MDC Tech

Sometimes life fails to entertain us, what with its lack of clear goals, score keeping, and antagonists that you can easily avoid. Luckily, augmented reality (AR) games provide all that and more. Ignore the looks on the faces of those around you and get in on the fun with our list of five favorites.

5. ARSoccer Updating the classic game of “kick the can,” this game lets you knock around a soccer ball of your choice. We don’t recommend crossing the street while playing (since you have to stare down at your phone), but it’s good for a bit of mindless fun.

4. Parallel Kingdom This free game combines massively multiplayer role-playing games with location-based social networking. You control your character around an adventure-filled environment layered over the real world, fighting enemies, leveling up, and buying new items.

3. Dimension Invaders It’s a 50s horror movie come to life. Round, vaguely menacing balls of energy advance on you from all directions, and it’s your job to blast them out of the air. The game costs a well-deserved 0.99, which gets you twelve lengthy levels.

2. Augmented Car Finder AR Car Finder isn’t really a game, but you’ll feel like a winner each time you use it. The game uses location-based technology to remember where you parked your car, and then guides you back to it with a steady hand. While it’s subject to hiccups, being able to avoid parking lot frustration even half of the time is a step forward.

1. SpecTrek Our favorite game is also the one that gives us nightmares. Shows like Ghost Hunters capitalize on the thrill of hunting down the unexplained. In SpecTrek, the unexplained hunts you. Ghosts pop up all over the world, and you use the iPhone’s camera to scoop them up and save the day. The people around you will thank you.