What to play on your smartphone: punching faces, winning rhythm battles, diving into consciousness, and more

Mid-summer didn’t bring major releases to mobile platforms, yet there are still intriguing projects. Standing out in particular are a Super Smash Bros-style fighting game, a long-awaited port of a famous rhythm game, and several modest yet worthy new titles.

Punch TV: Fighting Game Show

The lack of big franchises and famous characters didn’t stop the developers at Four Fats Limited from crafting a vibrant fighting game in the style of Super Smash Bros. Drawing inspiration from the legendary brawler, the team decided to forge their own path. Dynamic one-on-one showdowns, a large roster of characters — ranging from familiar faces from the studio’s previous games to completely fresh combatants — and a variety of game modes where it’s crucial not only to land hits, but also to skillfully utilize jumps, dodges, and arena space control. Notably, the game is also available in Russian, which came as a pleasant surprise to many players.

Simplicity of gameplay pairs nicely with brisk action: just a joystick and a couple of buttons, yet characters leap around and crash into each other, creating a chaotic celebration seasoned with humor and the aesthetics of classic wrestling. The arenas are generously stocked with hazards, power-ups, and zones that temporarily boost a fighter’s strength. Admittedly, the controls feel awkward at times, but the overall balance is handled fairly, and the matches ignite genuine excitement. There is both a solo campaign featuring time-trial objectives and multiplayer battles, making character collecting a real joy.

The project was met with warm feedback from most gamers. It is frequently compared to the developers’ earlier titles — the Blackmoor games — with players highlighting the importance of localization and the return of beloved heroes. However, there are also critical remarks regarding certain aspects of the game. After all, it is impossible to please everyone. A particular downer is the inability to officially support the game financially in Russia via Google Play, even though its quality certainly deserves backing.

Overall, Punch TV is a pleasant find for fans of the genre: perhaps not flawless, but soulful and full of potential. If the developers stay the course, it could very well mark the start of an entire series.

Image belongs to Four Fats Limited. Image source — Google Play.

• Free-to-play game with microtransactions
• Google Play | AppStore

Friday Night Funkin’

Friday Night Funkin' received an unpretentious yet honest description from its developers on Google Play: “The coolest rhythm game in this freaking Play Store (respectfully)”. In just one month, it secured a spot among the top five music games, racking up over a million downloads and earning an impressive 4.8 rating across 92,000 reviews. While the title of “coolest” might be up for debate, its status as one of the best is well-deserved.

Over its years as a browser-based game, fan port, and modding phenomenon, this musical rhythm battle for Boyfriend to win a date with Girlfriend has finally ventured beyond PCs and onto the smartphones of millions. The gameplay remains unchanged aside from touchscreen adaptation: tap the correct arrows in rhythm with the music.

All features of the original PC version have transitioned seamlessly to mobile devices, allowing you to enjoy your favorite game anywhere: on transit, waiting in lines, or during school breaks.

Controls feel a bit disappointing at first: the arrows are tiny, centered on the screen, and fingers block the view. Some view this as a step down compared to the convenience of earlier fan adaptations, while others appreciate it as a return to the classic spirit of the original project. A major plus is compatibility with fan mods.

Most reviews sound like a resounding “Hooray!”, with only occasional “But...” notes in the background. Players genuinely love the official version: high-quality visuals and generally solid optimization. Nevertheless, there are complaints about technical issues: the results screen sometimes freezes, the app occasionally requires a restart after finishing a level, and even modern smartphones experience performance hiccups during certain tracks.

Users are calling for customizable controls, Russian language support, and bug fixes. Despite these flaws, the general tone of feedback remains positive and appreciative. People understand that the mobile version’s journey is just beginning. But even now, Friday Night Funkin' stands as the finest mobile rhythm game around, even if it is not entirely brand new. All that’s left is to wait for updates, new mods, and perhaps an online battle mode.

Image belongs to The Funkin' Crew Inc. Image source — Google Play.

• Free-to-play game with microtransactions
• Google Play | AppStore

True Fear: Forsaken Souls 3

The third and final entry in the famous trilogy, previously exclusive to PC, is now available to smartphone users. Although True Fear’s PC audience remained relatively niche, mobile platforms gave the series a flourishing life and wide acclaim. Forsaken Souls 3 concludes the psychological thriller tale about madness, lost memories, and dark entities lurking not only inside abandoned buildings, but deep within the minds of the protagonists.

Gameplay retains classic point-and-click elements: exploring eerie environments, collecting items, solving intricate puzzles, and gradually unraveling a story where the line between reality and the supernatural grows increasingly blurred. The riddles demand sharp observation and ingenuity, while atmospheric cutscenes and audio conjure genuine dread — especially with headphones — turning every session into an authentic horror experience.

Fans who waited years for the story’s conclusion welcomed the third chapter with sheer excitement. Reviews overflow with gratitude for the attention to detail: soundtrack, visuals, and atmosphere. Many players noted that beating the entire trilogy on hard difficulty was well worth the effort, and the final chapter fully met expectations.

Still, it wasn’t without its downsides: Russian players ran into issues trying to purchase the full game on Google Play. The developers expressed their sympathy and pointed to the PC version on Steam as an alternative. However, some smartphone users without PC access found other ways to get their hands on the game.

If you are unfamiliar with the True Fear: Forsaken Souls series but enjoy point-and-click thrillers, this is the perfect time to give it a try. The entire series is now playable on mobile devices, and it truly deserves your attention.

Image belongs to The Digital Lounge. Image source — Google Play.

• Free trial version of the game
• Google Play | AppStore

Dark Divinity RPG: Dark Rising

With the release of Dark Divinity RPG: Dark Rising, fans of mobile Diablo-likes gained another contender for the crown. Developed by FingerFun Limited, the game positions itself as a fast-paced action RPG boasting endless dungeons, combo attacks, and deep character progression. It promises battles against hordes of evil, epic bosses, seasonal content, new classes, and extensive customization.

Right from launch, players have access to two starting classes: Mage and Gladiator, each with their own skill tree and room to experiment with unusual builds. Dungeons are structured as a tower: you clear floor after floor, taking down foe after foe, aiming to set personal speed records and claim valuable loot. In theory, it sounds appealing — especially for anyone looking to spend an evening hacking and slashing monsters on their phone screen.

Alas, theory sometimes clashes with reality. Yes, there are positive reviews: players highlight the pacing, atmosphere, and potential, especially on higher difficulty settings. However, the game is currently drowning in negative feedback. There is no Russian localization, the graphics look dated, and technical flaws are immediately apparent: crashes on launch and frequent server disconnects. Without proper localization and stable ping, even the most engaging gameplay turns into a chore.

The developers promise improvements: new classes, optimization, and bug fixes. For now, though, Dark Divinity feels more like a tech demo than a finished product. Hope remains, of course, but the market also offers well-polished alternatives.

Image belongs to FingerFun Limited. Image source — Google Play.

• Free-to-play game with microtransactions
• Google Play

Frontline: World At War - Axis

Frontline: World at War - Axis is a turn-based strategy game set during World War II, crafted by an indie creator. Development is handled by a single passionate developer who emphasizes that the project draws inspiration from classics like Panzer General, focusing on accessibility, historical atmosphere, and ease of learning.

On PC, the game went largely unnoticed by the wider public: in its first year and a half, only sixteen reviews were posted, eleven of which were positive. Perhaps a mobile launch will finally help the title find its audience.

Frontline: World at War - Axis features an Axis campaign, over 350 distinct combat units, sprawling maps, and vital mechanics like fog of war, reinforcement systems, and turn-based resource management.

Player-highlighted strengths include the vintage atmosphere, an enormous variety of military equipment, and engaging tactical skirmishes, complete with unit upgrades. On the other hand, criticism targeted lackluster visuals, an unintuitive interface, framerate drops during dense troop concentrations, and an overly simplified resource system. Most players agree that the game feels unfinished, resembling a digital tabletop wargame rather than a full-fledged computer strategy title.

Despite the criticism, the author continues to develop the project. This part of the complete game is available entirely free, with no in-app purchases or banner ads. This is likely how the creator hopes to attract long-awaited players.

So if you have a soft spot for turn-based combat on hex grids, appreciate strategies rooted in classic principles, and are willing to overlook modest visuals for tactical depth, Frontline: World at War - Axis can easily fill your spare time. Best of all, it is completely free to play.

Image belongs to Frontline Games Series. Image source — Google Play.

• Free game
• Google Play 

Deadly Dudes

The makers of Deadly Dudes claim their title combines the gritty edge of '90s action flicks with modern gameplay. Having launched this past spring, the project has finally reached its global release. Players step into the shoes of a survivor in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by the living dead. The core loop blends a 2D shooter — where heroes gun down hordes of zombies using an extensive arsenal — with management mechanics: rescuing allies and expanding the shelter. The game’s world is rendered with a distinct mix of dark humor and visceral action, highlighted by exaggerated animations for every gunshot and vehicles crushing the undead to pieces. Judging by the released screenshots, the concept looks bold and stylish enough.

Yet behind the “badass” action exterior lurks a familiar mobile routine: lengthy building upgrades stretching over days, mandatory daily events, and a heavy reliance on alliances. It starts typically: appealing visuals, Russian localization, energetic shootout cutscenes, and the feel of a solid game. Then comes the typical progression wall: long construction queues, resource shortages, and halted progress — unless you spend real money for VIP status and construction speed-ups. Many users admit that progressing further is nearly impossible without major spending, while solo play outside an alliance risks becoming agonizingly tedious.

Audience reception proved predictably divided. Some players praise its strengths — atmosphere, character variety, and the ability to get by without heavy spending if you start promptly on a fresh server. Others slam the title, calling it a “pay-to-win dump,” pointing out unstable servers and other frustrating quirks. Technical bugs are especially irritating: loading delays, missing audio, and rejected promo codes. The development team acknowledges the feedback and promises upcoming patches, but in practice, their optimization efforts resemble trying to patch a torn parachute mid-fall.

Overall, Deadly Dudes holds some promise for fans of the genre, but in its current state, user reviews suggest it sits much closer to a beta test than a finished product.

Image belongs to Exptional Global. Image source — Google Play.

• Free-to-play game with microtransactions and gacha mechanics
• Google Play | AppStore

Crime Screen: Detective Cases

Crime Screen: Detective Cases invites players to immerse themselves in the grim winter atmosphere of Frost Falls. The central character is private investigator Alex Mason, who joins the international organization I.O.S.C.P. to assist police in investigating crimes that leave digital trails. The defining mechanic is not traditional interrogation or evidence collection, but the meticulous inspection of electronic breadcrumbs: text messages, photos, applications, and gadget metadata.

The visual presentation embraces classic noir: dominant dark hues, muted colors, and a matching soundtrack. All of this is underscored by an indie developer’s choice to recreate the visual aesthetic of the original PlayStation era.

Instead of typical point-and-click conventions, the game conducts investigations in a screenlife format. The main action unfolds across digital screens: phones, laptops, and tablets. Interacting with these devices is how players probe into the electronic possessions of victims and suspects, analyzing chat logs, reading activity histories, solving puzzles, and piecing together timelines. Occasionally, the narrative breaks for short cutscenes showing the detective traveling between locations in search of new leads.

The game is currently in early access. While the first chapter is available, a full mobile release has not yet occurred, and the Steam release still lacks a confirmed date.

Content remains minimal, yet an audience has already gathered, and the passionate domestic indie developer keeps a close eye on feedback. Player response is warm and expectant, praising the premise, atmosphere, and visual style, while pointing out shortcomings — primarily technical ones.

The developer has pledged to squash reported bugs and announced work on chapter two. For now, Crime Screen serves as an intriguing demo capable of turning heads even in its current, unfinished form.

The image belongs to Betstar Interactive. Image source — Google Play.

• Free-to-play game with microtransactions
• Google Play