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There are so many mobile games out there right now, and that number only continues to increase each day. While more choice is mostly welcome, too many options can make it harder to pick something to play. But fear not, we're here to help. Whether you're simply looking for a new game to play or have just bought a shiny new phone and want to see what it's capable of, we've put together a list of the ten best games for your phone to download right now.
To help you enjoy your new game with as little delay as possible, we've included 10 of the best free-to-play games, allowing you to skip faffing around with payment and jump right into the action. Our list also contains games from a variety of genres. You'll find multiplayer shooters, fast-paced racers, card-based roguelikes and even a turn-based strategy game. So, there should be something for everyone here, alongside several recommendations to try a new type of game.
Without further ado, let's jump into the list and find you a few fantastic games to install on your phone today.
Call of Duty Mobile took the gaming world by surprise when it launched in 2019. It proved how far touchscreen controls have come since the first iPhone, to the point that playing a first-person shooter feels as natural as playing with a controller or a keyboard and mouse. It still provides the same frantic action, but with the bonus that you can easily play the game on your commute to work.
On top of that, Call of Duty Mobile boasts a staggering amount of game modes, catering to everyone's taste. Whether you enjoy a straightforward team deathmatch, the more tactically-involved Domination or the tension of a 100-player Battle Royale, there's a mode for you. Aside from the BR, each mode plays out on maps from the history of the Call of Duty franchise, so if you're an avid fan, you will recognise most of them. Think of it as a 'Best of all the Call of Duty maps'.
Genshin Impact took the world by storm in 2020 and isn't showing any sign of slowing down yet. The anime-styled action RPG served as a reminder of what mobile games are now capable of, with its stunning aesthetic and stellar attack animations. But it's not just a pretty face. Genshin Impact has incredibly satisfying combat with a deeper strategy layer tied to the characters you add to your team.
You see, each of the characters in Genshin Impact has distinct abilities and traits, with some working better with each other than others. So, when forming your party, you will want to consider their strengths and weaknesses and how they might benefit one another. If you can't find a party you like yet, don't worry. The developer frequently updates the game with new characters and events, so there's always a new character on the horizon, alongside an endless supply of content.
If RPGs are more your speed, you'll definitely want to check out Lilith Games' Dislyte. Much like Genshin Impact, it's a spectacular-looking game. However, rather than an anime-aesthetic, Dislyte mixes well-known mythological beings with an urban setting to create something that feels fresh and distinct.
The game kicks off after Pandora's box is opened and promptly unleashes hordes of unpleasant monsters with a penchant for destruction. You'll need to form a squad of powerful god-like beings called Espers to fight back against these creatures. These characters take inspiration from several mythologies, including Chinese, Egyptian, Greek, and Northern European and boast many divine powers.
If you're a fan of battle royales, chances are you've dabbled with the console and PC version of Respawn Entertainment's Apex Legends. Now, you can enjoy the game from the palm of your hand following the recently released mobile version. It's not a straight port of Apex Legends either, having been redesigned from the ground up with touchscreen controls in mind. It also includes an exclusive character called Fade, who is only available in Apex Legends Mobile.
If you're unfamiliar, Apex Legends Mobile is a battle royale that sees you teaming up with two other players and battling it out with other squads to be the last group standing. There are several characters to choose from, each with a different passive, tactical and ultimate ability that can turn the tide of battle when used correctly. Some characters synergise better with one another than others, so you might want to chat with your teammates to decide who picks who.
If you enjoyed card-based roguelikes like Slay the Spire, you should check out Night of the Full Moon. It follows the familiar character of Little Red Riding Hood as she sets off on a journey to the Black Forest in search of her missing grandmother. Unfortunately for Red, the forest is home to elves, werewolves, witches and strange villagers who aren't too friendly.
To defeat these beasties, you will need to play cards from a deck that you will build as you travel deeper into the forest. Some of these cards might simply deal damage, while others might have additional effects that bolster your offence or weaken your opponent. There are also multiple classes to unlock, each with its own special abilities that might work extremely well with a card you previously disregarded as useless.
Pokemon Go is one of the most well-known mobile games in the world. Niantic's AR title exploded in popularity when it was first released in 2016 and has only gone from strength to strength in the time since. It's an excellent choice if you're looking to spend a bit more time outside and want to make a 30-minute walk fly by quicker.
As you've probably guessed, Pokemon Go sees you catching and training several creatures that you'll encounter by walking about your neighbourhood. Once you've caught a few of your favourites, you can use them to battle in Gyms and against other players. Alternatively, you can build a whole team and participate in Raids with other players to defeat and capture powerful Legendary Pokemon.
Alto's Odyssey is a beautiful endless runner that sees you playing as the titular Alto as he sandboards his way across dunes, canyons, and long-forgotten temples. The game uses a simple one-touch trick system that allows you to chain together a string of combos to pull off stunning manoeuvres. It's easy to get to grips with but has enough depth that you can eventually master the movement.
Not only does it look beautiful, but Alto's Odyssey is also backed by a lovely soundtrack, making headphones a must whenever you choose to play it. If you're looking for a more relaxing experience, I'd recommend the Zen Mode, which boasts its own soundtrack and lets you drift across the dunes without worrying about scores, coins or power-ups.
Strategy games usually opt for a military theme or some kind of futuristic mech setup. That's all great, but sometimes it's fun to play something different. Enter Phobies, a turn-based tactics game where the units – the titular Phobies – you command in battle draw inspiration from your deepest darkest fears. Each has different stats and abilities, bringing a lot of tactical depth to the battle, which might not be surprising when you learn that the development team includes folks who previously worked on Company of Heroes and Age of Empires: Castle Siege.
The battles take place on a hex-based grid, and the aim is to either destroy your opponent's heart or all of their Phobies. You can also capture special hexes that will damage your foe's heart at the end of each turn. Whichever approach you take, you will want to think out each move before you act, as one wrong move could see the pendulum swing in your opponent's favour.
Next up, we've got racing royalty. The Asphalt series is a staple on mobile that has a loyal fanbase that has continued to grow with each entry. The latest, Asphalt 9: Legends, builds on its predecessor to offer another thrilling racer with stellar graphics that can be enjoyed in the palm of your hand. So, if you're a fan of racing games, you need to look no further than Legends.
There are over 150 cars from recognisable manufacturers to add to your garage and customise to suit your personal tastes. Once you've styled your ride, you can head to the tracks to test out your driving skills using one of two control schemes. If you'd prefer to be more involved you can use the manual setup. But if you'd rather a more hands-off experience that lets you appreciate the games' excellent visuals, you might want to opt for TouchDrive controls, which puts the focus on decision-making and timing.
Riot Games' popular MOBA League of Legends made its way to mobile in 2020 as Wild Rift, allowing you to test your skills against other players on the go. Made from the ground up for mobile, Wild Rift sees two teams of 5 picking characters with different specialisations before heading into the battle, with the aim being to knock down the other team's towers and, ultimately, their base.
There are plenty of champions to choose from, with more added regularly. Whether you prefer to play support or like the idea of being an assassin, there is a champion to suit your playstyle. You can earn them all without spending a penny either. League of Legends: Wild Rift has no pay-to-win elements. It's purely a skill-based game where good decision-making and tactical-nous will lead you to victory.
