Best New Mobile Games – August 2025 Round-Up

A packed month for mobile gaming sees Subnautica make its way to phones, Angry Birds trying a fresh spin, a Zack Snyder movie tie-in, and a handful of other releases across genres. Not all of them hit the mark, but there’s something for puzzle fans, survival enthusiasts, and tower defence players – along with a reminder that free-to-play still has its pitfalls.

As noted in GameCentral’s list, the line-up blends premium, subscription-based, and free-to-play titles. This month also highlights the changing landscape of mobile publishing, with Netflix leaning more on its own IP and subscription services like Apple Arcade pushing microtransaction-free experiences.

Subnautica Mobile

Platform: iOS & Android – £8.99 (Playdigious)

Originally a PC release in 2018, Subnautica now arrives on mobile in a surprisingly strong port. You begin in dramatic fashion: your spaceship suffers catastrophic damage above an alien ocean planet, dumping you into a burning escape pod bobbing on the surface. From there, it’s survival – gathering resources, crafting tools, upgrading oxygen tanks and flippers, and eventually building submarines and underwater bases.

The underwater world feels alive, from serene coral reefs to predators that will force quick retreats. The pacing is gentle, encouraging exploration while steadily unlocking new blueprints. Touchscreen controls, while not perfect, work here thanks to the slower pace of movement compared to fast-twitch games. It remains one of the most compelling survival experiences, now playable on the go.

Read also about Subnatica 2 drama with delay and deeper details from KRAFTON's former employers.

Score: 8/10

Blood Line: A Rebel Moon Game

Platform: iOS & Android – Included with Netflix subscription (Netflix)

A tie-in to Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon films, Blood Line uses the series’ universe and lore but delivers a flat narrative through still images of generic, bearded sci-fi heroes. The storytelling is dense yet unengaging, but beneath that is a functional twin-stick shooter.

Missions are variations on shoot-and-defend: steal supplies, destroy equipment, or hold a position while enemies swarm. Co-op with random players is supported, and the gunplay feels weighty, with a range of characters and abilities to try. It’s competent and occasionally fun in short bursts, though skipping the story is recommended.

Score: 6/10

Bridge Constructor Studio

Platform: iOS & Android – £4.99 (Headup Games)

A polished entry in the bridge-building genre, Bridge Constructor Studio makes excellent use of touchscreen controls. Each level presents a gap, anchor points, and a set of vehicles that need safe passage. The challenge is to construct a bridge using the fewest materials while staying under budget – success earns a golden screw.

It lacks the community-sharing features of some competitors, but the satisfaction comes from refining designs, shaving costs, and experimenting with different structural approaches. The balance between creativity and efficiency keeps it engaging over many sessions.

Score: 8/10

Shadow Kingdom: Frontier War TD

Platform: iOS & Android – Free (Pusilung)

Borrowing heavily from Nightfall: Kingdom Frontier TD, this tower defence title still carves out its own appeal. The game revolves around a hero unit who fights alongside towers, resource generators, and trained troops. Each map’s unique geography and enemy composition make planning key to success.

Progress is steady, though ads and grind-based paywalls are part of the package. Despite these, the game’s level design and tactical variation make it a worthwhile choice for fans of the genre willing to put in extra attempts to crack tougher stages.

Score: 7/10

Angry Birds Bounce

Platform: iOS – Included with Apple Arcade subscription (Apple)

The long-running franchise returns to its slingshot roots with a twist: instead of toppling structures, you aim to clear tiles by bouncing birds into them. Each bird type has its own properties, adding strategy to shot selection.

As an Apple Arcade title, it’s free from microtransactions, allowing unrestricted play. The difficulty ramps up quickly despite the colourful, light-hearted presentation. While it doesn’t quite capture the magic of similar classics like Puzzle Bobble, it offers a solid, no-frills puzzler.

Score: 6/10

Fate War

Platform: iOS & Android – Free (IGG Singapore)

Fate War opens with a clumsy, AI-generated cutscene and stilted dialogue, setting low expectations it never quite overcomes. Gameplay follows the well-worn pattern of village-building, army recruitment, clan membership, and inevitable raids by higher-spending players.

It rewards patience and spending over skill, relying heavily on standard pay-to-win structures. The generic visuals and lack of meaningful player agency make it hard to recommend, unless you already enjoy this particular brand of competitive settlement destruction.

Score: 2/10