Best mobile RPGs for 2021 | Tom's Guide

Best mobile RPGs for 2021 · Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (Android, iOS: $9.99) · Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II (Android, iOS ... Skiptomaincontent logo CreatedwithSketch. Tom'sGuide Search Subscribe RSS UKUSAustraliaCanada TechnologyMagazinesTechnologyMagazinesWhysubscribe?Thebesttechtutorialsandin-depthreviewsTryasingleissueorsaveonasubscriptionIssuesdeliveredstraighttoyourdoorordeviceFrom$7.15View BestPicks News Reviews HowTos Phones TVs Deals More BlackFriday Antivirus Audio Cameras Gaming Opinion SmartHome Software Streaming BestVPN Wearables Webhosting WhatToWatch CloudStorage CloudBackup AllTopics Forums Trending Last-MinuteGifts PS5restock XboxSeriesXrestock SamsungGalaxyS22 Applein2022 iPhone14 Tom'sGuideissupportedbyitsaudience.Whenyoupurchasethroughlinksonoursite,wemayearnanaffiliatecommission.Learnmore (Imagecredit:HandyGames) ThebestmobileRPGs—orrole-playinggames—havecomealongwaysincetheirhumbletabletopbeginnings.AftermakingtheleaptothePCandconsole,they'venowfoundahomeyourphoneortablet. Thebestofthemobilelotletsplayersliveoutfantasyepics,transportthemintofarfuturespaceoperas,ortellintimate,character-drivennarratives.Fromold-schooldungeoncrawlingclassicstomodernactionRPGsandquirkylittleindies,checkoutthebestmobileRPGsforyourAndroidoriOSdevice.ThesearethebesttabletsforyourmobilegamingneedsCheckoutthebestgamingphonesforplayingonthegoAndifthiswhetsyourappetiteformoregames,checkoutourcollectionofthetopgamesforiOSaswellasourfavoriteAndroidgames.StarWars:KnightsoftheOldRepublic(Android,iOS:$9.99)(Imagecredit:Lucasfilm)Returntoagalaxyfar,farawayinthemobileportofStarWars:KnightsoftheOldRepublic.Set4,000yearsbeforetheeventsoftheStarWarsmovies,KnightsoftheOldRepublic(KotOR)putsplayersinthemiddleofagalaxy-spanningwarbetweentheJediandSith.Thegamefeaturesanintricatestorylineandbranchingdialogue,allowingplayerstochoosebetweentheLightandDarkpathsintheirbattleagainsttheviciousDarthMalak.DownloadStarWars:KnightsoftheOldRepublic:AppStore,PlayStoreStarWars:KnightsoftheOldRepublicII(Android,iOS:$14.99)(Imagecredit:AspyrMedia/ObsidianEntertainment)FollowingtheeventsoftheoriginalKOTOR,StarWars:KnightsoftheOldRepublicIIwasoriginallydevelopedbyObsidian.IttookamorenuancedapproachtotheStarWarsformulawithmorallygreycharactersandblurredlinesbetweentheLightsideandtheDark.Muchlikethefirstgame,yougettochooseyourownpath—andyougettocraftandwieldlightsabers.Themobileportisextremelywell-doneandKOTOR2findsitselfrightathomeonmobile.DownloadStarWars:KnightsoftheOldRepublicII:AppStore,PlayStoreTitanQuestLegendaryEdition(Android,iOS:$19.99)(Imagecredit:HandyGames/IronLore)DotEmubringsanactionRPGclassictothemobileagewithitsportofTitanQuest(Android,iOS)tomodernmobiledevices.TitanQuesttakestheformulapioneeredbyDiabloandportsitovertotheancientworldasyoufightyourwaythroughmonstersoutofGreek,EgyptianandAsianmythology.Apremiumdesktopgamewithcontrolsreworkedformobile,TitanQuestavoidsmiserlymonetizationstrategiesinexchangefora60-plushourcampaign.Therecently-launchedLegendaryEditionbringsthegameinlinewiththePCversion,includingnewexpansions(whichaddatonofnewcontent)andplentyofbugandquality-of-lifefixes.Itcostsaprettypenny,butit'sworthit.DownloadTitanQuestLegendaryEdition:AppStore,PlayStorePlanescape:Torment(Android,iOS:$9.99)(Imagecredit:Beamdog)Planescape:TormentisamoderncomputerRPGclassic,takingDungeons&DragonsawayfromtheTolkeinesquemedievalfantasyandintoaltogetherstrangerterritories.Playersexploretheextra-dimensionalmeltingpotthatisSigil,theCityofDoors,astheyquesttounlocktheirnamelesscharacter'slostmemoriesandanswerthequestion:"Whatcanchangethenatureofaman?"Alongtheway,you'llassembleamotleycrewofcompanions,suchasthetalkingskullMorte,thechastesuccubusFall-From-Graceandotherstrangeentities.Theenhancededitionleavesthecriticallyacclaimedstoryanddialogueuntouched,whileadaptingtheinterfacetoamoremobile-friendlymode,aswellasapplyingavarietyofbugfixes.DownloadPlanescape—Torment:AppStore,PlayStoreFinalFantasyXVPocketEdition(Android,iOS:Free)(Imagecredit:SquareEnix)ThelatestFinalFantasyepicmakesasmoothjumpfromconsoleRPGtotouchscreendevicesinFinalFantasyXVPocketEdition.ThisepisodicmobileRPGcapturesthecorestoryandcharmwhilecuttingdownonthegrindcommontothegenre.You’llappreciatethe“chibi”-stylegraphics,whichcapturemanyofthesamestorybeatsandcombatcomplexitiesofPrinceNoctis'squesttobringpeacetothewarringlandsofLucisandNiflheim.Youcandownloadthefirstepisodeforfree,withsubsequentchaptersavailableasin-apppurchases.DownloadFinalFantasyXVPocketEdition:AppStore,PlayStoreMonsterHunterStories(Android,iOS:$19.99)(Imagecredit:Capcom)TheMonsterHunterseriesisafamouslyhardcoreJRPGfranchise,butMonsterHunterStoriesisaprettyaccessibleentryintotheseries.Amobileportofthe3DSoriginal,StoriesshakesthingsupabitbyhavingyoucomefromavillageofRiders—peoplewhocanbondwiththetitanicmonstersoftheMonsterHunteruniverse.You’llheadoutintotheworldlookingformonstereggstohatchandbefriend,whiletakingonenemiesinturn-basedbattleswhereyoutakeadvantageofyourbeast’sstrengthsandexploityourenemies’weaknesses.Thegamelosesoutonsomeofthe3DSfeaturessuchasAmiibosupport,butit’sabig,meatymobileRPGthatshouldprovidehoursofgameplayonyourphone. DownloadMonsterHunterStories:AppStore,PlayStoreBattleChasers:Nightwar(Android,iOS:$9.99)(Imagecredit:HandyGames)Adelightfullyretroturn-basedRPGinspiredbyconsolegreats,BattleChasers:NightwartakesplaceintheworldofJoeMadureira’sdungeonpunkcomics,asheroesGully,BastionandthewargolemCalibrettocrash-landonanislandtornapartbyagoldrushformagicalenergy.Nightwar’sgreatdrawisitsrichcombatsystem,witheachpartymembermanagingtheirspecialpowersandattacks,whilealsogeneratingOverchargetopoweruptheirspecials,andaparty-wideBurstmeterforgame-changingsupers.Eachofthegame’ssixunlockableheroesbringstheirownabilitiesintothemix,soyou’llneedtobalanceyourthree-characterpartycomptomakethemostoutofyourdungeoncrawling.DownloadBattleChasers—Nightwar:AppStore,PlayStoreStardewValley(Android,iOS:$4.99)(Imagecredit:ConcernedApeLLC)Forsomethinglessintensethanepicquestsortitanicmonsterhunts,checkoutStardewValley,thehitindiefarmingRPGwhichhasfinallymadethejumpfromPCtomobile.Playersinheritarundownfarm;withgritandhardwork,canturnthatfamilyinheritanceintothefarmoftheirdreams.Youplantcrops,bringintheharvest,andreinvestyourprofitsintoexpandingthefarmandbringinginlivestock.Thegameismorethanjustfarming,withaneighboringcommunitytovisitandbefriend,fishingspotstoenjoy,andcavesfullofmonstersandresourcestoexplore.DownloadStardewValley:AppStore,PlayStoreGrimvalor(Android,iOS:$6.99)(Imagecredit:Future)Grimvalorisaside-scrollingactionRPGwithquick,skill-basedcombatandplatforming.It'sadarkandlonelytale,reminiscentofsomethinglikeDemon'sSouls.You'llneedtomasterdodgingandattackingattherightmoments,otherwiseyouaredoomedtofailure.Grimvalorcangetchallenginginlaterlevels,pushingtheskillsyou'veearnedthusfartothemax.OnAndroid,yougetthefirstactforfreebeforeyouneedtopaytounlockthefullgame.It'swellworthyourtimeanddefinitelyagoodvalue.DownloadGrimvalor:AppStore,PlayStoreReigns:GameofThrones(Android,iOS:$3.99)(Imagecredit:DevolverDigital)Reignshasproventobeapopularswiping-basedRPGontouchscreendevices,andnowit’stakingontheSevenKingdomsofWesterosinReigns:GameofThrones.ThroughthefieryvisionsofthepriestessMelisandre,you'llexploreatangleofalternatescenariosinWesteros,imagininghowthingsmightgodownifcharacterslikeJonSnow,SansaStark,CerseiLannister,orothershadclaimedandheldtheIronThrone.AsinpreviousReignsgames,you'llneedtobalancebetweentheneedsofthenobles,thepriests,thepeople,andtheNight'sWatch,swipingleftorrighttochooseyourpath.Eachcharacteryouchoosefacestheirownuniquechallenges,andasyouplay,you'llgettheopportunitytounlocknewleadersandscenariostoexperience.DownloadReigns—GameofThrones:AppStore,PlayStoreShinMegamiTenseiLiberationDx2(Android,iOS:Free)(Imagecredit:SEGA)JointheDevilDownloadersintheirsecretwaragainsttheAcolytesinShinMegamiTenseiLiberationDx2,thelatestmobileentryoftheacclaimedJRPGfranchise.AsaDevilDownloader,you’llexploreafantasyTokyowhereyoucansummondemonstofoiltheAcolytes’manyplots.Todoso,you'llneedtouseeachdemon’suniquetraitsandabilitiestogainanedgeinbattle.Throughcunninganddiplomacy,youcanalsoturnenemydemonstoyourside,aswellasfusedemonstogethertocreateevermightierchampionsoutofmythandlegendtojoinyourside.Thegameisfreetoplay,soyou’vegotstaminalimitingyourgames,aswellasavarietyofcurrenciesandagatcha-likesummoningmechanictothedemoncollectionminigame.DownloadShinMegamiTenseiLiberationDx2:AppStore,PlayStoreLangrisser(Android,iOS:Free)(Imagecredit:ZlongGames)TheRPGseriesLangrissermakestheleaptomobile,withdeepturn-basedbattlegameplaydesignedtochallengenewplayersandveteransalike.InLangrisser,you’llneedtobalanceeachunit’sabilitiesagainstthestrengthsandweaknessesofyourenemy,whilealsomanagingyourheroesasyoufightyourwaythroughthemaincampaign,sidequestsandPVPbattles.Youdon’tevenneedtoknowanythingabouttheearliergames,asaTimeRiftfeatureletsyouexperienceclassicbattlesandstoryhighlightsofthepreviousgames,nettingyousomenicelootaswellascatchingyouuponthebackstory.Therearegoingtobesomefree-to-playandgatchasummoningmechanics,whichmightturnoffpurists,butLangrisserisanicefreetacticalRPGexperienceonmobile.DownloadLangrisser:AppStore,PlayStoreEvoland2(Android:$8.49,iOS:$5.99)(Imagecredit:ShiroGames)Evoland2takesyoudownatripthroughgaminghistoryandevolution.Underyourguidance,time-travellingheroesKuroandFinajourneythroughthevariousgenresanderasofvideogaminghistoryastheytrytosavetheworld.Meldingavarietyofgenresanderasfromtop-downZelda-likestosidescrollingplatformers,bullethellshooters,andevenrhythmbattlesandtradingcardgames,Evoland2offersplayersbothimpressivevarietyandnostalgia.Evenbetter,thisversionturnsouttobealengthiergamethanitsrathershortoriginal.DownloadEvoland2:AppStore,PlayStoreValkyrieProfile:Lenneth(Android,iOS:$17.99)(Imagecredit:SquareEnix)AlegendarytitlefromthegoldenageofPS1classicRPGs,ValkyrieProfilecomestothemobileagewithValkyrieProfile:Lenneth.AsoneofOdin’sValkyries,youmustwandertheworldsearchingforthesoulsofthemighty,thebrokenandthelosttoseewhoamongthemisworthytojointheEinherjar—warriorswhowillserveinthewarsofthegods.Combiningcombo-basedcombat,explorationandlightplatforming,andanintricateplot,ValkyrieProfile:Lennethstandsupwelleventomoremoderngamesandisworthitspremiumprice.DownloadValkyrieProfile—Lenneth:AppStore,PlayStoreIntoTheDark:Narakan(Android:$1.99,iOS:$2.99)(Imagecredit:OrcPunk)IntoTheDark:Narakancombinestile-basedcombatandexplorationwithsparsebutevocativestorytellingasplayersplungeintoabeast-hauntedforestinsearchofachild.Startingwithanamnesiacprotagonist,asyouprogress,youwillstumbleuponiconsthatcanslowlyunlockyourcharacter’smemories,eachfragmenttellingasmallpartofyourstoryandyourconnectiontothechild.You’llalsounlockaweaponfromyourpastorasourceofpowerfromthewoods.Eachweaponandspellcomeswithitsownuniqueattackpattern,givingthegame’sturn-basedcombatapuzzle-likefeelasyoumaneuvertobringyourarmstobearagainsttheinhabitantsofthewoods.Thegamecomeswithastorymode,aswellasanEndlessmodeforplayerswhowantmoreofIntoTheDark’spuzzlecombatmechanics.DownloadIntotheDark—Narakan:AppStore,PlayStoreCultistSimulator(Android,iOS:$6.99)(Imagecredit:Playdigious)Partcard-game,partRPG,CultistSimulatorisagamethatputsyouintheroleofacultleaderseekingpower,wisdom,oranimpossibletransformation.Thegamebeginswithabare-bonestutorialbeforequicklyhandingoffcontroltotheplayers.You’representedwithaspreadofcardsrepresentingyourcult’swealth,followers,occultknowledgeandyourmortalandimmortalfoes.Youalsohaveaseriesofactionsthatyoucanusetocombinecardstoachievetasksassimpleasgoingtoanoccultbookstoretoasesotericassummoningritualsandexpeditionstomysteriousruinsandunrealdreamscapes.Filledwithtantalizingandevocativeproseanddesignedlikeanintricatepuzzlebox,CultistSimulatorisauniqueexperiencethat’sbestenteredintowithaslittleknowledgeaspossibleasyouexploretheboundsofthemysteriousMansus.DownloadCultistSimulator:AppStore,PlayStoreWarhammerQuest2(Android,iOS:$4.99)(Imagecredit:Perchang)FightbackagainsttherisingtideofChaosinWarhammerQuest2:TheEndTimes,atacticaldungeoncrawlersetintheOldWorldoftheWarhammerFantasygames.PlayerstakecommandofheroesfromthevariousracesoftheWarhammerworld,plunderingdungeonsanddefeatingenemiesinaquestforamysticartifact.Thebasegamecomeswitha10-missioncampaignandsidequests,withadditionalmissionsandcharactersavailablethroughin-apppurchases.DownloadWarhammerQuest2:AppStore,PlayStoreCatQuest(Android,iOS:$4.99)(Imagecredit:TheGentlebros)Forsomethinglessgrimandmorewhimsical,checkoutCatQuest,atongue-in-cheekactionRPGbytheGentlebros.GoonaquesttorescueyourcatnappedsisterfromthehandsoftheevilDrakothandhisdragonminions.Atthesametime,you'llexploretheworld,doinggooddeedsforyourfellowcatswhilefightingmonsters.Thereal-timecombatsystemisallabouttimingandpositioning,asyoutaponvulnerablefoestostrike,longpresstobringupyourmagicspells,anddanceawayasenemieschargeuptheirattack,makingfordigestiblebutdynamicgameplay.There'safairamountofopenworldareatoexplore,whilestillprovidingfunthatcanbeenjoyedinshortburstsorlongsittings.Fairwarning:therearepuns.Somanycatpuns.DownloadCatQuest:AppStore,PlayStoreGalaxyofPen&Paper(Android,iOS:$4.99)(Imagecredit:BeholdStudios)TradeyourbroadswordsforblastersinGalaxyofPen&Paper,thelatestRPGparodygamefromBeholdStudios.GalaxyretainsthepixelretroartstyleofKnightsofPen&Paperaswellasthatgame'sdelightfulsenseofhumor.Thistimearound,theapptakesaimatsciencefictiongames,booksandmoviesinalovingparodyofSFtabletopgaming.Galaxyaddsatonofnewgameplayelementstotheoldturn-basedbattlestandbyofthePen&Paperseries,includingspacebattles,branchingstoriesandplanetaryexploration.DownloadGalaxyofPen&Paper:AppStore,PlayStoreStarTraders:Frontiers(Android,iOS:$6.99)(Imagecredit:TreseBrothers)TheTreseBrothersreturntospacewithStarTraders:Frontiers,apersistentworldsandboxRPGthatputsyouincommandofyourownstarshipinadangerousstarsector.AsinheritorofaStarTradercharter,it’suptoyoutodecidewhatyou’lldowithyourancestralvessel.Willyougoafterdangerousbounties,explorealienworlds,haulvaluablecargo,ordabbleinthepoliticsofthesector’srivalfactions?Configureyourship,hiretherightcrew,andtaketothestars!DownloadStarTraders—Frontiers:AppStore,PlayStoreTheWorldEndsWithYou(Android,iOS:$17.99)(Imagecredit:SquareEnix)TheWorldEndsWithYou:SoloRemixisSquareEnix'smobileportofitscriticallyacclaimedNintendoDStitle.AstylishandsurprisinglydarkJapaneseRPG,TWEWY:SRputsyouincontrolofNeku,aboytrappedintheShinjukudistrictofTokyoandcompelledtofightforhislifeintheReaper'sGame.Featuringfrenetictouchscreencombat,anawesomesoundtrackandauniquevisualstyle,TheWorldEndsWithYouSoloRemixisafirst-rategamingexperience,withacorrespondinglyheftyprice.DownloadTheWorldEndsWithYou:AppStore,PlayStoreSevered(iOS:$6.99)(Imagecredit:DrinkboxStudios)Sashaishavingaverybadday,emerginginanightmarishunderworldtofindherfamilymissing,herleftarmabloodystump,andamysteriousstrangerofferingherastrange,livingsword.FeaturedamongApple'sBestof2016apps,SeveredhasplayersguidingSashathroughherquesttorescueherfamily,exploringthenetherworldandengaginginswipe-basedcombatasyoucutpastthemonstersinyourwayandharvesttheirlimbstograntyousupernaturalpowers.Swipesarebothattackanddefense,parryingenemyattacksandleavingthemopentoyourownstrikes.Thegamespicesthingsupbythrowingmultipleenemiesatyoufromdifferentdirections,makingthreatmanagementandsmartuseofspecialabilitieskeytosurvivingandrescuingyourfamily. DownloadSevered:AppStoreSixAges:RideLikeTheWind(iOS:$9.99)(Imagecredit:KitfoxGames)AspiritualsuccessortotheclanmanagementRPGKingofDragonPass,SixAges:RideLikeTheWindfusesstrategyandRPGgamingtogether.Youleadyourfledglingclancouncilanddecidethefateofyourpeopleasyoubalancethephysicalandspiritualneedsofyourclanandrelationswithyourmanyneighbors.Alongtheway,you'llfacemagicalandmonstrousthreats,aswellasaloomingwarbetweenthegodsofGlorantha.AswiththeoriginalKingofDragonPass,therealgemsinthisgamearethemorethan400interactivescenesthatpresentyouwithmoral,diplomatic,militaryandreligiousdilemmas.Yourchoicesandoutcomesareimpactedbyyourclan'shistory,traits,andtheskillsoftheleadersinyourclancouncil.DownloadSixAges—RideLiketheWind:AppStoreRogueWizards(iOS:Free)(Imagecredit:SpellbindStudios)OverthrowatyrannicalmagicalorderinRogueWizards,acartoonyturn-baseddungeoncrawlerthathasyouexploringmonster-filleddepthsandcomingoutwithloadsoflootandgearforyourmerrybandofmagicalrebels.Thegamecombinestheaddictivegameloopofdungeondelveandgearupgradingwithatouchscreenfriendlyturn-basedcombatsystemthatdoesn'tsacrificetacticaldepth.Inbetweendungeoncrawls,youcankitoutyourwizard'stowerandupgradeyourtownorrecruitnewmembersforyourteam.Playersgettheentiregamefree,within-apppurchasesorvideoadsallowingyoutobuygems(whichyoucanalsoearnviaplay);asingle"2xGemBooster"purchasegivesplayersthesamedroprateandgamebalanceasthepremiumPCversion.DownloadRogueWizards:AppStoreDarkestDungeon(iPad:$4.99)(Imagecredit:RedHookStudios)SteelyourbodyandsoulanddobattleagainsttheblasphemoushorrorsoftheDarkestDungeon,RedHookStudio’sbrutallyatmosphericrogue-likedungeoncrawler.Asinheritorofacursedestate,it’suptoyoutogatherastableofheroesreadytoraiditsdepthsandridtheruinsofthemanymonstersandterrorsthatyourancestorunleashed.Thedungeonsandtheirdenizensarebrutalandmerciless,andyou’llhavetomanagenotjustyourheroes’bodiesbutalsotheirstresslevelsandmentalstability.Thegamefeaturesawealthofheroclassestotryout,andwhilethedungeoncrawlcangetgrindy,itsatmosphericsarepitch-perfectinreplicatingagothichorrorfeel.DownloadDarkestDungeon:AppStoreHowtoplayPokemonGofromhome JordanPalmer PhonesEditor JordanisthePhonesEditorforTom'sGuide,coveringallthingsphone-related.He'swrittenaboutphonesforoverfiveyearsandplanstocontinueforalongwhiletocome.Helovesnothingmorethanrelaxinginhishomewithabook,game,orhislatestpersonalwritingproject.Jordanlikesfindingnewthingstodiveinto,frombooksandgamestonewmechanicalkeyboardswitchesandfunkeycapsets.Jordantendstolurkonsocialmedia,butyoucanbestreachhimonTwitter. Topics Gaming Smartphones Seeallcomments(0) Nocommentsyet Commentfromtheforums BeIntheKnow Getinstantaccesstobreakingnews,thehottestreviews,greatdealsandhelpfultips. ContactmewithnewsandoffersfromotherFuturebrands Receiveemailfromusonbehalfofourtrustedpartnersorsponsors ThankyouforsigninguptoTom'sGuide.Youwillreceiveaverificationemailshortly. Therewasaproblem.Pleaserefreshthepageandtryagain. MOSTREADMOSTSHARED1This12-year-oldhasmadenearly$6millionwithNFTs—andshe’sjustgettingstarted2Exclusive:thestorybehindthenewVenusWilliamsandGhostBedmattress3SamsungGalaxyS22Ultralooksstunninginnewdummyunitphotos4HowNespressoisusingaugmentedrealitytohelpfightclimatechange511biggesttechfailsof20211SamsungGalaxyS22Ultralooksstunninginnewdummyunitphotos2HowNespressoisusingaugmentedrealitytohelpfightclimatechange311biggesttechfailsof20214Mostanticipatedphonesof2022—iPhone14,GalaxyS22andmore5MostanticipatedNetflixshowsandmovies2022—StrangerThingsseason4,UmbrellaAcademyseason3andmore