Hollow Isles

Hollow Isles is quiet in the best way. You sail a small boat between scattered islands, each one a little puzzle box of environmental secrets and old ruins. There's no combat to speak of — the tension comes from navigating storms and figuring out how to reach a ledge you can clearly see but can't yet get to.

The exploration is paced perfectly for mobile. Every island is a self-contained chapter, so you can finish one and put the phone down satisfied. Tapping to move and swiping to look around works smoothly, and the game trusts you to notice things rather than slapping waypoints everywhere.

I finished it feeling genuinely wistful, which is rare for a mobile game. If you like atmosphere over action, start here.

What we liked

• Beautiful, melancholic atmosphere
• Clever environmental puzzles
• Bite-sized islands ideal for mobile sessions