How to quickly take notes on the Galaxy S22 Ultra using the included S Pen

With the Galaxy S22 series launch earlier this year, Samsung finally put its popular Galaxy Note lineup to rest. That’s because the company has included all of the unique software and hardware features from the Galaxy Note lineup in the new Galaxy S22 Ultra. The top-of-the-line flagship is a spiritual successor to the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, and it features a similar design, a built-in S Pen, and all the software features you’d expect to see on a flagship Galaxy Note device. These include features that let you easily jot down notes using the included S Pen.

If you’ve just got yourself a brand new Galaxy S22 Ultra and want to learn how to take quick notes using the S Pen, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll take a look at three methods to help you quickly take notes on your Galaxy S22 Ultra. We’ll also try out a couple of popular note-taking apps, like Google Keep, Microsoft OneNote, and Evernote, to see how the Galaxy S22 Ultra and S Pen combo performs in third-party applications.

Take notes on the Galaxy S22 Ultra using the built-in S Pen and Samsung Notes

By default, all the notes you take on your Galaxy S22 Ultra are stored in the Samsung Notes app. The app offers a ton of useful features and tight integration with the Galaxy ecosystem, making it the go-to pick for most Galaxy smartphone users. Along with a wide array of note-taking features, Samsung Notes also lets you take full advantage of the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s built-in S Pen and take notes on the fly. Read on to learn how you can quickly take notes in the Samsung Notes app using the S Pen.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra replacement S Pen

If you have lost or damaged the S Pen included with the Galaxy S22 Ultra, you can buy this as a replacement unit.

Buy from Samsung

Screen off Memo

The first, and simplest, way to take notes on your Galaxy S22 Ultra is to use the Screen off memo feature. As its name suggests, the feature lets you quickly take a note without unlocking the device or turning on the display. Here’s how you can enable the feature:

• Navigate to the Advanced features section in the device settings on your Galaxy S22 Ultra.

• Tap on the S Pen option to open S Pen settings.

• Tap on the toggle next to the Screen off memo option to enable the feature.

Now that you’ve enabled the Screen off memo feature, all you need to do is pull out the S Pen with the screen off and you should be able to jot down a quick note.

As you can see in the attached screenshots, the Screen off memo UI is pretty barebones. It features two options in the top left corner that let you change the pen color and thickness, along with the eraser button. In the top right corner, you get a button to pin the current memo to the Always-on Display and a Save button.

The Screen off memo feature is inarguably one of the most useful S Pen features on the Galaxy S22 Ultra. Now that you know how to use it, I’m sure you’ll prefer it over all the other note-taking features whenever you want to note something down quickly.

Quick create notes

Although the Screen off memo feature is quite handy, it doesn’t offer as many customization options as the Quick create notes feature. So, if you want access to additional customization options, like pen style and opacity, or tools like a highlighter or marquee selection, you should enable the Quick create notes feature. Here’s how you can do so:

• Navigate to the Advanced features section in the device settings on your Galaxy S22 Ultra.

• Tap on the S Pen option to open S Pen settings.

• Tap on the toggle next to the Quick create notes option to enable the feature.

Once that’s done, unlock your Galaxy S22 Ultra and pull out the S Pen. Then, press and hold the S Pen button and tap the screen twice with the S Pen to create a new note.

As you can see in the attached screenshot, the floating window for the Quick create notes feature offers many more settings. The bottom row includes an option to quickly switch from the S Pen to the on-screen keyboard, a Pen selector with five types of writing instruments and other customization options, a highlighter tool with several customization options, an eraser, a marquee selection tool, and undo/redo buttons

The Quick create notes feature also offers a Reading mode button in the top right corner. The Reading mode button sits next to a three-dot context menu button with other additional options to help you insert images, documents, voice notes, drawings, and more to the note, a page sorter, a page template option, page settings, a full-screen view button, tags to help you easily sort your notes, a Save as option, and a finger drawing toggle. The context menu also includes a favorites button, a share button, and a delete button.

Air actions

Along with Screen off memo and Quick create notes, the Galaxy S22 Ultra packs another option to help you quickly jot down a note in the Samsung Notes app — Air actions. Follow these steps to enable Air actions on your Galaxy S22 Ultra:

• Navigate to the Advanced features section in the device settings on your Galaxy S22 Ultra.

• Tap on the S Pen option to open S Pen settings.

• Tap on the Air actions option and then tap on the toggle on the following page to enable the feature.

Once that’s done, the Air actions menu should pop up as soon as you pull out the S Pen after unlocking your device. The menu includes a Create note option by default, and you can tap on it to open a new Samsung Notes floating window.

It’s the same window that you get with the Quick create notes feature, which includes all the additional customization options that you don’t get with the Screen off memo feature.

Note that the Air actions menu will close if you tap anywhere outside the menu. But you can pull it back up using the Air actions floating action button (FAB). The FAB will appear next to the right edge of the display, and it will remain there till you put the S Pen back into its slot.

If you don’t like its default location, you can tap and hold on to it to move it around and stick it anywhere next to the right or left edge of the display. You can also close it manually by dragging it to the top of the display and onto the Remove prompt.

Take notes on the Galaxy S22 Ultra using the built-in S Pen and a third-party app

Now that you know all the handy ways you can quickly take notes on your Galaxy S22 Ultra using the S Pen and the Samsung Notes app, let’s check out how you can do so on some popular third-party note-taking apps.

It’s worth mentioning that none of the following apps work as seamlessly with the S Pen as the default Samsung Notes app and the only way you can quickly open a new note window for these apps is by adding a shortcut to the Air actions menu. To do so, you can follow these steps:

• Unlock your Galaxy S22 Ultra and pull out the S Pen to open the Air actions menu.
• Tap on the Add button at the bottom of the menu to add a shortcut to your preferred note-taking app.

• On the following screen, scroll down to the All apps section and tap on the icon of the note-taking app that you want to add to the Air actions menu. (Note: You can only add a maximum of 10 shortcuts in the Air actions menu. If the list is already full, you can remove some of the default shortcuts by clicking on the minus sign on shown at the top-right corner of the app icons in the right column)

• Exit from the Air actions Shortcuts page by tapping the back button or swiping inwards from either edge of the display.

You should now see a shortcut for your preferred note-taking app in the Air actions menu. However, even with the shortcut, taking notes on a third-party app using your S Pen and Air actions isn’t as seamless as it is with the Samsung Notes app. The shortcut simply opens the following apps and you have to tap again to create a new note before you can start writing.

Microsoft OneNote

Although Microsoft OneNote doesn’t offer the same experience as Samsung’s default Notes app, it does offer a handy feature that you don’t get with Google Keep and Evernote. The app comes with support for Air actions, which let you perform a couple of quick actions using the S Pen. You can use the S Pen in OneNote to create a new note, create a new picture note, insert an image into the current note, scroll up, scroll down, switch between pages, and zoom in or out.

However, this feature is not enabled by default, so you need to jump into the Air actions settings to set it up. Here’s how you can do that:

• Navigate to the Advanced features section in the device settings on your Galaxy S22 Ultra.

• Tap on the S Pen option to open S Pen settings.

• Tap on the Air actions option and scroll down to the App actions section.

• Click on the OneNote app icon to enable app actions for the app and you’re all set.

You should now be able to use the aforementioned air actions in the OneNote app.

Another benefit of using OneNote over Google Keep and Evernote is that the app automatically selects pen input when you create a new note with the S Pen outside its slot. With Google Keep and Evernote, you have to enable the Drawing/Sketch options in a new note to start writing with your S Pen. This makes the process a bit slower.

Google Keep

As mentioned earlier, Google Keep does not offer any shortcuts to help you quickly take a note using your S Pen. You have to open the app (either from the app drawer or from the Air actions menu) and create a new note.

To write with the S Pen, you then have to tap on the attachment button in the bottom left corner and select the Drawing option to start writing with the S Pen.

Alternatively, you can use the Handwriting option on the Samsung Keyboard app to write in the text fields using the S Pen.

Like the previous method, this option isn’t ideal for quick note-taking, so you might as well use the default Screen off memo or Quick create notes features instead.

Evernote

Like Keep, Evernote also doesn’t select the S Pen as the default input method when you create a new note. You have to select the Sketch option from the bottom toolbar to write with your S Pen or you can use Samsung Keyboard’s Handwriting option to write within text fields.

Evernote does, however, offer a significantly wider range of features than Keep. So if you’re confused between the two, we would recommend using Evernote over Keep.

Now that you know all the ways you can quickly take notes on your Galaxy S22 Ultra using the built-in S Pen, which method are you going to use? Although I’m a Google Keep user, I prefer using the Screen off memo and Quick create notes features on my Galaxy S22 Ultra whenever I want to jot down something quickly. Since these features automatically save all my notes in the Samsung Notes app, I now switch between Google Keep and Samsung Notes, depending on which device I’m using as my primary phone.

Make sure you check out our post on all the S Pen features offered on the Galaxy S22 Ultra to do more than just take notes with the active stylus.

The post How to quickly take notes on the Galaxy S22 Ultra using the included S Pen appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/1lPt7om
via IFTTT

Looking for some great games to play on the Apple iPad? Here are 25 recommendations from us

iPads have been around for over a decade. What started as a stretched iPhone (of sorts) has now become a computer replacement for some people. Apple has even gone to the extent of powering some of its models with the M1 chip — which it initially designed for the Mac lineup. What makes an iPad so great is how versatile it is as a device. You can use it for learning, working, reading, writing, binging TV series, and, of course, playing games. While we understand that mobile games can be in many cases limited when compared to gaming on a desktop, we still acknowledge that there are some gems out there. These are some of the best games to be played on the iPad!

Navigate this article:

1. Stardew Valley
2. Don’t Starve: Pocket Edition
3. The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
4. This War of Mine
5. Monument Valley
6. Samorost 1
7. Town of Salem – The Coven
8. Hearthstone
9. The Room
10. Fallout Shelter
11. Machinarium
12. Goat Simulator
13. Plants vs. Zombies 2
14. PUBG MOBILE
15. Bad Piggies HD
16. Bastion
17. Alto’s Adventure
18. Super Hexagon
19. Threes!
20. Really Bad Chess
21. Genshin Impact
22. Dota Underlords
23. Call of Duty: Mobile
24. Company of Heroes
25. Sid Meier’s Civilization VI

Best iPad Games

Stardew Valley

For plenty of reasons, Stardew Valley wins as the best iPad game on my personal list. Obviously, not everyone will agree with this. However, fans of the pixelated RPG format will appreciate it. For starters, this game was built with passion. So unlike plenty of mobile games, it’s not riddled with ads, IAPs, and pay-to-win barriers. Eric Barone (Concerned Ape) designed it for the enjoyable gameplay — rather than it being an aimless cash cow. The developer behind it took care of the sound effects, original music tracks, and graphics by himself. As a result, when you play this game, you get a sense of harmony between its elements — complete coherence that you wouldn’t usually find elsewhere.

In this game, you have to restore, renovate, take care of, and populate a rural farm — after moving away from the city and its dreadful 9-to-5 work shifts. You can plant, raise cattle, interact with fellow townies, fish, mine, date, cast spells, and much, much more. No matter how much you explore in this game, there’s a high chance you’re not even close to going through it all. In fact, even Eric has mentioned at some point that there’s something in the game that no one has discovered yet. Worry not, though, you can play at your own pace. Even if you miss a certain goal or event, you can get it done at a later point. The game won’t send you push notifications either, and time stops when you’re not actually playing — so there’s no pressure to play when you don’t want to.

This game is available on all major platforms. However — as someone who has played it on a smartphone, desktop computer, and an iPad — I believe this game makes sense the most on an iPad. That’s because it lacks sophisticated keyboard controls and the iPad’s screen is large enough to comfortably display all of its elements on the screen. It’s worth mentioning, though, that the mobile version of this game excludes the multiplayer gameplay. That feature remains exclusive to consoles and computers. Otherwise, the mobile edition is pretty much identical to the PC one and comes with a cheaper price tag. It costs $4.99 in the US and includes no ads or in-app purchases whatsoever. It additionally offers a local backup and restore option — so you can play the iPad version on the go, then manually copy your progress to your Mac or PC at home.

‎Stardew Valley ($4.99, App Store) →

Don’t Starve: Pocket Edition

If you’re not a big fan of modern/realistic, 3D game graphics, Don’t Starve might be of interest to you. Personally, I always find myself drawn to games with either basic (relatively speaking) or pixelated elements — and this is why it has made it to my list of best iPad games. In Don’t Starve the aim is… not starving. It’s a survival game in which you have to explore, collect items and food, cook, build equipment, fight monsters, and keep a bonfire burning through the night (trust me on this one).

There are three main meters that you have to keep an eye on — hunger, sanity, and health. As long as you’re eating sufficiently, your hunger bar won’t cause you any problems. The sanity meter is impacted by how you live, the food (or substances) you consume, and other factors. It’s important to stay sane in this game because, well… Lastly, the health bar refers to your physical health. If monsters (even the cute ones) attack you, you will start losing health points — until you ultimately die.

In this game, there are no checkpoints. If you die, you die. You would then have to start over from scratch. Though, worry not, this is how the game is designed. You likely won’t get bored because each time you start, you’re dropped into a uniquely generated world that no one has ever set foot in. So you won’t know what to expect for the most part, but the mechanism behind the game will become familiar, and progressing further will become easier not-as-hard.

This game has basic touch controls — that suit the iPad — and costs $4.99 in the US Apple App Store. It includes no in-app purchases, ads, or pay-to-win obstacles. If you’re subscribed to Apple Arcade, you can avoid paying the $4.99 by playing Don’t Starve: Pocket Edition+ for free — which is the exact same game. If you’re a fan of the graphics, sound effects, and gameplay, you can pay another $4.99 for the Shipwrecked edition of the game. This includes new worlds, resources, and creatures that want to kill you.

‎Don't Starve: Pocket Edition ($4.99, App Store) →

‎Don't Starve: Pocket Edition+ (Exclusive to Arcade, App Store) →

‎Don't Starve: Shipwrecked ($4.99, App Store) →

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth

The Binding of Isaac is one of the sickest games out there — in the best way ever. Briefly, you have to cry your way through endless basements until you defeat your mom — and ultimately the devil, too. If you’re unfamiliar with this game, I’m assuming my brief description makes no sense to you. That’s because it’s not supposed to.

Isaac is a child who is running away from his murderous mom. Through underground basements, you have to find your way and kill monsters and bosses (by shooting your tears at them). There are plenty of power-ups, secrets, and hidden gems that really make this game stand out. Just like Don’t Starve, when you die, you have to start over in a uniquely generated setting. Some elements remain the same, but the basement map, monster arrangement, power-ups, etc. change.

The Binding of Isaac on iPadOS includes the Rebirth expansion by default (not as an IAP). However, there’s no way to access the other expansions that the company has released on other platforms — such as Afterbirth+. It remains a very rich game, as is, and you likely won’t get bored of it for a very long time — assuming it’s your type. After all, very few games include poop that tries to kill you in some instances.

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is available for $14.99 in the US. It offers virtual joystick controls for movement and shooting, which make it easily playable on the iPad’s touch screen. Expectedly, it has no in-app purchases or advertisements of any sort.

‎The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth ($14.99, App Store) →

This War of Mine

This War of Mine is a dystopian game that will completely disarrange your moral compass. Which is more ethical — knocking out an old lady to steal what little she has left or leaving a starving child to die of hunger? If the recent times haven’t been dark enough and you’d like to add some negativity to your life, this masterpiece is for you.

In this game, you have to survive the horrors of war by scavenging, building, inventing, and protecting yourself. The graphics (particularly the colors), soundtracks and effects, and storyline are almost guaranteed to shake up your mood’s stability. For $1.99 (US App Store)  only, you can own this moving, artistic game. It includes no ads and only has one IAP as an optional expansion to the game. The $1.99 DLC allows you to experience the game from a child’s perspective — if you don’t find the game depressing enough as-is.

‎This War of Mine ($1.99⁺, App Store) →

Monument Valley

After playing titles like The Binding of Isaac and This War of Mine, one must recover somehow. Stardew Valley is one therapeutic option, but then there’s Monument Valley — which is more laid back and easily one of the best iPad games out there. In Monument Valley, the rules of physics don’t make sense in a way that makes sense — does this make sense to you? As in — the mechanisms of manipulating the landscapes are unrealistic. However, once you go through a few levels and get used to the game, these unrealistic mechanisms will become familiar and sensible.

Your aim is to lead a little princess through geometric worlds by twisting said worlds. You drag, swipe, and move elements around — controls that are ideal for the iPad’s large touch display. Better yet, the soundtrack reacts to your controls, so you get an immersive and personalized experience that will help you wind down. This title features stunning, minimalistic graphics and a gameplay that doesn’t require a lot of focus or energy. It’s in a way a stress-free journey.

Monument Valley is available for $3.99 in the US App Store. It includes no ads and only one optional IAP, which unlocks eight additional chapters for $1.99. If you like the concept of the game, you can play its sequel — Monument Valley 2 — for $4.99 (no IAPs). It’s worth noting, though, that if you’re subscribed to Apple Arcade, you can play both titles for free, through their plus (+) editions.

‎Monument Valley ($3.99⁺, App Store) →

‎Monument Valley+ (Exclusive to Arcade, App Store) →

‎Monument Valley 2 ($4.99, App Store) →

‎Monument Valley 2+ (Exclusive to Arcade, App Store) →

Samorost 1

If you’re a fan of puzzle games, Samorost 1 is for you. This point-and-click game was released back in 2003, but it has been remastered and optimized to suit our modern devices. As a PC game (originally) that won my heart as a child, Samorost also wins a seat on my 25 best games for the iPad.

This game requires focus and patience. The gameplay is not complicated at all. You just have to guide a gnome (of sorts) through different environments. To do so, you must solve brain teasers by tapping on-screen elements in a certain order. It requires no skills to learn, and the story is engaging and entertaining. Just use your logic and you’ll be done in no time.

Samorost 1 is available for free and includes no IAPs. If you like the game, Amanita Design has released two sequels for it — priced at $1.99 and $5.99 respectively on the US App Store. Both Samorost 2 and Samorost 3 have no in-app purchases, either.

‎Samorost 1 (Free, App Store) →

‎Samorost 2 ($1.99, App Store) →

‎Samorost 3 ($5.99, App Store) →

Town of Salem – The Coven

Lying in real life — especially about murder — is frowned upon (to say the least). In Town of Salem, things are different, though. You’re encouraged to lie because otherwise, you could lose (your head). This game is based on chatting (through text) with other players from all over the world. The servers automatically assign roles to each player, and each role has a special ability. These roles are divided into two main categories — Townies and Mafia. Members belonging to the latter category can identify each other and secretly chat during the night. Townies, on the other hand, remain in a blind spot.

Every night, members of the Mafia could attempt to kill a Townie. The next morning — through the group chat that connects all players — Townies must defend themselves and try to identify each other. Once there’s a Mafia suspect, everyone gets to vote on whether to hang them or not. After the player dies, the server reveals whether that was in fact a Mafia member or an innocent, misjudged Townie. Ultimately, either the Townies or Mafia wins, depending on which team kills the other first. It’s all about manipulating your way into victory.

The game has several playing modes with plenty of additions, cosmetics, DLCs, etc. It’s available for free, but it has ads and plenty of IAPs for the additional content and privileges. It’s worth noting, though, that even without paying for the in-app purchases, the game is fully enjoyable in its free form.

‎Town of Salem - The Coven (Free⁺, App Store) →

Hearthstone

Hearthstone is a collectible card game from Blizzard Entertainment. It has a simple yet engaging gameplay that is easy to master on the iPad’s touch screen. This title is free to download and play, but it includes optional in-app purchases as well. Notably, though, you can enjoy it fully without needing to pay.

Blizzard’s Hearthstone is all about laying out cards and using them as “soldiers” against your opponent’s. Each comes with a special power, a certain number of health points, and other statistics that distinguish it. So you have to place and play your cards strategically — depending on your opponent’s deck.

‎Hearthstone (Free⁺, App Store) →

The Room

The Room is a puzzle game by Fireproof Studios. If you’re a fan of investigating, looking for clues, and solving physics-based mysteries, this one’s for you. The game features very realistic graphics with sophisticated and well-built machinery — allowing you to fully immerse yourself into it. The aim is just solving one puzzle after the other, as you unravel the story behind it.

This title is easily one of the best iPad games because its controls make sense for a touch screen. You won’t be needing to connect a keyboard or a controller to enjoy the gameplay. The challenges remain in solving the actual puzzles through logical analyses. You can download and play The Room for $0.99 in the US. It includes no ads or in-app purchases, so by buying it, you’re getting access to the full game and experience.

If you enjoy this game, you can get the sequels as well. The Room 2 costs $1.99 — free as a plus (+) edition on Apple Arcade. The Room 3 is priced at $3.99, while The Room: Old Sins costs $4.99. They all come with the same vibe and atmosphere of the original title, offering 3D graphics, an astounding soundtrack, and a well-thought storyline.

‎The Room ($0.99, App Store) →

‎The Room Two ($1.99, App Store) →

‎The Room Two+ (Exclusive to Arcade, App Store) →

‎The Room Three ($3.99, App Store) →

‎The Room: Old Sins ($4.99, App Store) →

Fallout Shelter

Fallout Shelter has a special place in my heart, and I consider it one of the best iPad games out there. Despite it being a freemium title (which I tend to despise), it still offers addictive gameplay that doesn’t pressure you into buying the IAPs. For starters, unlike most freemium games I’ve bumped into, Fallout Shelter doesn’t spam you with push notifications. You play at your own pace when you feel like it. Additionally, it requires no internet connection whatsoever (unless you’re accessing the IAP store). It also doesn’t have any ad banners that obstruct the experience. It truly has a premium feel to it, despite it being free.

In Fallout Shelter, you have to build a life underground… in a vault. The aim is to grow the population down there and keep the people alive, safe, and healthy. The gameplay is relatively simple, but the title does have some depth to it. You can send people out into the wilderness for scavenging (keep an eye on their radiation levels), assign people to certain rooms based on their expertise and talents, and have babies.

As the population grows, you will need more food to keep the food bar in check. After upgrading the restaurant to produce more food, you will need more energy to run it. Then you will need more people to run the upgraded electricity room. It’s a cycle of increasing needs that you have to keep in check, basically. You also will get raided from time to time, just so you know.

What I dislike about Fallout Shelter is that it lacks something. I can’t pinpoint what exactly, but at some point, it becomes mundane and repetitive — especially after you unlock all room types. I really love its graphics, style, sound effects, and simulation gameplay. However, this dies out down the road — for me at least. It’s still an excellent, free game, and there’s no harm in giving it a shot.

‎Fallout Shelter (Free⁺, App Store) →

Machinarium

If I could, I would list Machinarium twice on the list of best iPad games. Developed by the same people behind Samorost, this title is a genius work of art that I’ve finished way too many times. Before we dive into the gameplay, just take a moment and focus on the admirable details and the very apparent efforts put into drawing it. Despite it being cartoony, it has a very realistic atmosphere that makes me feel actually present in that rusty, cyberpunk-y world.

In Machinarium, you’re a robot trying to solve puzzles to get from one screen/location to another. The gameplay is very similar to that of Samorost. However, the game is in no way redundant for those who have played said title. It’s a new experience, itself, that will immerse you in a planet of robots.

Machinarium doesn’t require any external controllers or accessories to play on your iPad. Its controls are very intuitive and touch-friendly. It is priced at $5.99 in the US, has no ads or in-app purchases, and exposes you to a surreal environment that will likely get you hooked. It truly is one of the best iPad games out there.

‎Machinarium ($5.99, App Store) →

Goat Simulator

Yes, that’s a goat’s tongue stuck to a flying helicopter. Goat Simulator is an absurd, open-world game for when life makes too much sense and you’d like matters to be otherwise. For starters, you’re a goat in this game, unsurprisingly. The aim is up to you. You do get points for wrecking things, but you’re not limited to just that.

You know how in Grand Theft Auto (GTA) some people ignore the missions and just go around robbing/killing people for the fun of it? Now imagine that but as a goat. In Goat Simulator, you can take advantage of the open world and just walk (or fly) around harassing people and causing chaos. It’s a weird way to wind down and empty some built-up stress, but it’s a very valid way nonetheless.

Goat Simulator costs $6.99 in the US and offers plenty of in-app purchases for additional content/expansions. If you like it, you can also check the other Goat Simulator editions on the developer’s App Store page.

‎Goat Simulator ($6.99⁺, App Store) →

Plants vs. Zombies 2

The starved zombies are approaching, and they desire a taste of your human brains. Plants vs. Zombies is a timeless survival classic. The original version gained so much popularity, and — as a result — the company released other versions of the game, including Plants vs. Zombies Heroes and the original’s sequel: Plants vs. Zombies 2. While the original game didn’t focus on IAPs as much as the second does, Plants vs. Zombies 2 remains an enjoyable title and one of the best iPad games when it comes to freemium releases. I’ve prioritized the sequel (despite the heavy inclusion of IAPs) over the original just due to its active development. To this day, the company continues to add new content to it.

You’re in your house and zombies are coming through the front/backyard. You have to place all sorts of super plants to fight off the zombies and protect your delicate brains. Each plant has a certain cost, superpower, and health bar. It’s all about placing them strategically to make sure no zombie gruesomely devours your head.

Plants vs. Zombies 2 makes sense on an iPad because its gameplay depends on tapping, dragging, and swiping. So the Apple tablet’s touch screen is more than enough to make the most out of it. In fact, I find it easier to play this game on an iPad rather than a Mac or PC. It’s available as a free download but includes optional in-app purchases.

‎Plants vs. Zombies 2 (Free⁺, App Store) →

PUBG MOBILE

If I had to choose a battle royale to play on my iPad, I would most definitely go for Fortnite. That’s because I prefer the more cartoony graphics over the realistic-ish ones PUBG offers. Additionally, Fortnite — in my opinion — is more polished and stable than its rival. However, due to ongoing corporate drama, there’s no easy way to play the title owned by Epic Games on iPadOS. PUBG MOBILE is arguably the second-best battle royale game for the iPad.

PUBG is free to play but expectedly offers in-app purchases. You can still enjoy the game just fine without buying any digital goods, though. You’re dropped into a world with several other real-life players, and the aim is to be the last person standing. There’s a wide variety of weapons and customizations, and competing against your friends only makes the game more fun. We’re not responsible for any ruined friendships, though.

If you like the battle royale genre but aren’t a fan of PUBG MOBILE, another option is Butter Royale. This title is exclusive to Apple Arcade, so you will need a subscription to access it. It comes with a simplified user interface, less complicated controls and mechanisms, and more cartoony graphics. There’s a high chance of you considering it childish. However, if you’re a fan of casual, less stressful gaming, you might find it more enjoyable than PUBG MOBILE.

‎PUBG MOBILE (Free⁺, App Store) →

‎Butter Royale (Exclusive to Arcade, App Store) →

Bad Piggies HD

We’ve gotten used to fighting the pigs in Angry Birds. Now the tables have turned, and we’re aiding the piggies. You may have noticed by now that I tend to favor puzzle and strategy games. Bad Piggies is on the list of best iPad games for this reason, too. It’s a game that will get you planning and thinking logically to reach your aim.

The goal of Bad Piggies is to build a vehicle (of sorts) to transport the pig from the starting position to the finish point. You also have to pass through specific points to “perfect” your wins. You’re provided with different building materials. They each have their own characteristics and properties. You must arrange it in a certain way to make sure the vehicle doesn’t fall apart (or, worse, explode), during the trip.

The game is both hilarious and fun to play. Its gameplay is perfect for a large touch screen, so it makes sense to play it on an iPad. You can download and play Bad Piggies HD for free, but there are optional in-app purchases you can buy, too.

‎Bad Piggies HD (Free⁺, App Store) →

Bastion

Why Bastion is on the list of best iPad games should be self-explanatory. For a mobile game, this title is PACKED! It’s an action roleplaying game (RPG) where you have to fight your way through different worlds. There are plenty of weapons included, and the gameplay becomes more engaging as you progress further. Its graphics are detailed enough, yet they’re not super realistic/3D. So they do offer some artistic depth without changing the overall atmosphere of the game’s setting.

Bastion is available as a free download. However, you will need to unlock the full game as an in-app purchase after you go through its beginning. Think of it as a free demo, with the full game costing $4.99 in the US (as a one-time purchase). The game has no ads or other IAPs — as you’d expect from a premium release.

‎Bastion (Free⁺, App Store) →

Alto’s Adventure

Alto’s Adventure is easily one of the best iPad games. Why? This title features breathtaking graphics that are almost guaranteed to help you wind down after a stressful day — particularly when paired with its original soundtrack. It’s both a game and an artistic masterpiece that is worthy of the iPad’s large display. Additionally, it has a one-button control system, making it exceptionally easy to play on the iPad’s touch screen.

In this game, you have to snowboard. Sounds pretty easy — except it isn’t. The game is simple to learn, but mastering it can become a challenge. The scenery changes and the game includes realistic environments inspired by the real world. You can also take advantage of combos that further boost the gameplay.

If you enjoy this game, you can also check Alto’s Odyssey. It was released after Alto’s Adventure and is based on sandboarding. The two games are not related when it comes to the storyline, so you can play either or both in any order. Each costs $4.99 in the US App Store, and they include no ads or in-app purchases. If you’re subscribed to Apple Arcade, you can play the Remastered editions of both titles for free.

‎Alto's Adventure ($4.99, App Store) →

‎Alto's Adventure — Remastered (Exclusive to Arcade, App Store) →

‎Alto's Odyssey ($4.99, App Store) →

‎Alto's Odyssey — Remastered (Exclusive to Arcade, App Store) →

Super Hexagon

Super Hexagon was released a decade ago, but it still rightfully earns a spot on the list of best iPad games. This title works best with touch controls, and the big screen makes the experience more immersive. As a result, playing it on an iPad would make sense the most. The aim of this game — just like many other games — is to survive. Do you see that little triangle over there, towards the middle? That lil fella is you, and you must stay alive.

So how do you stay alive? You can do so by avoiding bumping into the approaching barriers. In this game, you press either on the left or right side to shift the triangle’s direction/motion. So you basically have to slip through the tiny cracks between the invasive barriers to stay in the clear. Does this sound easy or simple to you? I won’t subjectively comment on the matter. Instead, I’m going to share the difficulty levels included in this game — hard, harder, hardest, hardester, hardestest, and hardestestest. I’m serious, by the way.

This gem costs a mere $2.99 on the US App Store, has no ads or in-app purchases, and doesn’t get boring — assuming it’s your type. It’s ideal for when you want simple gaming mechanisms/controls, but also have an urge for some grind and stress.

‎Super Hexagon ($2.99, App Store) →

Threes!

After playing Super Hexagon, you will need a fix. Threes! is one great option for that. If you’re unfamiliar with it, in this title you have to swipe numbered tiles vertically and/or horizontally. The aim is to increase the highest number available on a tile, as you merge tiles with similar digits to double their values.

It doesn’t take long to learn how to play this game, but mastering it can be challenging. You will slowly find yourself understanding the logic behind it to avoid running out of empty spaces and losing. To make this title more engaging, the developers have included cute cartoons that depend on the number present on a certain tile. The sound effects also add more fun to the game.

Threes! is available for $5.99 in the US App Store and includes no advertisements or in-app purchases. If you’d rather not spend money on the game or like to try it for free before buying it, there are two other options to play it. The first is downloading Threes! Freeplay — which is a free, ad-supported version of the premium game. The other choice works if you’re subscribed to Apple Arcade, as the company has released a plus (+) edition on that platform.

‎Threes! ($5.99, App Store) →

‎Threes! Freeplay (Free, App Store) →

‎Threes!+ (Exclusive to Arcade, App Store) →

Really Bad Chess

Do you know those dreams that make no sense at all? One second you’re walking around in the playground, only to find a street light following you around attempting to eat your right earlobe with a bit of mustard. In a way, that’s what Really Bad Chess is. As its name suggests, it’s a chess game that is… really bad. However, it still remains one of the best iPad games nonetheless.

If you take a look at the screenshot attached above, you might notice an anomaly — assuming you actually know a thing or two about real chess. In this game, you and your opponent receive a random assortment of chess pieces, rather than the standard, classic arrangement. This adds more to the fun as recycled strategies simply don’t work in this game. You will have to think hard and come up with a new approach every. single. match.

The game is available for free but restricts certain features to paying players. For a one-time, $3.99 in-app purchase, users can remove ads, unlock local multiplayer mode, customize the palette, and take advantage of other features. The game remains totally playable even without paying, thanks to AI-ranked challenges. If you’re subscribed to Apple Arcade, you can alternatively enjoy the full game experience for free — through its plus (+) edition.

‎Really Bad Chess (Free⁺, App Store) →

‎Really Bad Chess+ (Exclusive to Arcade, App Store) →

Genshin Impact

If you’re a fan of anime-style games, this one could be for you! It’s a title with very rich gameplay and a solid storyline — despite it being a mobile game. That’s why it has made it to our list of best iPad games available. In Genshin Impact, you have to explore a wide, beautifully crafted world, harness the seven elements (Anemo, Electro, Hydro, Pyro, Cryo, Geo, and Dendro(coming soon)), and fight deities. The storyline is meticulously crafted if you pay attention to it, the characters have a depth to them, and while there is a certain element of button-mashing, there can be equal elements of team building and strategy too. The open-world exploration is also one of the highlights of this game, and you can spend hours trying to solve puzzles to unlock further parts of the storyline.

Genshin Impact is available as a free download and supports multiplayer gameplay. However, the game has optional in-app purchases that can cost up to $99.99. It’s still enjoyable without paying a cent, nonetheless.

‎Genshin Impact (Free⁺, App Store) →

Dota Underlords

Coming from Valve itself, the popular Dota makes its way to mobile. However, it’s not the same MOBA Dota you know and love from desktop platforms. Dota Underlords is an auto chess game inspired by the original title. The gameplay takes place in an arena, rather than a relatively wide world. You place your heroes strategically and let them compete against your opponent. The game isn’t as silly as it sounds, as you have to pair up certain heroes together to take advantage of advanced combos and power-ups. Once you get the hang of it, it becomes easy to progress and play your cards correctly.

Dota Underlords is free to download and play. Originally, the game had no in-app purchases at all. However, as you’d expect from a free title, the company eventually added IAPs that allow you to buy more coins. Despite that, you can enjoy the game ben if you’re a free player. Your progress will automatically sync to the PC version on Steam as well.

‎Dota Underlords (Free⁺, App Store) →

Call of Duty: Mobile

If you like the battle royale format but PUBG MOBILE doesn’t quite match your taste, Call of Duty Mobile might be what you’re looking for. Brought to you by Activision, this game offers pretty much what you’d expect from a mobile battle royale. You can fight 99 other players in a large world to remain the last person standing. Apart from that, the game offers other modes with different rules and characteristics. You can also connect with and play against your friends if y’all are willing to put your friendships at risk.

Call of Duty Mobile is available for free. However, it includes optional in-app purchases that can cost up to $99.99 in the US. If you’d rather not spend your real money on digital consumables, you can still enjoy the gameplay without investing any cent into the game.

‎Call of Duty®: Mobile (Free⁺, App Store) →

Company of Heroes

If you’re a fan of real-time strategy games, then you might’ve heard of the famous Company of Heroes. The game made its way to the mobile platform a while ago, and it comes packed with the same excitement available on PC. Taking place during World War II, in this title you have to command soldiers and attempt to take over through advanced tactics.

This game easily belongs on the list of best iPad games — it has been optimized for touch screens and it offers detailed visuals that look great on the tablet’s large display. This premium title is available for $13.99 on the US App Store. It includes some optional in-app purchases, including the Opposing Fronts DLC.

‎Company of Heroes ($13.99⁺, App Store) →

Sid Meier’s Civilization VI

Civilization VI is also one of the notable PC titles that have made it to mobile. The aim of this turn-based game is to build a civilization that lasts through the different time eras. You will start at the Stone Age and slowly progress and advance your technologies. It’s a great pick for those who like strategy games.

Civilization VI is available as a free download. However, after playing 60 turns, you will need to purchase the full game as a $9.99 IAP. Apart from this in-app purchase, there are several additional DLCs that you can buy to expand the content available in this game. If you already own this title on a different platform, you can seamlessly keep your progress in sync on all of your devices.

‎Sid Meier's Civilization® VI (Free⁺, App Store) →

---

iPad Air 5 (2022)

The new 5th-generation iPad Air is powered by the Apple M1 processor. It supports 5G for the first time, and it comes in an array of beautiful colors.

View on Amazon

The iPad blends portability with the big screen, allowing you to easily play games on the go — without limiting yourself to the small smartphone screen. While they don’t support desktop games in general, they do have a rich library of premium games, as our list reflects. Nowadays we can easily enjoy high-end titles on a mobile operating system, such as iPadOS. And some developers continue to work on bringing their desktop titles to mobile platforms. The mobile gaming future truly looks promising.

Which of these iPad games do you plan on playing? Let us know in the comments section below.

The post Looking for some great games to play on the Apple iPad? Here are 25 recommendations from us appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/OSTdnEC
via IFTTT