Hollow Tide Expedition

Hollow Tide Expedition is a quieter kind of game. You guide a lone explorer along a fog-wrapped shoreline, solving light environmental puzzles and piecing together a story told mostly through what you find. It's atmospheric in a way mobile games rarely bother to be.

Movement is handled with a simple drag, and interactions are context-sensitive taps, so there's never clutter on screen. That restraint keeps it comfortable one-handed. Battery use is moderate, and the muted art style means the phone stays cool, which fits the calm mood.

It's short, and some will want more challenge. But as a game to play with headphones on a quiet evening, it left us thinking about it afterward, which counts for a lot.

What we liked

• Strong atmosphere
• Clean, uncluttered controls
• Easy on the phone