Heads Up!

Rating: 3.4	Downloads: 10,000,000+
Category: Word	Offer by: Warner Bros. International Enterprises

Heads Up! is a location-based augmented reality (AR) mobile game where players explore the real world to capture creatures, known as ‘Critters’, using their smartphone camera and GPS. It falls under the popular AR and location-based gaming genre, often compared to Pokémon GO. The game is interesting because it brings interactive gameplay right onto your street, encouraging exploration while battling unique creatures in real-time.

The gameplay of Heads Up! is engaging and intuitive. Players aim their phone forward, encountering Critters that appear in their environment. The visual style cleverly blends the player’s surroundings with digital creatures in an AR format. The simple capture and battle mechanics offer quick, accessible fun, making the game appealing despite its potentially challenging Critters.

Gameplay and Features

• [Core Gameplay Loop]: The core is simple: walk around, encounter Critters by looking through your phone’s camera, battle them to weaken them, and capture them by spinning the Critter while aiming at it. The objective is to collect Critters to build your collection and potentially battle them against others. Players interact with the game world by walking, tapping, and swiping on their phone.
• [Visuals or Art Style]: Heads Up! features charmingly designed, colourful Critters rendered in a stylized cartoon art style that fits the AR overlay. The game uses your phone’s camera view realistically, with Critters appearing superimposed in your surroundings, creating a delightful blend of digital and physical spaces.
• [Modes or Levels]: Players can explore freely in the real world. Critters appear in specific areas, and some might require players to move to designated zones for certain features or encounters. There’s no traditional level system, but player strength increases by capturing and battling tougher Critters, adding to the replayability as players aim to catch everything and tackle harder challenges.
• [Controls or Interface]: Gameplay primarily relies on touch controls. Tapping focuses on a Critter, swiping attacks, pinching to zoom, and holding down buttons to perform special moves. The interface is generally straightforward and easy to navigate, although mastering the aiming and timing of attacks requires practice.
• [Customization or Power-ups]: Players don’t earn traditional power-ups or gear. Customization is limited to collecting Critters. Motivation for ongoing play comes from building a collection, competing in leaderboards for specific Critters or types, and the constant availability of new Critters or special events, often tied to real-world locations or holidays.

How to Play

Beginner’s Guide:

• Step 1: Download and install the Heads Up! app from your device’s app store. Sign up or log in with a social media account. Turn on your phone’s GPS (Location Services) and ensure Bluetooth is enabled for the AR experience.
• Step 2: Once you’re inside the main AR view, simply walk around your designated playing area (often your yard or park). Look around by moving your phone. Tap on any Critter you spot to select it. Swipe towards the Critter to initiate an attack or spin your own Critter (if you have one out) to attack.
• Step 3: Battle the Critter until its health bar empties or it faints. After a win, tap the capture button (often represented by a pokeball icon) near the Critter to attempt capturing it. Repeat to collect more Critters and build your inventory, aiming for the Critter of the Day or other challenges.

Pro Tips:

• Use the camera view effectively: Keep your phone stable and move it smoothly to track Critters. Don’t zoom too far in, as it can make aiming harder.
• Learn attack patterns: Different Critters attack differently. Watch their movements, anticipate attacks, and dodge by moving your phone away from the Critter to avoid damage.
• Master the capture window: The capture button appears only when Critters are weak (near defeated health) and the AR frame is aligned. Move quickly but precisely to increase capture success.

Similar Games

Game Title	Why It’s Similar
Pokémon GO	A hugely popular AR game that shares a similar core concept of exploring the real world using GPS and camera to catch creatures. Known for its massive player base and constant updates with new Pokémon and events.
Harry Potter: Wizards Unite	Another location-based AR game, this one with a fantasy RPG theme. It appeals to players who like exploring for interactive elements. Offers narrative quests and villain encounters in addition to creature catching.
Ingress	A location-based AR game focused on capturing and linking portals (points of interest) with different colored energy fields. While mechanics differ slightly (portal control vs. Critter catching), both games encourage real-world exploration and have a strong sense of community.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Heads Up! free to play, or are there costs involved?
A: Heads Up! is primarily free. However, there are in-app purchases available for items like extra pokeballs or cosmetic outfits for Critters. The core game mechanics, like catching Critters, are fully playable for free, although power-ups or additional resources require payment.

Q: Can I play Heads Up! competitively against other players?
A: Yes! While the main goal is often collection, you can compete by participating in special events, challenges, or by aiming to be the top Critter catcher for specific types in your local area. Some features might allow direct battling against other players if they release information about their Critters.

Q: What is the best way to encounter rarer Critters quickly?
A: Rarer Critters often appear in specific, designated areas or during special events. Check the in-game map for Critter spawn points or event zones. Participating in daily or weekly challenges often rewards you with rare Critters. Sometimes, simply exploring different neighbourhoods can increase your chances of finding specific types.

Q: How do I find out what the “Critter of the Day” is?
A: The Critter of the Day feature is usually displayed prominently in the game’s main menu. You might also receive push notifications or in-game alerts telling you which Critter you should look out for and where it might spawn. Sometimes, specific Critters appear only briefly on certain maps.

Q: Does the time of day affect where Critters appear or how they behave?
A: Generally, time of day does not significantly alter Critter behaviour or spawn locations. Critters tend to appear based on location, proximity to portals (if using AR mode), and specific events. However, some special events or limited-time features might be tied to time of day, and certain Critters might have peak activity during certain hours, though this is usually subtle.

Screenshots