Turn-based RPGs finally feel right on mobile

For years, RPGs on phones meant either gutted ports or auto-everything grind-fests. Lately that's been changing, and playing Emberfall Oath reminded me why I love the genre in the first place.

The trick is designing combat around turns. When you're not fighting the controls in real time, a touchscreen becomes a strength — tapping a target or dragging a character into position feels natural. No fiddly virtual sticks required.

If you're dipping back into mobile RPGs, my tip is to ignore the auto-battle at first. It's tempting, but you learn the systems faster by playing manually for the opening hours. Turn it on later for the filler fights.

We're spoiled right now. There are more genuinely good small RPGs on phones than I can keep up with, and that's a great problem to have.