Heroes of Mana is one of those DS games that flew under the radar but totally deserves more love. It’s a real-time strategy RPG where you’re constantly juggling unit production, resource gathering, and battlefield tactics—all on the touchscreen, which actually works way better than you’d expect. The first few missions ease you in with basic troops like knights and archers, but before long you’re managing flying units, healers, and even summoning giant treants to smash through enemy lines.

The story’s got that classic Mana series charm, with airships, ancient magic, and political intrigue. I’ll admit some of the character designs feel a bit generic at first, but they grow on you—especially when you start unlocking their special abilities mid-battle. Pro tip: Don’t sleep on the hawkmen. Their mobility saves your butt in so many missions.

It’s not perfect (the AI can be a little derpy sometimes), but there’s something satisfying about micro-managing your squads while dodging enemy ambushes in those tight jungle maps. If you ever wished Final Fantasy Tactics had more real-time chaos, this is your jam.