What to play on your smartphone: Card hits of the past and future, an anniversary escape room with cake, and more

May turned out to be a fruitful month for card games on smartphones. But roguelikes are not the only genre catching the eye—atmospheric quests, cute puzzle games, and even serious, dark RPGs came out this month. And on top of that, there are projects that are hard to call serious, but that is precisely what makes them stand out.

Sunset Hills

The adventure quest Sunset Hills was released on PC last year, but has only now made its way to mobile platforms. The main protagonist is Nico, an ex-soldier turned writer. After seven years of peaceful life, he embarks on a train journey to visit old friends and find himself. His path lies through cozy towns inhabited by quirky yet charming anthropomorphic puppies living in a Victorian-era aesthetic.

Players can expect conversations with characters, puzzles, and the gathering of memories that will help Nico uncover the true purpose of his trip. The mechanics are classic: hidden object searching, combining items, and logic puzzles. At times, the action is interspersed with flashbacks revealing the hero’s wartime past. However, the gameplay feels dragged out in places, and some puzzles are overly abstract—as if the developers relied on the player’s train of thought matching their own perfectly.

Reviews are divided: some praise the art style, relaxing atmosphere, and leisurely pace, while others criticize rough edges, bizarre puzzles, and a weak storyline. Nevertheless, many are willing to overlook the flaws for the sake of beautiful landscapes and a cozy ambiance. The game is well suited for fans of calm point-and-click quests focusing on visual aesthetics. Note that Russian language support is currently missing—the developers promise to add it in future updates.

The Mr. Rabbit Magic Show

Rusty Lake celebrated its tenth anniversary not just with a new game, but with a real performance—featuring rabbits, puzzles, and a multitude of callbacks to past projects. In The Mr. Rabbit’s Magic Show, players are treated to 20 acts of a whimsical adventure where there is more beneath the illusions than meets the eye. The protagonist is the enigmatic Mr. Rabbit, and your task is to unravel his secrets through the studio’s signature puzzles.

The gameplay follows a tried-and-true formula: item searching, combining objects, and logic riddles that gradually bring you closer to the resolution. But there is a twist—the game lightly breaks the fourth wall, offering surprises for longtime fans. Admittedly, some rebuses (such as those involving musical notes or codes) may cause confusion, but most puzzles are thoughtful and deeply tied to the Rusty Lake universe.

Reviews are mostly glowing: players praise the atmosphere, music, and nostalgic moments. The finale, featuring congratulations and a cake, proved especially touching—some players were even moved to tears. Critics point out the short duration and rare bugs, but for fans of the studio, this is undoubtedly a warm and heartfelt gift.

Tip: If you are not yet familiar with Rusty Lake, start with Cube Escape—its review is available on our website.

Gods vs Horrors

If you have ever dreamed of assembling a pantheon of deities to battle ancient cosmic horrors, Gods vs Horrors was made for you. This deckbuilding roguelike with autobattler elements offers unusual gameplay: instead of individual heroes, you command entire mythological pantheons. Greek, Egyptian, Norse, and even lesser-known gods unite against creatures threatening to wipe out humanity.

Key mechanics include synergy, scaling, and positioning. You draft gods, combine their abilities, and manage resources between immediate buffs and long-term investments in “faith” to access more powerful deities. Battles are automated yet fully deterministic—victory depends entirely on your tactical decisions.

Reviews are mixed: some praise the depth, variety, and visual style, noting that each run feels fresh. Others criticize balancing issues (such as the underpowered state of Egyptian or Indian gods), harsh difficulty, and limited viable strategies at higher tiers. The developers still have work to do on balance and localization. The game launched simultaneously on Steam and smartphones. A free, ad-free demo is available on mobile platforms, though the full version requires a purchase.

Monster Train

While the sequel is taking the PC platform by storm, the mobile version of the original Monster Train proves that complex deckbuilding roguelikes can thrive on Android as well. The game has finally landed on the platform and, unlike its iOS counterpart, offers access to a free-to-try mode.

You control a train speeding through frozen wastelands, defending three combat floors from an invasion of celestial forces. It is a strategic roguelike with deckbuilding elements where every decision alters the outcome of the battle, and build variety ensures no two runs are alike. Gameplay revolves around crafting a deck from more than 250 cards belonging to five unique monster clans. Each offers its own playstyle—from ruthless fire rituals to wild flesh mutations. By combining a primary and allied clan, players build powerful synergies, buff champions, recruit new units, and collect bonuses along the journey. Combat plays out automatically, but unit placement across the three vertical levels dictates success. The game is great on the go—the mobile port lets you play anytime, despite a few technical hiccups.

Players praise the depth of mechanics, the sheer number of viable combinations, and the inventive defense system. The expansion added a new dragon clan, a dedicated currency, and a final boss. However, the mobile version suffers from its own set of issues—loading freezes, persistent prompts to buy the full version, and update hitches. For some users, the game fails to launch without repeated restarts. Still, those who push through initial hurdles come away thoroughly satisfied.

Monster Train is an excellent choice for fans of deliberate roguelikes where every step must be calculated. As Dmitry Krivov noted in his review, “the game practically begs to be on mobile devices, where it will be especially compelling.” So now is the ideal time to dive into this frozen hell. Just be prepared that setting it up may require a bit of patience, and the full version will still need to be purchased.

  • Image belongs to Good Shepherd Entertainment. Image source — Google Play.
  • Google Play (4.6)  | AppStore (5.0) 
  • Free limited version (Android), premium game (iOS)

Pup Champs

Ever dreamed of coaching a soccer team, but serious simulators feel too overwhelming? Then give Pup Champs a try, where instead of professional athletes you manage adorable, clumsy puppies. This fresh puzzle game from studio Afterburn, renowned for their previous titles Railbound and Inbento, combines sports, logic, and an abundance of canine charm.

The game features over 170 handcrafted puzzles where you position pups on the field, chart movement paths, bypass obstacles, and outmaneuver opponents. Rules evolve from level to level: the ball might get stuck in mud, rabbits might react to passes, and monkeys might mimic your actions. Success depends not only on pure logic, but also on leveraging stage gimmicks to your benefit.

Between brain-teasers, a narrative unfolds about an ex-soccer coach who takes on a ragtag group of inexperienced puppies and shapes them into a cohesive team. The story is presented via interactive comic strips, lending the game warmth and charm. Beginners get a gentle learning curve, while challenge seekers will find bonus levels that truly put thinking caps to the test.

Pup Champs just released, and user reviews have yet to roll in. However, judging by Afterburn’s track record, which earned high acclaim across both PC and mobile, the game should live up to expectations. A particularly welcome touch is that the first 30 levels are free to play—so you can see if you have what it takes to guide them from rookies to champions, or at least teach the pups to run around without bumping into each other.

Mutants: Genesis

In the card battler Mutants: Genesis, cards literally spring to life on the battlefield and fight on your behalf, capturing the spirit of 90s comic books. The game offers both PvP (player versus player) and PvE modes, along with three-player co-op, where you build a deck from more than 200 cards representing six unique mutant gene lines. The key here lies not just in drafting suitable cards, but in properly executing their abilities, coordinating with allies, and adapting to fluctuating board states.

Gameplay centers around duels where you manage two lines—front and back. All cards are animated, and battles occur in real time, making encounters cinematic and dynamic. A hallmark feature is the mutant evolution system (EVO), allowing characters to transform mid-fight. Also available are co-op boss raids, a seasonal ranked ladder, weekly challenges, and a dedicated story campaign.

Mobile player reviews are absent for now, while Steam player reception remains mixed. Many highlight the vibrant presentation, engaging evolution mechanics, and mode variety. Another plus is that all cards can be leveled up without paying for competitive advantage. Yet criticisms persist: the tutorial feels overly long and repetitive, animations can drag, the story leaves much to be desired, and starter decks are not the most balanced.

Overall, Mutants: Genesis cannot yet stand toe-to-toe with genre titans, but it remains a solid project with flashy art, engaging mechanics, and considerable growth potential. Regrettably, it carries a notable downside for card games—there is no Russian translation available.

Mirren: Star Legends

Mirren: Star Legends is a typical mobile idle gacha title where grand, pompous lore serves as a backdrop for everyday interactions with cute companions. Marketed as a turn-based strategy game set in a realm torn between chaos and order, it actually plays like a standard hero-collector focused on grinding and roster management.

Gameplay boils down to hoarding resources, upgrading heroines, assembling squads, and clearing linear stages. Turn-based battles are largely ornamental—they are easy and contribute little to the overall experience. The core appeal lies in collecting new characters with unique skill kits and flashy animations. Mini-games, daily tasks, and character bonding features provide a sense of cozy diversion. The 16+ age rating comes from suggestive “mature” overtones, though explicit scenes are not featured.

User reviews are not yet available, but in the case of Mirren: Star Legends, they may not even be needed. If you enjoy anime gacha games you can check into casually, where progress satisfies even on autopilot, this title easily slots into a daily routine. Those searching for deep tactical gameplay or dynamic action should look elsewhere. It is not an epic hero’s saga, but rather a journey of patience—endured for the sake of unlocking the next artwork of a favorite heroine.

Vampire’s Fall 2

Vampire’s Fall 2 is the long-awaited sequel to the hit mobile RPG Vampire’s Fall: Origins, which has been installed on over 10 million devices worldwide. The follow-up delivers upgraded visuals and richer gameplay.

The game drops you into a dark, gritty world inspired by early Diablo titles. You explore environments, battle enemies directly on the overworld map, and carefully allocate your supplies. The developers made the world denser and the adventures more purposeful. Starting out as a fledging vampire, you unlock abilities that aid in survival, progression, and environmental interaction. The leveling system awards random perks, while six weapon classes enable distinct combat approaches.

Alongside the main campaign, a PvP mode is accessible right from the start, allowing players to test their builds against others. A chat feature has also been implemented—convenient for chatting with friends or the community. The combat system stays faithful to the original game: tactical, centered on resource conservation, but without drastic overhauls.

Most reception is positive: fans praise the continuity of lore, updated user interface, and moody setting. Still, criticisms arise—the lack of a Russian localization hinders immersion for some, and lower-end devices can experience optimization stutters and overheating. If you enjoy grim RPGs with deep build craft, rich atmosphere, and tactical combat, Vampire’s Fall 2 is a worthwhile pick. Working knowledge of English and a capable device are recommended, though not strictly required—developers plan to add Russian support later, which should broaden accessibility. For now, the game is exclusive to Android, with an iOS launch coming later.

  • Image belongs to Early Morning Studio. Image source — Google Play.
  • Google Play (4.6)
  • Free-to-play game with microtransactions.