SRPGs don’t generally have very strong or interesting AI, but Templar Battleforce is trying to be a deeply tactical SRPG, and the one-trick AI can break one’s sense of immersion even as it presents a rough-edged challenge. Even so, the varied maps, missions, foes, and extensive character customization keep things interesting throughout the extensive campaign.

Pea Ridge by HexWar has some blemishes but it offers an interesting gameplay experience with different problems for the Union and Confederate player.

Aural nitpicking aside, and despite a distinct lack of multiplayer, Star Hammer: The Vanguard Prophecy is a quiet gem.

Silent Night isn’t quite as good as the original Lifeline…, but it’s still worth playing.

In the end, if you’re in the market for Hearthstone with tanks, or just looking for a new deck-builder, World of Tanks Generals is worth a try.

While Hex Mechs has some good elements to it, ultimately it isn’t enough to make up for sloppy QA, mediocre art and some very quirky design flaws.

Though the interface isn’t quite as natural as I’d wish, you do get used to it pretty quickly, and what’s left is a genuinely wonderful game.

Puzzle Strike gives you a few distinct characters and access to 20 possible opponents and it is still a challenging game even if you don’t want to invest a time playing it or you want an interesting game to fill some free time.

It’s a fantastic game, even for those of us who aren’t big sports or baseball fans, and having it at my beck and call is a good thing.

It’s still quite approachable to children, and the bright colors and yesteryear pulp theme may give the impression that it’s suited only to them. But, on the higher difficulty levels, it manages to wring quite a challenge out of its simple rules.

All things considered, I would recommend The Daring Mermaid Expedition only to diehard CoG fans, to someone who is looking for a light, entry-level gamebook or who doesn’t have a lot of time on their hands to really delve into a complicated and multi-layered story.

If the developers can get it to work reliably, Patchwork: The Game has the potential to be one of the most-enjoyed boardgames on iOS of the year. Until then, the weak AIs and online frustrations leave it as only a tempting appetizer.

If you are a fan of 4X games though this is an easy purchase.

If you’re the kind of person who enjoys the battle systems of JRPGs but couldn’t care less about the story, Quest to the Future is for you.

It’s not overly complicated to learn (it’s actually quite easy to pick up) but presents the player with a wealth of gameplay options and possibilities and allows for multiple strategies to win.

Even with these minor issues, Super Tribes is close to being a perfect mobile title. It takes the essence of a more expansive type of game and creates a 4X au jus which has left me clamouring for more after each game.

If you can ignore the goofy name (and actually find it on the App Store), The Game offers a fun and challenging puzzle game and a faithful recreation of the cardboard version.

It’s harder to recommend this game to a general RPG audience, but the problems with Petticles in Peril are mostly correctable, so the next episode of ChemCaper could very well fulfill the dream.

Part of the problem is that, though the characters are pretty interestingly varied, with a variety of effects on movement, action points, damage of different types, teleportation, an array of summoning abilities, healing, and board control, there's a substantial element of linear design.

I still enjoyed the majority of my time with Tormentum. It’s an enjoyably grim adventure that can be finished in a lazy weekend. If you’re into the art style and settings and can handle the anemic ending, you’ll probably have a good time. Just don't expect anything profound from it.

Michael Brough has struck gold yet again with Imbroglio, one of the best iOS games of the past few years.

Bézier Games have an innovative approach to allocating development resources, with an engaging campaign but no online multiplayer in this adaptation of the highly-regarded tabletop successor to Suburbia.

Fans of both Talisman and Warhammer 40,000, will like this one, fans of neither should take a different warp jump.

Star Realms follow-up Cthulhu Realms brings a zany take on dark summonings and evil magic to the deck-building genre. It's not exactly chocolate and peanut butter, but if pineapple and ham pizza can be good, so can this.

Interface and multiplayer issues aside, Battlefleet Gothic translates so well to touchscreen that it seems a marvel more miniatures games haven't followed suit.

A quick-fire RTS held back by a lack of depth and the inevitable F2P grind. Some smart ideas that hold promise.

Stripped down strategy mechanics that are both interesting and fun, but the game is mired by a ham-fist attempt at comedy.

It's a bold, punchy and handsome tactical combat game that just works.