The mobile games market is often derided by gamers, known more for its predatory games and cheap licensed titles. But there are actually a lot of great games on iOS, including long-time classics and new games that redefine what mobile gaming can be.

Pixel Art RPGs. Stardew Valley, Omori, Hyper Light Drifter.
Best RPGs With Pixel Graphics

Whether a product of its time or an artistic choice, nothing beats a good pixel art RPG.

2
By 

RPGs are aplenty on iOS, and the best ones use the platform to their advantage. The genre tends to be full of games with epic length, and that’s what makes them so great. You can jump in, complete a quest or two, and you’ll have plenty to go back to later.

Updated April 13, 2025, by Mohamed El Ouardighi: we've updated this list with more information and a couple more picks just for you!

1 Torchlight: Infinite

torchlight-infinite-cover.jpg
Torchlight: Infinite
Action RPG
Systems
Top Critic Avg: 61/100
Released
May 9, 2023
ESRB
T for Teen - Violence, Blood
Developer(s)
XD Inc
Publisher(s)
XD Inc

WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL

Genre(s)
Action RPG

First up, we have Torchlight: Infinite. This is part of the Torchlight franchise, bringing the thrill of dungeon crawling right to your phone. As a live-service mobile game, you can also find limited seasons delivering new content for you to play through.

Overall, Torchlight: Infinite is filled with fun, fast-paced combat that doesn't require you to spend any money. Of course, you can invest in microtransactions, but this isn't necessary to have a good time.

2 Oceanhorn

mixcollage-24-dec-2024-10-50-pm-4822.jpg
Oceanhorn: Monster of Uncharted Seas
RPG
Puzzle
Systems
Top Critic Avg: 67/100 Critics Rec: 39%
Released
November 14, 2013
ESRB
e
Engine
Proprietary Engine

WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL

Genre(s)
RPG, Puzzle

Since its launch in 2013, Oceanhorn: Monster of Uncharted Seas has been brought to many platforms, but you can still play it on its original platform; the iPhone. This classic RPG lets you explore, solve puzzles, and learn about the living fortress, called Oceanhorn.

This is a great game to play if you are a fan of The Legend of Zelda franchise, especially titles like Wind Waker. Many have drawn similarities between Oceanhorn and this powerhouse franchise, but it remains unique instead of feeling like a cheap imitation.

3 Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters

mixcollage-26-dec-2024-01-14-am-4644.jpg
Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster
Top Critic Avg: 83/100 Critics Rec: 87%
Released
July 28, 2021
ESRB
T For Teen Due To Fantasy Violence, Language, Mild Blood, Partial Nudity, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol
Developer(s)
Tose
Publisher(s)
Square Enix

WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL

Genre(s)
JRPG

If you know anything about Final Fantasy, then you know that these games didn't originally exist on the phone (or any modern console, for that matter). Rather than talking about one game though, we are talking about the first six games in the franchise, which have all been remastered.

All six of these games are now available right on your phone. While you will still need to pay for these games, this is a great option if you want a classic Final Fantasy experience, but lack the consoles necessary.

4 Zenless Zone Zero

mixcollage-25-dec-2024-12-11-pm-1941.jpg
Zenless Zone Zero
Action RPG
Systems
Top Critic Avg: 75/100 Critics Rec: 73%
Released
July 4, 2024
ESRB
T (Teen) - Suggestive Themes & Violence
Publisher(s)
HoYoverse

WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
PHYSICAL

Genre(s)
Action RPG

Being the third major release from HoYoverse, Zenless Zone Zero had a lot of expectations, but it didn't quite hit the mark on release. However, the developers picked up pace quickly and fixed all the major issues, including the presence of the TV mechanic in the main story.

Astra talking to Evelyn in Zenless Zone Zero.
Zenless Zone Zero - Astra Yao Agent Guide

Here's how to play as Astra Yao in Zenless Zone Zero!

While playing this game, you get to meet various beautifully designed characters while you also visit new regions to solve different crises. The best part about it is that Zenless Zone Zero is a live-service game, which makes that it gets consistent updates with new content.

5 The Banner Saga

mixcollage-21-nov-2024-05-38-pm-2516.jpg
The Banner Saga
Released
January 14, 2014
ESRB
t
the-banner-saga-in-game-screenshot-1.jpg

WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
PHYSICAL

Genre(s)
RPG, Strategy

The Banner Saga is a modern take on a tactical RPG that features a heavy emphasis on player choice. In between battles, the game plays like a choose-your-own-adventure story, following your choices as you guide your Viking tribe through war, famine, and near death.

The name of the game here is story and immersion. The Banner Saga intentionally avoids typical RPG conventions like looting, buying, and selling, and the game even prevents you from loading a save if you’re beaten in battle. All of this is in an effort to immerse you in the story of your tribe as a whole, rather than a single individual.

6 Dragon Quest 5: Hand Of The Heavenly Bride

The hero from Dragon Quest 5 standing with his party members.
mixcollage-23-dec-2024-11-16-pm-2423.jpg
Dragon Quest 5
Released
September 27, 1992
ESRB
e
Publisher(s)
Square Enix
Engine
Unreal Engine 4
Franchise
Dragon Quest

Genre(s)
JRPG

The late, great Akira Toriyama has left his mark on pop culture on so many levels. Even within the mobile RPG sphere, Dragon Quest 5: Hand of the Heavenly Bride is but the first of two entries on this list with Toriyama's unmistakable art style front and center.

Dragon Quest's Zenithian trilogy of fourth through sixth games stand tall as some of the best chapters in a remarkably solid franchise, and as far as we're concerned, the fifth game is the pinnacle of prestige. You'll watch your protagonist grow, first as a child, then a young man, and then as a somewhat older man with children (and a bride!) of his own.

All the trademark Dragon Quest charm is on full display in this mobile-port-of-the-DS-version of a classic - and it's all right there in the palm of your hand. (It's also better than the DS version; those higher-definition visuals afforded on mobile devices really pop here!)

7 Wuthering Waves

mixcollage-25-dec-2024-03-54-am-8390.jpg
Wuthering Waves
Action RPG
Open-World
Systems
Top Critic Avg: 76/100 Critics Rec: 80%
Released
May 22, 2024
ESRB
T For Teen // Suggestive Themes, Violence
Developer(s)
Kuro Games
Publisher(s)
Kuro Games

WHERE TO PLAY

Genre(s)
Action RPG, Open-World

If there was one game that can be used as the perfect example of a comeback, it'd be Wuthering Waves. Upon first release, this game was hardly functional on even the latest iOS devices since it had constant performance issues, overheating, and random glitches popping up all over the place.

However, with time, the developers have optimized it very well. With that, the character designs and the beautiful scenery have only gotten better, making the game an absolutely breathtaking experience.

8 Fate/Grand Order

mixcollage-25-dec-2024-11-32-pm-7697.jpg
Fate Grand Order
Systems
Released
June 25, 2017
Developer(s)
DelightWorks, Lasengle
Publisher(s)
Aniplex
Engine
Unity

WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL

Genre(s)
RPG

One of the most profitable mobile games ever, Fate/Grand Order was produced by Sony based on the Fate/Stay Night visual novel series that originated in 2004. Like other mobile RPGs, the game is based on traditional turn-based combat and pulling gacha rolls to get new characters.

split image with art from tsum tsum, angry birds, and fate grand order
The Most Downloaded Mobile Games

Mobile games make up a large part of the gaming community these days. From Genshin Impact to Temple Run, these games get downloaded the most.

1

What makes Fate/Grand Order stand out from other games on this list is that, rather than playing a central protagonist or even controlling a party, you instead play the role of a “Master,” and must guide an entire group of adventurers – knights, magicians, mages, etc. - and who you take into battle and adventures is up to you.

9 Honkai Impact 3rd

Otto Apocalypse looking up in Honkai Impact 3rd
mixcollage-09-dec-2024-10-17-pm-237.jpg
Honkai Impact 3rd
Action
RPG
Adventure
Systems
Released
October 14, 2016
ESRB
t
Engine
Unity
Multiplayer
Online Co-Op

WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL

Genre(s)
Action, RPG, Adventure

Even if you've been an RPG enjoyer with tons of games under your belt, Honkai Impact 3rd's story will still surprise you because of how phenomenal it is. The story is divided into various chapters, and its about the world on the brink of destruction due to the Honkai eruption. You start the game playing as a character called Kiana.

However, as you progress, you'll get to see the perspectives of many other characters, with each one getting a beautiful growth arc. The story might be lengthy with quite a lot of buildup, but it's all worth it in the end, especially because you also get to use plenty of characters for free during it.

10 Darkest Dungeon

mixcollage-11-dec-2024-04-11-pm-8664.jpg
Darkest Dungeon
Top Critic Avg: 84/100 Critics Rec: 93%
Released
January 19, 2016
ESRB
T For Teen due to Alcohol Reference, Blood and Gore, Mild Language, Partial Nudity, Suggestive Themes, Violence
Developer(s)
Red Hook Studios
Publisher(s)
Red Hook Studios

WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL

Genre(s)
RPG

Darkest Dungeon has a reputation for being a brutally difficult game, and rightfully so. A roguelike with permanent death for your characters, Darkest Dungeon is in many ways the perfect game for mobile. It allows you to quickly jump to set up a party and head straight into a dungeon to perform some turn-based combat.

This game is all about positioning. Taking place in 2D, battles happen in a line between your party and your enemies. Positioning will partially determine their stats, including their chances to hit or get hit with sickness or injury.