Games to play with friends on Valentine's Day
We've selected a few titles that you can play with like-minded buddies, but you can also meet new people on these platforms (some caution required, of course).
These tried-and-tested games have been selected as they're easy to pick up for casual gamers, highly addictive and entertaining. Just don't blame us if you call in "sick" the next day.
Scramble with Friends (iOS)
(Credit: Zynga)
Following the popular Words with Friends and Hanging with Friends titles, Zynga has served up yet another social game to be played with, well, friends. Like the earlier apps, Scramble with Friends (free) is easy to pick up and highly addictive.
Each player hunts for words hidden in a 4 x 4 grid within a two-minute time limit. The longer the word, the more points accumulated. There are additional "power-ups" such as freezing the clock or scrambling the board for more inspiration.
Personally, I find this the most exciting, sweaty palm-inducing title out of the whole Zynga series, probably because of the time limit imposed.
Ticket to Ride (iOS)
(Credit: Days of Wonder)
Trainspotting takes on a different meaning with Ticket to Ride. In this iOS strategy game, players collect and play train "cards" of the same color to "lay claim" to railway routes. The longer the route, the more points you earn. The objective is to connect two cities with train routes and earn the highest points.
Besides playing solo, you can also pit yourself against random strangers online, or friends in a local game (requires same WiFi network or Bluetooth connection), or pass and play with one iOS device.
At S$6.99 (US$5.60), the iPad app is pretty pricey, but certainly gives you more route options. The Ticket to Ride Pocket version optimized for the iPhone is cheaper at S$1.99.
Star Legends: The Blackstar Chronicles (iOS and Android)
(Credit: Screenshot by Jacqueline Seng/CNET Asia)
Star Legends: The Blackstar Chronicles is a sci-fi themed MMORPG for iOS and Android devices. Players choose from three male/female roles: The Commando, Operative or Engineer. Once you've chosen your path, you'll have to complete quests to earn experience points, as well as train attributes and build up skills.
As with most MMORPGs, you can interact with other players and friends as you conquer quests alongside each other. Based on our hands-on so far, the graphics are pretty good but may require a better processor so that you won't experience any lag.
The game's developers have also created a fantasy MMORPG called Pocket Legends, which you can try once you've conquered all the levels in Star Legends.
Robotek (Android)
(Credit: Screenshot by Jacqueline Seng/CNET Asia)
What's an Android game without fighting robots? Robotek is a free strategy game that requires some cunning and sheer luck. You control a robot in a post-human world and the objective is to destroy your enemy's mainframe.
During each turn, you roll a "slot machine" for additional drones, hacking power or a more destructive offense.
Don't be fooled by the simple graphics: The fun part of Robotek is that you can play against other players, either your friends or random strangers.
Angry Birds on Facebook
As if conquering practically every smartphone platform, browser and even smart TV out there isn't enough, the wrath of those Angry Birds will be launched (pun fully intended) upon Facebook on Valentine's Day.
According to tech site Penn Olson, Angry Birds on Facebook--for desktops and laptops--will bring with it new power-ups and leaderboards.
Team Fortress 2 (PC and Mac)
(Credit: Screenshot by Jacqueline Seng/CNET Asia)
If you have played the first installment of Team Fortress, there's not much explanation required here.
Team Fortress 2 (TF2) is a multi-player first person shooter (FPS). The objective is usually to beat the opposing team, whether in capturing the enemy's flag or securing control points.
TF2 developer Valve has taken painstaking measures to develop the nine characters in the team. There are videos and comics starring each character on the TF2 blog, which adds an extra dimension to the game when you're not playing.
These characters, ranging from a pyromaniac to a medic, can possess items such as weapons, toys or hats. Players buy or trade these items, or hope and pray for them to appear in random drops during gameplay.
About the author
Jacqueline Seng is a presenter/writer for CNET Asia, focusing on mobile phones. Her induction into the world of IT involved typing out stories on a computer in kindergarten--not that much has changed. The only girl on the editorial team (for now), she is also an avid potato chip connoisseur, heist movie enthusiast and indie/hiphop music aficionado.
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