TOP FIVE MOBILE STRATEGY GAMES

Strategy games are a breed of their own. It takes deep thinking, tactics, team play and careful planning to emerge victorious at the end of a mission. They offer high replay value due to the implementation of various strategies and high versatility factor.

Gamers often find strategy games highly addictive and relaxing due to the feel-good factor that arises from solving an in-game problem. One can engage in a mobile strategy game anywhere from their space of comfort - whether it be during an office lunchbreak or during travel.

These mobile games are on par with their PC and console counterparts - the only downside being the small screen to play on. Here we look at some of Android's best strategy games.

• ESCAPISTS 2: POCKET BREAKOUT (PAID)

The mini 2D game version of Prison Break, Escapists 2 is the sequel to Escapists, which offered something fresh in the sandbox and strategy genre when it first released in 2015. Enhanced with better multiplayer features and touch controls, the spin-off is an intuitively strategic entry in the category. If adrenaline rush is a must in your gaming experience, this is it. It doesn't get better than risking it all to escape from one of the toughest prisons in the world with a perfectly planned prison break. This is a multi-platform game, available on Playstation 4, PC, Xbox One and the iOS store.

• CLASH OF CLANS (FREE)

One of the highest grossing games of recent times, Clash of Clans has somewhat revolutionized the classic strategy genre, bringing in the feel of the beloved Age of Empires series onto mobile screens. The gameplay is simple - build your fortification and defend it. But the strategies that go into the game are simply wonderful, as you gather your knights, horsemen, archers and soldiers to fight to the death. The game also has an active multiplayer scene where one can battle with players from across the globe.

• XCOM: ENEMY WITHIN (PAID)

Originally out as an expansion pack to 2012 Strategy Game of the Year XCOM: Enemy Unknown, Enemy Within is very much capable of being called a standalone game of its own due to the plethora of functionalities available for players. With new abilities, upgrades, weapons, soldier classes, maps, tactical and strategic gameplay and multiplayer content, the player has the responsibility to manage the XCOM headquarters by defending it against invading aliens - in a transhumanism setting.

• TROPICO (PAID)

Ever just wished of living life in a lush green Caribbean island, wielding unlimited power? That's the life Tropico provides. As El Presidente of the nation of Tropico, you are in charge of managing all aspects of life and society on the tropical island. From building new infrastructure and upholding the law to managing the economy and maintaining political relations, the scope of Tropico is absolutely overwhelming. Strategy is key to play the game in which you are essentially a dictator running things as you like.

• MOTORSPORT MANAGER (FREE)

Motorsport Manager's entry into the strategy based category was fresh and welcoming. The racing management strategy game simulator allows players to create their own motorsport team by hiring drivers, engineers, improving the team headquarters, designing overall car performance and maintain finances of the motorsport company. By facing off players and managers from all over the world, one can engage in a wholesome F1 environment, something that was amiss in the racing genre.

Apart from playing these wonderful mobile strategy games, users can also engage in other forms of entertainment using their smartphones - such as online casinos. Since different regions have different laws, players have the comfort of acquiring location-specific knowledge. For example, South African players can access casinos that provide instant payouts through a curated selection of best instant withdrawal casinos. Terms and conditions of every top online casino is scoured to understand their respective policies, which differ in the speed of payouts.

These reputed casino companies provide a whole range of perks such as no-deposit free spins, daily cashback, Bitcoin deposits, loyalty schemes etc. One can also enjoy playing bingo slot machines on a mobile device. Both first time and regular users are graced with advantages that are fun to use and play.

The craze for strategy-based games is on the rise and with innovative conceptual ideas being implemented every now and then, it may not be very late before we see mobile games overtaking PCs and consoles.