Why turn-based RPGs still rule the phone

Action games demand your full attention and both thumbs. Turn-based RPGs ask for neither, which makes them a perfect fit for a device you pick up and put down a dozen times a day. You can pause mid-battle to answer a message and come right back.

Ember Hollow Saga is our current favorite in the genre. Its battles are small enough to finish in a few turns but clever enough that you have to think. The trick is a tight skill list per character, so you're always making real decisions instead of scrolling menus.

The genre also ages well. A good turn-based system from years ago still plays fine today because it never relied on flashy effects. That's part of why we recommend it to people who want a game to last.

If you're new to these, start with one that has a short story and clear class roles. The sprawling ones with a hundred characters can overwhelm you before you've learned the basics.

Pack one onto your phone before your next long trip. A good RPG turns a delayed flight into the best part of the day.