11 Best Offline Games for Mobile

Whether you’re prepping for a long flight or just looking for something new to play, offline games are a great resource to keep in your back pocket. In an age where even some single-player titles demand a constant internet connection to play, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find games that can be enjoyed offline.

Mobile gaming makes it even tougher, as many developers rely on the ads broadcasted through these games to earn revenue. Thankfully, some allow you to enjoy yourself without the need for constant ads, and we’ve collected them in one list for you!

11. Alto’s Odyssey

No mobile gaming experience is complete without a casual title that offers infinite replayability. Alto’s Odyssey, the sequel to the first title from Team Alto, imbibes both of those qualities and adds a beautiful soundtrack and aesthetics to make the title even more engaging.

The changes to the sequel are not purely aesthetic either. Players will encounter several new environmental obstacles that present new ways to perform tricks and earn points. By unlocking new characters and upgrades, players can also customize the experience to their liking, making it a great app to always have installed on your phone.

10. Stack

Another casual title that you can pick up and drop at a moment’s notice is Stack, from Ketchapp. It’s one of those games that’s super easy to understand but very hard to master. Playing online will have you viewing some ads, but it also allows for offline play.

Players will have to time the tap just right so that the moving tile on the screen is stacked on top of the tile below it. Tap too soon or too late, and only the part of the tile over the previous one will be counted. So, over time, your usable surface area shrinks and the oscillation of the tiles becomes faster, making reaching the higher numbers that much harder.

9. Stardew Valley

A cozy farm game in the palm of your hand with a wholesome story that anyone can get behind is the beauty of Stardew Valley. The game’s simple aesthetics and low system requirements have made it perfect to enjoy even when on the go.

In the game, you’ll not only till the land and reap the rewards of your efforts, you’ll also be making meaningful connections with the citizens of the various towns and locations. The best part is that the mobile version has almost nothing left out and players can enjoy cross-save functionality between their PC and mobile device, ensuring you can tend to your farm even if you’re away from your system.

8. Slay the Spire

If deck-building games are your thing, then Slay the Spire should 100% be on your phone. This title can offer you hours of entertainment, as the unique branching mission system makes every run a unique experience.

After picking their starting character, players will face various foes in a round-based system where they must use the cards in their deck to defeat their enemies. Mega Crit knocked it out of the park with this title, and it has even caught the attention of a billionaire!

7. Dead Cells

A bit more intensive than the previous titles, Dead Cells by Motion Twin brings a charming and challenging rogue-lite experience to your phone. Players will take control of the Prisoner, with the goal being to escape the island and defeat the King.

Fans of side-scrolling dungeon crawlers will appreciate not only the setting of the game but also its responsive controls. Combat feels fast-paced but not entirely chaotic, and players can use a variety of melee, ranged, and trap weapons to overcome the ever-growing challenges within this title.

6. Vampire Survivors

Poncle’s Castlevania-inspired rogue-like title has taken the world by storm, and with good reason! The title allows for quick games that can be as short as two minutes or go upwards of an hour. The art style is also reminiscent of older titles, making it a nostalgic experience with a modern approach.

Not only is it easy to start, but the game offers a great degree of nuance and depth in its design. Players can explore the various maps to unlock new characters, find secret levels, and combine weapons to create their final forms that offer special abilities and bonuses. The game has also made it onto consoles recently and offers cross saves to ensure all your characters and unlocks are present.

5. Papers Please

Do you have a keen eye and a penchant to sniff out a lie? Then you need to work your way through the many immigrants in Papers, Please. As the winner of the October labor lottery, it will be your job to ensure the people coming into the country of Grestin match their documents.

The game requires the player to pay careful attention to the documents provided to discover any discrepancies that may indicate the immigrant is a spy or terrorist. With over 20 different endings to unlock, this game will keep you busy for hours on end while sharpening your observational capabilities.

4. Mini Metro

Both the Play Store and the App Store are filled with several strategy games that draw in massive numbers of players. However, if you’re looking for something that’s a little more lowkey than the competitors but still offers hours of entertainment, Mini Metro might be perfect for you.

As the name suggests, the player will be tasked with creating metro lines to ferry passengers back and forth between stations. Environmental challenges will need to be worked around with limited resources, and the most important skill required is thinking ahead so you can sensibly expand the metro network.

3. Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery

With an art style that will remind you of Studio Ghibli, Behind the Frame is a beautiful and immersive puzzle game that will keep you engaged until the very end. As players complete various puzzles and complete new paintings, the story unfolds in front of the player as a beautiful tapestry.

Each painting has a story to tell, and with charming background music, detailed animations, and a unique gameplay style, the world created by Silver Lining Studio is one that will enchant many players. Just make sure you have your charger with you, as this game can be a bit demanding on your device!

2. Don’t Starve

The great thing about fans of the original game is that the mobile experience encapsulates pretty much all of it without skimping out on much. Klei Entertainment’s harvest and survive title is great for fans who enjoy base-building and elements of horror survival as well.

With the ability to choose from a variety of starting characters, players are dropped into a world with complete freedom. You can go where you’d like, fight who you want, and craft several tools to help you on your journey. Just keep an eye on your hunger and sanity!

1. GRIS

A visually stunning experience, GRIS by Nomada Studio is more of a painting in motion than a simple game. Using an art style that will remind you of free-flowing paint, the game creates a world unlike any other.

Through the journey, the player will understand more of the world and the character’s motivation. As an allegory for grief and acceptance, the title conveys its emotions and themes through scenery and set pieces that you won’t see in any other titles.

What game would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments below!