Diversity

What we found most impressive about Apple Arcade's starting lineup is its diversity. The collection includes games that cater to every interest, age level, and skill set. There is also excellent representation of LGBTQ and nonbinary people in a handful of games including Steven Universe: Unleash the Light and the aforementioned Where Cards Fall. In short, Apple Arcade looks like an inclusive experience for all gamers.

Apple Arcade launches September 19 on iOS 13. It will come to iPadOS and tvOS 13 September 30, and to macOS Catalina in October. All of the games are included in a single monthly subscription without any micro-transaction fees. Apple is offering a free one-month trial, after which it costs $4.99 per month (but can be shared with up to five family members). We'll be spending a lot more time with it after launch, so check back soon for a closer look.

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