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With such a bountiful choice of great games for Android phones in the Google Play Store, how do you decide which Android apps to download this July? If you’re anything like us, you know only too well that feeling of download regret. But don’t worry — we’re here to make it a thing of the past with our handpicked list of the best Android games available. Most are free, some cost a few bucks, and many are great to play online with friends when you can’t get together in person — but all of them will keep you entertained at home or when you’re out and about. You’ll need internet connectivity for many of these games, but we’ve also gathered together some of the best Android games to play offline.
There are many different kinds of games in the Play Store, so we’ve aimed to pick a good mix of categories, including first-person shooters (FPS), role-playing games (RPG), platformers, racing games, puzzlers, strategy games, and more. At least one game on this list should suit your gaming needs. If you’re looking for the best iPhone games, we’ve found those, too — but if you’re gaming on an Android tablet or Android phone, then you’re sure to find something to enjoy here.
Make sure to check out these helpful guides: best Android apps, best iPhone apps
Raid: Shadow Legends
Raid: Shadow Legends is one of the most popular dark-fantasy RPGs on Android. Set in the world of Teleria, you must recruit the forces of Light and Darkness to fight together to save the world. Choose from over 400 warriors and 14 playable factions, build up your team’s strength, and take on formidable foes. With epic boss battles, a PVP arena to challenge other teams, and a bastion to build and upgrade, there’s plenty to keep you entertained. The expansive map covers 12 sprawling locations to explore, all rendered in beautiful 3D artwork. If you’re into RPGs, you can’t afford to miss Raid: Shadow Legends.
Google Play
Thimbleweed Park ($10)
Fans of Oxenfree and Stranger Things will love this game from the creators of Monkey Island and Maniac Mansion. Thimbleweed Park is a rundown town in the middle of nowhere, home to an abandoned circus, a burnt-out factory, and a haunted hotel. When five seemingly unconnected individuals find themselves drawn to the town, they discover they’re actually deeply connected — and somebody is watching. Will Franklin the ghost get to speak to his daughter again? Who is Agent Ray really working for? And how come nobody’s bothered about the body under the bridge? All these questions and more will be answered. This is a deeply engaging neo-noir mystery set in 1987, packed with humor, a twisting story, and satisfying puzzles. With five playable characters and two difficulty levels, do you dare enter Thimbleweed Park?
Google Play
Where Shadows Slumber ($3)
At first glance, this colorful puzzler looks a lot like Monument Valley, but don’t be fooled. Where Shadows Slumber is a spooky game where the world has been plunged into darkness. You play as Obe, an old man at the end of his life, setting out on one last journey after stumbling upon a strange lantern in the forest. The game’s mechanics mean anything not touched by light has the power to change, including yourself. With eight different worlds to explore, mind-bending puzzles, and easy-touch controls, this is an addictive little puzzler that will keep you guessing. You can play in portrait mode on your phone or Android tablet, too.
Google Play
Diablo Immortal
Our first impressions of this newly released built-for-mobile game were that it’s “a PC or quality console release on a small screen.” We’d go so far as to say it’s better than Diablo, and you’re getting the full experience on mobile — that means a lengthy campaign, deep endgame, full voice acting, the works. Because it’s designed for mobile, activities and quests are bite-sized, making it easy to play on the go and progress quickly. It never feels too repetitive, and fans of the PC games will feel right at home with the core gameplay. Choose your class, slay mobs with special skills, collect tons of loot, and walk around the gorgeous maps from a top-down perspective. It feels a lot like Diablo 3 gameplay-wise, but you’ll notice you don’t need resources to use skills — instead, they operate on brief cooldowns, meaning faster-paced combat. If we had one negative to say, it’s that the excessive microtransactions may ruin the game for some. Still, whether you’re an existing Diablo fan or not, there’s lots to enjoy here.
Google Play
Legends of Runeterra
The League of Legends strategy card game Legends of Runeterra lets you collect cards from nine regions of Runeterra, level up your Champions, earn Champion Mastery crests, and take on bigger, tougher opponents. Combine Champions for unique advantages against your opponent, earn and equip power-ups, unlock new champions, and explore the map as you rise to new challenges. There are plenty of different endings to discover, and regular updates, like the latest Worldwalker expansion, which brings over 65 new collectible cards and four new champions. This game is free to play and you can earn cards for free or purchase packs with Wildcards and Shards. You can also unlock weekly chests from the Vault, giving you free cards ranging from common to Champion cards.
Google Play
Them Bombs
If teamwork, adrenaline-fueled arguments, and yelling frantically at your friends sounds like your idea of a good time, then Them Bombs is the co-op board game for you! There’s a bomb, or several, ticking away, and every second counts. You’re the Unlikely Hero, with the bomb visible on your screen, and must work with your friends (your Expert Team) to defuse it. The catch? Only they have access to the bomb defusal manual, and only you can see the bomb screen, so you need to communicate what you see, and in turn hope they’re savvy enough to instruct you on how to defuse that bomb, before it’s too late! This game is fast-paced, addictive, and free to play — but be warned, you may end up arguing with those closest to you!
Google Play
Stardew Valley ($5)
If you haven’t yet played Stardew Valley, where have you been? The hit farming RPG is on mobile, and it’s every bit as much fun as you remember — or fun for the first time. With over 50 hours of gameplay content, multiple control options, and loads of other mobile-specific features, this game is well worth the $5 entry fee. Build the farm of your dreams, raise happy animals tend, harvest, and sell your crops, befriend the villagers, and even meet that special someone. Stardew Valley is delightfully addictive and you’ll find yourself sinking many, many hours into the game once you get started.
Google Play
Super Mario Run
Unlike other Mario games, Super Mario Run is an auto-runner where Mario keeps running forward. Tap the screen to pull off wall jumps, spin in midair, and more as you run through 24 exciting levels to rescue Princess Peach from the clutches of Bowser. Choose how you want to play: Collect all the coins or compete against a friend for the highest score. Kingdom Builder mode lets you gather Toads and coins to build your own kingdom, and you can unlock three additional playable characters as you play, including Yoshi and Luigi. Super Mario Run is free to play, with in-app purchases to unlock some content.
Google Play
Light in Chaos: Sangoku Heroes
This arcade fantasy fighting game has over 50 famous heroes ready to fight against evil and restore world order. Enjoy fast-paced full-screen combat with stunning special effects, cool fighting music, and original Japanese CV voices. Upgrade your heroes’ skills and unlock enhanced combos, collaborate with other heroes to take on more powerful challenges, or try your hand at various PvP arena modes like combat trial or summit duel. Along the way, collect costumes for your character, date female characters, and become an expert cook. Light in Chaos: Sangoku Heroes is totally free to play, and it’s easy to sink many hours into.
Google Play
Eyes
Eyes is a spooky survival horror game packed with jumpscares. You break into a mansion at night in search of riches, but soon find yourself on the run from monsters and demons. With dozens of levels to explore (and new ones being added all the time) like the abandoned hospital or the old haunted house, plus a hand-drawn map, there’s plenty of longevity here. Compete against others on the global leaderboard, explore solo, or play offline. This chilling horror game will get under your skin, so don’t play it alone after dark.
Google Play
Word Farm Adventure
If there’s one thing every list of the best Android games needs, it’s a good word game. Word Farm Adventure is an addictive little word game that sees you swiping your way toward becoming the hero of the farm. Along the way, you’ll solve word find challenges, crossword puzzles, word scramble missions, and more as you meet Rex the Dog, Perry the Parrot, and a whole menagerie of colorful characters.
When you solve a puzzle, you’re rewarded with coins and golden shovels, which you can spend to complete missions and rebuild the farm, fixing, painting, designing, and restoring it to its former glory. You’ll even get a daily reward just for logging into the game. For those who love word games, it’s one of the most fun games we’ve played.
Word Farm Adventure is totally free to play but does have quite a few ads (most of which you can skip) and in-app purchases. You can upgrade to remove the ads for a small fee or turn off in-app purchases in your device’s Restrictions menu if you like.
Google Play
Moncage ($4)
Another puzzle game, this time with a twist: Everything takes place inside a mysterious cube. Each face of the cube is different, housing a unique world. It’s up to you to figure out how these scenes (literally) connect together. Along the way, there’s an intriguing story with a surprising twist, plus plenty of optical illusions. Unlock 15 achievements to earn Medals, and prepare to get stuck, as it’ll definitely happen. While you can get helpful hints including Focus mode, which highlights key items, text hints, and video walkthroughs, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as that feeling of genius when you finally crack the puzzle yourself.
Moncage is a quirky little puzzler that quickly becomes immersive and is well worth the price of entry.
Google Play
Touchgrind Skate 2
The next game on our list is one with plenty of replayability. Touchgrind Skate 2 recreates the feeling of real-life skateboarding, with intricate, responsive controls and real physics simulation, plus gorgeous 3D graphics. There’s a bit of a learning curve with this game, so you’ll definitely need to pay attention to the tutorial videos and get plenty of practice before you fully master tricks. Pull off loads of tricks like ollies, impossibles, drops, stalls, darkslides, and more, with endless combos.
There are three skateparks — you get the first one to roam around for free, with the other two available through in-app purchase. There are also three modes to choose from including Time-limited Competition mode, Jam Session mode, where you can complete 100 challenges and practice tricks, and Training mode.
Touchgrind Skate 2 is completely free to play, with in-app purchases that unlock more of the game.
Google Play
Battlevoid: Harbinger ($1)
Battlevoid: Harbinger is a sci-fi space exploration game that blends the excitement of real-time space battles with the intensity of roguelike, turn-based strategy. You play as a young commander tasked with venturing into space to protect humanity. Along the way, you’ll need to manage your ship’s resources, plan strategies, and employ tactics to keep your ship — and crew — safe, making important decisions about your fleet and equipment. Wield your weapons wisely and fortify your ship against enemy attacks as you battle for survival.
With its retro pixel graphics and effects, don’t be fooled into thinking this is a simple game. There’s a lot going on, with new procedurally generated galaxies on each playthrough, plenty of gripping missions to complete, and new tech to discover along the way. Though it costs a little more than some games on our list, there are no in-app purchases or ads once you’ve bought the game, and there’s a devoted community online you can join if you get really into it.
Google Play
Townscaper ($5)
Less of a game, more of an exercise in relaxation, Townscaper is the perfect Android game to download if you’re looking to unwind. Start up the game, and you’re faced with a bright blue expanse of water. Tap the screen and a tiny island appears. Tap again and a colorful building appears. Keep tapping to build your town with towers, cathedrals, winding alleyways, cathedrals, and more. It’s all pretty random, with what you build being decided by the game’s algorithm, and you can adjust the position of the sun and various other settings, plus look through a catalog of all your creations. As a way to pass some time and de-stress, Townscaper ticks all the boxes.
Google Play
Retro Bowl
From its retro 8-bit graphics to its addictive and fun nature, Retro Bowl is your antidote to the post-Suber Bowl blues and is ideal for the armchair quarterback. Take on roster management — including handling the press and your players’ egos — as you coach your team to the ultimate goal: To win the Retro Bowl. Backed with a happy little chip-tune soundtrack, you can manage everything from upgrading your stadium and training facilities to your team’s attributes and hiring new staff. Or step out of the front office onto the gridiron and take part in the action. Each game is short and snappy, making Retro Bowl easy to pick up whenever you have a moment.
Google Play
Riptide GP: Renegade ($3)
Forget racing in a plain old boring car, Riptide: GP Renegade takes the action to the water on illicit hydrojets. Set in a shadowy future where you’ve been cast out from the Riptide GP league, you’ll jet off on illegal races through flooded ruins and dark city waterways to reclaim your title and reputation. The single-player mode sees you building a crew, taking down bosses, and unlocking new playable characters and vehicles as you go — and there’s no such thing as being sensible in this game, it’s all about taking risks and landing the best moves. Multiplayer mode features an eight-player online co-op as you race to top the leaderboard. You can even play couch co-op in split-screen mode with up to four friends.
Google Play
Chrono Trigger ($10)
One of the most iconic RPGs of all time is a must-play on your Android phone. The mobile port of Square Enix’s Chrono Trigger is based on the Nintendo DS version, and though the touch controls aren’t the best, it’s still worth your time. Developed by the creators of Final Fantasy, Dragon Ball, and Dragon Quest, Chrono Trigger is a time-traveling RPG that sees you play as the hero, Cronos, hurtling through time to save Marle, a young girl who has fallen into a rift created by a Telepod malfunction. The mobile version includes over 50 combos to take down enemies in battle, with higher resolution graphics and an updated soundtrack — and also features the Dimensional Vortex and Lost Sanctum dungeons.
Google Play
Pokémon Unite
Pokémon Unite is a 5-on-5 team battle where you team up with friends and other players from around the world to see who can score the most points. Working together to beat the other team is key, and you can communicate with your team through quick chat messages, signals, and voice chat. Ensure your Pokémon are stylish and ready for battle in a variety of Holowear, then take on the other team in Unite Battles, where you can use Unite Moves, all-new Pokémon moves only available during these battles. As your skills improve, battle in ranked matches to top the leaderboard. Pokémon Unite is free to play and cross-platform, so you can play with friends on mobile or Switch.
Google Play
Bridge Constructor Portal ($5)
Bridge Constructor Portal lets you unleash your inner engineer by merging the Portal and Bridge Constructor games. The bridge is a lie! Well, it’s not — it’s just not built yet. Your job as an employee in the Aperture Science test lab is to build bridges, ramp slides, and much more in 60 test chambers and help the Bendies reach their destination safely. Use a variety of Portal gadgets like repulsion gel and portals to bypass hazards and obstacles including acid pools, laser barriers, and more. The touchscreen controls can be a bit finicky, but once you get the hang of it Bridge Constructor Portal becomes quite addictive.
Google Play
The Escapists: Prison Escape ($6)
This prison escape sandbox game is hours of strategic fun — if you’re into that sort of thing. You’ve done the crime, now you’re doing the time. Speaking of which, the time has come to plan your escape. Swipe useful objects from guards, craft tools to aid your escape, and get to know your fellow inmates to create your own gang. Whatever you do, stay two steps ahead of the guards at all times, keep your head down, hide your contraband, and don’t forget to attend roll-call! This is an addictive, tense game that’s easy enough to get stuck in but provides a real challenge once you get going. There are over six themed prisons to escape and dozens of crafting combos to try out along the way. If you enjoy The Escapists, you can also pick up The Escapists 2 for $7.
Google Play
Critical Ops: Multiplayer FPS
This 3D multiplayer FPS is designed exclusively for mobile, and it’s about one of the best FPS games around on Android right now. With gorgeously crafted maps, stunning environments, and challenging game modes, you can go solo or battle as part of your dream team alongside your friends. Host tournaments and private matches, or play in one of three modes: Team Deathmatch; Defuse, where one team plants and defends a bomb while the other team tries to defuse it; or Gun Game, which pits two teams against each other while individual players work their way through every single weapon in the game. Choose to fight as a member of The Breach or Coalition, and enjoy a fair-to-play environment thanks to no in-app purchases. Critical Ops is updated regularly with new features and game modes, so you’ll never get bored — and it’s free to play.
Google Play
Grid Autosport ($10)
Tired of Real Racing 3? Then Grid Autosport is the racer you need. It’s an ad-free premium title — but you’ll need a pretty powerful phone to run it, plus 3.9GB of storage space. This is as close as you’ll get to console-quality racing on Android, with around 100 circuits to blaze through, and a huge selection of 100 cars too. The controls are fully customizable — so you can choose between Tilt, Wheel Touch, or Arrow Touch, or use a controller if that’s more your style. There’s plenty of longevity here too, with a huge range of disciplines, from Endurance and Demolition to Drift, Drag, and Street Races. Despite its fairly steep initial purchase price, you’re paying for an ad-free experience without any future in-app purchases required, and the game includes all the DLC too.
Google Play
Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition
Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition is the latest — and 15th — installment in the Final Fantasy series (with Final Fantasy XVI rumored to be releasing in summer 2023). This mobile version of the original console game divides the story into 10 chapters — you can play the first for free, with subsequent chapters available for purchase. Behind the cute animation lies a stunning soundtrack and a sprawling story that tells the tale of the Chosen King, Savior to the Star. The nations of Niflheim and Lucis have finally agreed to an armistice after years of fighting. Noctis, the crown prince of Lucis, is betrothed to Lady Lunafreya of Tenebrae, the youngest Oracle in history, as a symbol of this peace. The prince sets forth for his wedding on the eve of the signing ceremony, but unbeknown to him, many perils await him on his journey.
Google Play
Garena Free Fire — Rampage
Falling neatly into the battle-royale-games-you’ve-probably-never-played category, Garena Free Fire is well worth your time if you’re bored of Fortnite and PUBG. Taking a short-and-sweet approach to the much-loved battle royale format, each game lasts for just 10 minutes and pits you against 49 other players, all with the same mission: Survival. The short match time works well on mobile, but there’s still plenty to give the game longevity, from the ability to create a four-man squad with in-game voice chat to the 4v4 clash squad mode. True, the graphics may not be the most impressive thing you’ve ever seen on your phone screen, but they’re not bad, and what Garena Free Fire lacks in beauty it more than makes up for with gameplay. Right now, you can play the Rampage edition.
Google Play
CarX Drift Racing 2
CarX Drift Racing 2 is the sequel to one of the most popular drift games of all time, bringing a true-to-life racing game to mobile. With over 65 sports cars to unlock in single-player mode as well as the option to tune your car for the best performance — adjusting the engine, gearbox, turbine pressure, wheel angle, and more — it’s easy to find yourself losing several hours to this game. This isn’t just your average racing game though, as here tire pressure affects driving physics, and your car control varies depending on the surface you’re driving on, from snow to sand and asphalt — so you’ll need your wits about you.
There’s plenty of customization when it comes to visual auto-tuning too, and you can make your car unique by replacing mirrors, bumpers, lights, and adding rims and body kits. We love the multiplayer mode where you can compete to hit first place in the championships, and you can join car clubs or create your own to team up. It’s free to play and you’ll need to work hard to unlock new vehicles and buy upgrades for your car, so you can sink a lot of time into it. New cars and tracks are added regularly too, like the latest wintry St Petersburg location.
Google Play
Brawl Stars
This 3v3 multiplayer and battle royale game is the most fun you can have with your friends online — although there are also a variety of modes to play through solo. Unlock dozens of Brawlers, each with their own gadgets, Star Powers, and abilities — and customize them with unlockable skins as you battle across a variety of locations. Play Brawl Ball (3v3) and show off your soccer skills or be the last Brawler standing in Showdown, a battle royale-style fight to the death. With local and regional leaderboards to climb, this is a game you will pick up quickly and won’t put down easily. It’s free to play, with in-game purchases to upgrade your Brawler, if you choose.
Google Play
Tiny Room Stories: Town Mystery
We all love a good mystery, and if you’re looking for an immersive puzzle app to take your mind off real life right now, Tiny Room Stories: Town Mystery does the job nicely. You play as a private investigator who, after receiving a mysterious letter from his father, must return to his hometown only to find it completely deserted. It’s up to you to find out what happened; discover clues; open locks; solve puzzles; and explore interactive, fully 3D levels along the way. This is one of the best detective story games available on Android — a cool blend of mystery and escape room. You’ll explore a variety of locations too, from ancient catacombs to downtown cityscapes.
Google Play
Bloons TD 6 ($5)
If you’re a fan of tower defense games, where bad guys invade your map around a predetermined route and you have to erect destructive towers to wipe them out before they kill you, then you owe it to yourself to buy Bloons TD 6. With a cute and chaotic cartoon art style and hordes of bizarre enemies, things can get seriously crazy. The depth of your choice in how to defend is unsurpassed with dozens of towers, each with its own upgrade trees to climb. To mix things up, there are other defensive units you can deploy that will patrol, and there are loads of challenges that give you specific objectives and earn you money when you complete them. There are also some in-app purchases, but there’s so much depth here that they’re easy to ignore, making this a great strategy game to pass the time with.
Download Now
Call of Duty: Mobile
Whether you’re a fan of Call of Duty already or you’re new to one of the biggest FPS franchises around, Call of Duty: Mobile deserves your time. Specially designed for touchscreen firefights, this shooting game fulfills all your shooter action cravings — and it’s free, too. Choose from a bunch of multiplayer modes, including battle royale, with top-notch graphics and fast, frenetic yet satisfying gameplay. Fans will spot familiar characters and classic maps from other Call of Duty games. Is this the best mobile shooter around right now? We’d say so — and we recommend checking out our Call of Duty: Mobile tips before diving in. There’s fresh content every season, and right now, you can play Season 5 with loads of great new unlockable content.
Google Play
Frequently asked questions
Which of the best Android games are free?
Many of the games on our list are free to play, some allow you to play a few levels for free, and some are free but offer microtransactions. If you’re worried about kids making accidental purchases, most games offer the option to disable this feature.
What Android games are fun to play with friends?
There are plenty of Android games you can play with friends, whether you’re into MMORPGs or FPS games. We recommend checking out popular titles like Call of Duty: Mobile, Them Bombs, Riptide GP: Renegade, Garena Free Fire, and Brawlhalla. There’s something on our list to suit all tastes, and a quick search of the Google Play store for multiplayer games should give you even more options.
Which of the best Android games can you play offline?
While some of the games on our list above are playable offline, we recommend checking out our roundup of the best offline Android games if you’re specifically looking for something that doesn’t require internet connectivity — great for traveling.
Why are some Android games better to play with an Android controller?
Shooter games and many MMORPGs simply work better with a controller. You’ll be able to aim more accurately and enjoy faster response times, as well as see the fast-paced action on-screen more clearly than when your fingers are in the way. Why not check out our pick of the best Android controllers while you’re here?
Editors’ Recommendations
