Ashen Hollow

Ashen Hollow is the kind of RPG you don't expect to find on a phone. It has a proper turn-based combat system, a party you actually grow attached to, and a story that doesn't insult your intelligence. The writing is spare but it lands.

Combat rewards planning. You can brute-force early fights, but by the midgame you're juggling stamina, positioning and status effects, and it feels great when a risky plan pays off. Menus are laid out for touch without being dumbed down.

It's not a short game, which is rare for the format. We were still finding new areas after ten hours, and the difficulty curve stayed honest the whole way.

What we liked

• Deep turn-based combat
• Story that respects the player
• Long, generous campaign