The best mobile RPGs 2023

The best mobile RPGs feature, at least in some capacity, common tropes that we can also see in their PC and console brethren. Expect wide-open worlds, lengthy and engrossing stories, characters with a high level of depth, and complex systems to learn. Sure, there are plenty of ‘RPGs’ on mobile that feature none of the above, but they won’t appear on this list.

However, unlike many other mobile genres, you’re probably going to have to fork out a pretty penny for most of the games on this list. That’s because the best mobile RPGs are typically very lengthy experiences, and the way they’re designed doesn’t (and shouldn’t) translate well to free-to-play.

What you will get, though, is a heck of a lot of bang for your buck. Our picks range from excellent mobile exclusives to ports of genre classics, and every single one of them oozes quality and content. So much so, that you might want to book a week off work or take a longer commute. We’re in it with you for the long haul.

Without any further delay, let’s get into our list of the best mobile RPGs on iOS and Android devices.

The best mobile RPGs

Raid: Shadow Legends

Raid: Shadow Legends is a stunning RPG that works across PC and mobile. It features a wide variety of heroes to collect and content to battle through.

To start strong, check out our Raid: Shadow Legends tier list. Then, learn how to play it on the big screen with help from our guide on how to play

Play Raid: Shadow Legends for free.
Play for free

Epic Seven

Everyone loves a good turn-based RPG. Planning out your moves strategically and then watching those EXP points pile up is satisfying in just the right way. In this free-to-play gacha game, you build up your own team of heroes, then work on strengthening them all up so that you can take them through a series of battles and ultimately progress your way through the overarching storyline.

What helps make this game particularly engaging is its beautiful anime art style, which lends itself well to the animated cutscenes which progress the storyline. Meanwhile, with tons of interactions available, you’ll really start to grow fond of the characters that you have in your team – the fact that the selection is random, and therefore more unique to you, makes that bond feel even stronger.

Play Epic Seven for free.
Play for free

Genshin Impact

Breath of the Wild goes JRPG in Genshin Impact, the latest entry in the ‘Impact’ series that also features mobile’s Honkai Impact 3rd. You’ll collect a bunch of characters, fall into a deep story, explore a wide-open world, and battle through dungeons.

We’ve put together a quick guide to what is Genshin Impact, and then you can check out our Genshin Impact review, Genshin Impact tier list, and Genshin Impact codes list. You can also learn more about the Switch release in our Genshin Impact release date tracker.

Play Genshin Impact for free.
Play on Apple Arcade

Cat Quest 2

Cat Quest 2 isn’t so much a revolution as an evolution. It plays the same and looks the same, but you can experience the entire adventure with a friend this time. That’s a game-changer in itself. Those who can’t stand terrible cat puns should watch meow-t. (sorry).

Play Cat Quest 2 on Apple Arcade.
Play on Apple Arcade

Monster Hunter Stories

Capcom clearly glanced with envy over at The Pokémon Company, and decided to shoehorn a bunch of Pokémon sensibilities into the Monster Hunter universe. Rather than butcher monsters (though there’s plenty of that too) you hunt for eggs and hatch them. These newborn monsters then turn into party members, fighting alongside you in some nifty turn-based battles. Monster Hunter Stories is absolutely one of the best Android RPGs – come for the cute monsters, stay for the rock-paper-scissors combat system.

Play Monster Hunter Stories+ on Apple Arcade.

Final Fantasy VII

The greatest Final Fantasy of all time, at least in our opinion, is also on mobile! Take on iconic villains in some intense turn-based combat, lose yourself in the epic story, and maybe even train some Chocobo in your downtime.

The mobile version allows you to turn enemy encounters off and max out your stats with the click of a button if you’re struggling to defeat a tough boss. If you’re interested in learning more, we’ve created guides to help you out with FFVII’s Tifa and FFVII’s Cloud.

Another Eden

All you need to know about Another Eden is that it’s one of the best Android RPGs. The entire concept was designed by Masato Kato, the writer of Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy VII. If you haven’t already downloaded it (shame on you!), it’s also a darn good JRPG in its own right, with stunning comic book visuals, an excellent turn-based combat system, and loads of characters to collect. Just get it.

Make sure you check out our Another Eden tier list if you’re thinking about trying this game out.

Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition

The definitive classic RPG made a triumphant comeback on mobile thanks to Beamdog. This ‘Enhanced Edition’ features a completely revamped UI, touched-up visuals, and entirely new content. The sequel, Icewind Dale, and a brand new game, which takes place between the first and second, are also available on mobile. Beamdog, you do spoil us.

The Banner Saga

This morose tactical RPG franchise sees you trudging across a frozen, Viking-themed landscape in your own caravan. In Banner Saga, you’ll participate in Fire Emblem-style combat, explore a bleak world, and make decisions that make Game of Thrones seem like a kids show. Check out our list of the best mobile strategy games for more series like Banner Saga.

Chrono Trigger

In certain circles, Chrono Trigger is regarded as the pinnacle of JRPGs, so not including it on this list would be borderline sacrilegious. It helps that the port is actually pretty solid; even including fullscreen support for the iPhone X, unlike most of Square Enix’s other classic JRPG ports.

Darkest Dungeon

Though Darkest Dungeon isn’t a dungeon crawler in the traditional sense, it pretty much exclusively features crawling through dungeons, so to not include it here would be criminal. You build up a party of random adventurers and send them into a variety of ‘dungeons’ to reclaim your family’s estate. While monsters remain a huge threat, the largest is actually the psychology system.

Your characters will contend with stress in all its forms, including paranoia, fear, irrational behaviour, and more. Each of them has their own issues to deal with and deal with them you must if you want to make it to the bitter end.

Dragon Quest VIII

Much like Final Fantasy, there are a load of Dragon Quests available on mobile. We settled on Dragon Quest VIII because Square Enix has actually updated it for the latest iPhones. Oh, and it’s also often regarded as one of the better entries in the franchise. Fight me.

Exiled Kingdoms

Exiled Kingdoms is a hidden gem on the mobile app stores, featuring over 100 hours of content (if you do everything). While it’s not the prettiest game on this list, it’s clearly a labour of love by developer 4 Dimension Games. It also ticks every box, featuring a huge world, loads of loot, deep character customisation, and excellent writing throughout – no wonder it’s one of the best Android RPGs.

Grimvalor

Imagine, if you will, a Souls-like platformer that not only implements the mechanics of Dark Souls, but also tries to create the same aesthetic. That is basically Grimvalor; a Souls-like platformer where you fight your way through rooms of enemies, to eventually face bosses. We may not have Pascal’s Wager on Android (yet) but Grimvalor is a more than worthy substitute; both challenging to play, and with a decent control system.

Legend of Grimrock

Legend of Grimrock brought classic dungeon-crawler sensibilities into the 21st century; which mostly consisted of stunning visuals. Everything you love about the likes of Might & Magic, Eye of the Beholder, and Ultima is here, with plenty of tactical combat, deep character customisation, and secrets to find. Seriously, hunting down secrets is a huge part of the appeal.

Neverwinter Nights

The successor to Baldur’s Gate, which brought the gameplay to 3D and stripped back the party focus to focus on a single hero plus companion, is now available on mobile in an enhanced form. It also features multiplayer, for those that want to play with others.

Stardew Valley

Considered by many to be the spiritual successor to Harvest Moon, the classic farming game, Stardew Valley tries to channel the same easy-going tone, and back-to-basics play. In the game, you have recently inherited your grandfather’s old ranch; you work to make it thrive again, become part of the local community, and maybe even find yourself a love interest.

The game is also multiplayer, so friends can come and help you with the chores. Stardew Valley is less of a farming game, and more a story about beginning anew, and building a home – one of the best Android RPGs for sure.

Looking for more content related to this game? Take a look at our Stardew Valley Sebastian, Stardew Valley Lewis, and Stardew Valley Gus guides.

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is BioWare at its absolute best, and remains the definitive Star Wars game a whopping 17 years following its original release. You play as a novice Jedi, tasked with saving the galaxy from the bloodthirsty Sith. Or, you can join the bad guys and help them take over. Few games give you this amount of choice, even today.

It’s only right that we include the sequel on this list too, as it’s an excellent RPG in its own right and is far from a simple retread. It takes place five years after the events of the original, with the Old Republic hanging on by a thread. Will you bring hope or destruction? The choice is yours.

Transistor

Transistor is Super Giant’s follow-up to the excellent Bastion, which rode on the crest of the indie boom back when Xbox Live Arcade was the place to be. Trading the fantasy environments for neon-soaked sci-fi, Transistor continued to innovate within its own genre with a time-bending combat style and loads of strategy.

Warhammer Quest

When it burst onto the mobile scene back in 2013, Warhammer Quest was out to prove two things: mobile games didn’t have to be ugly (or, at least visually minimalist) and could actually contain strategic depth. It managed both of the two with absolute aplomb, earning itself a bunch of DLC and a sequel in the process.

Summoners War: Sky Arena

This fantasy RPG is one of the pioneers of mobile esports, bringing competitive players together worldwide to test their might in the heat of battle. In fact, it has led to the release of a subsequent game that focuses purely on PvP combat. However, if you prefer solo action, Summoners War allows you to assemble a team to face off against different monsters and dungeon bosses.

If you do dive into this fantasy RPG, make sure you check out our Summoners War codes list

The best upcoming mobile RPGs

Honkai Star Rail

Honkai Star Rail is an upcoming game from the developer of Genshin Impact, Hoyverse. This is a turn-based, gacha game with gorgeous characters, an epic story, and a massive world for you to explore.

Check out our Honkai Star Rail release date speculation, Honkai Star Rail tier list, and Honkai Star Rail preview.

Zenless Zone Zero

Also from Hoyoverse, we don’t have too many details on Zenless Zone Zero just yet. However, if Honkai Star Rail and Genshin Impact are anything to go by, this is sure to be an outstanding game with gacha elements.

Head on over to our Zenless Zone Zero release date speculations and Zenless Zone Zero character guide to find out more.

That’s all the games for now! If you also like playing RPGs online, be sure to browse our list of the best mobile MMORPGs. We hope you found something you like!