By the end of 2024, the smartphone has finally ceased to be a “shameful” gaming platform. Yes, mobile phones are not up to par with PCs and consoles, including due to the limited choice. But this is only an illusion. This market already has hundreds and even thousands of decent games, some of which are released by famous developers.
We tried to collect the most notable, high-quality and interesting games that you can play before going to bed or during your commute to work. Some of them are free, some you have to buy.
Inked: A Tale of Love (iOS, Android)
An incredibly stylish puzzle game with a plot dedicated to love and redemption. The player must help the main character overcome obstacles and get from one part of the level to another. Inked stands out for its appearance: the entire game looks like it was drawn with a ballpoint pen. About the same one we used to draw crosses in the margins of our notebooks when we were at school.
World of Demons (iOS via Apple Arcade)
A third-person action game by Platinum Games. This is a Japanese game studio that specializes in high-quality games of this genre. It has released Bayonetta, Vanquish, NeiR: Automata and other titles. It is not surprising that the team’s debut mobile title also offers the player to destroy opponents with style. This time, it is Japanese demons Yokai, which the main character can capture and summon during battles with other monsters.
Sayonara Wild Hearts (iOS via Apple Arcade)
The Apple Arcade exclusive eventually made its way to older platforms, but ignored Android. On the surface, it’s a standard third-person runner where you avoid obstacles and collect points on a level. The game feels special thanks to its colorful visual style. Each level feels like you’re looking at your smartphone through a brand-new kaleidoscope.
The Pathless (iOS via Apple Arcade)
Another runner where the main character is the Huntress – a girl with a bow, as well as her pet eagle. The player not only sets the character’s direction, but also chooses targets. It is important not only to hit the target, but to do it in time. Then the heroine will speed up and the music will beat the right beat. Yes, in The Pathless you need to play to the beat to make it look beautiful.
Skate City (iOS via Apple Arcade)
A well-made street skateboarding simulator. The game has very simple controls. To perform tricks, just swipe the screen in the desired direction. During the game, you will have to complete simple goals, but all of them are related to tricks on the board.
Oceanhorn 2 (iOS via Apple Arcade)
Apple Arcade’s flagship title, this is a fairly large third-person game that was quickly dubbed a “cheap clone of The Legend of Zelda.” The player takes control of the local Link and goes exploring the big world, solving puzzles, and fighting monsters and bosses.
Monument Valley (iOS, Android)
Another puzzle about moving from point A to point B, but this time the player moves along tricky structures. To make the main character’s path easier, you can rotate or move various objects and entire structures.
PUBG Mobile (iOS, Android)
The immortal classic of royal battles. It is unlikely that anyone has not heard of PUBG Mobile, because it is hyper-popular. 100 people, one map, a lot of weapons and ways to remain the last survivor.
PUBG: New State (iOS, Android)
A sequel to PUBG Mobile, the events of which take place in the near future. New State differs from its predecessor in its arsenal, the presence of electric cars and interactive objects on the map like trams. The authors also worked on the appearance of the shooter, the picture became brighter and more colorful, which clearly benefits the game. Another innovation is money, which is sought at the level or near a killed enemy. You can use it to buy first aid kits, a reconnaissance drone and other useful items.
League of Legends: Wild Rift (iOS, Android)
A mobile version of the famous League of Legends. Its creators have faced a very difficult task – to transfer the entire experience of the PC version to smartphones and tablets, without creating a faceless clone. And they succeeded. Wild Rift feels exactly like its older brother. The gameplay and the game style of the heroes have hardly changed, new content is delivered regularly, and the opportunity to steal Roshan from a park bench is worth a lot.
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (iOS, Android)
Let’s not stray too far from the MOBA genre. Even before the release of Wild Rift, fans of the genre had very little entertainment on smartphones, and Mobile Legends is one of them. And at the same time, the game cannot be called a clone, it has many of its own mechanics and unique things that Riot Games does not work with.
Raid: Shadow Legends (iOS, Android)
A very beautiful grinder, in which the player upgrades the character and participates in turn-based battles. During the battle, you can use superpowers and even create combinations of them. The character is upgraded both with the growth of the level and with the appearance of unique items. In addition to the story campaign, there are many different modes and raids on unique monsters.
Genshin Impact (iOS, Android)
Genshin Impact is a typical Asian “gacha”. In this genre, the player collects various characters from loot boxes and upgrades them. We could have finished here, if not for the gameplay. This is a large game with a well-developed open world in the best traditions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. There is already so much content like quests or dungeons in it that you can get stuck for tens or even hundreds of hours. The local combat system, tied to combining the abilities of different heroes, does not let you get bored.
Hearthstone (iOS, Android)
Who doesn’t know about HS? A simple game with favorite heroes of the Warcraft universe and a lot of content, which is also regularly updated. In December, the CCG will receive a major addition ” Divided by Alterac “, which is dedicated to the confrontation between the Horde and the Alliance.
Legends of Runeterra (iOS, Android)
This card game will appeal to fans of League of Legends, because you can put Draven or Teemo on the field. Each hero card has its own unique abilities, which are also pumped up during the game. The gameplay is roughly similar to Hearthstone, but with a difference – each player has two active fields, which opens up additional space for tactics.
Grindstone (iOS via Apple Arcade)
This is the same “three in a row” that we mentioned at the beginning. However, here the already boring concept is simply pulled out by the game design, setting and entourage. The player becomes a mighty warrior who goes to destroy the monsters approaching his native settlement. To complete the level, you need to cut a certain number of monsters of the same color and at the same time not get hit by aggressive opponents or thugs. Exciting and simple gameplay made Grindstone a must-have app on the iPhone of any fan of games.
Brawl Stars (iOS, Android)
A top-down arena action game that has become incredibly popular due to its simple visual style and dynamic gameplay. Before the match, the player can choose a character. Each hero is equipped with a unique weapon and has their own combat tactics. Some heroes prefer to keep their distance and attack from afar, while others, on the contrary, strive to get closer to the enemy. The game has several different modes and a large flow of free updates.
Stardew Valley (iOS, Android)
One of the most famous indie games, the total circulation of which has long exceeded 10 million copies. In this pixel farming simulator, the player gets a musty farm, which must be turned into a paradise for gardening lovers. To do this, you need to grow plants, buy new seeds, establish relationships with the inhabitants of the nearby town and even fight opponents.
Teamfight Tactics (iOS, Android)
Autobattler based on League of Legends. Roughly speaking, these are the games that play themselves 90% of the time. You need to collect as many strong units as possible, equip them with the necessary items and place them correctly on the battlefield. And then you can turn on the stream or sit back on the couch.
Dota Underlords (iOS, Android)
A complete analogy to the previous game, but in the Dota 2 universe. There are also small differences in mechanics, but they are insignificant.
Pokemon GO (iOS, Android)
A sensational AR game that managed to gain popularity even during the lockdown. In Pokemon GO, the player becomes a Pokemon master who needs to collect his own collection of battle beasts. To do this, you need to get up from the couch and find a certain point on the map where they are concentrated.
The Witcher: Monster Slayer (iOS, Android)
Another AR game on our list, but this time about the witcher. Instead of catching monsters in a pokeball, here you need to destroy them. When you find any enemy, a simple combat mode is activated, in which blows are delivered by swiping in different directions. Before a sortie, you can take elixirs or prepare bombs.
Call of Duty: Mobile (iOS, Android)
The mobile version of Call of Duty almost completely conveys the experience of a large shooter on smartphones. It is a fast and dynamic shooter with all the familiar mechanics, maps and weapons. In addition to multiplayer modes, the game has zombies and a royal battle for 100 players.
Pascal’s Wager (iOS, Android)
Pascal’s Wager is a third-person action game with Dark Souls mechanics. What sets the game apart from its competitors is its nice graphics and overall premium feel. Everything is like in “adult” games: explore the game world, fight monsters, and level up.
Asphalt 9: Legends (iOS, Android)
A racing arcade with simple controls and dynamic gameplay. There are more than 140 different cars to choose from, and the pleasant graphics can surprise even the most serious skeptics. Seriously, the ninth part of “Asphalt” can be confused with some game of the PS3 or Xbox 360 generation.
Astracraft (iOS, Android)
A unique mix of constructor and action. In Astracraft, the player creates his own combat vehicles using dozens of different parts and components, and then sends them into battle with other users. The game does not limit your imagination in any way and allows you to design tricky mechanisms like spider robots or giant tanks.
Standoff 2 (iOS, Android)
The main mobile variation of the famous CS:GO. Everything is the same: two teams (terrorists and special forces), the need to buy weapons before the round and perform certain tasks. The shooter is very popular among fans of mobile games.
Lara Croft GO (iOS, Android)
A turn-based game based on the Tomb Raider franchise, in which the player takes control of Lara Croft and explores ancient tombs. The gameplay is very different from the usual games. Instead of a dynamic third-person action, the authors made a puzzle with a turn-based gameplay. The girl must go from one point to another and not get caught by enemies.
Deus Ex GO (iOS, Android)
Another match-3 game on our list. Or rather, a whole series of several titles. The condition for winning is almost always the same: you need to accumulate a certain number of points in a given number of moves. Often, the game opponent is the playing field itself – sections with obstacles or empty areas may appear on it.
Roblox (iOS, Android)
Another sandbox that offers to create your own games and share them with other users. The game allows you to evaluate the imagination of other users or “touch” the hype. For example, on the wave of popularity of the series “Squid Game” in Roblox there were many games that parodied deadly competitions.