5 smartphone games to play while taking a break

Everyone needs a break once in a while. A coffee break between classes or work is more often than not gets accompanied by a quick gaming session on our smartphones.

There are no shortage of console quality games on mobile devices. So, whenever you have some downtime, give these games a try. The good news? They do not cost a penny.

Honkai Impact 3rd

Don't let the cute demeanor of Honkai Impact 3rd fool you. This game takes cues from brutally addictive titles such as the Devil May Cry and Bayonetta.

A 3D action role-playing mobile game developed by miHoYo, Honkai Impact 3rd incorporates a variety of genres from hack-and-slash to elements of bullet hell, platforming, shoot'em up and dungeon crawling.

It also features multiple single and multiplayer modes. The graphics, controls and gameplay is on par with many handheld consoles of today.

You spend your time gunning down hordes of enemies, dodging at the last moment to trigger a slow motion mode for slashing opponents into little pieces, and unlocking new characters and costumes as you play through the story mode.

The title also has upgradable skill trees and base-building mini-games.

Honkai Impact has micro-transactions, but completing daily events will get you some pretty good stuff pretty fast. The game is perfect for short burst play.

Just make sure you have good Wi-Fi during first launch, as the initial download could take a while. The game is available in Android, iOS and Microsoft Windows.

Hawk: Freedom Squadron

This one is for the lovers of old school co-op arcade shoot'em ups.

You will pilot dozens of elite aircrafts and take on enemies and bosses who will blot out the sun with their sheer numbers. But fret not, you can upgrade your weapons and drones, customize them to your liking and can ask a fellow pilot for help before taking on tough enemies.

The planes vary from fighter jet planes to diesel-punk contraptions. The game also has a colourful cast of characters and online events to help you upgrade your jet aircraft into something formidable.

We manage to come up with some truly devastating war planes by experimenting with different load-out of weapons, drones, shields and special abilities. Micro-transactions are there, but we barely noticed it.

The graphics and sound are quite detailed, but the game still gives off a retro vibe. There is plenty to do, missions to complete and planes to unlock. The game is also generous with its in-game rewards.

This title is available for both Android and iOS.

King of Fighters All Star

The King of Fighters series is the flagship title of Japanese developer SNK. The first game came out in 1994, over 25 years ago. If you have played that one as a kid, you are definitely getting old.

The King of Fighters All Star is the latest iteration of the much loved series, bringing together all the characters up to most recent mainstream title The King of Fighters XIV.

Instead of a team-based arcade fighting game between two players, this is a beat'em up role-playing title akin to the likes of Final Fight. You will beat up enemies with stylish combos and hidden desperation moves, and at the end of the stage face a tough boss.

The game is a re-telling of almost three decades of King of Fighters games, allowing players to create their own teams as they battle across multiple tournaments.

Fan favourites such as Kyo Kusanagi, Iori Yagami and Chizuru Kagura is playable right from the start. Players can then gradually unlock many other characters from a huge roster.

The boss battles are tough, but nerves of steel and a quick trigger finger will give you a fair chance surviving the onslaught.

Character details, sounds and controls are gorgeous. The game, developed by South Korean developer Netmarble with collaboration from SNK, is available on Android and iOS.

Riptide GP: Renegade

If you ever wanted to experience the future of illicit hydro-jet racing, this game is right up your alley.

Riptide GP: Renegade makes a spectacular display of twists and turns as armored riders pull off death-defying stunts over massive waterfalls, dodge the police through public waterways, and boost at supersonic speeds across surging waves.

You are a hydro-jet rider, framed and cast out from the Riptide GP league, forced to race illegally through cities, flooded ruins, and churning factory machinery in an effort to reclaim your reputation and your title.

This is a well-crafted take on motocross on water, adapted for mobile devices with touchscreen controls. The game also features a good progression system, tough bosses, and unlocking of new characters, hydro-jets and other upgrades.

Take your skills online for the ultimate test as you battle opponents around the world in 8-player matches. You can even play local multiplayer in split-screen races with up to 4 players.

It's a fun, simple, fast-paced, arcade racing game available for Android, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, iOS and tvOS.

Alto's Odyssey

If we wanted to describe this game with one word, it would be "Chill." There is something strangely soothing about the game and its cool soundtrack.

Alto and his friends have set off on an endless sand-boarding journey to discover the secrets of a vast, unexplored and majestic desert just beyond the horizon. They soar above windswept dunes, traverse thrilling canyons, and explore long-hidden temples in a fantastical place far from home.

You will grind across vines, bounce atop hot air balloons, ride towering rock walls, and escape mischievous lemurs along the way, all while uncovering the desert's many mysteries.

The game has six unique characters, each with their own attributes and abilities. The visuals are minimalistic, but suits the mood quite well. In addition to dynamic lighting and weather effects like sandstorms and shooting stars, the desert is home to swirling wind vortexes and rushing water.

Alto's Odyssey is vastly bigger than the previous game – Alto's Adventure, with three distinct zones, each packed with a whole host of different procedurally generated areas.

We passed through the sand dunes once, and found a buried pirate ship and rows of palm trees. In another run, we encountered the area again, but stumbled upon a bunch of hot air balloons floating in the breeze instead.

The game makes each run unique and interesting, and there is plenty of upgrades and gadgets to buy. Alto's Odyssey is available on Android, iOS and tvOS.