It’s refreshing when a game really invests in getting you started, and in the case of Empires and Puzzles – a matching game of epic proportions – that training is absolutely critical.

From investing in your base to training up your heroes, not forgetting housing your troops, collecting food and mining, this is a game that rewards you for time spent playing.

You progress through match-based missions against an array of villains in a challenging single player mode, where the learning curve remains the right side of steep and the next hero to win is always close enough to keep you playing.

Matching icons of the same colour sends a cavalcade of troops up the screen to attack, but players with real skill can concentrate on lining up more than three items or a special gem. It all helps to power up your heroes so that you can unleash a special move.

Quick tip: The summoning portal will bolster your band of heroes with new members. Keep levelling up your team up and you’ll become a serious force to be reckoned with.

Meet the creator: Founded in 2013, the Helsinki–based developer Small Giant Games aims to create brilliant gaming experiences with memorable characters and impressive graphics.