Coin Strike

Coin Strike surprised me. On the store page it looks like a hundred other casual tappers, but once you start flicking rows of coins into matching stacks, the rhythm takes over. Each board is a little puzzle of timing — you want to clear the dense clusters first so the chain reactions do your work for you.

Controls are the real win here. Everything is one thumb: a short swipe to aim, a tap to launch. There's a satisfying weight to the way pieces knock into each other, and the physics feel consistent enough that you can plan a shot instead of praying. Later stages add moving platforms and locked tiles that force you to think two moves ahead.

I played it mostly on a bus, which is exactly the right context. Rounds are short, there's no energy wall nagging you, and the difficulty climbs at a fair pace. My only gripe is that the menu music loops a bit too eagerly. Turn it down, keep the sound effects, and you've got a genuinely relaxing time-killer.

What we liked

• One-thumb controls that feel precise
• Short rounds perfect for commutes
• Difficulty ramps up without feeling cheap