Mobile games have come a long way since they first made their appearance. Modern mobile games like turn-based RPGs have extensive, elaborate, and immersive gameplays capable to addict a gamer until sundown. It’s hard to trace the humble beginnings of turn-based RPG but the genre has definitely gone a long way since making its first appearance. From tabletop PC to consoles, the genre has now found its way to its new home – the best gaming phones on the market today. These games let players experience full RPG metanoia, bringing them to far galaxies to battle out space impacts, all the while having to complete character-driven narratives.
In this article, we’ll list some of the best turn-based RPGs you can download for Android and iOS. So, get your friends along, and let’s have some fun!
What Is a Turn-Based RPG?
The gaming app realm is nothing but a spider web of interconnected and interrelated genres, interwoven differently. This is often the reason why there seems to be a discussion as to what genre a gaming app is. The answer is really simple: one game can take up two (or more) genres at once.
A turn-based RPG is a type of role-playing mobile game. This is one of the popular types of RPGs and involves a player commanding a character in various missions. The player then takes turns to defeat a dedicated opponent within the game.
Some gaming experts believe a great turn-based RPG has a combination of one or two of the following:
- Has good storytelling and narrative
- Real-world players’ decisions make an impact on the overall game world
- The game allows for full character customization
Obviously, what makes a game the best is a player’s ability to choose a path for the character in contrast to the narrative being linear. This makes the rest of the factors to consider subjective to one’s liking.
Best Turn-Based RPG For iOS and Android
It’s tough to choose the best among the rest and we can easily throw any fantasy-related RPG on the list. Nonetheless, we have scoured for what we can point out as the finest and came up with 20 of the best turn-based RPG for iOS and Android.
1. Darkest Rogue: Episode 2
Developer: Dreamplay Games Inc.
Requires: iOS 9.0 or later / Android 4.1 and up
File Size: 310.3 MB
Rating: ★★★★☆
Plunge into this dark world and find the magic book called the “Necronomicon” and cast the darkness away to find lightness and bring peace. Face the cruel demigods in the dungeon and survive the traps laid out that seek to deter you from achieving your goal.
With its excellent concept, gameplay, and foundation, this game can easily pass as one of the best in this genre, as well as one of the best dungeon crawler mobile games.
2. LEGO® Legacy: Heroes Unboxed
Developer: Gameloft SE
Requires: iOS 9.0 or later / Android 4.4 and up
File Size: 350.2 MB
Rating: ★★★★☆
Experience the world’s favorite mini-figures and sets in a never-seen-before setting and turn-based RPG systems. This game is not the best out there but it is simple, fun, and worth the time investment to advance and rank up. Given that it is LEGO, it might come across as too childish. But it does offer a different experience when playing RPG while waiting in an office or during a long commute.
Build an empire, fight monsters, and experience LEGO in a way all ages can have fun with!
3. Grimguard Tactics: End of Legends
Developer: Outerdawn Limited
Requires: iOS 10.0 or later / Android 5.0 and up
File Size: 229.3 MB
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Save the world of Terenos from the darkness that looms after an ancient evil entity known as “The Primorva” has been awakened. Summon and form an alliance from every form of unlikely heroes and force the darkness back using turn-based RPG gameplay.
4. Hero Wars – Fantasy Battles
Developer: Nexters Global LTD
Requires: iOS/iPadOS 10.0 or later / Android 5.0 and up
File Size: 319.7 MB
Rating: ★★★★☆
Hero Wars: Fantasy Battles is one of the best fantasy RPGs you can play on mobile. The game is set in the enchanted world of Dominion, where the Archdemon and his evil army are in rebellion. In Hero Wars, you’ll engage in epic PvP arena battles, collect powerful heroes, and unlock skills to power up your army. You’ll also come across hostile enemies, bosses, as well as complex characters that you can also train and share skills. There are also rewards and rare items in store, so watch out for those, too.
5. ONE PUNCH MAN: The Strongest
Developer: FingerFun Limited
Requires: iOS 8.0 or later / Android 4.1 and up
File Size: 1.6 GB
Rating: ★★★★☆
This turn-based RPG mobile game is the first of its kind to be authorized by the Japanese anime franchise of the same name. The game has restored 100% of the original narrative of the anime and is specifically supervised by Shueisha’s production committee.
Be the hero and execute justice to the forces of evil that seek to destroy the peace, alongside Saitama sensei.
6. Lord of Heroes
Developer: CloverGames
Requires: iOS 10.0 or later / Android 6.0 and up
File Size: 1.3 GB
Rating: ★★★★☆
This frontier game is still currently in test mode but is really making rave reviews from gamers. It was launched in Korea but the text is completely English and the translation is pretty well done. The gameplay is pretty understandable and there are more characters unveiled in each region where a character is playing. The game is also quite focused on account progression in order for a player to unlock a hero.
7. Exos Heroes
Developer: LINE Games
Requires: iOS 9.0 or later / Android 5.0 and up
File Size: 705.4 MB
Rating: ★★★★☆
Ride the ancient airship and go on a quest to search for “Exestruk,” the missing sword of the emperor, and the curse of the ancient dragon! Get ready for fiery intense battles alongside characters like the ancient dragon Bitru and treasure hunter Zeon in this fantasy world. Get lost in an adventure with this turn-based RPG that boasts great systems like no other.
8. Chaos Rings III
Developer: SQUARE ENIX Co., Ltd.
Requires: iOS 11.0 or later / Android 5.0 and up
File Size: 1.7 GB
Rating: ★★★★☆
The battles within the game follow the classic Square Enix fashion and are 100% turn-based. This makes this game reminiscent of classic RPG mobile games we have seen during the genre’s early days. Venture to planet Marble Blue and discover treasures to fulfill your wildest dreams with this turn-based RPG for iOS and Android.
9. FINAL FANTASY TACTICS: WotL
Developer: SQUARE ENIX Co., Ltd.
Requires: iOS 8.0 or later / Android 4.1 and up
File Size: 706.7 MB
Rating: ★★★★☆
If you play chess, this game should have that sense of familiarity. The gameplay is simple – each move has to be calculated and thought of in each turn to get the best play in the round. The game is teeming with so many RPG elements that each choice becomes complicated while having so many options for the game to choose from.
10. Knights of Pen & Paper 2
Developer: Paradox Interactive AB
Requires: iOS 9.2 or later / Android 4.0.3 and up
File Size: 452.9 MB
Rating: ★★★★☆
This retro pixel-art turn-based RPG has full adventures and challenges awaiting any player who wishes to conquer the 10-floor dungeon teeming with ghostly figures. On top of that, a boss awaits at the end, ready to unleash a battle so massive in proportion. A recent update on this turn-based RPG is the seamless integration for tablet use and the ability to play the game both in landscape and portrait orientations.
Redefine your definition of classic role-playing mobile games and experiences with this new and fun app that has danger, intrigue, and semi-appropriate cultural references!
11. Doom and Destiny
Developer: HeartBit Interactive S.r.l.
Requires: iOS 7.1 or later / Android 4.0 and up
File Size: 159.5 MB
Rating: ★★★★★
Do you know how some games are true to their core when it claims it’s a no-brainer? Well, this game breaks that very claim. Doom and Destiny combine a well-written narrative with references, humor, dialogues, and satires that would not sound as funny when you do not have enough background to know what they are about. Or is it?
Join four friends that have been sucked into a fantasy world and who have been mistaken for heroes to battle out of a massive maze of adventure by defeating a villain.
12. Final Fantasy IX
Developer: SQUARE ENIX Co.,Ltd.
Requires: iOS 7.0 or later / Android 4.1 and up
File Size: 3.9 GB
Rating: ★★★★☆
Continuing the story of the game that was originally released in 2000, Final Fantasy IX follows the story of Princess Garnet, the heir of Alexandria, being kidnapped by Zidane and the Tantalus Theater Troupe. Through a series of events, Garnet has teamed up with Zidane through a journey that reveals she wants out of the castle in the first place.
Setting a standard better than its previous series, Final Fantasy IX offers a perfect blend of beloved RPG elements and classic gameplay players came to love.
13. RPG Machine Knight
Developer: Kotobuki Solution Co., Ltd. (for iOS) / KEMCO (for Android)
Requires: iOS 6.0 or later / Varies for Android
File Size: 40.3 MB
Rating: ★★★★☆
This turn-based RPG is notable for being free, fun, and expansive. It has many places where a player can stay and surely level up and champion rewardable missions, which is reminiscent of other role-playing games like Phantasy Star IV’s Hunter’s Guild. True to what makes a turn-based RPG the best, players are in for a unique experience by being allowed to wield their own items to use within the game.
If you are new to the turn-based RPG genre, choosing this mobile game would be a good choice for an entry point.
14. StoneAge World
Developer: Netmarble Corporation
Requires: iOS 9.0 or later / Android 5.0 and up
File Size: 1.5 GB
Rating: ★★★★☆
Venture into the prehistoric world of Tectonika and help humanity restore order by regaining control of their invention known as “Machine Life.” With a machine to put a stop to Machine Life, hop on and be ready to capture rare prehistoric creatures and turn them into your pets!
StoneAge World is a fluid turn-based RPG that changes its systems depending on the level and skill acquired by the player. Plus, you get to hatch prehistoric animal eggs!
15. GYEE
Developer: Cookie Entertainment Company Limited (for iOS) / KIWIFRUIT STUDIO (for Android)
Requires: iOS 9.0 or later / Android 4.4 and up
File Size: 2.2 GB
Rating: ★★★★☆
Gyee is a 3D turn-based RPG card game and has a gay theme at its core. Gyees are brave and proud creatures bestowed with bestial powers in the world of Luxium. Join the Gyees in this turn-based RPG and solve the mysteries of Azria. As of this writing, the game is currently playable in China (CN), Southeast Asia (SEA), Japan (JP), and North American (NA) servers.
The game will soon be available globally for iOS, Android, and Steam.
16. Game of Thrones Beyond the Wall™
Developer: Behaviour Interactive Inc.
Requires: iOS 11.0 or later / Android 5.0 and up
File Size: 1.5 GB
Rating: ★★★★☆
Put on your black cloak and man the Wall against the forces beyond it and prevent them from taking over the Seven Kingdoms. Battle the right to sit on the Iron Throne, collect the memorable heroes of this epic story, get the mercurial high from the epic battles ensuing from defending the Wall and Castle Black, and bask in the glory of triumph with the best army Westeros has ever seen. Relive the experience of the best piece of TV in recent history with this Game of Thrones officially licensed turn-based RPG for mobile.
17. Warlord of Aternum
Developer: InnoGames GmbH
Requires: iOS 9.0 or later / Android 4.4 and up
File Size: 280.1 MB
Rating: ★★★★☆
This game has a classic command and conquers gameplay. But what makes Warlord of Aternum notable is it draws parallelism to how one would play chess and Rock Paper Scissors. This turn-based RPG requires a player to strategize and make calculated moves to win against other unit types in the battle. Other than the in-app purchases which you may or may not make, the game is 100% worth the time investment.
18. Questland
Developer: Gamesture Sp. z o.o.
Requires: iOS 9.0 or later / Android 5.0 and up
File Size: 251.9 MB
Rating: ★★★★★
This turn-based RPG has earned five stars both on Google Play Store and Apple App Store. The game never runs out of things to do which can be both fun and all-consuming for some players. This is also considered as one of the games in the genre that are well done with every element, working seamlessly to deliver a great game for players. While the game is free-to-play, players would still bump into microtransactions for upgrade purposes.
19. Age Of Magic: Heroes Legends
Developer: Playkot Ltd
Requires: iOS 10.0 or later / Android 4.4 and up
File Size: 321.9 MB
Rating: ★★★★☆
With a goal to please not only the fantasy-related game lovers but the turn-based RPG fans as well, comes the Age of Magic. While turn-based RPG is not an all too famous genre, real strategists have fallen in love with this app (and the many others with similar gameplay) due to its great graphics and elaborate narrative that is set in a fantasy world. With characters like wizards and animals, Age of Magic has more than 50 unique heroes that represent 12 different races, all of which have their own abilities and skills.
20. Another Eden
Developer: WFS, Inc.
Requires: iOS/iPadOS 10.0 or later / Android 4.4 and up
File Size: 3.3GB
Rating: ★★★★★
Another Eden gives a nod to old-school roleplaying games with its narrative-based gameplay and graphics. It’s a game that’s easy to grasp, and it combines everything gamers love about turn-based RPGs. Coupled with a rich storyline and interactive elements, Another Eden allows you to strategize against enemies based on their types and classes. You can choose different characters, moves, and attacks that will make the most impact against your opponent. Plus, there are lots of characters you can take to battle, and each of them has its own unique skills and abilities. Although it’s not as action-packed or tactical as other RPGs, you’ll love it for its smooth gameplay and engaging narrative.
Also read: Another Eden Tier List
Is Turn-Based RPG Worth The Try?
Turn-based RPG may be a rookie in the role-playing game genre but it does offer quite an impressive selection. And since it has been introduced, there really is no shortage of the type of theme or narrative it can offer. No offense to dungeon crawlers and other game genres out there. With turn-based games, you can go for fantasy, pre-historic, and even anime-type games. Reinvent your classic role-playing game to new experiences and concepts with this selection of turn-based RPGs for Android and iOS now!
