ads of apps games pour into the ay Store each every week, but you don’t have to browse for hours: Our Five to Try column is here to pick out the biggest brightest ones for you. If you’re a heavy Facebook user but don’t like the bloated Messenger app, then you might want to snag the smaller, simpler Messenger te—the long-awaited U.S. release leads this week’s roundup.
Elsewhere, Stranger Things: The Game turns Netflix’s spooky series into a retro-stylized freebie, the new Microsoft uncher brings some perks to your home screen, DisneyNOcompiles a heap of streaming TV kid-friendly games, Batman: The Enemy thin starts another episodic adventure around the Dark Knight.
Messenger te
It’s still Messenger, but with less of the fluff.
If you find yourself overwhelmed by how large feature-packed Facebook’s Messenger has become, then take heart: now you can seek solace in the official Messenger te app. Finally available in the U.S. after a gradual international rollout, Messenger te keeps the core functionality of sending messages placing calls to your contacts, but scraps a lot of the extraneous stuff around it.
For example, it doesn’t have video calling, the Snapchat-like photo effects, games, or chat heads. On the other h, the app itself is smaller, it uses up less data, it’s much simpler to navigate. It feels like a throwback app in that respect, but really it’s just a streamlined alternative that keeps you connected without all the bloat.
Stranger Things: The Game
Ease the wait for next season with Stranger Things: The Game.
Hooked on Netflix’s smash series Stranger Things anxiously awaiting its return later this month? ll, now you can bide your time with Stranger Things: The Game, an official experience that’s completely free lacks in-app purchases ads. Keeping with the era vibe of the show, the game takes place in 1984 features a very NES-like, 8-bit aesthetic with chunky pixel graphics simple adventure gameplay.
It’s a big gend of Zelda-esque affair as you explore environments from the series as various characters, each with his or her own special ability. You’ll collect keycards, bash guards, find secrets along the way too. It’s total fan service, but it nails the nostalgic feel. The user reviews are totally glowing, so kudos to Netflix for the fun tie-in.
Microsoft uncher (eview)
The old Arrow uncher gets a rebr fresh features.
Microsoft announced this week that its familiar ge browser from ndows 10 will soon be available on Android—but in the meantime, they’ve already debuted a preview version of the new Microsoft uncher. It’s in beta, you’ll need to sign up to gain access, but this replacement launcher brings a few helpful perks that you might find useful.
Actually, Microsoft uncher is the evolution of the old Arrow uncher, which was pretty neat in itself, albeit now with some fresh features added gloss. For example, if you’re looking at a photo, document, or webpage on the phone, you can send it with a tap to a linked via your Microsoft account. It also centers on a customizable Feed screen with your calendar, most-used apps, news, more, navigational gesture options can make it feel even more personalized.
DisneyNO/strong>
l the Disney TV stuff you’ll ever need, wherever you want it.
If you or your kids are into Disney stuff, then you won’t need to keep multiple apps hy for things like streaming video games—the new DisneyNOapp hles it all. DisneyNObrings together content from various Disney media portals, including Disney Channel, Disney nior, Disney XD, Radio Disney, letting you watch shows, original movies, music videos, more with ease.
You’ll need a cable or satellite subscription to access the bulk of the video content, however, but the app also has free games based on its shows, which anyone can access. DisneyNOhas a bright, graphics-heavy look, plus it’s customizable, letting you choose an avatar tweak your stream with your favorite shows.
Batman: The Enemy thin
Guiding Batman’s life means controlling Bruce yne sometimes, too.
Did you play Batman: The Telltale Series? (No? Then point your eyes in that direction start with the first five-episode series.) If you’ve already finished that one you’re looking for more, the second season—titled Batman: The Enemy thin—is now available as a stalone app. And unlike most Telltale series when they first release, the initial episode is totally free, with the later ones still sold within for $5 a pop or $15 for the season bundle.
ke other Telltale games, The Enemy thin is a narrative adventure that puts a hefty premium on choice, whether it’s during conversation or when making significant calls in key situations, those all factor into the flow of the story the ultimate conclusion. And Telltale’s take on the Caped Crusader has a unique edge, as Bruce yne discovers something about his family’s past that sends his own dual life into a bit of a spiral. You can start fresh with The Enemy thin, but as suggested, you’re better off playing the first series beforeh.
