Top 5 Best Mobile Games for Android in 2023
Role-playing games are long, multi-hour time investments filled with story, characters and decisions. Some, like Square Enix’s Chrono Trigger, even offer controller support.
Puzzle games are brain-teasing, requiring the player to consider multiple possibilities and consequences before making a choice. Some, such as Spaceteam, also require teamwork between players on the same phone.
1. Genshin Impact
While some gamers initially panned Genshin Impact for how similar it looks to Nintendo’s Zelda: Breath of the Wild, it’s quickly become one of the most lucrative free-to-play mobile games on the market. The game features a beautiful anime-inspired art style, high production values and solid combat. Plus, it bucks many of the negative gacha trends that deter some from playing.
As an action RPG, players can swap between a variety of different units to perform combos using various elements like fire and water or ice and lightning. There are dedicated healers and support characters, selfish damage dealers and a number of other units that sit in the middle. In terms of character progression, Genshin Impact does a good job of keeping the more common four-star characters competitive with rarer five-star ones.
The open world in Genshin Impact is expansive and full of engrossing activities. But the game isn’t without its quirks. For example, having sections of the world gated off until you reach a certain rank is obnoxious and slows down the overall gameplay experience.
2. Among Us
With its console-quality graphics and a variety of levels, Vectronom is a worthy addition to the platformer genre. It also has a backstory and interesting mechanics that will keep you coming back.
Call of Duty: Mobile was met with a lot of skepticism when it first launched, but the game has turned out to be an excellent mobile shooter. Its controls are responsive, whether you play it on touchscreen or with a controller.
PUBG Mobile is another mobile battle royale that has become incredibly popular. The game plays well on Android, and it has many different modes to try.
GRID Autosport is the premiere racing game on Android, with incredible gameplay and stunning graphics. It requires a powerful device to run, though. If you’re looking for a fast-paced gaming experience, check out Repulze or Rush Rally 3. Both offer console-style racing and controller support.
3. Plague Inc.
Whether it makes you feel like a horrible human being or you chortle malevolently, Ndemic Creation’s Plague Inc will grab your attention and hold it – not just for its addictive gameplay but also because of the (foul) messages it delivers. As a sequel to the spiritual predecessor Pandemic, this strategy game asks players to choose how they’ll infect and destroy humanity on a global scale.
A simplified world map and the choice of a baby infection determines your first steps, while upgrades for your pathogen let you tailor its transmission to different environments. A bacterium can easily spread through air or water, for example, while an AIDS virus will thrive in a cold environment.
While many games of this type follow a similar formula, Plague Inc manages to make each playthrough feel unique thanks to a variety of symptom combinations and domino effects that can be set off. It’s one of those rare mobile games that’s able to captivate players and keep them thinking about its implications long after they put it down.
4. The Room: Old Sins
It may not look as good as its predecessors but The Room: Old Sins is still an excellent puzzle game that’s a lot of fun. The latest in the series, it’s more focused than previous games with compact puzzle designs and a great sense of pace.
PUBG made a big splash on mobile this year with its massive online battle royale game that’s pretty fun to play. It’s a little different from other shooter titles but it works well and gets updates all the time.
MOBAs are all the rage on Android too and League of Legends is the best of the bunch with its engrossing gameplay and excellent graphics. It’s a bit of a grind though.
Several classic computer RPGs from before the dawn of smartphones have been ported to Android and are among its top games. Baldur’s Gate and its sequel are Dungeons & Dragons through and through with plenty of BioWare’s magic to make them feel special. Another high-flying RPG is Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, which along with Super Metroid helped define an entire genre.
5. Monument Valley
There’s something about Monument Valley that makes it hard to put down. It’s a gorgeous, meditative puzzle game that uses optical illusions to create evolving worlds to explore. This is a must-try for any Android user.
GRID Autosport was a stunner when it came out for PC and consoles, but it’s even more impressive on mobile. This is a premium racing experience that won’t go easy on you, but it will challenge your skills and your device (assuming you have a powerful one).
It doesn’t seem like much of an achievement to churn out a top-notch shooter for Android these days, but it hasn’t always been that way. Both of Bethesda’s big-name titles have made the transition to mobile pretty well, with smooth graphics and a staggering amount of customization. You can tweak your weapons, grenades, secondary fire modes, and camos to find exactly how you like to play the game. It’s a must-try for any fan of first-person shooters. You’ll be blown away by its visuals and the depth of its gameplay. And it’s free.
