The first wave of ARKit apps and games have hit the new App Store in iOS 11. As this is still week one of what Apple hopes will be a revolution in gaming, there are only handful of awesome AR games in the App Store. We’re sure we’ll see more interesting AR gameplay in the coming months.
We’ve combed through the App Store and these are the best AR games we’ve found for iPhone and iPad.
Read more: The Best iOS 11 ARKit Apps for iPhone and iPad You Should Try
Can You Run ARKit Games?
ARKit games require a device running iOS 11. The following devices support AR games: iPhone SE, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, 9.7 inch iPad Pro, 10.5 inch iPad Pro, 12.9 inch iPad Pro (both generations), and the 2017 5th Gen iPad.
1. Stack AR
Stack was already an addictive game. Here, you have to stack up the blocks as high as you can. The block moves from side to side. And if you can’t align them just right, you lose out on the block space. Now, you can pay the same game in AR. Which means it’s in 3D, on your table top.
Download: Stack AR
2. AR Dragon
Have you ever wanted your own cute little dragon pet? Ever wanted to channel your inner Khaleesi? The new AR Dragon pet simulator app gives you your own pet dragon to interact with. Once it hatches, you have to care for your own unique dragon. You can feed it, watch it grow older and larger. You can pay catch with the dragon and more.
Download: AR Dragon
3. Zombie Gunship Revenant AR
This is as hardcore as an AR game gets. If you’ve been underwhelmed by some of the AR games, you should try this. It’s a zombie shooter, in AR. Yon fly a gunship helicopter which is controlled by how you move your device. The app features intense battles and devastating weapons.
Download: Zombie Gunship Revenant AR
4. AR Drone Commander Lite
This is a really simple AR game. You point your camera towards a flat surface like an open floor. The game will map a military base on it. There will be an attack. You’re a drone pilot who’s way up in the air. Your job is to destroy the enemy tanks and helicopters.
Download: AR Drone Commander Lite
5. YuME: Alice’s Dream
If you like putting things together, you’ll like YuMe. YuMe means a dream and here, you’re in a fantasy dream land. You’ll see a whole fantasy world in front of you in AR. You can move it around, interact with it. You’ll have to put things together and solve the puzzles to reveal the story as Alice travels in the times of renaissance.
Download: Yume: Alice’s Dream
6. Lila’s Tale: Stealth
This is a really cool stealth adventure game that only works in AR mode. The game’s aesthetics will remind you of role playing games like World of Warcraft.
In this game, you have to guide Lila. She’s a little girl who is trapped in a strange place. You’ll need to use your iOS device to help her avoid the enemies line of sight while collecting coins and retrieving the key so she can leave each dungeon.
Download: Lila’s Tale: Stealth ($1.99)
7. ARRise
ARRise is a true, AR only game. While some of the apps we’ve seen so far only add an AR mode to their existing game, ARRise was built as an AR game from the ground up. And it shows. The app is a 3D puzzle game. Something like Monument Valley but in AR.
You’ll have to move around your device to gain new perspective (quite literally) so you can align puzzle pieces. There’s no need to touch the screen or swipe the pieces. It’s only your movement that will help you solve the puzzle.
Right now, ARRise only features 3 levels. But the app developer promises to release new levels for free every month. It could turn out to be a delightful surprise every month, well worth the $2.99 asking price.
Download: ARRise ($2.99)
8. Splitter Critters
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48QrN2ZTQBs
Splitter Critters brought an innovative gameplay style to iPhones and iPads. Here, you literally have to slice through the world and move it around so that your hero can continue his journey. The new AR mode isn’t that special. It just adds a little box to your camera view where you can play the game.
But just based on the game’s new mechanics, this game is worth checking out. The new AR mode is just a nice bonus.
Download: Splitter Critters ($2.99)
9. Kings of Pool
Kings of Pool’s new AR mode is a big deal in terms of space it takes up and the detail that it provides. You can pinch and scale the table to make it as big or small as you want (depending on the space you have). Then, it’s business as usual, in 3D.
Move around in 3D to see just where your hot is aligned. Tap and drag to take a shot. You can go closer to view more detail, move around to take different shots.
Download: Kings of Pool
10. Flat Pack
Flat Pack is a dimension bending platformer. It mixes 2D and 3D elements which makes it even harder to comprehend where to go and what to do. There are more than 30 levels and epic boss fights.
The new AR mode basically lets you interact with the level in 3D. So instead of swiping to move around the platform, you physically move your device to see what’s on the other side.
Download: Flat Pack
Your Favorite ARKit Apps and Games?
Have you explored the AR sections in the new App Store? What are some of your favorite AR apps and games? Share with us in the comments below.