The best mobile games to play on a phone or tablet

I don’t know about you, but I really like playing games on my phone. You won’t find very popular games like candy Crush Where Collar size in my game library, though. No shade to these titles, but it’s not my cup of tea. My tastes are a bit different, as I tend to favor unconventional mechanics or storytelling. A large orchestral score doesn’t hurt either. Whether you’re looking for a unique experience or something really challenging, I’ve got you covered. Not only are the following games highly rated, but I have personally played all of them as well. Here are some of my all-time favorite games to play on a phone or tablet:

[This 8-bit processor built in Minecraft can run its own games]

Monument Valley

Monument Valley is one of the most breathtaking games I have ever played. You are tasked with guiding Princess Ida through a series of puzzles. Many, if not most, of these puzzles are optical illusions, so you really need to have a keen eye to play this game. It’s a beautifully designed game with a really cool soundtrack. I usually play this game at night when I’m in bed because there’s something so serene about it. If you are looking for a low stakes experience then this is it. Monument Valley 2, the sequel to the first game, is also very good and worth a look. It has a more fleshed out storyline than its predecessor, that’s for sure.

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Pokemon Go

When Pokemon Go materialized in 2016, you bet I was outside crawling around my local graveyard looking for these cute (sometimes menacing) creatures. Pokemon Go is an augmented reality game that uses your phone’s camera to find creatures big and small. It’s a great way to get in shape, since you have to venture outside to play the game. Whether you’re looking for a Snorlax in your area or setting up your high-level Gengar at a gym down the street, the game is really fun. As someone who grew up watching the TV show the game is based on, the trailer above really touched my heart. Some gamble for the nostalgia, while others gamble for the physical activity it encourages.

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Burly men at sea

Burly men at sea is a charming story-based game about three brothers with awesome beards. I would classify it as a point and click adventure with visually new elements. You shape the story as you go by choosing the direction you like. The soundtrack is also quirky and whimsical. Similar to Monument Valley, Burly men at sea is a very low stakes game. If you’re looking to unwind with a fun adventure, this fits the bill. The mechanics are simple and you don’t really need to spend a lot of time or mental energy to complete the game. Normally I can complete a story path in one sitting. It has 12 different story paths in total, so it’s very replayable.

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Kingdom Two Crowns

Kingdom Two Crowns is a side-scrolling resource management game where you must protect your dominion from otherworldly creatures. You are tasked with recruiting archers and knights, erecting barriers, updating the main castle area, filling your bank with gold coins, and much more. I invested an embarrassing amount of time in this game. I mean, I played it almost every night. There was something so satisfying about building my kingdom and turning it into an impenetrable fortress. My only advice is to never lose your crown. If these otherworldly creatures get close enough to you, they can knock your head off. If they end up snatching it from you, you’ll lose the game.

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Reign: Her Majesty

Reign: Her Majesty is a ball of laughter, really. Imagine being the queen of a fantasy kingdom and managing it by swiping left or right on a map (much like the Tinder app). You can either reject or accept whatever happens to you. Do you want to take a hunky hunter as your lover? Swipe right and your court members will positively snicker with juicy gossip. Interested in starting a war? Choose wisely, as there could be a coup in the near future. I appreciate the out-of-the-box mechanics because they really add a new twist to the game management genre. The idea is to maintain a healthy balance between church, people, military and economy. It’s great fun and the cards are cleverly written.

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