Summary
Fitness and gaming are two categories that have never exactly gone hand in hand. However, there is a phenomenon of fitness-based games available on mobile devices, and that’sthe AR walking genre.
After the success ofPokemon Go, gamers have spent hours walking hundreds of kilometers just to catch the very best Pokemon, take over gyms, and battle other trainers. There’s something about seeing the real world around the player merged into this augmented reality hybrid that feels quite special, not to mention it’s great for fitness and health! With that being said, there have been many other AR walking games that have increased in popularity over the last few years (some more than others).
Made by a 1-man development team,Magic Streetsis a fantasy AR walking game where players can explore a fantasy adventure whilst they walk. Resources will need to be gathered, bases can be built and upgraded, and of course, monsters need to be slain. There’s a true fantasy RPG feeling toMagic Streetsthat not many other AR games manage to achieve.
The only downside toMagic Streetsis that it’s a little rough around the edges. The visuals aren’t the best and the overall color scheme is quite gray. However, if players are looking for a fantasy AR walking adventure thenMagic Streetsfeatures excellent gameplay and combat and contains a multitude of events, objectives, and quests.
Ornais a top-down AR fantasy adventure walking game, designed to replicate the style of classic2D fantasy adventures. It evokes feelings of nostalgia for any classic fantasy gamer and absolutely nails both the exploration and combat elements. Gamers can build a town, join a kingdom, battle epic monsters, and level up as they continue their adventure.
It’s essentially a classicmultiplayer RPG experiencewith turn-based combat too. The visuals are excellent, the sprites are top-notch, the map design is awesome, and the combat is super engaging. There’s not a lot to be disappointed with here; the only exception is the lower number of players in comparison to more popular AR walking titles.
Draconius GOcombines gamers' phones with theworld of dragonsas they discover a new reality and collect over 250 unique beasts. This AR walking game features some awesome (and really cute) dragon designs, which players can catch, upgrade, and then use to battle others.
Whilst it’s an excellent AR game, and the designs and gameplay are both smooth and awesome,Draconius GOis very similar toPokemon GO. It’s a bit of a shame asDraconius GOcould really find its own identity and flourish into a unique AR experience; however, at the moment, it’s simply stuck in the shadow of what came before.
Dragon Quest Walkis an excellent title, and it would absolutely rank higher if it weren’t for one thing - it’s only available in Japan. Featuring gorgeous visuals and excellent gameplay, this is an AR title that’s great for bothDragon Questfans and newbies alike, although very different fromthe main games. It’s just a shame that it seems the Western audience will never be able to experience it.
Players need to walk to certain destinations in real life to unlock specific quest events, such as speaking to characters or battling certain monsters. Gamers can also establish home locations where they can set up base and recover HP. It’s an overall great RPG experience with the added bonus of exploring the real world.
One of Niantic’s smaller AR games,Peridot, is a cutevirtual pet-collecting gamewhere players aim to create as many unique Peridots as possible. These cute pets can be hatched by gamers, which gives the pets 100% genetically unique features, create them through other genetic modifications, or trade them with other players.
The aim of the game is to try and obtain as many unique and rare Peridots as possible, with some Peridots containing rare traits and features that are tricky to acquire. Players take care of their virtual pets by playing with them, feeding them, and walking them, and they can do all of those activities whilst they are out walking in the real world.
Apple App Store Rating: 4.5
Jurassic World Alive
Dinosaurs have returned to rule the Earth. They have fled Jurassic World on the unstable island of Isla Nublar… and they’re roaming free in your cities and neighborhoods. As a brand-new member of the Dinosaur Protection Group (DPG), your mission is to save dinosaurs from a second extinction.Explore your surrounding area to find your favorite dinosaurs – including new breeds that are more awe-inspiring and terrifying than ever before. Activate augmented reality (AR) to interact with these unbelievable creatures in the real world. Track these magnificent animals with a drone and collect DNA samples needed to level up and create hybrids in your Lab.Then, assemble the perfect dinosaur strike team and take on dangerous threats in real-time PVP arena battles! EXPLORE your world with location-based technology and discover dinosaurs on a map. Identify behavior patterns to track specific species in their natural habitats.Are you ready to get Dinosaur hunting?
Jurassic World Aliveis a popular AR game where players explore a Jurassic world on their phones and catch thedinosaurs roaming everywherearound them. It’s the perfect game for anyJurassic ParkorJurassic Worldfans, as it’s the closest thing to a real-lifeJurassic Park!
The dinosaurs are perfectly modeled and animated, and the sound design will send shivers down the player’s spine when they hear the roar of a nearby T-Rex. The combat is great and features quite a lot of depth. Players should just be warned thatJurassic World Alivegets increasingly grindy as their character progresses.
Gamers who love thePikminseries should absolutely check out this unique AR walking game. This one’s not about fighting and battling but rather collecting new Pikmin simply by walking more. The more players walk around the real world and the further distance they travel, the more Pikmin will join their squad. The cute part is that the Pikmin leave a trail of blooming flowers behind them, which changes appearance based on where they are found.
Pikmin Bloomis all about spreading joy and positivity with the trail of flowers left behind by each player. The closest the game comes to combat is sending a team of Pikmin off to destroy any mushrooms that appear. This is a more casual, friendly, and cute AR walking game, and it’s definitely one worth trying due to its uniqueness.
ZRX: Zombies Run
Run in the real world. Become a hero in another.ZRX is a fitness app like no other. We make YOU the hero of thrilling immersive stories.Get motivated to move by incredible audio storytelling that draws you into the zombie apocalypse or epic super hero adventures. It’s so much fun you’ll forget you’re working out!Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned marathon runner, ZRX works anywhere and at any speed. Jog in a park, run along a beach, or walk along a trail – you can even work out on treadmills or in a wheelchair.Love exercising to music? You still can! ZRX integrates the story with your own music playlists.ZRX is a fully-featured fitness app with GPS tracking and detailed statistics. As you progress, you’ll also unlock in-app story extras and lore that immerse you in our incredible worlds.
Zombies, Run!is a great AR fitness game that puts players at the heart ofa zombie apocalypse. Players can stick some headphones in whilst they’re walking and listen to heart-pumping audio dramas to encourage them to both walk and run. It’s essentially a form of role-playing, encouraging the player to exercise, which is a fantastic idea.
Players establish a base and then go on supply runs in order to gather resources and food and to help other survivors living in the base. Players have to choose what to do with the resources they collect, from strengthening defenses to building farms in order to provide more food. The role-playing elements toZombies, Run!go deep, and players can take part in a fantastic augmented reality experience, which just so happens to be great for fitness, too!
One of the newest AR walking games is also one of the best.Monster Hunter Nowfeatures a merging of worlds between theMonster Hunterfranchise and Earth. Players explore the world, complete quests, and battle both small and large monsters throughout their walking adventures. The visuals are great, and the combat system is fluid.
By gathering resources from gathering points and defeating monsters, players obtain items that can be used to craft and upgrade both armor and weapons. The game features all the classic monsters and weapons from theMonster Hunterfranchise, and it serves as a great introduction to an excellent series.
At this point,Pokemon GOis essentially the grandfather of AR walking games. It’s likely that no other game will ever reach the same heights and popularity. It’s well-measured, though, asPokemon GOis an excellent game for both long-termPokemonfans and complete newbies. It’s simple, smart, and effective, with a great story, quests, and raids, as well as cute visuals and transparent gameplay.
Designed for the casual gamer but also perfect forPokemonveterans,Pokemon GOis creature-collecting at its finest. It’s just an added bonus that it serves as an excellent companion to walking. This is a game that needs no further introduction; it just needs playing.
