Best iOS Games To Play

In general ranking games can be very subjective: some might prefer to emphasize gameplay, while others care more about how the game looks and sounds.

So, when we decided to make a list of the best iOS games of all time, we tried to think about their overall value and excitement factor to the player. 

How fun are they to play? This is the most subjective, of course. But there are other, more linear factors. Does the story have depth? What is the game’s length? We also consider how these games were received by audiences and how memorable they are in retrospect. 

Here is our pick of what we consider the best iOS games to play in 2024 in no particular order.

Slay the Spire

Slay the Spire is a game where you use cards to fight enemies while climbing the titular spire. You start with a basic deck of cards, but as you defeat enemies, you gradually improve it. The twist is that the game changes each time you play, forcing you to try new things.

Slay the Spire tries to overcome the competition through a roguelike take on the card game genre. The balance and success of this is somewhat mixed, but also more than enough to keep the game fresh, helped by the stylized 2D art and fantasy theme. Touch controls on iOS devices are especially good in this case, which isn’t always a given, and they deserve a special commendation here. 

While the storyline is… lacking, to say the least, the game has a dedicated community that certainly seems to enjoy the lore. As far as features go, offline playability is a must in this case, because progression isn’t saved too frequently, and the game supports iCloud sync.

Another similar game is Legends of Runeterra. It is a strategic card game set in the League of Legends universe, where players use champions and the unique abilities of Runeterra regions to battle each other.

Dead Cells

Dead Cells mixes the exploration of Metroidvania games with the challenge of roguelikes in an entertaining package that lets you fight through a constantly changing castle.

Each time you play, layout and items change their place, as is generally expected of the roguelike genre. You collect cells from enemies to unlock new abilities and upgrades, which in turn unlock new sections of the world.

Dead Cells is a fast-paced title that requires good reflexes to time the dodges correctly. As long as you can do that, the game opens up with deft exploration helped by its unlockable progression and dynamic levels. 

Both the soundtrack and the art-style manage to evoke a techno-fantasy vibe that’s hard to replicate elsewhere. The main technical feature we can count here as a win is offline replayability.

Other similar games include:

• Hades (iOS): A critically acclaimed rogue-like dungeon crawler where you defy the god of the dead as you hack and slash your way out of the Underworld of Greek mythology.

• Downwell: A fast-paced rogue-like game where you descend a well, fighting enemies and collecting treasures with your gunboots for survival and progress.

Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact is a mobile-first RPG set in the magical world of Teyvat. You control a party of characters with different powers, which you get (both characters and power, and gear to boot, actually) through a gacha system. 

Gacha is an Asian name for loot boxes. But eastern sensibilities don’t think of gacha as something inherently negative like “loot boxes”, rather a luck-based system of looting that encourages getting more boxes. Genshin Impact in particular is pretty good without having to spend anything.

Genshin’s combat system is most renowned for its elemental take on team battles that requires changing your party selection depending on your enemies. The reason is that each of your companions has a different element attached to them. 

Character switching is greatly encouraged, with post-launch support adding many new biomes and characters. It’s no surprise then that mobile controls need to be on point here since the game makes you hard-counter enemies constantly. And controls are good – nothing further to say here. Co-op is also a great addition, but unfortunately the game carries a disappointing always-online requirement. 

The only actual “online” feature that’s useful is an iCloud sync for cross-saves. The game also requires newer and powerful iOS devices in general. Genshin likely deserves the top spot in any best mobile games list. 

Another similar game is Undecember – a hack-and-slash RPG that features deep customization, dungeon crawling, and multiplayer elements, set in a dark, fantasy world.

Among Us

Among Us is a multiplayer game where players work together on a spaceship, but at least one of them is responsible for sabotaging the ship. 

On paper, the game is very engaging, because you don’t need incredible graphics or mood when other humans are involved and the entire thing becomes immersive. In practice, the game is good but for me personally it became stale fast since it’s basically a witch-hunt in outer space with little else to differentiate the experience.

At first glance, the game is very simplistic with flat 2D visuals and minimal audio, which carry on to a similarly simple gameplay and easy touchscreen controls. But this simplicity also means it’s very approachable to all players and it’s a good way to spend a bit of time and just relax –  it’s an “easy” experience that won’t really trouble your skills much. 

The gameplay is mostly carried by human interaction, which is a good thing in this case as there’s really not much else going for it. On the flip side, the game gets regularly updated with new scenarios to drive player engagement. Since it’s multiplayer only, of course, Among us requires an always-online check.

Other similar games are:

• Spaceteam: A cooperative shouting game for phones and tablets where players work together as a crew to pilot a spaceship, following absurd instructions before time runs out.
  
• Quiplash: A hilarious party game where players answer quirky prompts, and then vote on the best responses in a battle of wits and humor.
  
• Jackbox TV: A collection of party games where players use their smartphones as controllers, participating in quizzes, drawing games, and more, ideal for group entertainment.

Brawl Stars

Brawl Stars is a Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) game with several differing modes. Players pick characters with special abilities and generally compete in short matches, but there’s other stuff like heists. Teamwork is the big word that needs to be emphasized here.

MOBA and Shooters have gone hand in hand since at least the original Overwatch. There’s not much here to differentiate it, except to say this is a mobile-first title, so unlike Overwatch, it’s more simplistic and fast-paced with emphasis on good touchscreen controls. Any iOS action game ought to do this. 

Although in-app purchases are not necessary for progression, they are available for unlocking brawlers and cosmetics. But without them things get pretty stale quick, if you catch my drift. It’s a pretty good try-and-say-goodbye title. 

Another similar game is Vainglory – a pioneering mobile MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) offering deep strategy, team play, and live PvP battles.

Plague Inc.

Plague Inc. is a strategy game where you design a deadly virus to wipe out humanity in a pandemic. You evolve the virus to spread faster and resist cures while facing global challenges. Before you say anything, the game’s old and came before Covid. It hits different now. 

Plague inc. is available on the App store and is highly rated to this day. It’s certainly a very original premise with lots of strategic depth and many moving parts that help keep it fresh, since the word “evolve” is the most important here. You just don’t know how things’ll pan out next time around. 

Whether it’s a new disease, scenarios, or victory conditions, something will always crop up to make you rethink your strategy. Since the game is map-based, touch controls are also simple, with some good feature additions like text size adjustments and colorblind modes.

Other similar games include:

• Little Alchemy: A simple yet fascinating game where you combine elements to create hundreds of unique items, exploring the fun and creative side of alchemy.
  
• Kingdom Rush: A highly popular and addictive tower defense game with engaging gameplay, where players strategically place towers to defend their kingdom from various foes.

Call of Duty: Mobile

Call of Duty: Mobile brings the famous FPS action to mobile, something I really didn’t think would be possible a few years ago. Players customize loadouts, compete in ranked matches… you know what, look up Call of Duty if you don’t get it. It’s probably the most recognizable mass-appeal game out there.

Call of Duty: Mobile sets a high standard for mobile FPS with its detailed 3D graphics and fast-paced gameplay that offers a variety of modes to keep the action fresh.

The game attempts to maintain interest through thematic events and seasons that spice things up a bit. Controls are snappy, but to be perfectly fair, you better get a controller for this game or you’ll end up hating it. It’s not the game’s fault. Controllers are just better, and many players you play against will use a controller. You don’t want to lose because of that. 

The game is free-to-play, but it’s not readily accessible to everyone. The competitive landscape requires optimal performance, which means newer phones will have a big advantage over older ones. Call of Duty is also online-only. 

Another similar game is Krunker – an online multiplayer first-person shooter with fast-paced gameplay, pixelated graphics, and a wide range of custom game modes and maps.

Minecraft

Minecraft is a sandbox game set in a vast world where players can build and explore an entire universe. In Survival mode, they gather resources and create a home, while Creative mode offers unlimited resources for unrestricted building. 

I’ve seen Star Trek ships built in Creative mode. There are many biomes and mobs to encounter.

There are just a few things you should know about Minecraft: it’s got the iconic Roblox blocky style, like a lego, and it’s designed as the ultimate sandbox. This means you do everything yourself, extract all the fun by yourself, with no real activities in-game. You just go in there and create what you will. When you are bored, you leave. 

The game runs perfectly on all iOS devices and sports intuitive touch controls. It’s one of the best-selling titles ever across all platforms, including iOS. This of course is spearheaded by a dedicated community that introduces compatible mods.

Another similar game is Crashlands. It is an engaging crafting RPG adventure where you explore alien planets, craft items, and battle creatures after crash-landing.

The Witness

In The Witness, players explore a deserted island filled with puzzles integrated into the environment, each with its own logic and rules. The narrative itself is focused on themes such as science, knowledge, and consciousness. All in all pretentious stuff if it doesn’t deliver.

I left you hanging with “if it doesn’t deliver”, right? Well, there’s only one thing you need to know: I wasn’t very impressed, but many people are. Your mileage will vary. Objectively it’s a play-once title because puzzles remain the same if you start a new playthrough, but the puzzles themselves are good otherwise. 

A similar game is Gorogoa – an innovative puzzle game with beautifully hand-drawn artwork where players manipulate a series of panels to explore and advance the story.

Limbo

Limbo is a platformer with black and white visuals where you navigate a boy through puzzles while he tries to reach his sister. The monochrome visuals and the eerie landscape give a good impression. And the game’s called “Limbo”, hint. This should just about tell you everything for a start.

If you want an experience when you focus on the pure emotion of it, that’s the game’s strength. If you are looking for depth elsewhere, neither the gameplay will give you that, nor the narrative (which is open to interpretation what’s going on). 

This translates to controls and features as well – they are generically serviceable with nothing special going on for them. The game is focused on atmosphere first, everything else second.

A similar game is Device 6. This is a unique puzzle adventure game that blends text, audio, and visual elements to unravel mysteries surrounding the protagonist.

Monument Valley

One of the best Apple Arcade games, Monument Valley is a title where players have to guide Princess Ida through surreal landscapes, which turn out to be puzzles. 

It’s an artistically pleasing title, but you should watch a quick Youtube video and see if you like the style of the puzzles which lean on optical illusions. If you don’t, skip this one. 

The game features a silent protagonist in princess Ida, with the entire experience evoking a Journey-like feeling. If you want to make the game longer, there are in-app purchases for expansions. 

For iOS specifically, the only notable feature is Game Center for achievements. 

Oxenfree

Oxenfree was a sleeper hit a few years back due to its unique old-school vibe, reminding a lot of Netflix’s Stranger Things, but with a ghost island. 

The game features a dialogue wheel with choices that mold the story and how you interact with the other characters. And you’ve got only an old-school radio that helps you crack the island’s secrets wide open.

Oxenfree is a game that is touching on some pretty deep topics like dealing with loss and growing up. The story changes based on dialogues you make, leading to not only different endings, but also choices with reactivity while you play. 

Oxenfree earned a deserved high rating on the App Store, ranking among the best games for iOS in terms of user reviews. 

Another similar game is Wayward Souls – an action-adventure game with procedurally generated dungeons, permadeath, and RPG elements, offering a challenging and replayable experience.

Into the Breach

Into the Breach puts tactical strategy at the center of its gameplay, with emphasis on planning against enemy movements by strategically positioning your units. 

The premise is simple – you take control of mechs that have to fight against alien invaders while protecting your base’s structures. You are the only hope for humanity, and so forth. 

At release Into the Breach was acclaimed for its strategic depth and is considered one of the most influential new-wave games in the genre. 

It was received especially positively for its accessibility options which allow you to fine-tune the difficulty according to your likings. The low-demanding nature of the game (for hardware) and its offline mode make a case for it as one of the best iPhone games and the best iPad games.

A game similar to Into the Breach is Death Road to Canada. It is a randomly generated road trip simulator where you manage a group of survivors fleeing to Canada during a zombie apocalypse.

Inside

Scroll a bit further up and read about Limbo. This is the same developer’s next game and all the things on Limbo apply for Inside as well. Players guide a boy in a bleak world through puzzles with minimal explanations and only some environmental cues. 

The game puts a lot of effort in evoking eeriness and a deep feeling of… I don’t know if sensitiveness is the best word, but it’s the first one that springs out for me.  

As with Limbo, Inside is presented in a monochromatic color scheme. The subjects it encompasses are control versus freedom, and the loss of innocence. If you are looking for something lighthearted, this isn’t for you, probably. For iOS specifically, this title is one of the most-well crafted single-player experiences available on the App store, with well-thought out touch controls. 

Other similar games include Oceanhorn 2 – an action-adventure game that takes you on a journey through a beautifully detailed world, solving puzzles and battling enemies in a quest to protect the realm.

Super Hexagon

Super Hexagon is an arcadey game with incredibly high pace. There is no main character or story to speak of, you are just a triangle and you try to survive spinning walls and other traps. 

The game depends on a hypnotic soundtrack and the challenge it presents to you – dodge everything with precision or die.

In terms of visuals the game is presented with a neon appeal, which, at least to me, isn’t as exploited as other types of graphics. The game’s speed ramps up over time, making everything harder the longer you go, and when you fail, it’s easy to get back in immediately. 

If Civ 6 is “just one more turn”, this one is either “one more try” or you’ll hate it if you constantly fail fast. The game is a complete package with no additional purchases, and no definitive end. The only goal is to reach a high leaderboard ranking.

Geometry Dash is a similar game. It’s a rhythm-based platformer that challenges players to navigate through obstacles and spikes by jumping and flying to the beat of music.

Papers, Please

Papers, Please is such an apt name because you play as an immigration officer at a border checkpoint of a totalitarian country. With a name like that It was either immigration or a police cruiser I guess. 

If you are into roleplaying, this one is pretty interesting. You review documents and make tough decisions about who can enter the country, trying to weed out criminals. Everything gets complicated when you have to balance moral dilemmas and government orders.

Most games require a larger gameplay loop and it’s difficult to sustain its appeal over a longer time. Papers, Please solves this with flying colors and is one of the freshest titles in the genre. 

You only make decisions here, but the moral situations presented and how you impact the lives of others make you feel the stakes of each one. There are multiple endings you can reach in-game. The touchscreen controls are efficient because there’s barely any need for them. 

It’s one of the most thought-provoking experiences and the visuals are unassuming enough that it doesn’t matter what device you use. It’s perfect for iOS, with added support for iCloud sync progress.

If you like it, you will also like Threes – a minimalist puzzle game that involves combining addends and multiples of three by sliding numbered tiles on a grid to achieve the highest possible score.

Journey

Journey is one of the titles cited as “art” for the last decade. It’s the original mainstream progenitor that springs to mind when thinking of all the minimalist artsy games. 

You play as a pilgrim that traverses a desert filled with ancient ruins. Why are you there? Where will the pilgrimage lead you? There are no definitive answers as the entire game is voiceless and instead tries to evoke emotion through the soundtrack, which was Grammy-nominated. 

Unlike later copycats, Journey is successful in creating a real sense of wonder and depth. I’ve played a few such titles, and I think I’ve pinpointed what it does just right. It gives you something specific to look at and hear, while appearing there is a deeper meaning. Maybe there is, but it is certainly thought-provoking, in the sense that you are drawn to decipher it. 

There is a surprise multiplayer element as well when you find another voiceless pilgrim in the dead desert. And that brings true joy. 

Insert a button to How to play (game) on iOS page if existent

Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley is a charming farming simulation game that offers a rich RPG experience beyond agriculture, which all seems impossible. 

Players inherit their grandfather’s farm, and get going with standart farm fare activities. You have to build relationships with neighbors and other characters that can help you. If you are into simulators, this one is certainly unique.

Stardew Valley is presented through simple pixel art looked from a side perspective. Touchscreen controls are expert in the mobile field, offering customization to a lot of them. I want to underscore this – they are better than most you’ll find on iOS. 

The game offers high replay value if you like it, because there isn’t really a fixed end-goal and you can go about in many ways for how to improve your homestead.

If you want to play something similar to Stardew Valley, you can try Ni no Kuni. It is a visually stunning RPG that combines beautiful animation with an engaging story, set in a magical world created in collaboration with Studio Ghibli.

The Room

The Room is a hidden object puzzle game, mainly noteworthy for the design of its puzzles and how they feel just enough challenging for a wide variety of players, but not too much. This is complimented by good-quality 3D graphics for the environments. 

The Room has a very high app store rating, probably because of the slow meticulous appeal of its gameplay that focuses on mechanical objects and escape room-style challenges. There are no in-app purchases for new levels or anything approaching DLC territory. 

The game holds a mass appeal because it can run even on toaster-level iOS devices, despite the non-existent accessibility options. Meaning you either can deal with the puzzles or you can’t progress at all. There is integration for achievements and leaderboards.

Other similar games include:

• Mini Crossword: A shorter version of traditional crossword puzzles, offering quick and engaging word challenges suitable for a daily mental exercise.
  
• Minesweeper: A classic puzzle game where players clear a board without detonating hidden mines, using clues about the number of neighboring mines in each field.
  
• Octordle: A word puzzle game inspired by Wordle, where players simultaneously guess eight words within a limited number of attempts, significantly upping the challenge.

Alto’s Odyssey

Alto’s Odyssey invites players on an adventure where they guide Alto and his companions through a desert landscape. The game is designed with simplicity in mind for ounce of the production, from the graphics, to the controls. It’s a great game to kill time while using almost none of your brain, or to let your kid play.

The game evokes an everyman appeal because it replicates in its gameplay the values of the easy to play, hard to master school of thought. If you are a completionist, the difficulty can be mitigated by options to reduce motion. 

New characters can be unlocked free of charge, but there are purchases for cosmetics and worse, for ad removal. Features include offline playability and iCloud progress saves. The game has a sequel: Alto’s Adventure.

Other similar games are:

• Alto’s Adventure: A visually stunning endless runner where you snowboard across beautiful landscapes, completing goals, and performing tricks.
  
• Jetpack Joyride 2: The sequel to the hit endless runner game, featuring Barry Steakfries in new adventures with upgraded graphics, mechanics, and jetpacks.
  
• Run 3: An endless runner set in space, where you navigate a little alien through increasingly challenging tunnels and obstacles.

Clash Royale

Clash Royale does the strange thing of merging collectible card games, tower defense, and MOBA. Obviously none of the elements on their own have any real depth. It features Clash of Clans characters to use in real-time competitive battles. 

Designed for quick battles, Clash Royale sports easy drag-and-drop controls. Multiplayer features are at the heart of this experience, with 1v1 and 2v2 battles. The visuals are lacking, but optimized for performance on all iOS devices.

Other notable games you might find interesting are:

• Cookie Clicker: A highly addictive incremental game where you produce as many cookies as possible by clicking and upgrading.
  
• Drift Boss: A simple yet addictive driving game where you precisely time your turns to drift around endless winding roads.
  
• QWOP: A notoriously difficult sports game where you control the legs of a sprinter, aiming to run as far as possible without falling.
  
• Rolling Sky: A fast-paced, addictive game where you control a ball rolling through various landscapes, dodging obstacles to the rhythm of the music.
  
• Retro Bowl: An 8-bit style football game that combines management simulation with on-field play, appealing to nostalgia and strategy lovers alike.

The Best iOS Games On Your Fingertips

Feeling lazy and want to play some PC Games on your iOS device? Gladly, there is a way to do this.

‎You can stream games and other apps from your gaming PC on your local network with Moonlight. Use your touchscreen or an iOS-compatible gamepad to play your PC games on your iOS device.

Here are some games you can try:

• Lethal Company: A cooperative survival horror game where players scavenge for scrap on alien moons, facing environmental hazards and monsters while trying to meet profit quotas for “The Company.”
  
• Cyberpunk 2077: A highly ambitious open-world RPG set in a dystopian future, focusing on narrative depth, customization, and player choice in the sprawling city of Night City.
  
• Overwatch: A team-based multiplayer first-person shooter known for its diverse cast of characters, each with unique abilities, set in a bright and optimistic future.
  
• Valorant: A tactical first-person shooter that combines precise gunplay with unique character abilities, emphasizing team play and strategy in competitive matches.

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