Trouble is brewing in Tavern Tale’s adorably dangerous world, which has been sealed inside a magical cube by an evil witch. Pick a hero to pit against bomb-hurling trees and rampaging boars, then sell loot for boosts back at the cozy pub you call home. Can you teach that witch and her minions not to mess with your pint-size champions?

What we love: The perilous storybook vibe. One minute you’re chatting up quirky merchants at the charming tavern; the next you’re running for your life as a giant candlestick boss tries to set you ablaze. But with a hero roster that includes a tai chi master otter and an extremely angry turnip, you’ll never get too scared.

Quick tip: When playing as the cheerful mage Kelly, hang back on the starting level until you’ve had a chance to cast Improvised Tome at least twice. There’s no time limit to runs, so pausing to conjure up a few useful spells before facing monsters will give you a sweet advantage.

Meet the creator: Chinese game studio ChillyRoom brought the heat with the roguelike action RPGs Otherworld Legends and Shadow of the Depth. But they’re not afraid to try cool twists on other genres, like the tower defense deck-builder Birds Camp or the wacky business sim We Happy Restaurant.