7 mobile games that can keep your interest for more than a couple of hours

"I've never found a mobile game that's kept my interest for more than a couple of hours..."

So reads the topic-heading admission - or should that be accusation? - on a recent debate-stimulating Reddit post.

Of course, there are a lot of opinions and claims like this bandied around on the popular discussion website, many of which aren't worth a second of consideration. But the concept of mobile games as shallow, transitory experiences that fail to stand up to 'proper' PC and mobile games over the long haul has persisted, from the early days of Snake to the current iPhone and Android gaming Nirvana we operate from.

We figure it's worth at least a cursory acknowledgement from time to time - if only to dispel the bogus notion for a new generation of gamers.

So then, here is a small selection of mobile games that will keep you interested for more than a couple of hours. Way more, in fact.

In the interest of keeping things unmuddied, I haven't picked any games that are mere ports of pre-existing PC and console games. I'll reserve the refreshed 'games that play better on mobile' list for another day.

Wayward Souls

Wayward Souls is the action RPG that keeps on giving. Not only does it have brilliantly tactile hack-and-slash combat, but its levels are randomised, so every run-through is a fresh treat.

Downwell

There's a healthy dose of Spelunky's DNA in Downwell, but it's been funnelled into the mobile-friendly form of a quirky vertical platform-shooter. 'One more go' is never enough.

Kingdom Rush

Kingdom Rush isn't just the best tower defence game around - it's also a massive slab of content. It's challenging, varied, and just a pleasure to spend a whole lot of time with. And there are two similarly awesome sequels, too.

Card Crawl

Card Crawl is one of those games that I find myself coming back to time and again. On paper it's extremely simple - an enhanced version of Solitaire with light RPG elements - but it's so very ripe for replayability.

Space Marshals 2

Space Marshals 2 gives you tight action, tense stealth, and multiple paths through its huge levels, as well as an entertaining plot. All signs of a top grade triple A console adventure, essentially, but this time it's been built for mobile.

Traps n' Gemstones

Traps n' Gemstones isn't your average mobile platformer. It's got a large semi-open world to explore, room-sized spatial puzzles to solve, and a steadily growing range of abilities to master. If we were to get alliterative for a second, we'd say it's a mobile Metroidvania masterpiece.

Vainglory

Vainglory is a MOBA built especially for mobile, but it's still packed with all the things that matter to the genre - ample strategic options, interesting level design, and a slick and competitive online multiplayer environment. You could spend hundreds of hours with this one - and many have.