Finding something good to play on your phone can feel absolutely overwhelming. There are way too many games out there for even the most hardcore gamers to wade through, let alone a more casual gamer who just wants something fun to play!
Fortunately, we’ve been hard at work tracking down the best mobile games that are actually worth your time. Whether it’s free-to-play games or premium purchases, you absolutely can find quality experiences that are hard to find anywhere else. Below you’ll find our picks for what you should consider playing.
Each entry will include notes to let you know what to expect from each title. For example, “gacha” games typically involve a sort of gambling component that could tempt you to spend more real life money than you’re comfortable with, and “FOMO” (Fear Of Missing Out) refers to if a game has limited-time content that will disappear if you don’t play at certain times. These typically go hand-in-hand with “free” games, and while some gamers can ignore these elements, others may struggle with them. This is why games with these elements will be plainly marked as such.
We’re still in the process of building this list, so check back with us as we continue to play more mobile games and see what’s worth playing!
If you just want free-to-play or non-gacha games specifically, check out either of these lists below:
The best non-gacha mobile games
The best free-to-play mobile games
Monument Valley
Free-to-play: No
Gacha: No
FOMO: No
Monument Valley is a short but sweet perspective-based puzzle game that I couldn’t stop playing from the moment I picked it up. It’s that right mix of accessible controls and brain-teasing challenges, with an abstract story that just has some captivating vibes if nothing else. There’s actually not a lot to say here, since so much of Monument Valley can’t really be explained with words, but just know that it’s an award-winning game for good reason.
Monument Valley received a sequel in 2017, which I’d also recommend if you like this concept. Apple Arcade users can also grab this game via Monument Valley+, so absolutely download that if you’re subscribed.
Monster Hunter Now
Free-to-play: Yes
Gacha: No
FOMO: Minimal
If you were alive in 2016, I’m going to assume you heard of Pokemon GO. That concept of venturing outside to catch some of the world’s most iconic fantasy monsters took the world by storm, and that game is still going strong today. That said, developer Niantic has tried to replicate that success with many other games since then, and I’d argue that Monster Hunter Now is the company’s best work yet.
Based on Capcom’s Monster Hunter series, Monster Hunter Now is completely beginner friendly. Instead of looking for fantasy creatures to catch like in Pokemon GO, you’ll hunt down fearsome monsters lurking in parks and street corners alike. Battles only last about 75 seconds, but you’ll have to tap and swipe strategically to both land blows and dodge powerful attacks. Defeating monsters gives you materials to craft better equipment, which lets you hunt down more tough monsters. It’s a simple loop, but it’s so immediate and easy to understand that it’s hard not to get immersed before you know it.
If the idea of a game that encourages some exercise interests you, Monster Hunter Now is a great pick. It supports four-player co-op as well, so if you have some friends with you, this is the title to dive into.
Deemo
Free-to-play: No [Does contain paid DLC for extra songs]
Gacha: No
FOMO: No
Deemo remains, to this day, one of the most iconic rhythm games you can find on mobile devices. The piano-focused gameplay and soundtrack perfectly fit touch devices, and the song selection here is incredible. Sure, there’s a lot of DLC (as is to be expected from most rhythm games), but there are so many jams to enjoy here.
What really elevates Deemo above its competition is its setting. The game mixes some light exploration and puzzle solving elements in here, which all build a story that becomes surprisingly emotional at its climax. Whether you’re a rhythm game beginner or expert, there’s something for you to enjoy here.
While Deemo has since seen a free-to-play sequel and a semi-remake, the original game remains arguably the best due to its sheer variety of songs. But regardless of which Deemo you choose, you can’t really go wrong.
Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent
Free-to-play: Yes
Gacha: Yes
FOMO: Minimal
Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent is incredibly similar to Another Eden. It’s a free-to-play RPG with a gacha system that, otherwise, plays almost exactly like a full-priced RPG. This one also comes directly from the team that brought us the console Octopath Traveler games, so that iconic HD-2D pixel art style translates perfectly here.
That alone could cement Champions of the Continents’ place on this list, but the game also innovates on Octopath Traveler’s combat system in ways that arguably improve on the original. You control a party of eight characters here, and managing who’s on your front and back lines is crucial to success. Additionally, like Another Eden, this one doesn’t feature much time limited content. You can experience a console-quality story filled with dramatic twists and turns entirely for free, with an enormous abundance of character-specific sidequests to chase down as well.
Some story objectives can require a bit of grinding to overcome, but everything is perfectly doable as a free player. Even if you’ve never played Octopath Traveler or Octopath Traveler 2, this one’s worth your time.
One Deck Dungeon
Free-to-play: No [Contains some paid DLC for extra content]
Gacha: No
FOMO: No
One Deck Dungeon isn’t the most exciting board game adaptation ever made. However, as far as table top games go, One Deck Dungeon is one of the best solo pick-up-and-play games you can ask for. This simple game of dice manipulation is surprisingly captivating, which makes it a perfect game for mobile devices.
One Deck Dungeon tasks you with taking one or two heroes through randomized dungeons filled with baddies to fight and traps to disarm. Rather than using any kind of traditional turn-based combat, encounters are resolved though rolling lots of dice and using skills to manipulate those dice to hit certain thresholds. It takes a second to get used to, but once you have a hang of it, it becomes incredibly hard to put down.
If you want the kick of a campaign board game without the setup or time commitment those generally involve, One Deck Dungeon is for you.
Another Eden
Free-to-play: Yes
Gacha: Yes
FOMO: Minimal
Chrono Trigger is often called one of the greatest RPGs of all time, yet it has never gotten a true sequel. While explaining the whys of that would encompass an article on its own, clearly writer Masato Kato and composer Yasunori Mitsuda still have a lot of love for that title. So fittingly, Another Eden is a free-to-play RPG that involves these two industry legends, and it feels an awful lot like Chrono Trigger.
What makes Another Eden so great compared to countless hero-collector gacha games is that this one really feels like a classic, Final Fantasy style RPG. It’s a story driven adventure that has you exploring towns, dungeons, and chasing down sidequests without any stamina systems to limit your playtime. What’s more, the game is incredibly light on time-limited content, so even a totally new player shouldn’t feel like they missed out by starting now.
This one’s definitely for RPG fans. But if you want a game to really sink your teeth into, you can’t go wrong here.
You Must Build a Boat
Free-to-play: No
Gacha: No
FOMO: No
The RPG-puzzle genre is robust these days, but EightyEight Games’ You Must Build a Boat sticks out above the crowd. It’s a frantic and captivating take on the Match-3 formula, hitting that exact sweet spot of easy to play and difficult to master. And because each “run” of the game lasts until you lose, going back to your boat and unlocking upgrades with your winnings really encourages you to see how much longer you can go on your next run. It may not look like much, and it may only cost a few dollars, but the quality of the gameplay you’ll get here is absolutely sublime.
You Must Build a Boat is the sequel to 10000000, which features the same style of gameplay. While You Must Build a Boat is the superior title, I’d frankly recommend getting both games. You’re going to want more by the time you’re done.
Arknights
Free-to-play: Yes
Gacha: Yes
FOMO: Yes
There are countless gacha games on mobile devices vying for your interest, but as far as those traditional stage-by-stage games go, Arknights reigns supreme. If a Tower Defense RPG with a gritty story and a strong focus on strategy sounds good to you, you’ll dig this.
Even if Tower Defense games aren’t your thing, Arknights blends deep gameplay with simple controls in a way that will make you a fan of the genre. And while you will need to roll for new heroes via its gacha system, the game makes it easy to build your roster. It’s the perfect game to play for a few minutes or a few hours (if your in-game stamina meter allows for it at least), whether you’re at home at the go. As far as free-to-play games go, it’s hard to go wrong with Arknights.
Fantasian
Free-to-play: No, requires an Apple Arcade subscription
Gacha: No
FOMO: No
We’ve talked about a lot of classic RPGs on this list, but what about an all-new, top-shelf RPG exclusive for mobile devices? Enter Fantasian, a game that comes to us from the Final Fantasy creator himself, Hironobu Sakaguchi.
This isn’t just a nostalgia trip. Fantasian mixes classic RPG gameplay with new ideas to create an adventure that feels just as fresh as it is familiar. What’s more, Fantasian also features a soundtrack by the legendary Final Fantasy composer Nobuo Uematsu. The only real downside here is that Fantasian remains, to this day, an Apple Arcade exclusive title. Android users are out of luck, even years after the game’s original release. That said, if you don’t mind grabbing an Apple Arcade subscription, Fantasian is worth your time. It is as “Squaresoft” as any new game you’ll find these days, and that alone deserves a hearty recommendation
Genshin Impact
Free-to-play: Yes
Gacha: Yes
FOMO: Yes
Genshin Impact lit the world on fire when it hit mobile devices back in 2020, and it’s easy to see why. It looks and sounds like something you’d play on a PlayStation 5, and its huge open world has been compared to all-time legendary games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Genshin Impact single-handedly redefined what mobile games were capable of, and to this day remains one of the most stunning titles you can play.
Like the entries immediately above this one, Genshin Impact is a gacha game. Collecting all your favorite characters may take time, but the game fortunately has protections in place to ensure you’ll get new top-tier characters even without spending any money. Additionally, this one requires a relatively new device if you want to really enjoy this one on mobile. But if you can deal with that, you’ll easily lose yourself for dozens of hours uncovering everything Genshin Impact has to offer.
Fortunately, a few of us here at Destructoid are really into Genshin Impact. If you want to know where to get started with this game, check out our ongoing coverage and guides here!
Dragon Quest V
Free-to-play: No
Gacha: No
FOMO: No
Much like the classic Final Fantasy games, the first six Dragon Quest are all available on mobile devices. These classic titles have nice mix of accessible dungeon crawling and pleasant exploration that really work well on your phone, whether you want to play for a few minutes or a few hours. While every Dragon Quest title is worth playing, Dragon Quest V is both one of the best games in the series and one of the best RPGs period.
All the charm of the Dragon Quest series is here, but what elevates this one is its surprisingly heartfelt story. Beginning from the birth of your player character all the way into old age, Dragon Quest V tells a tale that mirrors the ways our real lives change as we get older. We stumble into adventures, making unlikely friends along the way, only to realize later in life how much those bonds mean to us. It’s a story of love and revenge in equal measure, all while carrying that whimsy the Dragon Quest series is known for. It will stick with you long after its over, I can’t recommend it enough.
As another point in Dragon Quest V’s favor, the mobile version is really the only accessible way to buy the game in English nowadays. Your only other option is to track down a cartridge for the Nintendo DS, which would wind up costing you a pretty penny. And if you’re still not sold on Dragon Quest V, know you can also collect and train monsters Pokemon-style here too. This game really has it all.
Published: Nov 8, 2023 01:01 pm