What the media say about the new Apple Arcade subscription service
Yesterday, September 19, the official launch of the Apple Arcade service took place. Here’s what the media that tested it say about him.
Briefly recall what the essence is:
- Apple Arcade is a subscription service for owners of iOS devices;
- the subscription costs $4.99 per month. In Russia it is cheaper — 199 rubles. There is family access (up to six people);
- Apple promised 100 fully exclusive premium games at the launch. In reality, there were about 70 of them, but Apple promises to increase the catalog soon. The exact dates are not indicated;
- there will be no micropayments or advertising in the games. There will also be no DLC: all games will be presented in the full version;
- non-network projects will be available without an internet connection;
- cloud saves allow you to continue playing on smartphones, tablets and set-top boxes.
GIZMODO
This publication recommends Apple Arcade in its current form, but notes a number of drawbacks.
Yes, the service’s games are available on a wide range of iOS devices. But there is considerable discomfort from games on the iPad. It turns into a “giant touch controller”, too big for hands. [Editor’s note: The official launch of Apple Arcade on iPad will take place on September 30.]
A positive assessment was received by the fact that there are really no microtransactions and advertising in the games. The catalog itself is called not too diverse. “Most of them are very similar: they have a slightly cartoon style, simple gameplay, they are surprisingly attractive and funny,” the journalist says. But, according to him, only some games stand out from the general mass and look original (Shinsekai Into the Deps from Capcom, for example).
The author of the material fears that in the future there will be few such special games in the service. The service really needs to increase the catalog. “If Apple can’t keep delivering new content, $5 a month could turn into a headache,” he writes.
FORTUNE
The abundance of games in Apple Arcade can initially paralyze the player, Fortune believes.
But still, a modern buyer will not be surprised by a wide range (let’s not forget that Apple Arcade is presented as a gaming analogue of Netflix).
When evaluating the catalog, the publication found both games based on well-known franchises and small indies. And some of them were not so exclusive. Apple promised that premium Arcade games are only available for iOS, not Android. All right. But at the same time, some will be released on consoles — for example, Finji Overland for Nintendo Switch.
TechRadar will mark the same moment just below.
Fortune also sees the problem of the service in the fact that players like to own games, but Arcade will not provide such an opportunity. If you unsubscribe from it, access to the games on the device will be closed. To renew it, you need to pay for the subscription again — even if you unsubscribed during the free trial month.
KOTAKU
Kotaku definitely recommends Apple Arcade, calling it “one of the best gaming projects of the last decade.”
The lack of advertising and manipulative monetization in the games of the service is very captivating, the publication writes. For example, in the local puzzles there are no tedious timers delaying the progression.
On average, high—quality games are presented here, many of them from leading developers. The player can choose from an abundance of games that fit different systems.
The last fact is not the most obvious advantage of Apple Arcade. To play the service’s products, you really need a good iOS device. But, thanks to the large and diverse assortment, the player is unlikely to feel the need to switch to a newer device or a device with a large amount of memory.
TECHRADAR
TechRadar, according to its tradition, briefly highlights the pros and cons of the new product.
Positive
- a wide range of;
- availability;
- cross-platform;
- there is no advertising.
Minuses
- few AAA titles;
- too simple games;
- it is not clear at what pace the library will be replenished.
And a few more impressions of the author — below.
The publication is confident that Apple Arcade provides iOS users with an experience “that they will not be able to get in any other service.” It is compared to an all-inclusive package, and the subscription price is called “unexpectedly low”. The number of games available at one time is limited only by the amount of memory on the device.
Nevertheless, TechRadar, like Fortune, notes not the complete exclusivity of games in the service. Some were developed for both consoles and desktop, although they will not be available on Android.
The journalist emphasizes that Apple did not specify the terms of replenishment of the catalog of games. On the other hand, it may not be so important. A number of media outlets agree that there are too many games in Apple Arcade for one player right now, and he simply won’t have time to try them all.
Also on the topic:
