Lantern Hollow

Lantern Hollow is the game I recommend when someone says mobile games can't be cozy and clever at once. You wander a hand-drawn forest, light lanterns, and slowly piece together what happened to the village that once lived there. It's calm, but there's always a thread pulling you forward.

Exploration is the whole point. Tapping to move and hold-to-examine keeps things simple, and the puzzles woven into the environment reward you for actually looking around. I found myself taking screenshots just because the art is lovely.

There's no combat and no timers, which some players will find slow. For me that was the appeal — an hour in Lantern Hollow felt like reading a good short story.

What we liked

• Gorgeous hand-drawn world
• Gentle, curiosity-driven puzzles
• Relaxing with no combat or timers