Why we only cover games that work offline

People sometimes ask why we're so strict about the offline rule. The short answer is that a phone game should work where you actually use your phone — the metro, a plane, a basement office with terrible signal.

There's also a data question. A game that quietly pulls content in the background can eat through a plan without you noticing. Offline games are simply more honest about what they need from you.

Finally, offline games tend to be built differently. Without a constant connection to lean on, developers usually design a tighter, more complete experience. That's the kind of game we like to write about.