Tidewatch Command

Tidewatch Command asks you to think several moves ahead as you route fleets across a stormy map, balancing fuel, repairs, and where the enemy might strike next. It's a slower, more cerebral game than most mobile strategy, and it rewards patience over speed.

The pinch-to-zoom and drag controls are precise, and I never fought the touch screen to place an order. There's a pause-anytime system that fits phone play perfectly, so you can stop mid-plan when your stop comes up. Heat was the one issue: during big battles the phone warmed up, and I turned the detail setting down a notch to keep it comfortable.

It's niche, and the difficulty curve is steep, but strategy fans who want something with real depth on mobile should give it a weekend.

What we liked

• Precise pinch and drag controls
• Pause anytime, ideal for commutes
• Rewarding depth for strategy fans