Big Bass 3in1: three little games that fit in your pocket

I'll be honest, I nearly skipped Big Bass 3in1. Fishing games on mobile usually go one of two ways: either they're a hollow tap-to-win affair or they drown you in menus. This one landed somewhere much more pleasant.

The three modes are the whole idea. You cast and reel in the main mode, then jump into a quick sorting round to organize your catch, then browse the collection album that slowly fills up as you play. Each mode is simple on its own, but together they give you a reason to keep going that a single loop wouldn't.

Controls deserve a shout. Casting is a swipe with a little pull-back for power, and it feels tactile in a way a lot of mobile games miss. Reeling uses a soft tap rhythm, and the sorting mode is fast enough to feel snappy without ever getting frantic.

My advice: don't grind it. Big Bass 3in1 is best in short bursts — a few casts on a break, a little sorting, then put the phone down. Treated that way, it's one of the more relaxing things I've had on my phone this year.

Not everything is perfect. The collection album could use more variety later on, and I'd love a bit more feedback when you complete a set. But for a calm, one-handed game, it earns its keep.