World of Demons

This is a really fun -- and challenging -- supernatural hack-and-slash that different than what else is available on Apple Arcade. World of Demons is well worth your time, especially because you don't have to worry about any microtransactions as you build your army of yokai to help fight the good fight. At the heart of this game is combat, which is smartly designed and smoothly executed, focusing on the timing of your offensive and defensive moves, along with when to summon creatures to inflict damage against those you're facing off against. While it's one on one when you first start the game, it doesn't take long to encounter large groups of nasty-looking monsters waiting to take you down. You'll also choose your load-out carefully, "enhance" your weapons and yokai (using gold and gems in the Enhance tab), study the patterns of your foes (such as when they are more vulnerable, which is your cue to strike), and earn Trophies as a reward for your hard work. Eventually, you'll also cycle between samurai, each with different stats in battle. What's more, there are several dozen supernatural foes in total, which you can view in the Yokai Compendium (available from the main menu), including some very unusual ones that are downright creepy-looking. The game's cel-shaded art style is inspired by classic Japanese paintings, which is beautiful, and complimented by high-quality Japanese classical music. The production is quite something for an Apple Arcade title.

While there's an incredible amount of depth in the number of yokai, the upgradeable options and environments to explore, a lot of the gameplay is "rinse and repeat." Also, while there are many chapters, each with several outdoor locations, there's a lot of invisible barriers that make it look like you can walk somewhere, but you're blocked, inexplicably. Overall, though, World of Demons is highly enjoyable, challenging, and downright creepy, at times, with its ghoulish cast of characters you'll fight with and against.