We all know that free Android games are not always free these days, but many of them come very close to this “metric” if you have a little patience and some free time.
Most problems with free play arise when players get impatient and want everything at once. Therefore, we have 10 of the best free mobile phone games that you can play comfortably without making too many in-app purchases, and we hope you enjoy them.
We will supplement and change this list if something better appears. Another surprise in the form of Genshin Impact or a port of the popular MOBA to mobile phones? This is always possible, but for now – let’s get started!
1. Genshin Impact
Developer: Mihoyo
Release year: 2020
Genre: Adventure, Gacha
Link: Google play, iOS
Genshin Impact turned out to be an unexpected release, which is actually pretty good. It is a mixture of RPG and gacha elements: the game has most of the usual gacha elements, however, the game is much less strict and has a completely open world with excellent combat mechanics.
The graphics and gameplay are surprisingly good, although they differ significantly from Honkai Impact 3rd, which was the studio’s main title before. Plus, you can also play with people on pretty much all existing platforms.
2. Legends of Runeterra
Developer: Riot games
Release year: 2020
Genre: CCI
Link: Google play, iOS
Did you want a CCG in 2q20? Then get it, because Legends of Runeterra is one of the newcomers to the list. This is a classic CCG similar to Hearthstone and all the other games in the genre. Players will have to collect cards, create their own decks, and fight each other until someone wins.
You pick a champion, build a deck around him, and that determines your strategy. In all fairness, Legends of Runeterra most closely resembles Magic: The Gathering in terms of its mechanics and combat system.
Other mobile games from Riot Games include Teamfight Tactics (another good free game) as well as a fully mobile version of their MOBA, League of Legends: Wild Rift.
3. Call of Duty: Mobile
Developer: TiMi Studio Group, Activision
Release year: 2019
Genre: Shooter, Battle Royale
Link: Google play, iOS
Call of Duty: Mobile is one of the newcomers to this top, although far from the very first freshness. The game includes the classic online PvP first-person shooter like any Call of Duty. However, it also includes a 100-player Battle Royale mode similar to PUBG Mobile or Fortnite.
This places the game in both the good FPS category like Critical Ops and the decent Battle Royale category like PUBG Mobile. There are purchases in the game, but they are exclusively for cosmetic gear, although a significant portion of it is available as in-game rewards.
4. Among Us
Developer: Innersloth
Release year: 2018
Genre: Mafia, Social
Link: Google play, iOS
Among Us is a cult game, a huge trend for all streamers in 2019 and 2023, and a mobile game. Although the game was released on Android and iOS earlier than on PC, it owes its popularity to its older brother. While the PC version of the game is paid, although it costs quite cheap – only 133 rubles, the mobile version can be played for free.
For those of you who don’t know how the game works, it is almost completely identical to the classic Mafia or the insanely ancient Space Station 13: there is a group of human players who find themselves in an unpleasant situation, who must work together to identify the impostor among them.
5. Pokemon Go
Developer: Niantic, Nintendo
Release year: 2016
Genre: Travel in the real world, Hidden objects
Link: Google play, iOS
Pokemon Go was the most played mobile game of 2016. In fact, it has long been the most popular game ever. Although its popularity has declined slightly, the game is still a very reliable free option.
Players can explore the real world around them by catching Pokémon, dismantling gyms and finding PokéStops. New additions include Legendary Pokémon, Raid Battles, Trainer Battles (with some caveats), and more.
After some updates, players have the opportunity to exchange Pokémon in the game. And the game continues to evolve beyond what many remember from 2018.
6. PUBG Mobile
Developer: LightSpeed & Quantum Studio
Release year: 2017
Genre:Shooter, Battle Royale
Link: Google play, iOS
PUBG Mobile has been around for a long time, as it is already 4 years old, however, it is still one of the most popular mobile shooters. The game is a battle royale with 100 players on a small island.
Players collect equipment, weapons and vehicles on the island and fight. The winner is the last survivor, or the team, whatever the luck is.
Battle Royale has been around for a long time, but just like on PC, PUBG is a pioneer. Therefore, everything is as usual – at the very beginning it was both good and bad (due to bugs). But now everything is just fine.
7. Roblox
Developer: Roblox corporation
Release year: 2012 (iOS), 2014 (Android)
Genre: Construction simulator
Link: Google Play, iOS
Roblox is now one of the most popular games in the world. This is a sandbox game with tons of content to play. The game is ancient, both by mobile game standards and by general standards (first release on PC was 2006), but the ever-growing number of things to do remains relevant to this day.
Players can play modes created by other players, or create their own modes. The mobile app has full cross-platform support with other versions of the game and includes a chat function. The downloadable content is sometimes NSFW, so be sure to supervise your kids if you allow them to play.
8. Honkai Impact 3rd
Developer: miHoYo
Release year: 2016
Genre: Adventure, Gacha
Link: Google play, iOS
Yes, Honkai Impact 3rd is ranked pretty low, especially compared to its little brother, the Genshin Impact. However, this game also deserves its place. It has very good mechanics, a huge selection of characters and their costumes, and a ton of content that has accumulated over all these years of support.
However, against the backdrop of the Genshin Impact, Honkai clearly lacks its unique features. Yes, all the mechanics are licked to the limit, but because of this they seem a little “sterile” and do not have much charm.
The game has long passed the threshold when it could be called “new”, so newcomers to it are generously rewarded with bonuses at the start. Plus, as in many games, there is an opportunity to get additional rewards if you haven’t played for a month.
9. Final Fantasy Brave Exvius
Developer: Square Enix, Alim
Release year: 2015
Genre: Adventure, Gacha
Link: Google play, iOS
Final Fantasy Brave Exvius is perhaps one of the best shareware gacha games out there. It includes many elements from the original Final Fantasy games, including exploration of real cities and dungeons, hidden treasures, secret dungeons, and tons of quests.
The game is easy to learn, but you need to think critically in order to defeat bosses and strong opponents. You are often rewarded for logging into the game every day, and additional missions and collaborations help keep the game fresh.
Square Enix released a spiritual successor, War of the Visions: FFBE, in early 2023. In many ways, War of the Visions even surpasses its predecessor, but it is still too young to “confront” her older brother.
10. Tales of Crestoria
Developer: BANDAI NAMCO Studios
Release year: 2018
Genre: Adventure, Gacha
Link: Google play, iOS
We’ve definitely seen a lot of RPGs where you have to spin the gachi, and we haven’t seen much innovation in this genre. Tales of Crestoria is arguably one of the more unusual games in the genre. After all, it was in this game that the gacha format was brought to the detriment of the well-developed plot and characters, and not vice versa.
Since Tales of Crestoria is free to download on both iOS and Android, there’s no reason not to dive into it and give it a try. Especially considering that at the start you get a lot of nice bonuses for the game.
