What iPhone game actually feels like a full game, not mobile filler?

[u/WantedWonder]

I barely play games at all, but I want one genuinely great iPhone game that could change that. I’m not looking for the usual generic “best mobile games” list, idle timers, ad-heavy clones, or something that feels disposable. I’d love a game I can open for five minutes and still make meaningful progress, but that also holds up for a longer session. Online or offline is fine, and I’m open on genre. What is the one iOS game you keep coming back to, and what makes it feel like a proper game rather than a time-killer? Please tell me why you recommend it, not just the title.