Five mobile game gems hiding in plain sight

In an era of superpowered computers, decked-out consoles and retro game emulators, the hype around mobile games has slowly faded. Often, it is the developers’ fault too, with unbearable ads, endless in-game transactions and misleading game descriptions.

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However, Mobile games have a certain comfort that you don’t always find in PC or console games. They are easy to pick up, can be played almost anywhere and, sometimes, all you need is a few minutes to have fun. Here are a few curated hidden gems that anyone can enjoy playing.

  1. Darkrise

I found this game randomly while scrolling on the Play Store. It had great reviews and a vintage 8-bit pixel-style gameplay that immediately caught my attention. Darkrise is a classic RPG game where you can play as multiple classes of heroes, whether it’s a warrior, a rogue or a mage. The game is fun, engaging and requires no Wi-Fi or internet to play, which makes it perfect for long journeys or when you’re stuck without a connection. There are no pay-to-win in-game transactions that will hinder your progress either. The game has a calming score, loads of enemies to defeat and plenty of opportunities to upgrade your skills, stats and equipment. If you’re a fan of old-school RPGs, Darkrise is definitely worth trying.

  1. Dan the Man

This is another 8-bit pixel, side-scrolling action platformer with colourful pixel-art graphics, simple controls and surprisingly satisfying combat. You play as Dan, a martial-arts hero who has to fight his way through hordes of enemies, bosses and different levels. What I really like about the game is that it does not feel overly complicated. You can jump, punch, kick, throw weapons and upgrade your character as you progress. The story is also surprisingly funny, with plenty of goofy moments between all the fighting. Best of all, you can play the main game without Wi-Fi, making it a great choice for travelling or killing time when you have no internet.

Rate: 9.5/10

  1. Bloody Ba*****ds

Bloody Bastards is a true hidden gem. It is a rag-doll physics-based medieval fighting game where you control a little warrior and battle other fighters using swords, axes, spears and all sorts of medieval weapons. The controls are simple, but the physics make every fight chaotic and unpredictable. You can block attacks, dodge, grab weapons and land some genuinely satisfying hits. There are loads of different weapons, armour and character customisation options to unlock as you progress. However, the only downside is that it needs an internet connection to play.

Rate: 8/10

  1. Block Blast

Imagine if Candy Crush and Tetris had a baby and the baby had multiple other games hidden inside it. Block Blast is a simple but surprisingly addictive puzzle game where you place blocks on a grid and clear rows and columns. The rules are easy to understand, but it gets increasingly difficult as the board fills up. It is perfect for playing a few minutes at a time, especially when you’re bored or have no Wi-Fi. There are also different modes and challenges to keep things interesting.

Rate: 8.5/10

  1. Roblox

Roblox is less of a game and more like an entire universe of games packed into one app. You can play everything from racing and horror games to shooters, simulators and even random games that make absolutely no sense but somehow keep you playing for hours. The best part is that there is always something new to try because most of the games are created by other players. You can also customise your character and play with friends. While Roblox does need internet for most of its experiences, the sheer variety makes it worth having on your phone.

Rate: 9/10