TechtechnologyFrank UnderwoodFrank Underwood House of Cards

14 Mobile Games Frank Underwood Should Play

Frank Underwood, the megalomaniacal president in "House of Cards," is really into video games. Like, "ignore the splendor of Robin Wright" into video games.
Open Image Modal
By 

Senior Tech Editor, The Huffington Post

|
Open Image Modal

Frank Underwood, the megalomaniacal president in "House of Cards," is really into video games. Like, "ignore the splendor of Robin Wright" into video games.

In the most recent season, he's all about "Monument Valley," an indie puzzler for mobile devices. That makes a certain amount of sense, since it's all about bending the world around you to accomplish your goals.

There's a whole lot out there for Underwood to try once he's done with that, though. Here are our favorites from the past year; we think he'd particularly like "The Banner Saga," since he's got some of that mythological blodtörst going on.

Take a look:

The Best Mobile Games You Missed In 2014
Desert Golfing (iOS and Android) -- $1.99(01 of14)
Open Image Modal
Dubbed the first "normcore" video game by one critic, "Desert Golfing" is a wonderfully no-frills game about endlessly whacking a ball into holes -- with no way to erase your past mistakes or go back to the start. Sounds a little zen, doesn't it? Download:iTunes and Google Play.
Mountain (iOS and Android) -- $0.99, $1.00(02 of14)
Open Image Modal
Being God would probably be kind of boring: You made all creation and now it just sort of ... does its thing. But perhaps that's the point of "Mountain," an oddly compelling game in which you oversee the rise and fall of a mountain floating in space. Sometimes, the mountain has thoughts. Sometimes, things like gigantic baseballs get lodged in it. And sometimes ... there's weather. That's about all there is to it. Just like life. Download:iTunes and Google Play
LYNE (iOS and Android) -- $2.99, $2.50(03 of14)
Open Image Modal
If you loved "Dots," "Threes," "Candy Crush," or "2048," there's a pretty good chance you'll dig this, a puzzle game about strategically sussing out patterns to connect shapes on a game board -- which is a lot more fun than it sounds. Download:iTunes and Google Play.
Out There (iOS and Android) -- $3.99(04 of14)
Open Image Modal
Users looking for a meatier mobile experience will enjoy "Out There," which fuses resource management, puzzle solving and a compelling narrative into one appealing sci-fi package. Download:iTunes and Google Play.
The Banner Saga (iOS and Android) -- $9.99(05 of14)
Open Image Modal
"The Banner Saga" hasn't flown totally under the radar -- its PC and Mac versions were the products of a hugely successful Kickstarter campaign. But the game is new to mobile this year. The Nordic-themed strategy role-playing game has top-of-the-line art direction, an intriguing story and complex gameplay more often associated with home console releases. Download:iTunes and Google Play.
Bounden (iOS and Android) -- $2.99, $3.99(06 of14)
Open Image Modal
"Bounden" is sort of like a 21st century "Twister": You need two people, each holding one end of the phone, and then the game directs you to move together to accomplish a variety of dances. It pays attention to how you're moving based on readings from your phone's gyroscope -- watch the game in action for a better sense of what that means. Download:iTunes and Google Play.
Wave Wave (iOS and Android) -- $2.99(07 of14)
Open Image Modal
This may be the most intense smartphone game you'll ever play. Warning: may cause you to hurl your phone out of the window. Download:iTunes and Google Play.
VVVVVV (iOS and Android) -- $2.99(08 of14)
Open Image Modal
If "Wave Wave" isn't the most frustrating phone experience this side of a grueling conversation with your boss, then this new smartphone version of the award-winning VVVVVV certainly is. This platformer -- think "Mario Bros." -- will put your reflexes (and puzzle-solving abilities) to the test, but rarely has it felt so good to progress in a game. Download:iTunes and Google Play.
Dragon Quest III (iOS and Android) -- $9.99(09 of14)
Open Image Modal
This update of the 1988 role-playing game is new to smartphones this year, and it's a joy to behold. You form an adventuring party of four characters -- customized to your every whim -- and set forth on an involving, surprisingly open-ended quest. The smartphone version isn't perfect, with somewhat iffy controls and a locked screen orientation, but those who take the plunge will be treated to a true piece of gaming history. Download:iTunes and Google Play.
Monster Strike (iOS and Android) -- Free(10 of14)
Open Image Modal
"Monster Strike" may represent a movement away from console gaming development -- it was created by the same person who made the famed "Street Fighter II." And it's no wonder: The game is just darn fun. You build a roster of adorable characters and then bounce them against enemies like billiard balls to rack up in-game currency and other bonuses. Good luck putting this down. Download:iTunes and Google Play.
FOTONICA (iOS) -- $2.99(11 of14)
Open Image Modal
"FOTONICA" has a question for you: "Ever wondered what running at 140mph feels like?" You'll have some idea after spending some time with this dizzying, gorgeous arcade runner. Download:iTunes.
Magazine Mogul (Android) -- $4.99(12 of14)
Open Image Modal
"Magazine Mogul" is a new entry in Kairosoft's series of life sim games, and it teaches two valuable lessons: Working in publishing is fiendishly addictive and involves a lot of location scouting in suburbia. Who knew? Download:Google Play.
Papers, Please (iOS) -- $7.99(13 of14)
Open Image Modal
If you missed "Papers, Please" in its PC and Mac release, the new iPad release is for you. You play an immigration inspector at the border of a fictitious nation tasked with mercilessly filtering out who gets in, who needs to be arrested and so on. Do poorly, and the government threatens your family or docks your pay, forcing you to make impossible choices about paying for food and basic medication. Perfectly upbeat! Download:iTunes.
Proton Pulse (Android) -- $1.99(14 of14)
Open Image Modal
You need Google Cardboard to enjoy this gem, but it's worth it: "Proton Pulse" is basically "Breakout" in glorious 3-D with trippy visuals. What's not to like? Download:Google Play.

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip