Witchcraft!
iOS & Android, £2.99 (Mantita Games)
Witchcraft! is the touchscreen version of a solo card strategy game, that gives you control over a coven of witches with a set of discrete missions to undertake on behalf of local villagers, whose lives you must preserve.
That’s no easy task given the difficulty of many of the randomly chosen tasks, your witches’ powers varying depending on when they’re played, which other witches are on the board, and whether you choose to reveal them, removing them from play for the rest of the round, or let them work in secret.
It’s extremely complex, with decisions having knock-on effects not just for your current mission but also potential future challenges, although having your phone set everything up and apply a rule set that seems to have endlessly complex networks of buffs and bonuses, makes this far more accessible than it is on a physical board.
Score: 8/10
Townsmen: A Kingdom Rebuilt
iOS & Android, free – unlock all maps £2.49 and scenarios £2.49 (Handy Games)
Townsmen is an isometric medieval city builder, that has you reconstructing dilapidated villages into thriving towns, making sure their populations’ need are met, along with ensuring town guards protect against bandits, and firewatch prevents conflagrations.
As is traditional for the genre, you’ll be managing increasingly intricate networks of dependencies, and working your way past bottlenecks using your town’s labour force to build, operate, and maintain various pieces of Dark Ages machinery.
Its visuals might look friendly, but it’s a rigorous challenge, the balancing act between keeping your populace happy, managing their various appetites, and not going bust turning out to be a significant acquired skill.
Score: 7/10
Meow Knights: Idle RPG
iOS & Android, free (Monster Planet Corp)
This slick idle game features charming cartoon cats in armour, their increasingly powerful attacks auto-slaying legions of enemies and bosses, the game getting on with everything from battles to deciding which loot to keep, leaving you mutely following along in its robotic wake, collecting rewards when buttons flash to tell you they’re ready.
It looks great, has jaunty music, and progress is initially swift, but it doesn’t take long to notice that your own humble button pressing is the real inhibiting factor, and if those few dexterity and skill free interactions were also automated, things would work even better.
That slightly depressing realisation doesn’t add to Meow Knights’ longevity, leaving you feeling like a spare part rather than a managing director, even if its high production values prop up a facade of colourful good fun.
Score: 5/10
