Paid games you need to play, according to Reddit users

Reddit claims to be the Internet’s front page, and there’s always plenty of chatter about what paid games are worth paying a one-time, upfront price for. From established masterpieces to the newest indie darlings, Reddit is where the most active discussions about games happen. Here are the paid mobile games Redditors are saying are the best.

Redditors are unanimous in their praise for Balatro, saying it’s a perfect game for playing in short bursts. “Commuting from [home] to work and vice versa? Balatro. Waiting for the doctor in the hospital? Balatro. Killing time at work? Balatro,” Redditor FastFingerJohn says. In Balatro, familiar poker hands are transformed thanks to game-changing "Joker" cards that completely rewrite the rules.

Redditor reegeck praised Dredge as a “true console quality Android port”, and added that it's “definitely one of the best looking Android games.” In Dredge, players are cast into an aquatic mystery aboard their trusty fishing trawler. Venturing into the dark may reward you with rare fish, but it also tests your nerve as your "Panic" grows.

Cozy games don’t get better than Stardew Valley, with plenty of Redditors agreeing that the mobile version is well worth the cost. User dther85 says they “prefer Stardew Valley on the phone since it’s the perfect game to pick up and casually play anywhere while you’re waiting or out doing errands.” In Stardew Valley, you pour your energy into a bountiful farm, spend your days fishing, explore mines for treasure, or befriend the townsfolk.

If you’re looking for a true PC/console experience on your phone, Redditors say look no further than Alien: Isolation. Redditor Double-Fox586 says “ the game is very well optimized and the graphics aren't much different from its pc and console counterparts.” Alien: Isolation is a harrowing survival experience where you are the prey.

Slay The Spire was a hit on PC, and it's taken its compelling deck-building gameplay seamlessly to mobile devices. Redditor morbidpleasure says they’ve “put more time into the android version than the PC version by a factor of 100 easily”, and that the game was “worth every penny”. In Slay The Spire, instead of building a deck beforehand, you'll craft it one card at a time. Each victory lets you add a new card, forcing you to adapt your strategy on the fly.