As long as you're okay with the genre, there isn't much to complain about in The Journey Down: Chapter Two.

Galactic Keep is an obvious labor of love. Anyone who has followed its development probably doesn't need to be told that.

It isn't going to offer you high quality visuals that push your device to the edge, nor is it going to push the envelope for racers in general. But if you just want to kill some time trying to get a car from one spot to another and put in the time to learn the ins and outs, Jet Car Stunts 2 is the perfect way to spend an afternoon.

Nishan Shaman is a beautiful experience that’ll leave you wanting more and anticipate future games/content from Next Studios. If you have an iOS or Android device you have no excuse to miss this impactful experience.

Sadly, the level editor is not currently part of the mobile version of the game, which is reflected in the lower price for the mobile version compared to other platforms. Still, even if you cannot create levels yet, Animal Super Squad has a lot of replay value going for it. Not only in the fact it comes with community-created levels you can pick from, but in the vehicle variations to play them on. There is also the fact that the game is worth playing just for a laugh or to see what the physics can do under various circumstances.

The comprehensive career mode, wealth of maps, and tweaks to the arcade racing formula has made this game more enjoyable in the long term. Add in the amazing visuals and music, and there's not much to dislike here.

A fantastic hybrid of Poker and RPG.

It's easy to pick up, easy to put down, easy to resume, and a blast to play wherever. But more important than its breeziness, Coin Drop rocks.

It's a well-designed action game with enjoyable progression, fun customization, and fairly deep mechanics.

Exclusively looking at the gameplay of Angry Birds 2, this is the best Angry Birds yet. Throwing in additional randomization spices things up a bit, the "boss fights" are really neat, and all the other little additions here and there (Like fans, flowers that spit blocks for some reason, and other strange things) make playing the game a ton of fun.

With the right people and mix of devices, a raucous time is in the offing, full of last-second upsets and opportunities for gloating. Every aspect of Astro Duel contributes to achieving its specific ambitions; it is a product of singularly focused design.

I'm surprised by how much I dig the virtual controls; Halfbot and Vlambeer did a heck of a job translating the action to the touchscreen and then making it feel as natural, and as split-second responsive as the game's PC and Mac counterparts.

Having now played it twice, all I can say is thank goodness Thank Goodness You’re Here exists. This is a gem of a game, and I hope we see a sequel in the near future. It has been an absolute joy to play from start to finish with its superb animation work, amazing writing, voice acting, and music.

Roto Force not only feels amazing on iOS regardless of if you use a controller or touch, but it also managed to surprise me with its writing and boss designs. I’m very impressed with the accessibility options and the haptic feedback included on iOS as well. This is one of the most-polished games I’ve played on iOS all year, and one I see myself jumping into regularly with its awesome gameplay and aesthetic. I urge you to try the game for free and see how you feel because this might be your next favorite pick up and play twin-stick shooter on mobile.

If you're fond of the franchise and want to play something that takes that source material seriously, and tells a great story while it does it, this game is definitely it. You seriously need to get this.

Pigeon Wings is the epitome of what makes games on the mobile platform so unique and one-of-a-kind. It has tight controls, smooth gameplay, an attractive art style, and great music. Do not hesitate on letting this one "land" on your device.

Sure the $9 price tag is bigger than most apps, but this is a fantastic way to enjoy a critically acclaimed game in the palm of your hand. Even without async, you aren’t going to regret picking up this gem and getting busy injecting an atmosphere, triggering volcanoes, or dumping millions of gallons of water on an alien landscape. The game is designed to give you options, and this app is a great option when considering how you want to play.

I'm really not sure what else there is to say about Bully. The game, when it was originally released, scored an impressive 87 on Metacritic, and it's only gotten better over the years with the various visual improvements and minor gameplay additions.

A sharp little simulation game packed with depth and, oddly enough, a little emotion.

The developer clearly took the needs of the platform into account, providing all kinds of options that make sense for mobile players, but without compromising an inch on the gameplay.

Neon Chrome might shake out as one of my favorite games on iOS this year. I love action roguelikes, roguelites, whatever you want to call them. And Neon Chrome, between its theme and accessible structure, really clicked with me in a way few other games do. While the die-hard roguelike fans might prefer something different, those who want something with a bit more upfront for players will want to check Neon Chrome out.

Total War: MEDIEVAL II was more than worth the asking price, but the value offered in Medieval II: Total War Kingdoms is amazing. Together, Medieval II: Total War Kingdoms and the base game are absolutely essential if you have any interest in the genre and have a recent iOS or iPadOS device. It is hard to imagine any newer Total War game DLC offering this much quality and value in DLC. With the Kingdoms expansion and the updates to the base game over the months, Total War: MEDIEVAL II with Kingdoms is absolutely essential.

A wonderful port-job, and newcomers and veterans alike will be able to enjoy it.

It's a fantastic puzzle game that I can't recommend enough. You don't have to worry about IAPs since there aren't any, and the number of levels is mind-boggling. It's relaxing, it teases the brain, and it's dazzling in its presentation. And oh yes, it's very weird, in perhaps the best possible way. Just go for it.

Miles & Kilo is everything you could want from a follow-up to Kid Tripp. I love the sensible improvements it makes to the Wonder Boy formula, and the level designs are spot on. The new moves and additional character help keep things fresh, and the amount of content feels just about right. The game's rather adorable retro-style presentation is also a winner, lending it the image of a console "big brother" title to the original's handheld game. Those who love a good platformer will want to add this one to their collections immediately.

Hitman GO is one of those unique games that takes the name of a popular series, sticks it onto a game that is not at all similar to its namesake, and winds up being good.

Simple but beautiful, and something truly unique. Play Prune.

When I played Trails from Zero to Azure, I considered the duology as Falcom’s best Trails experience. Then I played Trails into Reverie and loved it so much, but I think Trails through Daybreak is the best Trails game. While I have no hesitation in saying Ys VIII is my favorite game in that series alongside Ys Oath in Felghana, I’m glad to have Trails through Daybreak alongside the Crossbell duology as the best Trails experiences available today. Trails through Daybreak on Steam Deck is my favorite way to experience Falcom’s newest masterpiece by far. Not only is this a fantastic Falcom game, but one of the best RPGs you can play in 2024, and knowing what released, you know I wouldn’t say that lightly. It joins Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth and Balatro at the top of my Game of the Year list right now.

Hades on iOS is incredible. While it has two things I’d love to see fixed in updates, I have no hesitation in recommending it for anyone with a Netflix subscription. The wait for Hades on mobile has been long, but Supergiant Games delivered an excellent version of one of the best games in years with no compromises on iOS here.

This game is a true mobile gaming classic and is a must-download.

Darkest Dungeon is a superb game and is well suited for the iPad. It's the kind of game you can drop almost any amount of time into and have fun. I've played both quick, twenty-minute spurts to tackle a single quest as well as some hours-long play sessions where I settled into the couch to really dig in and make some progress. Combat is fun and challenging and rewards good planning—picking the right mix of characters to go in—as well as good turn-by-turn decision making. The ability to upgrade and improve your town as you go adds a nice sense of permanence to what is otherwise a constantly shifting mix of characters. The bottom line is that if you enjoy role-playing games centered on smart, tactical combat Darkest Dungeon is a must-buy.

In my view, a good game entertains, while a great game creates a lasting impression of being entertained. This War of Mine goes beyond that by also impacting how I feel about certain decisions within the game and causing self-reflection. It goes without saying that such emotions would not be possible without the game actually being good to start with.

Let me be blunt: this game is a joy to play. Making these adorable little fellows happy is a delightful experience.

Spider was an amazing experiment in storytelling; Waking Mars raises the bar on quality in long-form iOS games. Neither should be missed under any circumstances. Get this game. Whether you adore it as I do or not, it's worth experiencing.

Stunningly beautiful, jam-packed with replay value and secrets, and loaded with tons of great action, Wayward Souls is an absolute must-have.

SNK Vs. Capcom: Card Fighters’ Clash was one of the most popular games on its console, and even now it’s easy to see why. It’s one of those games that gives back the more you put into it, and Code Mystics has done just about everything possible to make sure you can enjoy it to the fullest. Those curious about what the NEOGEO Pocket Color had to offer beyond its excellent fighting games will want to pick this up, and it goes without saying that card game fans should dive in on this one as well.

The iOS platform has quietly become a haven for great racers, and Asphalt 8 looks to be leading the pack right now.

Bug Heroes 2 is an awesome sequel to a great game, upping the ante in almost every respect, and delivering an amazing value for its price.

Otherwise, Junk Jack X is really just more of the same that made the original an iOS darling. Sure, there are more items to craft, more enemies to fight and more elements to explore in your randomly generated world but the core exploration concepts are the same.

King Rabbit retains the mechanics of its brilliant predecessor while improving the overall structure of the game.

While it isn’t perfect, and while I would not recommend it to casual players or folks who do not handle frustration well, those looking for a more hardcore experience will certainly find it in Daggerhood.

While by no means a replacement for the full PC version of Terraria, this pint-sized iteration is an effortless recommendation.

If you skipped prior versions of Divinity: Original Sin 2 on other platforms and enjoy meaty RPGs, you definitely need to get Divinity: Original Sin 2 as soon as possible. Ever since I played the first Divinity: Original Sin on console, every Larian Studios release has continued to impress and Elverils did a superlative job here with Divinity: Original Sin 2 on iPad.

It's a game that will last you a couple of hours, and there's not a whole lot in terms of replay value. If your gaming money is limited and and you need something with replayability, this isn't the game for you (though hey, you could always buy this and sink some time into a free-to-play game). But considering the profound effect it had on me, and the beauty of the experience, I definitely recommend Old Man's Journey, as it is quite the experience.

Atari's Greatest Hits is absolutely one of the very best buys in the App Store.

Nevertheless, Rymdkapsel feels tailor-made for iOS in both form and function, and its elegant, subtle constituent parts nest within one another as neatly as its four-block tetrominos snap together along a space station corridor.

Warhammer Quest 2: The End Times is exactly what I wanted to see in this sequel. The game play is fun, challenging, intuitive, and compelling—pretty much the mix of adjectives you want for a video game. Perchang didn't try to reinvent the wheel here, they stuck with what worked well in the original and updated things where it made sense to do so. Whether you're a fan of Warhammer Quest, or tactical-combat games in general, picking up The End Times is an easy decision. Do it. If you're looking for more information on the game you should head to our forums where the page count for Warhammer Quest 2 is growing by the day. Perchang developers have also been active participants in the discussion there and have shared quite a bit about the game.

Iron Marines is a very, very good game. It seems like some sort of checkpoint or save system that makes failure feel a little less brutal would be a simple modification, but even without it, the game just forces you to be careful with your decisions. I really doubt StarCraft, in any form, will ever come to the App Store, so provided you can put up with the slightly cartoony art style of Iron Marines, this is definitely the next best thing.

I'm very excited to finally have in Football Manager Touch 2016 what I think is the best Football Manager version I could have hoped for, and despite my niggles with the 3D engine and some interface issues here and there, this might be my game of the year.

Namco didn't mess with anything they didn't need to in the end, and we are all better for it, as this is a must-have.

Tiny Tower is another great, free game from the guys at NimbleBit, and you should definitely check it out. Just try not to get too caught up in the lives of your little Bitizens – it's important to put the game down once in a while.

You may get the sense that Little Inferno walks a fine line between satirizing our gaming habits and revelling in them. If you take it lightly, it works. Give it serious thought and you might find a bit of hypocrisy buried between the lines, but that doesn't change the fact that this is a game that sticks with you.

The 88 Metacritic score of the original Plants vs. Zombies (complete with 100's from multiple sources) just goes to show how great this game is. The iPhone port is absolutely phenomenal, and even though it's lacking a few game modes, there's always hope for them to be implemented in the future either via an update or a DLC add-on.

It's a more complete 10000000, offering so much improvement all around that it makes the original game feel like a demo.

Dear Reader hit every tick I had for it. It was always entertaining, the puzzles were fresh and varied, the content was interesting, the features are all helpful. There’s enough options in it for anyone from those that seek challenges to those that just want to read to be satisfied. The game itself took up little battery and can be played for five hours or five minutes. The best part? This is the perfect game to scoop up for your kids as they’ll learn not only more about reading and spelling but also writing and story while having fun doing it.

This is a triumphant tale of allergies, cyborg chickens, your mean Aunt Doris, and eggs.

When you take the sum of all the great things that Nimble Quest does, you end up with an excellent casual title that’s easily approachable while having just enough strategy elements to want to keep you coming back to beat your high score one more time.

Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania gets my highest possible recommendation at full price on Nintendo Switch and PC. I’m looking forward to playing it again on iOS whenever the update and DLC hit mobile through Playdigious. If you’re a fan of both Dead Cells and Castlevania, I don’t know why you’re reading this. You should’ve been playing it already. If you’re a fan of just one of those, this will convert you into the other. It is that good. Dead Cells was already amazing, but Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania is superlative. Pure bliss from start to finish.

This is a game you flat out need to buy if you even vaguely consider yourself an iOS gamer. Not only because it's such an impeccable port of an important piece of gaming history, but because we need to vote with our wallets to tell Sega (and anyone else who might be watching) that this is the quality we demand out of retro games brought to the App Store.

Needless to say, the game part feels good as always, and the new aspects Blitz brings out in Bejeweled are solid and good, too.

Football Manager Classic 2015 is a fantastic game not just for those who love the sport, but also for anyone who enjoys RPGs and choose-your-adventure gamebooks.

Hitman: Blood Money — Reprisal is one of the easiest recommendations ever. I finally see why many consider it one of the best games ever, and while it is too soon to say if it is my favorite Hitman game, it is close. If you’re new to the franchise and want a great way to taste the world of Hitman on mobile, there isn’t anything close. In fact, I’ll go so far as to say Hitman: Blood Money — Reprisal on mobile and Hitman: World of Assassination on PC and console platforms are both the best entry points into the series, and both masterpieces. If you have a newer iPhone or iPad, don’t even think twice. Just go buy Hitman: Blood Money — Reprisal.

If you love Pac-Man, Crossy Road, or just good games in general, play Pac-Man 256. It sounded like a great idea when it was first announced, and it's as great as it possibly could have been.

Skulls of the Shogun is a terrific game. It's not reinventing the wheel, but it's a very stylish strategy game with enough content and bite to keep a solo player happy for a long time, and a great spread of multiplayer maps and options to satisfy those with a multiplayer urge

I couldn't put Thimbleweed Park down until I finished the whole thing, and while I have some issues with pieces of its narrative and a puzzle or two, I'd still highly recommend the game. Thanks to its difficulty options, I don't even have to add a qualifier on there, but you'll get the most from the game if you have some adventure game experience already. Thimbleweed Park isn't exactly a 1990s LucasArts game in 2017, but it is what a 2017 game would look like from the people that made those games, and I think that's a lot more interesting than just diving for happy memories.

If you are vaguely interested in a challenging rocket-paced racer with attractive and crafty level designs then you owe it to yourself to check out the break-neck paced racing and fresh visual design of Jet Car Stunts.

As I mentioned at the top of this review, if you've never played Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and you're even vaguely interested in the Star Wars universe or just surprisingly deep RPGs in general, this is a game you need on your iPad yesterday. KOTOR is easily among the best Star Wars games, and on my personal list of top RPGs I've played in my life.

It's very simple to learn, but there's a huge amount of depth to the game.

The Room Two is a beyond worthy successor to the original in all ways. There is no reason to not play it. Here’s hoping that Fireproof Games can take what seems to be a great story, and more thoroughly flush it out in sequels to come.

Having now spent enough time online and offline with Tekken 8 across Steam Deck, PS5, and Xbox Series X, I can safely say that Bandai Namco Studios hit it out of the park with this one. It is a universal improvement over the last game and delivers a superb package right from day one. While it has a few things I’d like to see fixed in updates, Tekken 8 gets my highest possible recommendation right now. I can’t wait to play more. It feels great to not only enjoy playing a new Tekken game, but also have it actually push visuals once again. Tekken 8 has great gameplay, awesome music, superb visuals, a brilliant replay system, and one of the best story modes in a modern fighter.

What makes Wave Wave special is its ability to remain mechanically simply yet ultimately engaging through challenging the player’s physical abilities to react and respond. It’s a game which philosophies rest on player skill, and test that skill to the point of breaking you or making you better.

Having only tried out Balatro because a friend of mine mentioned the demo, I’ve ended up not only loving it, but putting it directly up with Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Granblue Fantasy: Relink, and Tekken 8 in my top games of 2024 so far. Now I should really delete the game like I said I would to focus on other releases, but I need to play more and get laughed at by the joker.

If you like Castlevania, you really should buy Castlevania Dominus Collection. There’s an entire new Castlevania game here and it kind of rules. You also get what you’re ostensibly buying the collection for with the three Nintendo DS IGAvanias, presented in as fine a form as you could hope for. The original Haunted Castle is also here. If, on the other hand, you don’t like Castlevania, we are not friends. And finally, if you don’t know Castlevania, you should pick up all three of the collections and get to the good times. Another absolutely stellar showing from Konami and M2.

I encourage everyone to give this game a try, even if you're a vigilant hater of free to play. Monetization methods aside, you'll still be able to see what a clever formula Supercell has stumbled upon to here with this hybrid of card games, strategy games, and MOBAs.

Amidst the trend of instant gratification that the internet and gaming as a whole has perpetuated, having a game that both excels in its puzzles and also challenges your wider perception of it is commendable, and makes Human Resource Machine exponentially essential.

If you have even the smallest shred of love in your soul for story-based games, play 1000xRESIST. Some of the best games of this sort feel like getting a fine dinner in a fancy restaurant. This one is like getting the whole damned menu brought to your table, plus a slice of fruit cake because there’s always room for dessert. An absolute masterpiece, and I am grateful that I got to experience it. Hekki grace.

Capitals is a satisfying game. I like the blend between strategic, hex-grid real game tactics and word game mechanics. Download and check it out, it's a really satisfying game.

So, no, Kero Blaster is not Cave Story 2, and the sooner you put the notion out of your mind, the sooner you can get to enjoying an extremely well-crafted action game.

With its sense of artistic cohesion and its inventiveness, Gorogoa impressed me as few other puzzle games have, and I can't see any player who enjoys puzzle games even a bit not enjoying it. It might not be the longest game in App Store history, but it also doesn't overstay its welcome, which can be an issue with story-heavy puzzle games. Gorogoa really is a gem of a game that belongs on most people's devices and one that will cast its magic on you as soon as you start playing.

Fair warning: Bullet Hell Monday takes its name seriously. Even on easy, it's going to heat up too quickly for many players. But if you've ever known the thrill of weaving through the tiny spaces in between sheets of bullets and emerging triumphantly, you'll have a fantastic time with this game.

While it has a few issues that I hope can be fixed in potential updates, Dicey Dungeons is plain brilliant and a perfect fit on iOS. If you aren’t a fan of deckbuilders or don’t like any RNG, this might not be for you. If you enjoyed Slay the Spire, I think you will love Dicey Dungeons.

The only remotely negative thing I can say about Part Time UFO is that it does end eventually. You'll probably need to replay many of the stages to finish all of the hidden goals, but sooner or later those 25+ stages will be exhausted and all of the costumes will be unlocked. I think the enjoyable mechanics make it fun to go back to levels and see what kind of different results you can get, but some might be turned off by a paid game that you can play through in just a few hours of dedicated play. If that's you, well, with all due respect, you can go kick rocks. Part Time UFO is great, and I hope this isn't just a one-shot effort from HAL.

Slayin may not have done much to quell my hopeless addiction to retro visuals, but it may have done me one better: it's raised the bar for all games like it.

An excellent adventure platformer, Leo’s Fortune is a prime example of taking an established genre and simply taking the quality factor to an entirely different level.

This is a stupid-fun game with some sharp features and systems that'll keep you invested and having a good time.

Pixel People takes an apocalyptic future and makes it hopeful, cheerful and bright-if it's where freemium games are headed, we have a lot to look forward to.

But, really, what makes the game so well suited for the iPhone is its casual nature as compared to the typical roguelike. And that's not to say the game is shallow or light on dungeon crawling action, but rather we feel it's simply a bit more accessible to the typical gamer than, say, Nethack, Moria, or Rogue thanks to an economy of controls, spells, and the like.

Bridgy Jones provides laid-back humor and hours of gameplay, making it an unparallelled classic in the bridge building physics puzzler genre.

Vampire Survivors on Switch is everything I hoped for in a port and more. While it has some frame rate issues, which version of the game doesn’t at this point? If you somehow haven’t played it through its Xbox, mobile, or PC release, this is it. I didn’t get to try the DLC yet, but Vampire Survivors is a perfect fit for Switch, and absolutely worth buying right now. Hopefully poncle can add in cross save support at some point so I can go from Xbox Series X to iPhone to Steam Deck to Nintendo Switch with my save file.

And really, what Land Sliders does best is that the game is something you really can play for a minute or for an hour. The sliding mechanic is so good to play with, it makes any session with this game feel satisfying.

Regardless of what you want to call Device 6, one thing is for sure: If you’re at all open-minded, you’re sure to be creeped out, entertained, and thoroughly delighted by its inventive approach to interactive storytelling.

On paper, Arco seemed like it would be very good, but I didn’t expect to love it as much as I do now. It feels dynamic across the board with superb visuals, music, and a lovely story. If you want an interesting tactical RPG with a memorable story, get Arco right now. There’s even a free demo you can try on Steam right now.

Though Real Racing 2 may have a few things I'd like to see changed, it's without a doubt the current king of iOS racing games.

If you are ready for a grand space strategy epic, this an amazing specimen on iOS.

Should you buy FMT 2018 if you already own FMT 2017? That's always a tricky question with annual releases, but I think FMT 2018's improvements (and, of course, updated database) justify the purchase. The UI changes really make navigating the game easier, and the new additions offer extra information to those who want to get even more involved with the lives of their fictional players. The game does come with IAPs, but—as is always the case—they are just ways to make the game easier, if you like to take the easy road, or additional challenges. At $19.99 the game might sound expensive in mobile gaming terms, but FMT 2018 is worth every penny.

Simply put, Guns Of Infinity has almost all of the best qualities you would look for in a gamebook.

If you've got an iPad and have found yourself even remotely interested in games like Out There or Star Command, you need FTL. Additionally, if you've played the PC version it's still beyond worth picking up the iPad version as it has translated to the touchscreen even better than my most optimistic expectations.

Is Dofus perfect? No it has its flaws and faults, but I don't think it is possible to overstate the significance of a mainstream MMO making a direct port to iOS. I played the PC version for quite a while on and off over the years and I was thrilled when rumors first started months ago about a port. Now that it is finally here, I would be doing you a massive disservice by not whole heartedly recommending Dofus Touch.