Emberhold Saga

Emberhold Saga is the game I recommend when someone asks for a proper RPG they can play on a plane. It downloads once, then never asks for anything. You build a small party, wander a stylised fantasy map, and fight in a turn-based system that rewards planning over button-mashing.

The writing surprised me. Each companion has a genuine arc, and choices you make early nudge how they treat you later. Combat is tactical enough that I lost a couple of boss fights before rethinking my formation. There's a satisfying loop of finding gear, tweaking skills, and pushing into harder regions.

It runs smoothly even on my three-year-old phone, and there's an auto-battle for grinding when you're tired. A meaty offline RPG that respects your patience.

What we liked

• Turn-based combat with real depth
• Companions with memorable story arcs
• Plays offline for dozens of hours