Big Bass Fishin

I went into Big Bass Fishin expecting a five-minute novelty and ended up playing it on the couch for an entire evening. The core loop is casting, waiting for a bite, then working the fish in with a tension meter you can't ignore. Pull too hard and the line risks snapping; go too gentle and the fish tires you out first. It's simple to grasp and surprisingly satisfying to master.

Controls are almost entirely one-thumb, which is exactly what you want for a game like this. A tap casts, a hold reels, and a little haptic buzz tells you when to ease off. The team clearly spent time on feel, because the reeling has real weight to it. Different spots on the map hold different fish, so there's a gentle sense of progression as you unlock new gear and travel to calmer or rougher waters.

Battery-wise it's kind to your phone — the scenes are pretty but not demanding, and an hour barely warmed my test device. It's the sort of game I keep open for a few casts between other things. If you want a relaxing sim with just enough challenge in the moment-to-moment, this one earned its place at the top of our catalogue.

What we liked

• One-thumb controls that feel great
• Genuinely relaxing pacing
• Light on battery for long sessions