Brain Genius 2

All my friends are obsessed with getting into shape. Pelvic thrusts, protein shakes, Pilates; you name it, they're doing it. Now, I'm no couch potato, but I certainly think there's more to life than the body beautiful. After all, what use is a Porsche without the engine?

Brain Genius 2 is more concerned with flexing the muscle of the mind, so you can leave your spandex in the locker for this workout.

Here, the mental marathon takes place over four legs: Observation, Memory, Calculation and Reasoning. When you play the game for the first time, only two exercises are available in each category. But as you continue to train and your brain rating increases, the doctor in charge of your care gradually unlocks a further two in each section. It's a clever and rewarding system that keeps you coming back for a quick blast of cranial mania.

Back from the original Brain Genius is Dr Lababidi, a small, grey-haired scholar who acts as your personal trainer throughout the game. He's a charming fellow who calls you by your first name, and will offer words of encouragement if you perform well in your daily tasks. If you don't do so well in certain areas, however, he'll suggest which one needs improving the most. It all makes for a rather polished and personalised experience.

There's plenty of variation, too. Whether it's counting UFOs, memorising telephone numbers or guessing which object is hidden behind a spotlight, things never seem stale and the challenge remains fresh in the memory. The game even makes use of your phone's camera for certain puzzles; another returning feature from the first outing. It's all very nifty, providing you own a modern handset, of course.

After you've finished your daily program, there's the option to play for medals in Single Exercise mode. Score high enough and you'll be awarded a gold medal, which in turn gives you access to the next difficulty level. You start out as a Junior and then go on to Master, before finally attempting to run the Genius gauntlet. You can compare up to three profiles, too, so there's bragging rights to be held amongst your friends.

That's an impressive amount of content for a mobile game – and we haven't even finished yet. Once your brain rating reaches a certain level, there are two further bonus games that become available: Crosspix and Sudoku. The former (also known as a Nonogram or Griddler) is particularly addictive, playing out like a cryptic paint-by-numbers puzzle.

Brain Genius 2 can't claim to do anything groundbreaking, but it does offer the perfect balance between casual gaming and a serious mental mash-up. Not only is it perfect for five-minute bus journeys, but there is enough substance here to keep you entertained even if your hire car has a rental breakdown.

Granted, there's certainly no shortage of brain training games on mobile, but immaculate presentation and an extremely rewarding sense of progression mean that Brain Genius 2 sits proudly at the top of the class.