When it comes to combat sims, you'll be hard-pressed to do better than Backyard Monsters: Unleashed. It's got all the right parts in the right order, and it doesn't force microtransactions on you at any point.

The combination of exploration and building meshes well in Eat Eat Hooray! and gives the game a good deal of personality and character.

Sure I’ve got some minor quibbles about Miles & Kilo, but the game as a whole is plenty enjoyable. The slight but appreciated variety it offers is nice, it doesn’t treat players like infants, and it manages to be tough without resorting to frustrating punishment. All in all, it’s not a bad place to get marooned on.

But nitpicks aside, Bik is otherwise a charming adventure game throwback and well worth a play for fans of the genre.

You'll likely play it frequently and often without thinking. Skipping Stone is the kind of game you play when you have five minutes to spare and need something to occupy your hands. Given its outrageously affordable price, this makes it a definite must buy.

Bottle Cap Blitz is a slick little timewaster that doesn't try to be anything more complicated than it is, and instead caters to those who are looking for a trusty app to spend five or twenty minutes with on the commute to work or while sitting on the throne. It does its job, and makes bottle cap tossing pretty darn fun.

Slick and simple, and at times, fun that's bordering frenetic. Despite the lack of diversity in gameplay and sound, as well as few new challenges introduced throughout, the game's an easy-to-pick-up diversion that tests your multitasking ability.

Great fun for pocket gamers.

Of course it’s only natural to expect some form of time-based gating when dealing with a free-to-play game. And as far as I’m concerned Heroes of Destiny does a great job of keeping those gates from becoming a huge problem. It’s full of loot and characters to acquire and upgrade, so there’s plenty of reason to keep playing for quite a while. And of course it’s fun to play. There’s always that.

While virtual controls are still a compromise I'm not completely comfortable with, Kung Fu Rabbit sweetens the deal with level design that makes sense for the platform.

It may be hard for Fable Age to jump out at gamers already worn on similar games, and if so, that would be a real shame. This is easily one of the better choices in the genre.

Aiko Island is a fun little game that contains an insane amount of content in a very attractive package. Its vast quantity of puzzles, combined with excellent production values, will keep fans of the genre entertained for quite some time.

It's certainly fun. But without much of a game there and no way to enjoy it single player, you really need to know what you're getting into less you be disappointed in what you find. That being said if your gaming does meet these criteria, Fingle is truly unique and definitely worth giving a try.

There’s an awful lot here to like. If you’re a fan of old fashioned leapers then you’re going to be in your element here. And if you’re not, well there’s enough new stuff going on that you’re likely going to leave with a smile on your face as well.

Space Grunts isn’t the most original roguelike game in town, but it offers a decent challenge while remaining friendly for newcomers.

The game is a wonderful take on the Air Hockey concept, with tons of action-packed twists every way you turn, and that frantic addictiveness of a great arcade game. The environmental hazards and power-ups are exciting and unique, and I don’t think I’ll ever look at a regular old game of Air Hockey quite the same again!

Except for occasional crashes and the waiting you’ll need to do if you ever have all of your toys wiped out, there are few things not to like about Toy Rush.

Space Marshals 2 is a worthy sequel, one full of panache and swagger, and if you like your gaming on the go to have a little more to it than popping bubbles or squishing pigs, then you’re going to lap it up.

All that's missing from SlotSpot is a catchy hook, like that song from the first paragraph I don't want to mention again. But it does have that same subtly addictive quality as Carly Rae, and now that it's available online and on the go, you just may be adding it to your rotation of free slots games.

This is exactly the sort of game I could see myself playing with my friends, back when I was nine; sitting around the living room, watching everyone try to get the farthest without messing up. I would have had a blast with SpongeBob Game Frenzy, and as it stands, grown-up me had a bit of fun with the game too.

Dungeon Gems is readily compared to other collectible card and matching games which means it isn’t a ground-breaking game. E

Overall, 80 Days is a wonderful game.

Clay Jam is an extremely satisfying experience shaped from mounds of sheer joy. Its graphics, creatures, music-and even the "tactile" response of gouging the clay world-are all constantly rewarding and hard to put down. For as often as I shouted in frustration at a quest, I laughed out loud ten times as much.

There's a lot of depth to Vampire Season; more than you'd expect from a game that wheels and deals so heavily in comedy.

Greedy Dwarf is a compelling amalgam of quality game mechanics that doesn’t take the lazy endless runner route and doesn’t waste the player’s time with chaff. Drag it out into the harsh light of day that Tiny Wings occupies and you’ll find that it looks like, well... a dwarf, but you’ll be content to stay underground with this one for a while.

Can’t Drive This lacks a little finesse at times, and is perhaps a touch overpriced. But the way it manages to build a fully featured game around what could be a throwaway idea is undeniably impressive. Just don’t bother if you’re going to play it alone.

Taken on its own merits, Reign of Dragons is an excellent iOS CCG that's sure to provide hours upon hours of enjoyment and habit-forming card gathering. The problem is that it's extremely difficult for anyone who's dabbled in Mobage's cash cow not to start a mental comparison.

Mall Stars doesn't grant you a remarkably original gameplay experience. It's safe, and more than anything: it's easy to pick up and play, the graphics are colorful, and the big-headed character designs don't stray too far from the social/mobile gaming standard. That said, Mall Stars is pretty difficult to stop playing, even if you've spent a considerable chunk of your life as a retail slave. That's saying something.

Cally’s Caves 3 features some very nice-looking sprites and background images, and its soundtrack fills your ears with gritty techno. Its controls are highly responsive, though the nature of touch-screen d-pads means you’ll inevitably miss a jump from time to time.

If you can find a relatively quiet spot in which to play FNAF 4, you’ll find the game is otherwise well put-together.

Jurassic Park Builder's core gameplay certainly doesn't break new ground, but it builds a solid experience with its old materials. Even if you master dinosaur wrangling, however, don't get too confident: life finds a way (to eat you alive).

Kid Tripp is a fine game, but it is probably not going to be for everyone, as its aim seems to be intensely focused on a certain type of audience. But if you're up for a challenge, then you should waste no time in downloading this one.

A little ways in the game finally begins to reveal itself to the player through some pretty inventive and fun worlds filled with interesting puzzles to solve. It takes a little time to warm up, but once it does, Incoboto is well worth the trip.

Getting back to what the series did right in the first two games was definitely the right move. Despite the multiplayer missteps, Dungeon Hunter 4 is a fun way to let off some steam by slashing or blasting your way through a horde of enemies. And as we all know, it’s not like the fantasy worlds out there are going to be running out of dungeons any time soon.

King’s made some good moves removing the frustrating points objectives, streamlining the interface, and maintaining the more entertaining aspects of the game. And although they haven’t exactly broken new ground with it, King’s Bubble Witch Saga 2 is still a nice casual diversion that looks pretty and plays well.

The mood of Dark Dimensions: Homecoming is slightly on the spooky side, but this is a game that doesn’t take its story genre too seriously. Expect a healthy amount of mystery and intrigue as you dig through the mansion’s otherworldly mysteries, and expect a solid grounding in character motivations and puzzle solutions, too. Homecoming is a well-balanced and entertaining game that hits all the right marks.

If you're in the mood for a decent zoo sim, Wonder Zoo will do the job. It's not a barrel full of monkeys, exactly, but neither is it a barrel full of scorpions.

Warlords RTS makes some compromises to accommodate the restrictions of its interface and display but for the most part they work well, and despite my misgivings about the large number of relatively expensive in-app purchases, I came away impressed.

I’m a big fan of pixelated titles and management/simulation games, so I knew Discounty was for me, and it didn’t disappoint.

The entire Redemption Cemetery: Salvation of the Lost experience is understated and intriguing. The puzzles are well thought out and provide just the right amount of challenge. Mini-games and hidden object scenes are used sparsely so you always appreciate their arrival, and the game’s unique raven-element system is a nice touch. Redemption Cemetery also manages to avoid most of the cliches common in casual adventure games, freeing you up to enjoy some crazy items and even crazier puzzle solutions.

Those looking for a fierce puzzle fix with relentless high score chasing should look elsewhere; this is not a twitchy manic experience. Players who enjoy a mellow, contemplative process of puzzle solving, with room for ongoing improvement should certainly consider Campfire Cooking.

Taking a game from Wii to iOS probably wouldn't work for a lot of titles, but Rage of the Gladiator manages to do it with style. It turns out the motion controls weren't essential to the experience, and anyone who enjoys boxing, gladiator or mobile action games in general are probably going to find something they like here.

Haypi Monster doesn't quite hold a candle to Nintendo's multi-sequel juggernaut but it's probably the closest thing we iOS users will have to satiate ourselves for a while. Personally, I'd consider that a good thing.

Dragon Mania Legends is a good distraction for anyone that wants their very own pet dragon, which is obviously everyone in the entire universe.

If you're into extreme sports, or extreme versions of extreme sports (it almost seems to B.A.S.E. jumping what Mirror's Edge is to parkour), then you should have plenty of fun playing this game. It's fun, plays well, and has quite a few (read: 47) levels to play through as you try to get the best score you can, and then beat that.

Traffic Panic London knows exactly what kind of title it is, and it isn't ashamed of it. Extremely simple in its design, the game doesn't even bother with a tutorial--perhaps because there's almost nothing to explain. It is the definition of a simple but fun game.

Finger Tied isn't the first "it's kinda like Twister but with your fingers" experience we've seen on the iPad, but it's the best I've played.

So even though the game might be a little too easy at times with a score system that greatly favors your melee attacks over your weapon-based ones, Bloodstroke is still a bloody and beautiful good time.

If you’re looking for a new resource management sim, then this is a damn good bet. It’s gorgeous, it’s deep, and you can dip in and out, or lose hours to it, depending on the way you like to play. It’s not going to convert anyone to its genre’s cause, but there’s a happy slosh to everything going on on your little world. If you like it, then you’re going to love it.

Even with these problems, Deus Ex: The Fall sets a precedent for first-person shooters on mobile. The touch controls are the best among mobile shooters, and the story does a great job complementing them.

Clods Wallup is a bright and breezy game that’s going to leave you with a smile on your face. It’s well-written, well-designed and there’s enough fun here to keep you playing for a good few hours.

Between the great story, goofy characters, and solid production values, Evertales is easy to recommend. The gameplay might be a little too simple for hardcore action fans, but just about everyone else will love it.

A fun little game and hey, it's free!

City Cat is exactly the kind of game that gives the endless-runner genre a good name, and is perfect for people looking to game for reasons ranging from short and sweet fun, to experiencing addictive competition with their friends. Download this game immediately.

Lengthy initial install times and over reliance on forcing ads into players’ faces aside, Baseball Slam is a wonderfully ridiculous hybrid of two very unlikely ball games. It’s colorful, chaotic, easy to play, and even easier to keep playing. And this is all coming from someone who cares as much about the MLB as the current precipitation levels in Tasmania.

Boom! Tanks is a wonderful example of how simplicity can make for a fun action game.

By and large, Planet Buster is incredibly well done. It looks and sounds great, the gameplay is addictive and fast-paced, and the general setting is charmingly ridiculous. Pick this up: You won't be sorry you did.

Ultimately, Beholder will appeal to folks who enjoy a slow-burning mystery, playing an anti-hero, dystopic storylines, or challenging moral dilemmas. It’s a narrative experience that tests the kind of person you are, for better or worse, and offers an engaging opportunity to dabble in ethical ambiguity. Sometimes it’s fun to be the bad guy, and sometimes, it’s fun just to watch.

Avernum: Escape From The Pit provides plenty of bang for the buck in a world that's both impressively vast and well realized. Trying to escape a horrifying fate has rarely been this enjoyable.

The whole package isn’t exactly deep, but it strikes a satisfying balance between the pleasures of power mongering and the toothsome delights of heavier strategy titles.

The gameplay it still a little too easy for my liking and the puzzles barely qualify as puzzles, but it’s a fun time. And it’s also likely meant to be accessible to a younger audience, which is understandable.

The gameplay elements are really solid. The on-the-fly puzzle feeling is well thought-out, levels are put together perfectly, and the game manages action and strategy well. It's just not a story-telling game and, because it takes itself too seriously, it suffers in places. The game is worth playing, but it needs to lighten up a little.

Pangolin should wind up with more fans than critics, though. Despite its frustrations, it's cute, it's unique, and swirling safely into the portal at the end of a level is oh-so satisfying. If you're into gravity puzzles and putting, pick up Pangolin. He's cuddlier than a golf ball any day of the week.

The play style of Jazz: Trump's Journey is wonderfully enjoyable for fans of the platforming genre. While the title does make use of rather common game mechanics, it also has a handful of interesting ones, and at least makes an attempt to use the commonplace in more unique manners. Additionally, the game's style is just fantastic, with any flaws being nothing more than picking nits.

It’s an entertaining mixture of racing and team management that lets you progress at your own pace and bond with your canine teammates. It wasn’t what I thought it was going to be, but I’m definitely okay with what it turned out to be.

In terms of presentation, the music lacks a certain freneticism – something that we would have expected to match the Asteroid Gunner's frantic gameplay. And while the visuals are serviceable, they aren't quite spellbinding. But as a total package, everything seems to come together as it should.

Aside from Epic Mode,there aren’t a whole lot of surprises in They Need to be Fed 2 if you’ve played the first game. That’s not necessarily a terrible thing if you enjoyed the first game. If you’re still hungry for more great 2D platforming that spits in gravity’s smug face, come on back for a second helping.

Twisty Hollow is just a solid game with a unique concept. Not game of the year material, perhaps, but a solidly entertaining puzzle game.

While I’m not sure how long the addiction will last, Color Switch is clearly my pick for Game of the Day. And by “the day,” I mean “all. day. long. just one more try I almost got past that last one just gimme one more minute GAHHHHH…”

Push the Box is also a dual victory: a cute, family-friendly game with interesting (albeit easy) and engaging puzzle design. A game worth playing, with piggies worth saving.

00 Trials will make you howl in frustration, but when you finally conquer a challenge on your twentieth try, the feeling of elation is unmatched.

While it's not terribly original, Fantastic Fish does what it does better than almost any other oceanic social game to date. Users of the most recent Apple hardware will probably deal with the loading much better than, say, 3GS users. But almost everyone will find something fun and worthwhile in Fantastic Fish. Definitely one worth reeling in.

Despite its control issues, Bee Leader is a game I feel every iDevice owner should try. Like a honeycomb dripping honey, it oozes quality from nearly every facet.

Ultimately, CityVille Hometown is exactly what it sounds like: a scaled-back version of CityVille that is specifically designed around the limitations of the iPhone. This makes for a mostly solid experience, that even boasts some improvements over the main version of the game.

I don’t think Order of Souls is for the hardcore RPG player – the one who regularly buys Kemco’s games or has no qualms shelling out $15-$20 for the latest Final Fantasy or Dragon Quest port. But for the player who wants a casual RPG that doesn’t feel like it’s dumbed-down? Order of Souls is a great choice.

Mega Dead Pixel is a formidable endless whatsit, and given its invisible entry fee, it's well worth giving a download. Just don't blame me when you start seeing falling pixels all over the place in your day-to-day life.

In a game where even failure is surprisingly soothing, the emotional reward of success is worth chasing.

It’s a terrific adventure that you get to make for yourself, and it’s packed beyond reason with personality, charm, and horrifying monstrosities. Even if you’re not keen on the lack of on-screen action I’d still recommend giving it a look.

There’s a thick and engaging experience here, and the way it builds on its sturdy foundations with intriguing new structures makes it one of the finest head-scratches that his hit mobile in the past few months.

As popular as the series is, some evolution needs to happen if it wants to have the long term staying power of a Mario or a Pac-Man. In Rio, we're starting to see the first glimmer of that evolution.

Slingshot Racing is as smooth graphically as it is in its tether turning system, and it's well worth a spin into your app library.

To be completely honest, Tap Tap Revenge Tour isn't tearing down any new walls. The game mechanics got tweaked, as did the graphics, and a pretty basic tour mode was added to extend playtime. This isn't so much a new game as it is an update of the same game that has been around since 2008.

Primrose Late: Twists of Fate is another dose of challenging, addictive time-management gameplay embroidered with a surprisingly rich story about the weird stuff that goes on in the country.

Can't Stop has that ephemeral quality that'll keep you hunched over your black mirror until the small hours, and you can't ask for much more than that.

He-Man: The Most Powerful Game in the Universe is shallow and straightforward, but it's fun. In fact, it's the most fun you can have with He-Man outside of re-watching your grainy VHS collection or engaging in grownup He-Man roleplay.

Combining the best elements of match-three, RPGs, and TCGs, Spirit Stones presents a hybrid pastime that does what so few social games do—plays like a game instead of a free-to-play business model.

Maybe the slot machines are supposed to be a metaphor for all of the dice rolls, seen and unseen, that affect every fantasy RPG from Dungeons & Dragons to World of Warcraft. It's also possible that's a massive over-thinking, and the guys from Game Stew Studio just really like to hit the casinos on their days off. Regardless, Tower of Fortune is one to bet on for a pretty great time.

Grumpy though I may seem about it, I actually kind of love Thimbleweed Park. It’s got a couple of weak spots, sure, but I’ve got no problem parroting all of the other reviews that have called it a love letter to classic point-and-click adventure games. They were right. So if you like that kind of stuff and you haven’t tried Thimbleweed Park yet for whatever reason, now is as good a time as any to see what the fuss is about.

If you detest clicker games, Clicker Heroes won’t turn you into a compulsive clicker. If you’re fond of clickers (however guiltily), or if you remember throwing away hours of your life on the web-based version of the game, your restless finger will thank you for your download.

Despite the game’s undoubted quality, at this stage we’d recommend this only to those who just have a Switch available to play this on – or simply must play it on the go. If you fall into one of those camps this is still a more than serviceable way to play one of the very best titles of 2020.

Despite these problems, Monster Adventures is a lovely adventure title with some big ideas. If monster collecting and roguelike adventures are your bag, this is one to tame. Just take it slow and easy at first.

Motorball is a smash and grab arcade blast of fun. It sets out its stall from the first match and doesn’t let up. Whether you’ve only got a couple of minutes to spare or a few hours to waste, Motorball is going to deliver.

Minor quibbles aside, Gunner Galaxies is still a solid shooter and an addictive spin on the Asteroids forumla. It can get repetitive in large doses, but for pick-and-play action it's just about perfect. It's a wonder the game is free.

Color Zen is a rewarding experience from start to finish; I only wish that finish didn’t come so quickly.

For the most part Queen’s Tales: Sins of the Past plays things safe. The puzzles and mini-games don’t take any changes, the hidden object scenes are on the average side of ordinary, and the story progression is largely predictable. There are a few fun extras that keep you entertained along the way, including hidden chess pieces and other stashed secrets. Overall it’s an enjoyable game that will leave you with a satisfied smile on your face.

Mobile Legends: Adventure isn’t particularly innovative, but it’s among the best examples of an idle AFK RPG you can find if that’s what you’re looking for. It’s pretty, fair, and packed with content, which is all anyone can really ask.

Overall, the endless levels, the engaging challenges, and the adorable aesthetic all make Little Broken Robots worth the free download for any puzzle fan.

The Treasure Seekers of Lady Luck won’t blow your mind with originality, but it’s still a perfectly pleasant and fun way to pass a few hours. Yo-ho, yo-ho, a pirate’s life for thee.