The best iOS and Android games of July 2017: Layton's Mystery Journey, Motorsport Manager 2, Mini Day Z and more

July had its fair share of brilliant mobile games, and most of them made you think.

Having rounded up our ten favourite iOS and Android games of the previous month, there's a definite thoughtful, exploratory, adventurous theme. If you haven't yet caught up, you'd better get your thinking cap on.

Here, then, are the best iOS and Android games released in July.

Layton's Mystery Journey
By Level-5 - buy on iOS / buy on Android

The first full-blown Professor Layton game to be made for mobile turned out to be an absolutely cracking puzzle adventure. It needed to be, with a price tag many times bigger than most other so-called 'premium' games.

Galaxy of Pen and Paper
By Behold Studios - buy on iOS / buy on Android

Just like Knights of Pen and Paper, Galaxy of Pen and Paper acts as a humorous tribute to classic table top roleplaying games. The main difference is the setting - out go the fantasy trappings of Knights in favour of sci-fi.

Motorsport Manager Mobile 2
By Playsport Games - buy on iOS

Just like the original, Motorsport Manager Mobile 2 is a thrilling juggling act that has you buying and building new car parts, hiring new staff, developing your HQ, and making crunch decisions come race day.

Mini Day Z
By Bohemia Interactive - download on iOS / download on Android

It's not quite the hardcore 3D action of DayZ, but this spinoff is a surprisingly involving survival game in its own right. Staving of the combined threat of starvation, thirst, hypothermia, murderous humans and hungry zombies is no easy feat.

Drop Wizard Tower
By Nitrome/Neutronized - download on iOS / download on Android

Sure it's a sequel, but Drop Wizard Tower adds a whole bunch more polish and a smattering of neat new ideas to the Drop Wizard mix - including roguelike elements. We do love our roguelike elements.

Wagers of War
By Jumb-O-Fun Games - download on iOS

It might wear its influences a little too prominently on its sleeve, but Wagers of War remains one of the most tightly competitive PvP games of the month. Combinging elements of Hearthstone and Clash Royale without quite matching either, it's pretty intense all the same.

Fighting Fantasy Legends
By Nomad Games - buy on iOS / buy on Android

Fighting Fantasy is a classic series of gamebooks, several of which have already made a successful journey to mobile. Fighting Fantasy Legends is something a little different though, successfully stirring in board game elements for a more 'gamey' experience.

Minecraft: Story Mode - Season Two
By Telltale - buy on iOS / buy on Android

You might not have thought that a story-driven spinoff of the all-conquering Minecraft would work, but we're in the safe hands of narrative maestros Telltale here. Season Two kicks off in fine fashion with strong production values, likeable characters, and an interesting story.

Brainful
By The One Pixel - download on iOS / download on Android

True to its name, you'll need to engage your grey matter if you're to get anywhere with Brainful. Part puzzler, part memory test, the game demands speed of thought and fingers alike.

The House of Da Vinci
By Blue Brain Games - buy on iOS

The House of Da Vinci owes a massive debt to Fireproof's The Room series, with a spookily similar blend of intricate locked-box puzzles and tight swipey mechanics. As tribute acts go, however, it's an uncommonly accomplished one.