As of the end of 2022, there are literally dozens of Augmented Reality games available to play. Some are platform specific, some are official extensions of popular film or book franchises, and most fall into a handful of themes. To shortlist our Top 5 AR games for this article, we evaluated games on the following criteria: popularity, gameplay, and availability. In this blog lets examine the Top 5 Augmented Reality Games.
We gave high priority to how many people play the game and what it’s average rating is, which are fair indicators of the games’ quality and entertainment value. We also chose one game each from the most popular genre, so each offers a completely different gameplay from any other game in the list. Finally, we chose games that are available on both Android and iOS, and are available to either play or try for free.
The List
In no particular order, and without further ado, our list of the top 5 AR games to try is:
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Pokemon Go:
First released in 2016, Pokemon Go is still going strong and remains one of the most popular AR games. The game has undergone several updates and improvements since its initial release, making it a must-play for any AR gaming enthusiast. Pokemon Go uses the player’s GPS to create an AR experience that allows them to catch and collect virtual Pokemon in real-world locations. The game is available on both iOS and Android platforms and is free to download.
- Ingress:
Ingress is an AR game that was released in 2012, and since then, it has been gaining popularity among AR gamers. The game takes place in a virtual world where two factions, the Enlightened and the Resistance, fight for control over territories. The players use their smartphones to navigate their physical surroundings and interact with virtual portals that are located in different parts of the world. Ingress is available on both iOS and Android platforms and is free to download.
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The Walking Dead: Our World:
The Walking Dead: Our World is an AR game that immerses the players in a world filled with zombies. The game uses the player’s GPS to create an AR experience that allows them to fight zombies and save survivors in their local area. Players can team up with other players to complete missions, earn rewards, and upgrade their weapons. The game is available on both iOS and Android platforms and is free to download.
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Harry Potter: Wizards Unite:
Harry Potter: Wizards Unite is an AR game that was released in 2019 and quickly gained a following among Harry Potter fans. The game allows players to explore the wizarding world and cast spells to defeat magical creatures that have escaped into the Muggle world. The game also includes mini-games, puzzles, and social features that allow players to team up and compete against each other. Harry Potter: Wizards Unite is available on both iOS and Android platforms and is free to download.
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Minecraft Earth:
Minecraft Earth is an AR game that brings the popular block-building game to the real world. The game uses the player’s smartphone to create an AR experience that allows them to build structures, collect resources, and explore the world around them. Players can team up with others to create larger structures and compete in challenges. Minecraft Earth is available on both iOS and Android platforms and is free to download.
Conclusion
Gaming is a huge influencer in the direction of technology. That was true for CGI, and it will be true for AR. Games, gamers and gaming communities reflect the mood of the times and the acceptance of a technology, which in turn helps predict the maturity of that technology for non-gaming applications as well. From the above list it is clear that at least in gaming, AR is here to stay!
