2024's top offline games

The emergence of games that are constantly online is a bit of a problem. It's absurd that you have to deliberately look for offline games when traveling by train or airplane. Fortunately, whether you're playing on iOS or Android, there are many of amazing offline games available.

We've gathered our favorites, which range from lighthearted arcade games to substantial games that are almost console-caliber. To discover even more games to play on the move, go below or check out our guides to the best mobile games, FPS games, and best word games.

Now, let's explore some of the top offline games available for iOS and Android.

Alto's Journey

With a simple arcade-style hook to keep you engaged, Alto's Adventure provides hours of thrilling snowboarding experiences. As Alto, you must glide down the mountain, collecting trinkets and doing stunts while locating your runaway llamas.

Perhaps this is not the kind of game to pass the time on a long-haul journey, but it does provide for a wonderfully relaxing experience. However, taking a brief train journey with Alto by your side is a terrific way to divert your attention from the travel. Oh, and there's more than enough to keep you occupied with the excellent sequel, Alto's Odyssey.

To learn more, see our review of Alto's Adventure: The Spirit of the Mountain.

Cultural VI

Ohh, Civilization VI, the joy of my life as well as the source of all my problems. The main objective of this expansive strategy game is to colonize and conquer. If you use Twitter excessively, it may be difficult to reconcile your moral obligations, but Twitter is really simply a great strategic game. This game provides you a broad overview of history in the palm of your hand, starting with the earliest signs of life in 4000 BC and ending with the first people to settle on Mars.

The game's portable versions are what allowed me to accumulate thousands of hours—well, closer to 10 thousand than zero. Even while it may not seem like a good thing to have in your life, it's actually rather fun. Furthermore, when compared to its PC equivalent, the mobile version is more than enough.

To choose the greatest leader, go through our Civilization VI tier list.

Mini Metro

Maps and miniatures are definitely something you like if you enjoy Civilization VI. And nothing is a minimalist metro sim puzzle extravaganza more concerned with maps than Mini Metro. You design the subway systems for many global cities and address the problems that emerge therein, all to the accompaniment of a masterfully composed music.

Mini Metro is exquisitely designed, with every element subtle but readable, melodic yet understated; it's straightforward, lovely, and functional. I think it's the pinnacle of mobile gaming, and everyone who like mobile games should definitely play it.

Dragon Quest

As one of the most renowned JRPG series in history, Dragon Quest is available for play on mobile devices and makes for a great historical lesson. Although the original DQ is really archaic, exploring them all is enjoyable if you take your time.

Although it's not the best method to listen them, this is currently the only way to fit this many songs onto a single portable device. Considering the hundreds of hours of playtime they provide, it's well worth the money.

To find out more about the most recent installment in the series, read our Dragon Quest Treasures review.

Beverly Hills

Among the indie space's most touching success stories is Stardew Valley. It puts you to a little village, offers you a small farm, and gradually opens out into a large, intricate simulation that is mostly about human interaction and compassion.

There are people to swoon over, dungeons to explore, and fishing, of course. How much more is there to ask for? Even better, if you get one of the greatest Android controllers, the Android version is flawless. Get farming, child, and transform your phone into a portable powerhouse.

For further information, see our Stardew Valley Sebastian, Stardew Valley fish, and Stardew Valley Abigail.

Dead Cells

When it reached the roguelike space, Dead Cells shot a wave across it. It's an indie classic through and through, with fluid pixel visuals, slick and fierce fighting, and limitless, captivating, and tempting hours of gameplay.

Although it's more than adequate, we wouldn't claim that playing it on a mobile device is the ideal experience. It's definitely worth looking at the pixel graphics since it really stands out on a tiny screen. Even better, if you're a subscriber, it's included in Apple Arcade.

For further information, see our Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania DLC review.

Defense of Bloons Tower 6

Much of my youth was spent playing Bloons Tower Defence. The newest game in the series allows you to rediscover the romance of spending countless hours on a flash gaming website while sitting through a tedious physics course.

The setup of BTD6 is the same as that of every other game. You have to set up monkeys with different weapons to take down balloons before they reach the end of a winding course. It's enjoyable—perhaps a touch too enjoyable. And it's available on Apple Arcade!

Final Fantasy

There are plenty other Final Fantasy games available for you to delve into on mobile, much like DQ. The mobile versions of Final Fantasy, perhaps the most renowned RPG series ever, are a touch controversial, but if you're not a purist, they're OK.

Playing FFVI on a mobile device, for instance, is quite enjoyable. There's a tonne of stuff to see, a ton of people to meet, and a ton of arithmetic to comprehend. I never would have imagined as a child that I would carry around hundreds of hours of amazing JRPG content. What fun.

For further information, see our Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters Switch review.

Grid Autosport

It may seem a little extreme, but the only racing simulation on portable consoles that is really worthwhile is Grid Autosport. The only portable racing games with any true depth are its smartphone and Nintendo Switch versions. if reality is your goal, anyhow.

There are plenty of things to do with the variety of automobiles and game types available. Furthermore, at least for a handheld game, this one has the best driving experience around. It costs more than average, but it's worthwhile.

Danganronpa

The games of Danganronpa are peculiar. They transport you to a world of schoolchildren competing to win a murder game from reality TV, which is set up by an eerie bear. Strange, huh? After many hours of murder and mystery, things continue to become stranger.

However, as we discussed in our Danganronpa interview, the creators do not want to halt the series. Thus, to stay up to date with this cult favorite, download them to your phone and enjoy the bizarre terror they contain.

For a healthy dose of lore, check out our guides to Danganronpa games and Danganronpa character.

Check out our guides to fishing games, volleyball games, and FPS games for even more options beyond the greatest offline games.