Emberfold Saga

Emberfold Saga is the rare mobile RPG that respects your time and your attention at the same time. Combat is turn-based and readable, but the writing is what kept me going. Your party members argue, change their minds, and occasionally walk out on you, and it all ties into the choices you make in dialogue.

The touchscreen menus are deep but well organised. Swapping gear and skills takes a couple of taps, and the auto-battle option is there for grinding without feeling mandatory. I'd suggest turning it off for boss fights, though — those actually need thought.

Battery-wise it's heavier than a casual game, as you'd expect, so keep a charger nearby for long story stretches. Lower the frame cap in settings if your phone runs warm; the game barely looks different and lasts much longer per charge.

What we liked

• Genuinely good companion writing
• Deep but tidy menu design
• Optional auto-battle done right