Tideworks Empire

Tideworks Empire drops you on a scattering of islands with a single dock and asks you to build a trading network from nothing. It's slow strategy, the good kind, where you're weighing routes and resources instead of tapping frantically.

The interface does a lot of heavy lifting on a small screen. Route planning is drag-and-drop, and you can zoom out to see your whole network at a glance. It clicks into place after the first hour.

There's real tension once rival ports start undercutting you. The AI isn't brilliant but it's persistent, and holding your position takes actual thought. A great commute companion for people who like to plan.

What we liked

• Smart touch-friendly interface
• Rewards long-term planning
• Satisfying route optimization