Discover Games You Will Love

Play Picks is a Canadian portal for honest mobile game reviews. We test and pick titles worth your time. Browse our picks, read short notes, and grab the next one to try.

What We Stand For

A short list of the things that keep our reviews useful.

★

Hands-on testing

Every title is played for at least a week before we publish notes. We never write from a press kit.

✓

Fair-play focus

We flag pay-to-win patterns and tell you whether free players can keep up at the mid game.

↻

Living notes

Mobile games change with each season. We update our picks when a balance patch or new mode lands.

120+ Hours of testing per month
40+ Strategy titles tracked
4 Editors on the team
Weekly Catalog refreshes

Game Catalog

Strategy picks tested by our team.

Game icon for Doomsday × Ghost in the Shell by IGG.COM

Doomsday × Ghost in the Shell

IGG.COM
Strategy

Build a base, train troops, and survive a city after the fall. This crossover mixes squad tactics with deep city building. Team up with friends in alliance battles.

Gameplay screenshot 1 from Doomsday × Ghost in the Shell - Strategy game Gameplay screenshot 2 from Doomsday × Ghost in the Shell - Strategy game
Download on Google Play
Game icon for Palmon: Survival by LILITH TECHNOLOGY HONG KONG LIMITED

Palmon: Survival

Lilith Technology Hong Kong Limited
Strategy

Collect cute creatures and lead them across an open map. Plan supply lines, raise an army, and fight rival camps. The art is bright and the matches stay short.

Gameplay screenshot 1 from Palmon: Survival - Strategy game Gameplay screenshot 2 from Palmon: Survival - Strategy game
Download on Google Play
Game icon for Riot Mobile by Riot Games, Inc

Riot Mobile

Riot Games, Inc
Strategy

A handy companion app for League of Legends fans. Check match stats, chat with friends, and follow esports on the go. Useful for any active Riot player.

Gameplay screenshot 1 from Riot Mobile - Strategy game Gameplay screenshot 2 from Riot Mobile - Strategy game
Download on Google Play
Game icon for Top War: Battle Game by RiverGame

Top War: Battle Game

RiverGame
Strategy

Merge units to make them stronger and send them into battle. Mix tanks, ships, and planes across land and sea. Easy to start, with steady long-term goals.

Gameplay screenshot 1 from Top War: Battle Game - Strategy game Gameplay screenshot 2 from Top War: Battle Game - Strategy game
Download on Google Play

About Play Picks

Play Picks is a small Canadian team that reviews mobile games. We focus on strategy titles, base builders, and team play. Our picks are chosen for steady fun, fair play, and clear value.

Each game on the site is tested by our editors for at least a week. We check the start, the mid game, and how friendly the title is to free players. We update notes when a game changes.

The portal is made for casual players and busy adults. If you have one phone, ten minutes, and want a good session, our list is for you.

How We Review

Our four-step pipeline for every title that makes the catalog.

Shortlist

We scan store charts, reader requests, and developer announcements to draft a weekly list of candidates.

First-hour play

Two editors install each title and judge onboarding, art, controls, and the size of the install footprint.

Long session

The shortlist goes into a seven-day test where we track grind, paywalls, and how alliances and events feel.

Publish & revisit

We post short notes, then return after major patches to update verdicts so the catalog stays current.

Tips for Mobile Strategy Players

Small habits that save hours across base-builders and squad games.

Join an active alliance early

Most strategy games gate the best rewards behind alliance events. Pick a chatty guild within the first three days.

Stockpile speed-ups

Save research and build speed-ups for events that double rewards. Spending them on regular timers is rarely worth it.

Watch the shield timer

In PvP titles, plan your large upgrades inside your shield window so a stronger account can't hit you mid-build.

Track daily missions first

Dailies usually pay for the rest of your progression. Knock them out before you start a long farming session.

Mind the battery

Lower the frame rate and turn off background sync on long sessions. Phones throttle when they get hot.

Try before you spend

Hold off on the first paid pack for at least 72 hours. Most titles run a steeper discount in the second week.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the questions readers send us most often.

Are the games on Play Picks free to play?

Yes. Everything we list is free to download from Google Play. Most titles include optional in-app purchases, which we flag in the notes whenever a paywall feels heavy.

How often is the catalog updated?

We refresh the catalog every week. New titles are added after the seven-day test, and existing entries are revisited after major patches or content seasons.

Do you accept paid reviews or sponsored picks?

No. Picks are chosen by editors only, and no developer can pay for placement or a higher rating. We are transparent about any review copy or pre-release access in the notes.

Can I suggest a game for the team to review?

Absolutely. Use the form below to send us the title and a short reason. Reader requests are read every Monday and influence our shortlist.

Which devices do you test on?

We test on a mix of mid-range and flagship Android handsets so our notes reflect the experience for typical readers, not only top-end devices.

Why focus on strategy and base-builder titles?

That is what our editors play and care about. Specialising keeps the bar high — we would rather cover one genre well than spread the team thin across every category.