I can’t really say that Tap Transcend: Rebirth is the best clicker/idle game there is, but it clearly appeals to me in a big way. If 4X games appeal to you as well, I’d definitely recommend downloading this clicky twist on the genre and checking it out for yourself.

But it all means that Duck Roll never sparks into the sort of fiery, all consuming life that it needs to in order to get noticed in a crowded mobile market place. That’s a shame, because if you’re a fan of block-pushing puzzlers, there’s a worthwhile game here.

The good far outweighs the bad, of course. Severed is a fantastic adventure in more ways than one. Combat is satisfying and serves a genuine purpose, there’s lots to explore and revisit, and everything looks both wonderful and strange. In short, consider this one a must play.

Tinker Island is an exceedingly simple game, but it’s also pretty dang charming.

With a few tweaks here and there diep.io could be a brilliant addition to the mobile gaming canon, but as it stands it’s lacking in a few key departments that just hold it back from greatness.

ReRunners: Race for the World is eventually the kind of game you can dip in or out of (and believe me, you will), but to get the most, you’re going to have to dedicate some time early on to truly ‘get’ it. That’s a slight misstep for a game that should be all about accessibility. Stick with it though, and you’ll love the sense of achievement every time you win a race.

Perhaps the biggest success for Egg, Inc. is how it’ll still make you feel like you’re achieving something. By working towards an upgraded hen house, you can see a noticeable difference in how things go.

Minor eyestrain aside, I’ve been having a great time with The Guild of Dungeoneering. It’s a very clever combination of several individual elements that I’d have enjoyed on their own. And it can be as brutal as it is accessible. That’s a good thing.

Jewel Quest for Cash gets that, and it raises the stakes beyond bragging rights. More than that though, it’s a reminder of a time when match-3 games used to get your heart pumping.

Simply put, it doesn’t match the sheer joy of the original Dots.

With the few small issues aside, perhaps what’s most notable is that Suicide Squad: Special Ops is completely free. There are no energy systems, no gates aside from level progression, and not a single IAP to be had anywhere in the game. You can play for as long as you can survive, or as long as you’re willing to start over. Suicide Squad delivers a powerful hit, and you don’t have to drop a dime to get in on the action.

But if you’re looking for a tough as old boots game that doesn’t seem to follow any of the rules of making a successful mobile game in 2016, and yet still manages to be the sort of experience you’re likely to lose hours to, then Cubway is definitely worth your time.

It might just be a collection of mini versions of games we’ve seen before, but Rooms of Doom adds something special and new to each of this tiny slices of fun.

It’s funny, it’s fast, and while it might not be the freshest game out there, there’s more than enough going on here to keep you coming back for more.

Disney Emoji Blitz appreciates that it doesn’t have to try as hard as other games thanks to its licensing. That’s an issue, of course, because it really is a game you’ve played before.

Is that going to drag in the legions of Bat-fans? No idea, but if you’re looking for a strategy management game that does things slightly differently, and slightly darker, then it’s well worth a look.

While we’ve nothing against the genre, it’s undeniably sad to see Katamari downgraded into a free-to-play clicker game. Maybe it’d be a little easier to take if Tap My Katamari was meant to accompany a full-blown Katamari title. That doesn’t seem to be the case, alas.

Dead Venture is a brash and consuming mobile game that gets the balance between challenge and progression just right. Throw in a gorgeous blocky art style and a vast amount of things to do and you’re left with the sort of game that smartphones were made for.

Micro Machines isn’t the Micro Machines I remember from my youth, but then it was never going to be. What it is is an interesting little diversion with some solid ideas that, while it won’t take over the world, is a lot of fun while its got its claws in you.

On paper, this sounds good — and if you play well, you can play for a really long time. But this system becomes a huge barrier once the difficulty ramps up, and it ramps up big time, out of nowhere.

Sometimes the rhythm of the music doesn’t quite match the rhythm the game asks you to tap in. It’s not the biggest annoyance in the world, but it adds a twang of frustration to what should be a simple and satisfying waste of time. Other than that there’s nothing particularly wrong with Groove Galaxy.

Twilight Struggle is both a less demanding entry into the game for first time players and a perfect way for more seasoned gamers to take their addiction with them on the go. It won’t be for everyone, but the people who like it will absolutely love it.

Lighteaters is an engaging and entertaining slice of mobile gaming that doesn’t follow the crowd, and even if only for that alone, it’s well worth picking it up.

This isn’t a huge step forward for the genre, but what it manages to do is make something incredibly accessible more palatable to those who prefer a challenge.

I think Out There Chronicles is a story well worth navigating, especially if you’re a fan of the earlier release. There’s a lot to absorb here – intrigue, desperation, danger, waterless showers – even if you normally prefer a little more gameplay from your your trip “out there.”

Features can be added, bugs can be squashed, and eventually, everyone is going to be able to play Pokemon GO without any trouble. The things it already does well, like mashing up the world of pocket monsters with the more mundane reality we occupy, and not so subtly telling us to get out there and walk around, it already has down pat.

This is a brilliant jumping on place for Noodlecake’s ridiculous golfing franchise, and if you’ve ever glanced at the other games and wondered if they were for you, then this should be the title that finally pushes you to take the plunge. It’s the sort of experience that will leave you with a smile on your face, and sometimes that’s all you can ask for.

You only get so many chances at guessing the correct answer, but it’s worth taking that risk. And that is exactly how Tokyo 13 gets you. It gets under your skin, encouraging you to figure things out. Just how hard is it? Pretty hard actually, but you’ll enjoy finding it out for yourself.

Ultimately, there’s enough here to remind you to come back for more, with its fan service being a particular delight, especially when it comes to offering previously unreleased tracks. However, even non-fans who enjoy a solid RPG should be able to rock out to what Iron Maiden: Legacy of the Beast has to offer.

You’ll spend most of your time with the game frustrated at best, and annoyed at worst. And after a few hundred attempts at breaking through, with the hope that there is a great game here somewhere, you’ll realize that you’re wasting your time and head off to do something else.

If it doesn’t bother you that you’ll need to assemble the basketball equivalent of a small army, NBA LIVE Mobile is good fun, and unquestionably the best free NBA game on mobile right now.

This oddball mix of roguelike and rhythm game is a ton of fun. It’s definitely earned all the praise, and it feels right at home on a touch screen.

There’s a whole lot of downtime, and even when you are interacting with the app there isn’t much to do. However, while it’s not necessarily compelling there is a quiet sense of satisfaction to be had with it. Seeing these plants mature, even with very little involvement, still feels like something of an accomplishment.

It’s fast, it’s fun, and it follows the mobile gaming template close enough that it feels familiar and entertaining at the same time.

This is a solid, enjoyable mobile game that’ll keep you entertained for a good few hours if you’re willing to put the work in and stick with it.

Mighty Match is immediately welcoming in that regard, being about as casual-friendly as it gets. You’ll soon find yourself dipping into it every once in a while for that sweet sense of satisfaction; its simplicity is quite beguiling.

Best of all, it’s enjoyable - even when you sigh at yourself for the twentieth time because you were foolish and ran too fast. For those reasons, this is a particularly classy hardcore dungeon crawler.

Teeny Titans is a brilliant mash-up of RPG ideas, all gelled together by a top notch presentation and a clear passion for the source material.

If players take to it, CSR Racing 2 could end up as the rare sequel that improves upon the original in every way. This ride may have taken its sweet old time being delivered, but now that it’s here, don’t be surprised if you have a hard time letting go of the wheel.

This is just another in a long line of not-exactly-lazy but not-exactly-interesting reskinnings of the same old matching game.

Rodeo Stampede is a lot of fun.

The Sandbox Evolution is a step up from an already beloved game, and I can only imagine how it’s going to improve even more over time.

For those who enjoy a mindless experience, this isn’t going to scratch that itch. Stick with something more banal. For those looking for more of a challenge though, this is a good example of refining rather than revolutionizing a familiar idea.

You need to react quickly to the point of operating on pure instinct once things really pick up, and a single mistake will send you back to the beginning. If that sounds like your thing, or if you like really pretty space stuff and don’t mind a bit of frustration, then definitely check it out.

It’s a ‘fun for five minutes’ kind of experience, rather than something that has you coming back for more.

This isn’t a terrible game, it all works reasonably well, and the art style is unique, if a little scratchy around the edges. It just feels like it doesn’t really know what it wants to be.

If you can look past the poor translations and forgive the occasional omission of vital information, you’re bound to have a great time. Just don’t expect to finish it on your first attempt.

If you’re looking for an RPG with several quirks, you can’t go wrong here.

This is exactly the sort of experience that video games are best placed to provide, and if you have any interest in the medium as something other than a distraction, then you owe it to yourself and the creators to pick this one up.

Whether you’re a shameless Foursaken fan like myself or have never heard of them, Adventure Company is worth a look. It’s accessible but not too simple, free-to-play but not overbearing with it, and it’s just an all-around good time.

This is a fun, frantic casual RPG with far more depth than we’ve come to expect from the genre, and that’s no bad thing at all.

Build Away! lacks too much excitement to be anything more than a very brief distraction.

Dawnbringer definitely has some big aspirations, but it doesn’t manage to live up to its inspirations. It’s still an enjoyable free to play romp, and there’s more depth to it than some games you’ll find on the App Store, but there are definitely better examples of the genre out there.

If you’re an adventure game fan and you haven’t played Agency of Anomalies: Mind Invasion yet, rectify that with a visit to the asylum. Just don’t let anyone holding a syringe get too close to you.

As with other Gamebrain offerings, voi is a reprieve from the bloated, garish, aggressive mobile games with which we are constantly bombarded. voi reveals a mastery of restraint and simplicity while also showing how complex the relationship between something and nothing can actually be.

Skyforce Unite! is absolutely worth sticking with, though. Once all of the interlocking systems begin to make sense it becomes every bit as habit-forming as the likes of Game Dev Story, Mega Mall Story, Dungeon Village, and so on.

Epic Flail is a game that requires a certain level of patience and skill.

As mobile action titles go this one sits in the upper echelons. It’s fast, sometimes chaotic, and you’re likely to have a smile spread across your face while you’re playing it.

Much like Clicker Heroes before it, Nonstop Knight is insidiously addictive.

It’s a cute little game that ended up being a lot more clever than I’d expected.

Really though, aside from the questionably familiar style and a potential “memory leak” or processing snafu or whatever, Steppy Pants is a fantastic “just one more try” sort of game. It’s super easy to get into, but much more difficult to put down.

This isn’t a game that challenges your reflexes or coordination, it’s one that’s proud to go to task on your grey matter. And it doesn’t let up.

I’ve been having a lot of fun with Transformers: Earth Wars. It’s a well-made game that doesn’t buck any trends, but it stands as a solid representation of the genre — starring robots in disguise.

Even if you’re up for a challenge it’s likely that you’re going to find it all a bit too much, especially when the frustration inevitably kicks in.There are far better examples of the genre out there, that are kinder to you and ease you into the carnage. Unfortunately MMX Hill Climb just doesn’t manage to get it right.

Make no mistake, VOEZ is a rhythm game that’s well worth playing. It’s clever, fun, challenging (even if it can be a bit too challenging at times), and is oddly pretty in its simplicity – and what little illustration artwork there is looks great.

Apart from reusing levels multiple times in a row, there really aren’t many downsides to the Monument Builders: Golden Gate Bridge experience. The visuals get the job done, and the sound effects do a great job transporting you back to the 1930s. The lack of worker queueing is normally a problem in games of this genre, but here it’s not an issue.

Lifeline: Whiteout is an interactive story, but it’s not hugely interactive. Regardless, the storyline is genuinely appealing.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Legends should be commended for doing the franchise justice and for its accessible fun, but it’s got potential that will probably only be truly reached through future updates. Here’s hoping it gets them.

Once upon a time, you might have thought this concept was utterly absurd. You’d have been right — but it’s the kind of absurd that’s immediately loveable.

Speaking as someone who’s been getting rather tired of sliding box puzzles, I think Warp Shift is genuinely refreshing. The way it requires you to think differently about space, the various extra puzzle elements that come into play and integrate with each other, and especially those cute little cube key things; it all makes Warp Shift a worthwhile brain teaser.

Heart’s Medicine: Time to Heal hits all the right marks for casual gaming perfection.

In the end though, Titan Quest’s issues are more of an annoyance than anything that will ruin the fun. And it is a fun game that manages to capture much of what made dungeon crawlers so popular.

It’s not perfect, but it’s worth getting stuck into for the sheer thrill of trying something new.

Yes, it’s still beset by the repetitive curse of most of this type of game, but thanks to the more interactive combat elements, that malaise is going to take an awful lot longer to suck the fun out of proceedings.

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.

It won’t replace One Finger Death Punch, but it’ll make for a decent enough stand-in.

I still think there’s a lot to love in Verreciel — especially for anyone who enjoys offbeat quirky games as much as I do. If it weren’t for the bugs and the somewhat unfriendly save system (a manual save, or even just a more obvious on-screen indication would be super helpful) I’d be forcing everyone I know to check it out.

In all honesty, I’d probably have been okay with something that was just Warhammer 40K Battle Chess (and the Classic Mode skirmish option is exactly that). Chances are I’d have been left wanting more, but overall it would’ve been okay. Instead, Warhammer 40K: Regicide provides something unexpected and, dare I say, refreshing.

There are just so many other games of this variety where the gameplay is faster, and the characters less questionably designed (this always seems to be an issue with anime-inspired games), that it’s hard to give Phantom of the Kill a glowing recommendation.

This abstract little puzzle game is exceptionally well designed, with a lot of intricate and interconnected systems.

This is a great looking arcade experience that plays like a dream, and will likely spend a good long while on the home page of your device.

Like Bob munching diligently away at his fruit, this is a game best consumed in small doses – a level or two at a time, reveling in the challenge and complexity of each stage.

Despite sometimes being a little more frustrating than fun, Leap Day is still an incredibly well crafted platformer. You have to be willing to suffer through some BS at times, but the sense of accomplishment might just be worth it.

Lords Mobile’s hero mode gets a thumb up from me. The developers have the right idea of how to make a fun game with that gameplay mode, they just need to trim the fat that slows the rest of the game down.

The actual gameplay is fun, and I really enjoyed battling my way through enemy defenses — but I’m so limited by how much gameplay that I can get at a time. And in my opinion, it just wasn’t worth it to spend real money on fuel — a commodity that gives me no guarantee of successfully capturing an island, and no guarantee of keeping it if I do.

If you’re sick of matching three of a kind but still want some candy in your puzzle game, Puzzlepops! is well worth checking out.

Fans of earlier games in the series might be surprised by some of the changes, but at its heart, this is very much the Bejeweled you know and love.

Its drab exteriors, while well animated, give Battleborn Tap a dour feel. One that struggles to encourage you to be excited. Unlocking rewards for the console/PC game, though, is certainly tempting.

If you’re a fan of the strategy offered by Clash Royale and on the hunt for something a little different, Spellbinders is an easy recommendation to make.

I’d definitely recommend giving it a try.

Joan Mad Run is an exciting blend of hyper violence, platforming nous, and pixel graphics. And if you like any of those things, it’s well worth sinking some time into.

If you love your games fast, ferocious and filled with bloody feasting then Hungry Shark World should be your next download. A lot will look familiar to Hungry Shark fans, but the new features will make your journey from pup to greatness worth every bite.

Though I do wonder how much longevity a puzzle game that’s meant to be a promotional tie-in to a console game will have. Still, it’s certainly worth checking out regardless of whether or not you own Uncharted 4.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for something to play with your kids, that’s educational as well as entertaining, then Infinite Arcade is definitely worth a shout.

INKS isn’t a particularly thrilling pinball game, but it is a cool and stylish puzzle game of sorts. So long as you approach it from that perspective, you’ll find plenty of enjoyment within.

Star Knight is a cool action-platformer that’s definitely worth a look.

Grinding away for five minutes offers you plenty to sink your teeth into, and its sense of humor is just the right side of cute and likable.

It doesn’t offer the depth of the mighty Angry Birds because it frequently feels overly dependent on luck, but taking that into account, it’s an enjoyable enough ride in a familiar feathered world.