Tidecaller's Voyage

Tidecaller's Voyage is the kind of calm adventure game I wish there were more of. You captain a small boat between hand-drawn islands, each one a little self-contained puzzle box with its own mystery. There's no combat — just exploration, light puzzles and a slowly unfolding story about why the sea is rising.

The puzzles are fair. They usually hinge on something you've already seen on a previous island, so the game teaches you its language instead of just hiding answers. I only reached for a hint once in the whole thing.

It's short — maybe six hours — but it never overstays its welcome. The ending genuinely got to me, which I did not expect from a mobile game.

What we liked

• Gorgeous hand-drawn islands
• Fair, well-taught puzzles
• A story that sticks the landing