Happy Friday, and welcome to my weekly mobile game recommendations based on the most interesting games I played and that were covered on MiniReview this week. I hope you’ll find something you like :)

Support these posts (and YouTube content + development of MiniReview) on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NimbleThor <3

This episode includes a fantastic action roguelike, a fun arcade bullet heaven game, a merge-based idle game, a casual resource-management adventure game, a great arcade game that combines brick-breakers and pinball.

New to these posts? Check out the first one from 233 weeks ago here.

Let's get to the games:

Warm Snow [Game Size: 2 GB] ($7.99)

Genre: Action / Roguelike - Offline

Orientation: Landscape

Required Attention: Full

tl;dr review by WispyMammoth:

Warm Snow is a highly addictive roguelite action game that strikes a perfect balance between challenge and reward. And with intense battles, meta progression, and flying swords, there’s plenty to get excited about.

The game takes place in a dark, fictionalized version of ancient China, where a mysterious warm snow suddenly begins to fall from the sky.

But wait—what if I told you... the snow isn’t actually snow? Dramatic gasp!

From there, we set out to fight through procedurally generated levels while constantly choosing which path to take. We battle monstrous undead enemies and punishing bosses in an addictive cycle of intense fights while gradually growing more powerful. Until, unfortunately, we most likely die, that is.

Yup, it's a roguelite. So back to the start we go.

On the plus side, we can permanently upgrade our character how we wish through talent points, so we can get back to slashing our foes and uncovering new lore that reveals the truth behind the story.

The fighting is fluid, fun, flashy, and highly customizable. While its difficulty may deter some players, the large variety of swords, skills, and unique relics make every run feel fresh and exciting.

Even the controls are fully customizable, not only allowing us to place buttons where we wish, but also link them so we can dash, attack, and use our flying swords all at once if desired, transforming us into a remorseless God of death.

My only real gripe is the text is sometimes practically unreadable, and on a mobile screen some symbols can be hard to make out. Apart from that, the art, atmosphere, and music all draw you in for an epic experience.

Warm Snow is a $7.99 premium game with no iAPs.

It’s an easy recommendation for fans of Hades, Dead Cells, and other punishing action roguelites.

App Store: Here

Check it out on MiniReview (review score + user ratings):: Warm Snow

Bounty Of One: Premium [Total Game Size: 702 MB] ($4.99)

Genre: Arcade / Bullet Heaven - Offline

Orientation: Landscape

Required Attention: Full

tl;dr review by NimbleThor:

Bounty of One is a bullet heaven roguelike action game where we play as a Wild West gunslinger trying to survive the hordes of enemies rushing at us by gradually growing chaotically overpowered.

We use a large joystick and a dash button to control our character, but since it only shoots at enemies when we stand still, we must constantly balance running around to avoid taking damage with standing still to deal damage.

Like in Vampire Survivors and other great reverse bullet hell games, we get to pick one of three random upgrades every time we level up. And when defeating small bosses, we can select new abilities that let us slow down enemies close to us, dash multiple times, and much more.

It’s the combination of these many abilities and upgrades that let us experiment and create some truly powerful builds that cause complete destruction. This is especially important as the final Sheriff boss can be tricky to kill.

The game features a few different game modes that add some variety, and heroes that we unlock by completing runs on higher difficulties. But we can also even customize each run to for example remove all bosses, allow ourselves to gain XP 50% faster, and so on.

Finishing a run usually takes about 20 minutes, after which we can buy permanent stat upgrades.

The art style is simple but fitting for the Wild West theme. My only frustration is that the UI text is very small in menus.

Bounty of One is a $4.99 premium game with no iAPs.

While it’s not my personal favorite reverse bullet hell roguelike, it’s definitely great fun for both casual and hardcore players alike.

App Store: Here

Check it out on MiniReview (review score + user ratings):: Bounty Of One: Premium

NecroMerger - Idle Merge Game [Game Size: 589 MB] (Free)

Genre: Incremental / Casual - Offline

Orientation: Portrait

Required Attention: Idle

tl;dr review by Maya:

NecroMerger is a neat idle merge game where we manage a 3x3 grid by spawning and merging monsters that we must feed to a Cthulhu-like Devourer to help it grow so it can eventually consume the entire world.

We start by placing bones on the grid, which we then merge to create skeletons that can be fed to the Devourer to progress.

The core gameplay of NecroMerger revolves around merging and resource management. As we combine different items to create various monsters, we must strike a balance between feeding them to the Devourer to make it larger and keeping high-level monsters on board, as they produce the resources needed to create additional monsters.

It’s the type of game that requires frequent play-sessions, but since the meaningful progress between sessions is minimal, the game quickly starts to feel like a grind.

Thankfully, like in any good idle game, we can eventually prestige to reset all progress while holding onto some permanent buffs that let us get further the next time.

NecroMerger monetizes via forced ads, incentivized ads, and lots of iAPs. Although the ads can be removed for $9.99, the game still pushes other purchases that let us get longer play sessions and progress quicker. For some players, I fear this monetization might detract from the fun, making it feel more like a chore than a game.

If you can ignore the monetization and grind, it’s a solid merge idle game that I think fans of the genre will enjoy.

App Store: Here

Check it out on MiniReview (review score + user ratings):: NecroMerger - Idle Merge Game

Hero of the Kingdom III [Game Size: 555 MB] ($8.99)

Genre: Adventure / Role Playing - Offline

Orientation: Landscape

Required Attention: Some

tl;dr review by Alex Sem:

Hero of the Kingdom III is the third installment in a series of casual resource-management adventure RPG games (see the first and second game), where we fight forces of evil and complete other heroic deeds by supplying people in need with various resources that we scavenge, craft, trade, or otherwise obtain.

As in the predecessors, we explore an open world to complete tasks that require certain tools, resources, and stamina. Similarly, we must once again carefully inspect each location to find the hidden items scattered throughout.

But this third game in the series introduces significant new gameplay changes too. First of all, we now have our own camp, where we can rest, cook food, brew potions, and craft equipment. Our various skills, such as crafting, improve the more we use them, eventually allowing us to process advanced resources or unlock new crafting recipes. Leveling these skills is a bit of a grind, but the resource deposits thankfully replenish much faster than in the previous games.

In addition, we may now interact with vendors directly from the game map, which saves us a lot of traveling back and forth.

The story in Hero of the Kingdom III isn’t connected to the previous games, so you can easily jump straight into the game. This time, it takes place in a secluded mountain kingdom full of caves and dungeons that are – unfortunately – sometimes difficult to navigate.

Hero of the Kingdom III is a premium game that costs $8.99, but the game is frequently on sale. There are no ads or iAPs.

I enjoyed the innovative changes to the series’ established formula, and I think the game will perfectly suit you if you crave an engaging adventure without too much challenge.

App Store: Here

Check it out on MiniReview (review score + user ratings):: Hero of the Kingdom III

Bricky Boy (Game Size: 302 MB] (Free)

Genre: Arcade / Casual - Offline

Orientation: Portrait

Required Attention: Full

tl;dr review by Maya:

Bricky Boy is a fun combo of arcade classics ‘Brick-Breaker’ and ‘Pinball’, with some modern twists sprinkled on top.

In each level, bricks are arranged in grids at the top of the screen, and we have a ball that can break them. But the typical brick breaker paddle is now replaced with the left and right-side flippers from pinball.

This creates a fun gameplay loop that also cleverly sidesteps the clunky touchscreen control scheme of brick breaker paddles.

As we play through randomly generated levels, our objective is to complete missions, score points, and just get as far as possible. And every few levels, we face off against a boss that keeps us on our toes. Thankfully, certain bricks reveal useful power-ups when destroyed, and we can acquire upgrades between stages by watching ads or buying them at a shop.

Bricky Boy does a fantastic job of evoking that early 90s vibe, complete with a retro look and 8-bit music that makes the game feel like an old handheld game console. There are also tons of different skins that let us customize the look, which we unlock using coins or by defeating secret special boss levels.

Bricky Boy monetizes via forced ads shown every time we start a new level, and a few incentivized ads. Given how quickly a level ends, these ads get rather annoying. But thankfully, they can be entirely removed by paying $2.99, or by watching 15 ads – a rather unusual but nice approach.

The game does eventually get somewhat repetitive, but it’s still an easy recommendation for any fan of high-quality arcade classics.

App Store: Here

Check it out on MiniReview (review score + user ratings):: Bricky Boy

NEW: Sort + filter reviews and games I've played (and more) on my mobile games discovery platform, MiniReview: https://minireview.io/

Special thanks to the Patreon Producers Wrecking Golf, "marquisdan", "Lost Vault", "Farm RPG", and "Mohaimen" who help make these posts possible through their Patreon support <3

Google Sheet of all games I've played so far (searchable and filter-able): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bf0OxtVxrboZqyEh01AxJYUUqHm8tEfh-Lx-SugcrzY/edit?usp=sharing

**The newest mobile games (with gameplay) on my YouTube channel: ** https://youtu.be/8wX-9SW4Z8o?si=j0PNTWf08xd8mwEQ

Episode 200 Episode 201 Episode 202 Episode 203 Episode 204 Episode 205 Episode 206 Episode 207 Episode 208 Episode 209 Episode 210 Episode 211 Episode 211 Episode 212 Episode 214 Episode 215 Episode 216 Episode 217 Episode 218 Episode 219 Episode 220 Episode 221 Episode 222 Episode 223 Episode 224 Episode 225 Episode 226 Episode 227 Episode 228 Episode 229 Episode 230 Episode 231 Episode 232 Episode 233 Episode 234

Head Soccer was the best game but IAP and broken power ups broke the game…

So basically i want some chill rogue inspired game where i can just gather loot and without too much brain power slowly progress, something with a nice art style and vibe, or something dark and creepy, but not something hard.

Any suggestions are welcome!

Feels good to play Metroid on my phone. Used to have this game when I was a little kid, I fucking love it.

Preferably without anime, or Japanese, “cartoony” graphics (bless them).

I don’t expect an iOS game to be as good as Fallout, EverQuest, Elder Scrolls, or the Witcher, but maybe kind of close? Single player OR mmorpg. Character customization, maybe even some good storylines or humor.

Gens, armor, spells, talents, you know the routine.

I don’t want to run around in a panic, because I ran out of food or water or didn’t rest.

I accept that some boring grinding will be unavoidable. I don’t mind paying a but I don’t want to HAVE to pay to make it through.

I know that’s asking a lot of an iOS game, but I just need one. Thank you for any suggestions you can offer!

Your Favourite TD Game ?

Looking for a fun FPS that’s a single time pay with a decent campaign. Not looking for a multiplayer game or something filled with IAPs. Preferably something that will work well with the backbone.

I'm always on the hunt for the next great game, but it feels like I keep striking out with bad gameplay or those pay-to-win schemes. The one game app that never disappoints me is Chess.com. It's free, there's no pay-to-win nonsense, and it even has a subscription to help you get better. What's your must-have game, and why?

Is there any good RPG where u progress ur character or world by steps?

Hey everyone, I woke up this morning to find Age of Empires Mobile installed on my iPhone 14, and I never installed it. I’m 100% sure I didn’t download it or give any permission for it to be installed. It just appeared on my home screen out of nowhere.

It doesn’t have to be a dungeon crawler and I’d even explore some idle options. I want to be able to sift through some items and make some decisions on what is better for my character.

It is garbage, I could write an essay about all the reasons it’s bad but man. It’s soulless, uninteresting, and deep into MTX hell. It plays nothing like an Age game.

I expected nothing and I’m still surprised how bad it is lmao, I mean it’s from the people who did Diablo immortal after all lol.

I genuinely couldn’t even tell if I was playing the game as it plays so similar to those fake game ads with fake gameplay on TikTok

The tutorial is like 2hrs long and doesn’t help, you just click to do this and that with no explanation.

Hello friends! Hope I'm not going to bother you all with this one.. It's just I'm desperate. I'm trying to find one old game which I played somewhere in 2008/2010? Main problem is, I don't have enough details because I simply don't remember almost anything.. These are the details which I remember (sort of). • 2d/Platformer • You're playing as a yellow robot or alien not sure (maybe not even yellow). • It was some sort of an adventure game (was a really passive one iirc). • There was something like metal parts/batteries which you can collect/recycle? • World was with floors and elevators and some kind of f alien NPCs. • Maybeee.. Maybe, it was pixel-style game. Again I'm sorry for lack of details but if I had some more I think I wouldn't bother you all with this post. Thank you everyone!

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/children-of-morta/id6474541983

Got free apple arcade on my giftcard. Any mustplay games worth to play on it ?

Multiple factions all go to battle for control of something, like feudal japan just something like that

I remember years ago there were a number of really good (or at least fun at the time) skeeball games for ios. Are there any good ones these days?

My son and I used to play this game on his iPad when he was little. Like 6 or 7. He’s now 14 and we can’t remember what it was. What we remember is that it was in an old mental hospital, and you had to hide in the lockers so the monster wouldn’t find you. Someone else has to know what we are talking about!!

If you looking for a merging game with crafting and without the traditional energy system, gems, or other currency and offline mode, this game might be it. It has minimal ads and one iap to remove ads if you wish.

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/treegaze-cove-match-craft/id1608833122

Hi! While restoring an icoud back-up to Balatro on ipad, my save file got corrupted. It kept some things like my collection but it deleted all my stats and wins. Do you know if there is a way to manually reload an older save file from icloud?

Hi, I have recently bought Art of Rally and everytime achievement pops up it just pauses the game to the menu and you need to resume it again. Same thing happened in Superliminal. Is there any setting to turn it off?

Just wondering, I’m sure a lot have to do with online features, but Titan quest for example. If I buy this game, there IS a chance it might get taken down someday correct?

I’m currently playing Balatro, and I do enjoy it. However, I need a second game for when I’m annoyed at Balatro lol

Ideally, this second game isn’t a roguelike, because I’d like a game that I can hop in and out of during my breaks at work. I like turn-based strategy games and puzzle games. I would greatly prefer a premium game over a game with micro transactions, as someone recovering from gacha hell. And, if possible, if the game’s in portrait orientation… that’d be perfect (tho landscape isn’t a deal breaker).

Oh! Also, I unfortunately don’t have Netflix.

Thanks in advance!

I am a fan of games of this genre, however, I am not particularly fond of excessive grinding. My preference lies in games that can be easily played during work breaks as a means of passing time. I find it frustrating when a game requires constant grinding or paying to win. Are there any games that allow players to reach a high level without dedicating years of gameplay or spending money?