July 2026 offers a diverse crop of new mobile games, including detective puzzles, auto battlers, and an Advance Wars-inspired title. With hot weather making indoor activities appealing, these touchscreen games provide engaging time sinks.
Mini Murder Mysteries: Lightweight Sleuthing
Mini Murder Mysteries (iOS, £1.99) from Bunkworks presents nine cases solved by tapping evidence and dragging keywords into statements. The interface is well-designed, but the proximity of the 'reveal answer' button to the check button can lead to accidental spoilers. It offers a couple of hours of deduction, earning a score of 6/10.
Sky Lobby: Minimalist Lift Puzzle
Sky Lobby (iOS & Android, free, full game £4.99) from Moya Labs tasks players with building and controlling lifts to transport coloured shapes. Its minimalist interface and calming musical tones resemble Mini Metro, but the gameplay becomes increasingly hectic. Currently on sale for £1.99, it scores 7/10.
Tomb Of The Mask: Netflix's Fast-Paced Maze
Tomb Of The Mask (iOS & Android, included with Netflix subscription) combines 8-bit maze navigation with swiping controls. The main mode requires collecting dots while avoiding hazards, while Arcade Mode adds a rising water level for extra pressure. Despite difficulty lumps, it plays smoothly and scores 8/10.
Rift Wars: Merge Arena: Auto Battler Fun
Rift Wars: Merge Arena (iOS & Android, free) from Reflection Games is an auto battler where players set up combatants and watch them fight. It's easy to pick up but has complex interactions. It lacks the polish of Clash Royale's Merge Tactics but offers diverse units and no forced ads, scoring 6/10.
Quack Quack Attack: Peggle Clone with Monetisation
Quack Quack Attack (iOS & Android, free) by HaoPlay is a Peggle-like game where ducks fire eggs at pins. It features gacha pulls and microtransactions, which compromise the engaging core mechanic. Score: 5/10.
Crownlings: Heroes & Conquests: Advance Wars Clone
Crownlings: Heroes & Conquests (iOS & Android, free) from Angry Banana is a fantasy-themed Advance Wars clone with square grids, captured towns, and unit upgrades via cards. Maps are small but challenging, and a multiplayer button is greyed out as 'coming soon'. Score: 7/10.
Zomline Survival: Pay-to-Win Clone
Zomline Survival (iOS & Android, free) by Yoozoo starts with a polished village refurbishment but devolves into a pay-to-win city invader identical to many others. It relies on wait timers and upgrades, earning a score of 2/10.
