The realm of mobile gaming has come a long way since the days when you were lucky if you could play a game ofSnakeon your brick of a phone. Today, we all have essentially a modern console in our pockets withgames that look and play just as goodas what is offered on current consoles. Unlike the console or PC space, mobile games have mostly stuck to either being extremely cheap or simply free-to-play. While that sounds great on the surface, it also means that the storefronts are filled with thousands of games looking for your attention, with only a select few worthy of your time. If you’re looking for your next mobile go-to with no upfront cost, here are the best free-to-play mobile games you may never delete from your home screen.
Honkai: Star Rail
MiHoYo has two of the biggest mobile hits under their belts betweenGenshin ImpactandHonkai Star Rail,but if we were to pick between the two, we’d lean toward the latter. This game has the same level of amazing character designs and gatcha systems, but wrapped up in a sci-fi-inspired turn-based RPG. It really feels like the team took everything it learned fromGenshinand updated it forStar Rail,with a gripping story, plenty of quests, tactile combat, and a monetization system that doesn’t feel manipulative.
Candy Crush Saga
Marvel Snap
Card games might be a turn-off for some players, butMarvel Snapbucks the trend. Naturally, it features your favorite iconic comic book heroes, but it’s more than just a digital collectible. The team consists of formerHearthstonedevelopers and it shows. Matches are quick, decks don’t get overly complicated, and the signature Snap mechanic adds a great twist of risk/reward gameplay to the mix. Best of all is that microtransactions are mostly limited to cosmetics and there’s no way to outright buy your way to a more powerful deck.
