When we think of multiplayer mobile games, titles such as PUBG and Fortnite immediately pop into our mind. The only catch is that most online multiplayer games are somewhat time-consuming and require you to be at your phone for quite a while. But what if you’re looking for a game that is not so time-consuming and easy to set up and play? Well, that’s what we found with Dual.
Between people across screens
So what exactly is Dual? Well, think of it as a multiplayer game where two people use their mobile devices (smartphones or tablets) to shoot from one screen to the other screen. While this may sound confusing and difficult, setting Dual up is actually quite simple.
Obviously, Dual needs to be downloaded on both devices in order for it to be usable. The file size is quite small (around 9MB). Once downloaded, we were guided through a small tutorial of how the game works. Once that was done, it was time to play Dual.
Dual can work either via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. If you’re going to be using Bluetooth, then functionality is limited to Android devices alone. In addition, because it’s Bluetooth, you will have to stay at a relatively close distance to each other. On the other hand, Wi-Fi connectivity ensures that you can play Dual on any device as long as both devices are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Playing Dual
Playing via Bluetooth means that you have to pair both devices first. If you have already paired a device to your own device previously, then setup is easier. Else you can discover and pair a device through Dual itself. Once everything is paired and ready to go, we were ready to duel in Dual (pun intended).
The objective of Dual is to dodge incoming bullets from your opponent. At the same time, you too can shoot bullets at your opponent as well. Think of it as a smartphone version of dodgeball. You can move your ship around by tilting the phone. This makes it go sideways, backwards and forward as well. The game starts you off with a square ship with 6 bullets. You can tap your screen to fire individual bullets or hold down the screen to shoot a volley of 6 bullets at your opponent.
Dueling with Dual
Each time a bullet makes contact with the opposing ship, the color of the ship fades. Once the ship is completely out of color, you win the game. Once the 6 bullets are over, it takes a few seconds to recharge and reload. This means you have to time your shots carefully and make sure each bullet counts or risk being defenseless till your bullets are recharged.
More complicated shapes such as triangles, hexagons and an “X” are also available. These make it a bit more difficult to target as well. However, you need to unlock the full game for that. That in turns costs around LKR 300. While that may seem like a lot, it actually adds a lot more content to the game such as all the new ships, and two additional game modes called Defend and Deflect.
In Defend mode, you can work together with a partner to defend the middle from an onslaught of attackers. In Deflect, you score goals by blasting, banking, and curving the ball from one screen to the other. The best part is, rather than both parties having to purchase the full game, only one person needs to have the full version unlocked.
How good is Dual, really?
In all honesty, this was one of the most fun games we’ve played in a really long time. The mechanics of the game are really easy to follow. The trick lies in figuring out where your opponent’s ship is. Akin to Battleships, you’re essentially shooting blindly in the hope that at least one bullet makes contact with your opponent’s ship.
The additional thrill is that both ships are moving. Also, because it requires Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi to function, Dual also brings you closer to your friends and family for some simple entertainment. As Chris Charlton of Kaijupop says” “…sending bullets across to someone else’s phone as you sit opposite them has a curious sense of technological magic to it.”.
Dual is strangely addictive
Since it was installed, we’ve had more than our fair share of time playing Dual. The fact that you can just challenge anyone across the room and quickly and easily adds to the thrill of the game. Getting down to the brunt of it, the concept of the game is devilishly simple. But it’s so well executed that you find yourself getting strangely addicted to it. Especially if you’re meeting a friend and you’re bored while waiting for your food to arrive.
Overall, Dual gives you a novel and unique aspect of multiplayer to the table. It’s light, easy to play and will keep you hooked on it for hours. The only catch that we could find was that sometimes Bluetooth connectivity is a bit buggy, especially if you haven’t previously paired your devices before. Wi-Fi, on the other hand, was extremely quick to connect.
Have you tried Dual? Love it? Hate it? We would love to hear from you.
