Ten great apps from 2019
Bad North: For the island
"Bad North" is a really unique tactical game. As a general, you defend a Scandinavian island. Your own troops must be properly placed before the battle begins to ward off the Viking hordes. Your own decisions have important consequences. If a well-trained commander falls in battle, he will be missing in the next rush. Thanks to its game principle for positioning and observing, "Bad North" is ideal for smartphones. Quick or precise reactions are not required, the player remains passive, but important. "Bad North" convinces so playfully, but also artistically, with a dreamy soundtrack and a minimalistic look.For 5.49 euros, from Raw Fury: iOS, Android
Serial Box: The streaming service for books
Serial Box works like a typical streaming service. Only there are no series or films here, but books, short stories and comics. After a free sample, you can decide whether you want more of the respective story. This is then divided into episodes, which offer a reading time of up to one hour per section. If a story has not yet been published in full, a new episode will continue in the next week. Serial Box ensures that books or comics are just as entertaining as series. A refreshing way to discover written stories. Of course, there is also the danger here that you want to devour a complete book in one day.Free, from Serial Box, with in-app purchases: iOS, Android
Postbox: Less distraction
Who does not know: Actually, you are busy with something completely different and suddenly the smartphone vibrates. A friend sends a link to a completely banal thing and then it starts. The infinite journey through the Internet to videos, articles, photo galleries begins from this starting point. And suddenly hours passed. To prevent this from happening, Google offers the Postbox app. It should help to be less distracted by your own smartphone. This allows you to set which notifications should not be displayed immediately. That information is then collected by the app and updated at a certain time. How often this update is sent every day can also be defined.Free, from Google Creative Lab: Android
Gris: A visual experience
Those who have had enough of challenging video games should give "Gris" a chance. Because "Gris" is more art than game and there is no game over. It's about exploring the magically designed game world, which has no major obstacles or opponents. The journey is varied, atmospheric and accompanied by a great soundtrack. An audiovisual tour of discovery that comes along without losing streak and is already over after a few hours. But you won't regret anything.For 5.49 euros, from Devolver Digital: iOS
VHS camcorders: Back to the past
Retro optics are the order of the day - and the aesthetics of the eighties in particular can be found everywhere in pop culture. VHS camcorders are also unpacked again. Unfortunately, the old technology is not necessarily comfortable. The VHS Camcorder app ensures that at least the smartphone's camera takes a short journey through time and henceforth delivers a stale look. Even the timecode that you know from old VHS tapes and the flickering are included. However, the cassettes do not have to be changed.Limited free version, full version for 3.89 euros (Android) or for 4.49 euros (iOS), from Rarevision
Golf Club - Wasteland: The private golf course
The world has perished, people have fled into space: what do you do there? Of course, you travel back to earth in a protective suit to play golf. This absurd idea was lovingly implemented in "Golf Club - Wasteland". The wasteland is then pulled out and holed in with as few strokes as possible. The game draws its fascination primarily from the setting. The control is simple, but it ensures quick success and amusement.Free demo version (Android), full version for 3.09 euros (Android) or 3.49 euros (iOS) from Demagog Studio: iOS, Android
Post-it: memory on the go
Small yellow post-it notes can be found in many German offices. With the associated app, the written memories become digital. By photographing them, notes can be transferred to the program called Post-it and collected there. Of course, it is also possible to take notes directly in the app and combine them with analog memories. The app is always simple and fast, and it also presents everything important at a glance. It is a blessing for forgetful people.Free, from 3M Company: iOS, Android
Pavilion - Touch Edition: The most beautiful game
In 2019 there were few smartphone games that looked more beautiful than "Pavilion". The dark style that mixes fantasy and science fiction is a real feast for the eyes. When you play "Pavilion" it is like looking at a drawing full of loving details. Add to that the creative puzzles that are the main part of the game. Unfortunately, these are sometimes very difficult to crack, which can cause frustration. The visual power of "Pavilion" easily compensates for this.For 4.49 euros, from Nvidia Lightspeed Studios: iOS, Android
zCube: Because it was so nice
Those who still like to remember the early days of real-time strategy on the PC and have had enough of the countless possibilities of modern building and strategy games can return to the beginning with "zCube". Because the game is strongly reminiscent of the first "Command and Conquer" titles that once shaped an entire genre. The game is a bit simpler after all. The number of units is manageable and the graphics are unspectacular. All the faster, "zCube" is fun. It is an uncomplicated strategy game that works perfectly on the smartphone.For 1.09 euros, from Game Dev Team: iOS, Android
Omnia Music Player: Who wants to hear everything
With good ears and good headphones, the sound quality that the smartphone delivers can be frustratingly poor. If you have a little idea of audio, the Omnia Music Player is worth it. Because this offers at least in the full version numerous setting options to adapt the sound to your own needs. Beginners may be overwhelmed by the options, professionals can spend a lot of time fine-tuning them. Especially since the menus of the player can still be visually adjusted. If you want to try out the app first, you can test the significantly slimmed down free version.Free trial version, full version for 3.29 euros, from Rhythm Software: Android
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