Monsters have invaded your village, forge weapons through puzzles, and the tender story of a boy and his robot. Want more to scratch that gaming itch? Then here's the best: Tsuro, the board game adaptation, and Kathy Rain, a point-and-click adventure in the style of the 90s.
Goblin Sword
If you want an RPG that doesn't overwhelm you with skill trees, equipment upgrades, and a ton of perks, Goblin Sword is what you're looking for. The story is simple: monsters have invaded your village and you have to kill them. It's a side-scrolling action platformer like the classics of old, with gameplay that unfolds across levels where you beat enemies, avoid traps, and, of course, pick up gear that will help you in future levels. Great fun. Developed by Gelato Games, Goblin Sword is available exclusively on iOS.
Kathy Rain
With the point-and-click adventure style of the 90s, Kathy Rain is a journalism student with a talent for detective work following the death of her grandfather, who left behind many unanswered questions. The young protagonist sets out to find them, interacting with a series of characters in her late grandfather's hometown, where she'll uncover more than one secret. With pixel graphics that recall that era, a cheeky heroine, excellent gameplay, and a deeply absorbing mystery, this elegant adventure offers an entertaining story that genre fans will surely enjoy. Developed by Clifftop Games, Kathy Rain is available on iOS and Android.
Love You to Bits
This is the moving story of a human boy who tries to bring his robot girlfriend back to life after she was attacked by evil aliens. Love You to Bits puts you in control of Kosmo, who must travel to different places, find Nova's parts, and figure out how to retrieve them in a series of adorable point-and-click puzzles that require a variety of skills to solve problems. Developed by Alike Studio, Love You to Bits is available on iOS and Android.
Puzzle Forge 2
The sequel to Puzzle Forge improves on all fronts. In Puzzle Forge 2 you're once again the kingdom's blacksmith, who must craft various weapons for approaching heroes to earn gold and experience. Gameplay takes place on a grid where you gather resources to build the requested weapons (for example, the combo Blade + Blade + Stick gives you a Sword). Earn gold to upgrade your forge and experience to improve your skills in this entertaining puzzle game that adds new mechanics to forging weapons. Developed by Tuesday Quest, Puzzle Forge 2 is available on iOS and Android.
Tsuro: The Game of the Path
The award-winning board game, Tsuro: The Game of the Path, also has its digital version for mobile devices. Here players take turns placing paths and moving along them to create the longest path or the most loops on the board, while trying to cut off their opponents. This adaptation lets you play with AI or with up to eight people, and it's beautifully designed, from the ambient sounds that create a delightful tangibility to the length of the game sessions, which are long enough to be exciting without being overwhelming. It's an excellent digitalization of a truly fun game. Developed by Thunderbox Entertainment, Tsuro: The Game of the Path is available on iOS and Android.
