Hades’ Star, Vista Golf, and other awesome apps of the week

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Awesome Apps
Have an 'appy weekend!
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

An empire-building, resource-trading, planet-colonizing strategy game in which you play a shared universe alongside thousands of other players is just one of the great App Store picks we’ve highlighted for this week’s “Awesome Apps” roundup.

We’ve also selected a nifty update to an augmented reality favorite, a fun crazy golf game, and new functionality for one of the best third-party iOS keyboards going. Check out our choices below.

Hades’ Star

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvig4cV91xo

Hades’ Star actually launched in late July, but I’ve only just gotten around to playing it — and it’s pretty darn great. It’s an innovative take on the strategy game genre, in which thousands of players can participate in the same shared universe. The goal is colonize new planets, establish diplomatic relations with other players, create trade routes, mine resources, and more — all en route to establishing a vast empire.

Having poured hours into the game Elite as a kid, and now being a massive Catan player, this is a game that could be tailor made for me. It’s also an astonishing reminder of how far we’ve come that such games are now available on our smartphones. Definitely worth exploring if the central idea appeals to you!

Available for: iPhone, iPad
Cost: Free
Get it from: App Store

Gboard

Gboard
It’s now easier than ever to share maps and videos.
Photo: Google

Google’s Gboard has been around for a while, but it remains one of the best third-party keyboards available for iOS. This week it got a nice update, adding the ability to send drawings, Google Maps, and YouTube videos without users having to leave their conversation. Simply tap the Google button, search, and then send.

If you’re feeling a bit more creative, you can also create doodles by tapping the emoji button, followed by the pen icon, and then drawing your mini masterpiece with the selection of pens available, before hitting the Share button to send it.

Available for: iPhone, iPad
Cost: Free
Get it from: App Store

Pokémon GO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvSe6pMvUjM

Despite augmented reality being all the rage right now, Pokémon GO has cooled off somewhat since its ultra-hot launch. However, 2017 has seen developers Niantic give loyal fans plenty of reasons to keep playing, courtesy of various updates. This week, the game saw the introduction of Moltres, the latest Legendary Pokémon, who you will (of course!) know as one of the three Legendary birds of Kanto.

You’d better hurry if you want to get hold of Moltres, however, because it’s only available through August 7. Even then, you’ve got your work cut out for you since it can only be captured during Raid Battles and pops up unpredictably in random spawnings. Still, imagine the jealous looks you’ll inspire once you manage to secure it!

Available for: iPhone, iPad
Cost: Free
Get it from: App Store

Vista Golf

If you’re looking for a fun game to pass the time on your commute to work, you could do a lot worse than Vista Golf, a mini golf game featuring neat drag and shoot controls, attractive graphics, shared leaderboards, and more.

Best of all is the fact that three new courses will be opened each week — giving this game a whole (hole?) lot of replay value.

Available for: iPhone, iPad
Cost: Free
Get it from: App Store

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