It’s not going to set the world on fire like Kingdom Rush did, but if you’re already sold on tower defense games, Crystal Siege HD is well worth adding to the collection.

As a puzzler, Framed is a sought-after package: a special brand of visual problem solving. A sleuthy escape depends on its panel-switching mechanic, which feels like second nature.

Space Age has a few hiccups, but manned voyages into the great beyond rarely go perfectly, anyway. The game promises you a “cosmic adventure,” and it delivers said adventure alongside laughs and sharp writing.

They’re certainly not enough for me not to recommend World of Warriors. Yes, we probably can’t call it WoW without confusing the heck out of some people, but this is one game that shouldn’t need a catchy abbreviation to earn some fans.

For a team with an unspoken rule of adding a signature twist to well-trod concepts, Golfinity’s gameplay hooks seem to hew disappointingly close those of Blinkbat Games’ much-talked-about time killer.

The game will be enjoyed most by players already familiar with the aspects of Icewind Dale and are seeking a mobile dosage of Dungeons and Dragons on the go. But if you’re not a seasoned veteran, approach these cold mountains with caution.

It can’t be easy making mobile games with an educational bent, as they have to compete with more mindless fare for both mind share and precious space on people’s mobile devices. The best way to win that battle is to be fun enough for kids to want to play them and smart enough for parents to want them around, and The Counting Kingdom succeeds on both fronts.

You go back to it again and again because levels are passable – you just wind up trying again and again until the candy gods take pity on you and finally issue a board that gives you a fair chance at succeeding.

Big Hero 6: Bot Fight isn’t the best puzzle / battle game on the digital marketplace, but kids that download it on the car ride home from the movie will love the action, character cameos, and the clank-clank of robot battles.

It’s precisely this fascination with mirroring form and function that makes The Sailor’s Dream so uninteresting to rate. To rank neatly among a pantheon of other toys assigned numbers. If there was every any question of it before, let there be none now: Simogo is doing the most significant, impactful work in mobile today.

Star Wars: Galactic Defense borrows liberally from Kingdom Rush and doesn’t bring anything new to the table, but I’m not one to complain about Star Wars-themed anything, so it works for me.

If you enjoy the number crunching and min/max aspects of dungeon crawlers, this game is for you. Or if you ever played Diablo and thought that you’d enjoy it a lot more if it only you didn’t have to be bothered to actually push any buttons, this is probably exactly the experience you seek. Everyone else is going to wonder why there isn’t more game in the gameplay, and no amount of cute story or eye-catching graphics will be enough to make this any more interesting.

That said, if you can ignore the missions and just find fun in the gameplay, Run Sackboy! Run! offers a tremendously good time for gamers in search of a new endless runner to add to their collection.

As the third iteration in Pixelbyte’s Reckless Racing franchise, Reckless Racing 3 continues to deliver the excellent gaming experience that the series has become known for.

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

This is gaming stripped down to its bare bones. Woah Dave! is the grunge rock of video games, and I’m loving every minute of it.

While Swap Heroes’ shortcomings are a bit frustrating and may cause you to lose a match once in a blue moon, the overall experience is a good one. There’s an interesting puzzle game here that drives you to try over and over.

Sure, the game has the inevitable major corporation influence, but at the very core, there’s a genuine challenge to try and tackle.

If you love Lord of the Rings and can put up with the grind that is needed to get an A+ Fellowship, then you’ll probably have a decent time with The Lord of the Rings: Legends of Middle-earth.

Camouflaj definitely delivered on its promise of the longest chapter so far, though some of it is like busy work in the sense that it makes you anxious to get through it just to see what twists the story is going to take.

Puzzle to the Center of the Earth co-opts match-3 to make a brutal puzzle-platformer in the most literal sense. It’s utterly fascinating, and rewarding in a way few games are.

The result is simply that Splot is best experienced in short bursts of a few stages at a time, ideal for on-the-go mobile gaming but less fit for binge-playing.

Until then, we compromise, and if you love the NHL and want a number of different ways to explore those feelings, NHL 2K is a pretty good one.

Yes Chef! is a cute and fun match-three game.

It’s got upside, no doubt, but like that highly drafted rookie that tests fans’ patience, the question is how many people will stick around waiting for it to pan out.

Fat Princess: Piece of Cake is not a bad example of a match-3 RPG, it’s just a rote experience once you get past the fact that you get a free game for playing it long enough.

Players who enjoyed the first part of Joe’s journey will absolutely find more to love in Episode Two, in both execution and conclusion.

Hardwood enthusiasts should take a look, but everyone else can safely give My NBA 2K15 a pass.

But being a mediocre action-RPG is not the point of Hail to the King: Deathbat; this is a game by Avenged Sevenfold for their fans, and unless you are one, stay away from this game.

It’s not perfect, but it’s so charming that you have to at least give it a spin.

Any kids who are still enamored with the Cars franchise are going to love this game, and parents should appreciate the fac that it’s not pushing anythng on us but itself.

Despite its flaws, the new Diner Dash is a decent distraction. If you’re not burned out on time management games, and if you can get around the free-to-play panhandling, you should welcome Flo back into your life.

Best Fiends’ gameplay isn’t entirely original, but it’s polished and engaging enough that we want to play it. Until the energy meter is revisited, however, there’s little reason to waste your time here.

Despite the present issues, Castaway Paradise in its current state is still more vacation than vexation.

As it is, this game is interesting enough of a challenge for just enough time that 99 cents for the curious player will not feel like a waste.

Terra Battle is creative, well put-together, and it consistently shows you a good time.

Skullduggery! has managed to implement unbelievably simple touch controls in a varied and intricate world, creating a wide range of action and challenges that provide rapid-fire, brain-bouncing fun.

It doesn’t revolutionize it, and it’s not trying to. Regardless, Adventure Xpress is still plenty entertaining for fans of the genre.

Pumped BMX 2 is a sharp, clean biking game.

There are plenty of rewards for those who dive in, but I still think Pokémon TCG Online’s entry to the iPad could have been smoother.

I think Robots Need Love Too is worth downloading just to see how non-binary gender representation can be done. It’s just ironic that a game with progressive values actually does a poor job with game progression.

Card Dungeon has the same aesthetics, but nowhere near the same depth and humor, and unless you just really like the idea of a roguelike in the shape of a tabletop game, it’s quite possible you’re going to be disappointed.

It’s just in a completely different class than anything else out there.

In the end, Kill Shot does little to differentiate itself from a pack of similar titles that also require you to perform the same kills, over and over.

It’s a game that is what it is, and it’s fun – but it’s inherently limited.

Beyond the fact that it’s a pretty standard tower defense game, there is little to dislike about Anomaly Defenders.

Despite dishing out small helpings of frustration here and there, The Secret of Raven Rock is a good-looking adventure title with solid gameplay.

Like a soccer player who favors one foot, FIFA 15 Ultimate Team depends entirely on its one strength. Still, that one gameplay mode is a successful one, and at least the game has stopped pretending to be something it’s not.

Is the fun of an RPG putting in the work to get the loot, or the loot itself? Epic Island is for the person who believes the latter.

Cursed Treasure 2 is very much a game for seasoned tower defense gamers.

Amazing Battle Creatures’ so-so gameplay combined with its technical issues makes it an unremarkable monster-collecting game.

The only glaring omission from Beach Buggy Racing is multiplayer, as this is a game that would be an aboslute blast to play against five other humans, or even just against friends with a few AI drivers thrown in.

I like what this game does, I just think that with a structure that decreases tedium, it’d be much more fun.

There are plenty of other games that are cheaper, or free, that can deliver a much more polished and rewarding experience. But if you’re in the market for a game that is absurd in every way imaginable, you can’t go wrong with Goat Simulator.

It’s a brilliant horror experience.

Plunder Pirates is a mild, pleasant brew, but you’ve tasted its kind before.

I really wanted to like Phantom Rift. And in a lot of ways, I do. The combat is everything I was hoping for, and finding new spells and gear never failed to put a smile on my face. Unfortunately, in it’s current state it feels more like a proof of concept than a finished product.

Once again, Big Fish Games has devised new sways to enrich the match-three genre.

It can confidently be said Dragon Quest I is one of the best RPGs on mobile (possibly only bested by its big brothers), and though it’s a shorter game, its $2.99 price tag is perfectly reasonable.

I had a good time with Chronology, and I’m going to bet you will too. It’s brief, but makes great use of its ideas. Time travel is an underused gameplay mechanic, and I hope more games use it like Chronology does.

Spider-Fans and endless runners alike shouldn’t miss this one.

Just imagine playing Mega Man 2 and having a screen-filling message pop up during a fight with Air Man. “You’re out of energy! Pay 99 cents to keep playing, or return to the level select screen.” It’s like a joke scene penned for a web comic, but it’s very real in The Sleeping Prince.

For now, while an excellent, fun way to kickstart the grey matter in the short-term, GREG soon becomes shallow. On a platform and in a genre filled with so much compelling competition, that’s not a great way to set out your stall.

It’s a good game with a lot of good aspects to it that will satisfy those who are satisfied by this type of game.

Super Monkey Ball Bounce is a decent game.

As such, CounterSpy is quite the interesting – and ambitious – game for mobile, and I’m excited to see a console game release in a similar form on mobile, only weeks after the console one comes out! But it’s hard to not be left wanting by CounterSpy.

Angry Birds Stella is fun and its cast is charming, but it’s not as if it delivers a wildly innovative experience. What’s here has been done before. And again.

The Journey Down: Chapter Two is hard to put down, and is absolutely worth your time, regardless of if you play point-and-click adventures, though definitely check out chapter one first if possible.

Don’t play Real Fishing 2014. It is a game that cares so little about its players and providing a fun experience for them that we just can’t recommend it.

All in all, Jewel Fight is an entertaining package and quite deep and detailed with the armour purchasing and jewel matching.

Mikey Boots is a nice reminder of a time when mobile games weren’t aiming to compete toe-to-toe with consoles and PC. When you consider the series is only a few years old, that’s kind of mind-blowing.

Little Raiders: Robin’s Revenge is unique and fun, and receiving tons of loot makes victory pretty sweet.

If you have never seen Wipeout, or any other show like it, what you’re getting here is a just-average platformer with some control issues — a very forgettable experience by the finish line.

Gemini Strike is not a perfect game, but one with enough redeeming elements and things that can, at worst, be addressed in updates, that it’s worth checking out for the curious – especially at that free price.

It’s not as super-intense as Threes! can be, but it doesn’t try to be either. So if you liked the idea of Threes! but found the game to be too intimidating, give Swipe & Slash a try.

In my opinion, the original BioShock is a nearly flawless experience. It’s lacking only in a few gameplay elements that were later introduced in BioShock 2, such as dual-wielding. But in being translated to iOS and touchscreens, it loses a lot more. I

Playing Epic Eric may sometimes feel like having your ankle chewed up by gears, but it hurts so good.

Joe Dever’s Lone Wolf Act 3 does add a new monster or two to the action, although practically speaking there’s not much to distinguish them from their predecessors aside from being bigger and badder.

Almost everything about Back to Bed seems designed with the player in mind, from the quirky narration to its speed-up button to the minimal punishment for failure. The re-purposed Surrealist objects create a unique dreamscape that is a treat to wander, and Nightmare mode provides a surprising amount of replay value.

As it stands, Almightree is a capable puzzle game offering a unique assortment of challenges that fall just short of their potential.

Tiny Tower Vegas is a well put-together experience that demonstrates NimbleBit still cares about its most popular property.

Yet, something about Dodo Master spurs you on. Maybe it’s the booming soundtrack. Maybe it’s the trap designs (knives on fire!). Maybe it’s the fact you’re playing as a fat-bottomed bird. Either way, it is possible to get a significant serving of fun out of the game – at least enough to drive you to try again after you die.

If you’re a fan of Japanese horror or visual novels (Saya no Uta comes to mind) you should find plenty to love in Corpse Party. And even if you’re not a fan, give it a try anyway!

Those who want to get in on something that could be really cool early on should pick up Light Apprentice now. Those who want something a bit more substantial? Maybe wait.

It lacks the substance and staying power of other mobile games in the series like Assassin’s Creed Pirates, but it’s an experiment that works well and does better than one might expect.

Overall, Deep Under The Sky is a great little casual game that does some neat, fresh things, while simultaneously looking very prettying doing so.

Star Wars Clash of Clans is Star Wars Clash of Clans. If that sounds appealing to you, you’re going to really dig what Star Wars Commander has to offer. If you didn’t like Clash of Clans, this probably isn’t going to turn you around.

It’s still very much incomplete as a football game, but it’s better in nearly every area than its predecessor, and there’s something to be said for incremental improvement.

If Hearthstone or Magic have worn out their welcome and you’re looking for something with a little more oomph, give this a try instead.

WWE SuperCard is a very decent card-battling game that’s more concerned about engaging players than bleeding them dry with in-app purchases.

Like any drinking game, Max Gentlemen is good for a few rounds but should be shelved before it comes to fisticuffs.

BoxPop is technically a series of standard knight’s tours, but presented in such a way that they feel like a brand new puzzle designed specifically for mobile play.

Panda PandaMonium is a refreshing and entertaining descendent of traditional mahjong.

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

Spellfall is free, so despite its aggressive panhandling for in-app purchases, you have nothing to lose by downloading it. But it would have been nice to drop a couple of bucks for a great-looking match-three battle game that lets you concentrate on its story without being pulled out of the fantasy by sales pitch after sales pitch.

Sentinel 4: Dark Star is a beefy game, making tower defense as dense as possible. While the Sentinel is unique to this series, the game doesn’t otherwise muck around too much with tower defense conventions – it’s just got a lot to it.

If you’ve made it through Justice and Wright’s previous misadventures you’ve likely already learned to cope. If not, this probably isn’t the best place to start anyway, as it really helps to know the characters ahead of time. If you’re one of the former, however, this is an excellent new addition to the franchise, and perhaps the best version of the game so far.

Frontier Heroes was a great idea, but it was ultimately poorly executed. What we have here is a collection of mostly forgettable mini-games sprinkled with interesting historical facts.