Strange Pharmacy is one of those games that I expected to be a fun little JRPG in the same vein of Harvest Moon. It sported some cute title screens and anime-esque graphics, and promised to provide a series of fun little minigames. Unfortunately this promise is a filthy lie: the game is a nigh-incomprehensible mess that is almost unplayable thanks to shoddy mechanics, a rotten translation to English, and a complete lack of fun.
While the iPhone is probably best known for its vast library of pick-up and play titles, that doesn't mean the platform can't be home to deeper, more engaging games as well. And there are few genres deeper and more engaging than the Japanese RPG. Crimson Gem Saga may not be the most original JRPG out there, but it's charming and solid and, aside from a few control issues, is a great fit for the iPhone.