Top 10 iOS and Android games of January 2019

The one shining light of January 2019 - in terms of mobile games at least - was BackFire. But we reckon it would stand out in any month.

BackFire is an intoxicating shooter that flips things around by having your craft shoot in the opposite direction, creating some truly memorable rearguard actions.

The result is a quirky shooter that belongs right up there with Downwell.

This single-screen bouncing ball game has dodging lots of spiky hazards and dying an awful lot.

The combination of precarious Flappy Bird-like controls and a system that rewards shaving close to hazards results in an experience that's equal parts thrilling and challenging.

There's a real oddball, homespun charm to DUNKYPUNG that we really dig.

You think you've had enough of dungeon crawlers, and then a game like King Crusher comes along.

While it's got a roguelike angle to it, King Crusher also borrow liberally from the block-sliding puzzle game playbook, as you control three different heroes on a three by three grid.

Add in an endearing art style, and you're on to the kind of quirky experience you only really get on mobile.

This midcore ARPG is the complete package, with AAA presentation and lots of memorable characters.

Everything's focused on helping you have a job load of fun battering bad guys.

The controls are suitable pared back and everything moves along at a fair old lick, but Forged Fantasy has enough meat on its bones (including PvP) to keep you coming back for more.

Forget the awful name - Tacticool is a really well-judged game. It's a tight and taut multiplayer shooter that strikes almost all of the right notes.

You take control of a gruff soldier and compete against real players in top-down shooter fights.

Friendly fire and vehicular carnage add welcome twists to the finely honed arcadey action.

A rare Japanese strategy RPG with ace visuals and stacks of content, Langrisser Mobile is a bit of a winner.

All in all, it's a game that's worthy of comparison to Fire Emblem Heroes in a number of ways.

Yes, there are some annoying free to play elements, but in general this is a highly enjoyable slice of tactical adventuring.

Somos kicked off our gaming year with a bracing blast of arcade action.

It's an artfully stripped back abstract action game that's perfect for short bursts of play.

This isn't a game that'll stick in your memory for too long, but it's very good at what it does.

Hang Line riffs off the familiar swing mechanic we've seen a fair amount of on mobile, but applies it to a surprisingly explorative experience.

You're a mountain climber ascending various peaks, rescuing stranded peeps on the way.

There are falling rocks, fragile ice, and irate goats to dodge as well.

What would happen if you crossed Crossy Road and Rampage? Something resembling Kaiju Rush, we should think.

This is a speedy one-tap arcade game that's packed with exploding buildings and destruction.

It can get pretty repetitive, but it's a cathartic way to waste a few minutes.

A one-on-one card game that packs a far sharper edge then its benign visuals would suggest.

You're either a sheep herder protecting your flock or a fox seeking to eat them, and you must employee a series of special cards to do so.

It can make for some surprisingly tactical multiplayer battles.