The 46 best free Android games for your phone or tablet
The mobile gaming market is still growing, with even the likes of Square Enix preparing another Final Fantasy VII remake in the form of Ever Crisis. And as such, Android gamers have plenty of choices when it comes to choosing fun and exciting games to play in 2021. The prominence of the platform has even paved the way for ports of praised console and PC games.
Not all games are created equal, however. For every diamond in the rough, there's a sea of underwhelming titles that promise a lot and deliver very little. The mobile platform, unfortunately, is equally known for shovelware content, but great games from the likes of the influential first-person shooter DOOM to racing titles like GRID Autosport are surely accessible.
Updated on December 2nd, 2022 by Guillermo Kurten:
Aside from the occasional worthwhile mobile-original game, the Android gaming space has expanded to include revered classic and modern entries. Just as well, the variety in genres has also deepened. Games like the acclaimed modern roguelike Dead Cells and historic JRPG franchises like Final Fantasy have received solid ports on this mobile platform.
Shovel Knight
One of the best indie platformers on any platform, developer/publisher Yacht Club Games' Shovel Knight is one of the most memorable titles in the modern age of the genre. Taking clear inspiration from the classic 16-bit platform games of the Super Nintendo console generation, Shovel Knight puts players in the boots of the titular protagonist, going off on a series of story campaigns provided thanks to years' worth of developer post-launch support.
The game was fully launched to critical acclaim, with many pointing to its combination of nostalgia with a refreshing gameplay loop as highlights. The charming art style and creative level design made for an equally seamless Android/mobile port.
Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night
Serving as one-half of the "Metroidvania" subgenre namesake, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night was one of the most influential games from the original PlayStation era -- and arguably gaming in general. It's commonly cited as the best game in the series as well, with the game combining platforming with action-RPG elements.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night dripped with a tense gothic atmosphere and elements of horror that complemented the exciting and rewarding gameplay. Another key strength of the game -- and its subgenre -- is how well it incentivizes exploration.
Stardew Valley
Beloved classic life-sim games like Animal Crossing and Harvest Moon have undoubtedly paved the way for this genre in the mainstream. And developer ConcernedApe's Stardew Valley manages to borrow the best elements from both while proudly standing on its own legs as an all-time indie hit.
It mainly pays homage to Harvest Moon, as the game seamlessly blends traditional life-sim gameplay mechanics with the RPG genre. Stardew Valley is a relaxing game that allows players to raise a farm, contribute to the community, and start a family on top of some dungeon-crawling elements. It's a soothingly addicting experience that lends itself well to Android, with the game's open-ended approach brilliantly supporting these features.
Dead Cells
A modern member of the Metroidvania-like subgenre, developer Motion Twin's Dead Cells is another widely acclaimed indie game. However, where Dead Cells excels is in the roguelike department.
In addition to the vibrant neon-style art direction used in the 16-bit world, the randomized levels and the tight-level designs themselves make this game an addicting gameplay loop. Especially so with the embarrassment of riches available to the player when it comes to the weapons and gear to loot that switch up combat styles.
Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters (2021)
When it comes to the JRPG subgenre, Square Enix's influential Final Fantasy series is likely one of the first things to come to players' minds. It's an icon of the subgenre, and while the question of which Final Fantasy game is the best in the franchise is contentious, they all have their affectionate fans.
The Pixel Remaster collection gives a bit of a facelift to the first six games -- which are the most technologically dated -- and while there are a few critiques of how some of them were executed, they were widely regarded as the new definitive versions of these classics. These remasters add much-needed quality-of-life improvements, like fast-forward to make grinding faster and quick-saving to save progress from anywhere.
Among Us (2018)
Among Us is one of the few Android video games that features cross-play with Apple iOS users, which greatly expands the number of connections that can be made. It's a social deduction game built inside a sci-fi setting, with a unique twist that involves two sides using cunning to outwit each other.
Players are divided into Crewmates and Imposters, it's the job of the former to identify and oust the latter. The goal of the Imposters is to sabotage and eliminate the Crewmates before their mission parameters can be completed. It's an incredibly inventive and unique game that uses distrust as a game mechanic.
GRID Autosport (2019)
Priced at $9.99, GRID Autosport is the perfect alternative to the sheer number of terrible racing games available on Android. It's bereft of any advertisements, ensuring that players can enjoy an uninterrupted racing experience across more than 100 individual and well-detailed tracks.
One of the coolest things about GRID Autosport is that it's a simulation game. When players bump into walls at breakneck speed, they can expect some serious and realistic repercussions. An easy-to-operate and intuitive training module ensure that drivers get well-acquainted with the game’s controls before they set out to dominate the racetrack.
Genshin Impact (2020)
Genshin Impact is one of the best free-to-play games on the Android platform, and Android Authority even touted it as one of the best mobile games of 2020. It amassed favorable responses from critics and players alike upon its release, thanks heavily to the game’s impressive graphics and gameplay. It also includes gacha mechanics for a little more gameplay flair.
Players can unlock new characters and other bonuses using this system, and participate in a series of daily tasks that extend the life of the game. The open-world gameplay of Genshin Impact is hard to find within the Android gaming sphere, which means this title offers something distinctly unique for fans of this genre.
Riptide GP: Renegade (2016)
At $2.99, Riptide GP: Renegade is nicely priced, and it's just as fun as the first two installments in the franchise. Renegade changes the feel of the game, as most of the events take place in the seedy and dangerous underbelly of this futuristic sport.
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