The best apps and games of 2019, according to Apple

If you’re looking for a list of apps for your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, look no further. Apple has recently revealed its list of the best apps of 2019, with categories for App of the Year, Game of the Year, Trend of the Year, and more. Awards are given for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV categories.

And with quite a number of the apps being available to download for free, here’s a breakdown of Apple’s apps/games of the year for 2019.

“We are excited to announce such a diverse group of 2019 App Store winners, showing that great design and creativity comes from developers large and small, and from every corner of the world. We congratulate all the winners and thank them for making 2019 the best year yet for the App Store.”

Note: click on the price of the app to download the app from the App Store.

iPhone App of the Year: Spectre Camera (Lux Optics)

Spectre’s AI-powered camera app nabs the iPhone app of the year award, with the app allowing users to create “stunning long exposures”. Users can also use the app to remove crowds or objects, create “rivers of light”, as well as live photos and videos.

Price: RM12.90

iPhone Game of the Year: “Sky: Children of the Light”

The best game for the iPhone to play in 2019, according to Apple, is Sky: Children of the Light. The same creators who developed Journey, the 2013 Game of The Year, brings a “social adventure” to iPhone screens.

There appears to be in-game purchases, which is understandable for a free-to-download mobile game, but we haven’t had the chance to give it a go yet.

Price: Free

iPad App of the Year: Flow by Moleskine

Moleskine is a name familiar to those who enjoy bullet journaling, or the feel of the high-quality, albeit slightly expensive, journals that they produce. The Flow app essentially brings the Moleskin notebook experience to iOS, with the ability to create simple drawings and art on your iPad or iPhone.

It’s available to use for free for only 7 days, following which a paid subscription is needed. This subscription includes cloud storage, with mothly and yearly options available.

Price: Subscription-based

iPad Game of the Year: “Hyper Light Drifter”

This one is relatively pricey at RM19.90, but has received several accolades for the visual art in the game. It’s a “slash-’em-up” game, with the game being played in a top-down RPG format.

On the iPad Pro, gamers can enjoy Hyper Light Drifter at 120 fps, while MFi controllers and Haptic Vibration is also supported.

Price: RM19.90

Mac App of the Year: Affinity Publisher

Affinity Publisher is basically publishing software that allows users to combine images, graphics, and text to create publication-ready layouts.

According to Apple, its reasonable price point and user experience brings pro-level design accessibility to the wide public.

Price: RM149.90

Mac Game of the Year: “GRIS”

GRIS, by Devolver and Nomada Studio, is a puzzle-platformer that features some pretty stunning pieces of digital art, according to Apple. The storyline explores a sombre theme—for a platformer—of life after a tragic loss. At RM19.90, it isn’t too expensive either.

Price: RM19.90

Apple TV App of the Year: The Explorers

This is a pretty interesting one. Apple says that this app is part of a move towards a “visual inventory” of the natural world with photos and videos. It’s part of the community of “explorers, scientists, and artists”.

Price: Free

Apple TV Game of the Year: “Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap”

The game is also available on iOS, and is a remake of “Wonder Boy” a popular game from the ’80s. According to its listing on the App Store, the game features hand-drawn animations as well as a re-orchestrated soundtrack.

Price: RM34.90

Apple Arcade Game of the Year: “Sayonara Wild Hearts”

Apple Arcade has been out for some time now, with the subscription-based service available across multiple Apple devices. More than 100 games are available, but the Arcade Game of the Year is “Sayonara Wild Hearts”.

Price: Apple Arcade subscription