Tide and Trade

Tide and Trade is a strategy game that doesn't need you to be twitchy. You manage a handful of islands, route ships between them, and try to balance supply against storms and shifting demand. It plays out at a thoughtful pace, which is exactly what I want from strategy on a touchscreen.

The clever bit is the tide mechanic: routes open and close with the sea, so planning two steps ahead beats reacting. I lost my first few sessions badly, then it clicked and I couldn't stop. The tutorial is a little stingy with explanations, so expect a rough first hour.

Battery life is excellent since the whole thing is mostly static maps and clean 2D art. You can leave it paused forever and come back without penalty.

What we liked

• Thoughtful pace, no reflex demands
• Tide system rewards planning ahead
• Very light on battery