While other games like Tiller’s Overland Campaign are more detailed and accurate, games like Civil War 1864 fill two essential roles for the gaming industry. First, the seemingly simple nature of play serves as an introduction to new gamers by providing them with the feel of an era and giving them insight into the mechanics of a period’s combat. For all of its tap and go feel, this game does a fine representation of what went on during the most bloody summer of the American Civil War. Secondly, this game genre provides relief for veteran gamers from drawn-out and detail-heavy games. We need to get back once in a while to that just one more turn feel. Hexwar’s games does both of these tasks in very accessible fashion. No historical gamer should fall for the trap that, just because the mechanics are the same, every Hexwar game is the same. A look at their Civil War series shows that maps and objectives are sculpted to faithfully represent the situation for each year. Given the limitation of the engine, this approach represents an accomplishment we can all appreciate.

The open-air theme will probably appeal to a larger audience, and being able to play solo or with as many as four players is a welcome addition. Patchwork wasn’t a hugely interactive game but there was a little more going on in that you could deny your opponent tiles and time your moves to grab the bonus patches. In contrast, pottering around in your garden feels very much like a solitary pass time. Cottage Garden is a stress-free, easygoing game with flowers and cats. Despite this, I still prefer the slightly more involved Patchwork, with its less cluttered screen, clever time management and button economy.

Smash Up is a mixed-bag success & lack-lustre design choices, but it has a promising future ahead.

Seeing the end result of your work, particularly when you zoom out and see the entire network of tiny dots across your tangled mess of concrete, is oddly charming. There is a rough-and-ready crudeness about Freeways that has totally won me over. I’ve restarted maps countless times - even ones I’ve completed, because there’s always improvements that can be made to your mangled creations. Because of how fiddly it can get, I do wonder if it'll ever release onto phones as currently it's tablet only. However, for its price, if you’re even remotely curious I would say pick it up.

There’s just enough free content to give you a taste of Mushroom Wars 2 on mobile, and it’s a beautiful-looking, fun little game that has a surprising amount of depth to it. The question is how you feel about the price tag, which is mighty steep for the mobile space. Where you find yourself on the cost versus value proposition will come down to personal preference, but Mushroom Wars 2 is certainly worth at least a look.

Do not let the IAPs and steep challenge deter you from strong gameplay and incredible presentation. Iron Marines is an excellent mobile RTS.

For all the attention given to orders of battles and battlefield terrain, Peninsular War Battles remains a typical simplistic game. The recent Hold the Line shows Hexwar can do better. Thought should be given to upgrading their older games rather than just recycling them to different platforms.

Eight-Minute Empire may not be the kind of game that will absorb hours of your time. However, if you are looking for a fresh, quick-playing and easy to grasp empire building game then you really should give it a try.

Minos Strategos rewards tactical play and quick thinking and will easily entertain for whatever span of time it is played.

Cat Quest is a delightful, challenging, and ultimately wonderful action-RPG. Fans of Zelda, Dark Souls, or anything cute will find themselves happily occupied for at least a dozen hours. It’s not purrfect, but it’s close.

Darkest Dungeon visits fresh horrors upon unseasoned newcomers, but behind its grim facade is a fascinating dungeon crawler.

Although the conversion is excellent, there are some things that you simply can't capture in digital form.

If you enjoy playing well-made boardgames and solo play, Burgle Bros. is well worth your time and money. Now it all it needs is online multiplayer...

An accomplished multiplayer experience that feels a little directionless when playing alone.

Though it has its technical flaws, this is an enjoyable RPG that brings some new ideas to the table.

Miracle Merchant is a simple yet compelling solitaire game with a winning mix of finesse and fortune that will win over a wide variety of players.

Like Mr. Bond, FRAMED2 is a classy and immaculately presented spy caper. You may be shaken by its brevity, but this innovative puzzler is still stirring stuff.

A streamlined management sim experience, Motorsport Manager 2 is an enjoyable game even if you are not a fan of motorsports.

A Planet of Mine is a compellingly complex galactic empire builder for your phone, and you really ought to be playing it.

Due to the rampant increase in difficulty and sometimes feeling wholly dependent on luck, Missile Cards is a great idea that frustrates just a little too much to be a great game.

There is certainly room on the market for a streamlined spaceship management game. Unfortunately, in the process of making a more approachable game, the developers have not only rationalised the idea but also oversimplified it. The result is a rather repetitive and directionless experience. It is sad that the legacy of Panthera Frontier’s initial freemium release is still present. The considerable expense of decent upgrades and the ability to cheat death feel unbalanced and make the game too much of a slog unless you are prepared to spend extra cash.

The rogueish elements can't make up for shallow gameplay in the other parts of Dead Age. The combat is dull and long, the survival elements are simplistic, and the story is predictable. The gameplay often doesn't fit the theme, and it is poorly optimized, although occasionally beautiful.

Age of Rivals starts off daunting but quickly unravels itself to become an addictive and strategic card game that stands up against the big boys.

A truly gorgeous experience that lives up to the reputation of its predecessor - shame it's over far too quickly.

It’s not a terrible game by any means, but it is uninspired. Made all the more frustrating by the cleverness of the CARROT apps that preceded it.

Let's hear it for truth in advertising - this is indeed an epic little war game. It is a perfectly intentionally generic take on the strategy game, and very well executed.

Though it never reaches the potential highs, Chroma Squad is the best video game adaptation of Power Rangers to date.

Rogue Wizards is an excellent tactical RPG. The line-of-sight graphical style is appealing and the game is easy to play and understand. If you enjoy tons of loot and optimizing a character's gear, it is the game for you. It really scratched the Diablo 3 itch for me right from my phone. What's more, the game is free and its monetization system is smart and respectful of players. I hope the developer finds success with it and that more freemium game makers experiment with these types of approaches.