The Best Android Games Offline
If you are anything like me, a lot of what you do for work, for fun and for staying in touch with friends depends on the great and mighty World Wide Web. So imagine what would happen if the gang of neighborhood cats chewed through the power cords, cutting off your electricity. Or the alien hackers from outer space sent a destructive virus that crumbles the infrastructure of the internet in a matter of seconds. Devastating disasters like this could come in more mundane forms as well. Maybe your parents turn off your service or you are going on a trip to a remote, Wi-Fi-less destination. If any of these situations were to ever occur, you need to be prepared. That is why we here at Hardcore Droid have made a list of the best offline Android games just for you.
15. Space Marshals 1 & 2
If you are a fan of the Mandalorian or Firefly, then you will love this space western themed mobile game. In Pixel Bite’s stealth-oriented top-down shooter, you play as cowboy/bounty hunter Burton and track down dangerous fugitives across the galaxy.
While going out guns a-blazing is the cowboy way, these yee haw folks were forced to adapt to survive into the sci-fi age. They have traded in their ten step duels for tactical attacks. You’ll need more than brawns and brains to succeed in Space Marshals, and with multitudes of weapons to choose from and HD graphics to appreciate, this is one game you do not want to miss.
Available on Google Play
14. Monument Valley 1 & 2
If you are in search for a minimalist game and looking to support indie developers in the process, Monument Valley is the game for you. Aid the princess Ida and her mother Ro through cool Eshereasque puzzles as you return artifacts to their rightful homes. Manipulate the architecture by twisting and dragging elements to reshape the world and complete each puzzle.
Common complaints about the brevity of the game led to a release of eight additional levels. Some still think the game is too short and could be more challenging, but everyone agrees that the interactive music and stunning graphics make the Monument Valley games works of art.
Available on Google Play
13). Dead Cells
Described as morbid, quirky and hilarious, what more do you need to hear?
A pile of slime is the first thing you see. This gooey organism crawls its way into a headless body and becomes its host. You play the rest of this beautiful 2D platformer as this slime controlled corpse, commonly referred to as The Prisoner. Other than this opening scene, there is not much more plot to be seen, but this isn’t a problem. The simple mechanics of Dead Cells combined with the fast paced side-scrolling gameplay add up to create a fun and engaging experience.
Available on Google Play
12. Plague Inc.
In 2014, when fear of Ebola spread across the world, Plague Inc. resurged in popularity. Following suit, in March (about the same time Covid-19 put everyone in quarantine) Plague Inc. spiked in popularity once again. The premise of this strategy game, creating a disease that will destroy humanity, might hit too close to home for some gamers. For others, it might provide some sort of ironic comfort.
After choosing which country to infect first, watch the world map as your disease spreads. A news ticker on the top screen will keep you apprised of human activities and the bottom of the screen will tell you how many people you have infected, how many people have died, and how close the humanity is to creating a cure. Now the race begins: You vs. Humanity. You have to kill off everyone before they can create a cure.
You indirectly control the spread of your disease by mutating it. Add symptoms, abilities, and modes of transmission. The realistic nature and high stakes of Plague Inc. combined with racing against the clock to defeat humanity create a fun and twisted game that is sure to give you some acerbic entertainment.
Available on Google Play
11. Kingdom Rush Series
This high-fantasy themed mobile series has quite the cult following, so if you have not already downloaded it, it might be time. Though each installment in the Kingdom Rush series is similar to the others, fans do not seem to mind. The combination of cute animation and deep, addictive tower defense gameplay make Ironhide Games’ Kingdom Rush one game everyone should try.
Available on Google Play
10. Terraria
Combine the crafting and survival game elements of Minecraft with a 2D retro platform-adventure and you get Terraria. Available on PC and mobile, Terraria appeals to humans’ most primal instinct: looting. Prepare to spend centuries digging deep down into Terraria’s world to collect and upgrade your belongings because Terraria is one fun and addicting game.
Available on Google Play
9. Door Kickers
You know that feeling when you are watching a detective show and they show up at the suspect’s house and hear screaming inside? Your expertise in law (that came from hours of binging cop shows) tells you that now the police have probable cause to enter the residence without a warrant. So what do they do now?
Kick. Down. That. Door.
Haven’t you always wanted to do that? Well, now you can in KillHouse Games’ Door Kickers. Presented with blueprints of buildings, you choose the gear your guys will need to infiltrate as you plan their infiltration. Door Kickers’ real-time tactical gameplay will be sure to satisfy all of your door kicking fantasies.
Available on Google Play
8. Minecraft
Everyone has heard of Minecraft; hell, even my grandma has heard of it. However, she has no idea what it is about. So for all you grandmas out there, here are the basics. There are two main modes of play: survival and creative. The survival mode is exactly how it sounds. You are dropped into a world and are tasked with staying alive. You need to gather supplies to build a shelter, feed yourself, and protect yourself. The creative mode is more akin to a sandbox. You start out with supplies and are set loose to create whatever your innermost heart desires. Both are valid choices that lead to hours upon hours of self-indulgent play.
Available on Google Play
7. GTA San Andreas
San Andreas is a spin-off from the original Grand Theft Auto games. For those of you raised in the Sahara, GTA is an open world action-adventure game that combines third-person shooter and driving game elements to make for some intriguing and entertaining gameplay. The 90s setting gives this mobile game a unique vibe that is sure to muster nostalgic feelings. You are able to explore not just one city but a whole state, and the characters are more characterizable than its predecessors. If you are looking for a throwback game that won’t make you cringe, San Andreas is the game for you.
Available on Google Play
6. Planescape: Torment
Originally released for the PC by Bioware in 1999, Planescape: Torment was met with widespread admiration. This popularity led to the treasure hunters at Beamdog releasing the Enhanced Edition for PC, Mac OS and mobile back in 2017. Keeping true to its foundations, this fantasy RPG remains a classic.
Play as a memoryless immortal man called The Nameless One. Travel the world to discover how you became immortal as you try to regain your lost memories. Planescape: Torment is praised for having one of the best videogame storylines of all time and has been credited as an inspiration for a bevy of other popular RPG games. Download and play today to see what all the hype is about.
Available on Google Play
5. Star Wars Knight of the Old Republic
KOTOR is Bioware’s seminal RPG and a precursor to RPG legends like Mass Effect. In addition, it is touted as one of the best Star Wars games ever made. Play as a Republic soldier tasked with finding the Jedi that can stop the Sith army. While this game is authentic to the Star Wars universe, it does not feel stale or cliché. It is set 4000 years before the Galactic Empire rises to power, so you get to explore an era that is rarely seen. The awesome pairing of story-telling and RPG gameplay makes KOTOR a game you do not want to miss.
Available on Google Play
4. Battle Chasers
This Android RPG is a continuation of the 90s comics created by Joe Madureira. Battle Chasers contains gorgeous hand drawn art that stays true to the comic book style while offering JRPG-style battles, cool storytelling and a quasi-open-world. With engaging side quests to complement your gameplay, Battle Chasers is a detailed and rich world that players will get lost in for hours.
Available on Google Play
3. Baldur’s Gate Series
The Baldur’s Gate series is yet another timeless RPG from the folks at Bioware. Originally released on PC, the transition to mobile has been smooth thanks to the developers at Beamdog. One of the most applauded features of this game is the phenomenally comprehensive world building, and the fact that Bioware created the series with a painstakingly detailed implementation of D&D’s 3rd edition rules. You start out disoriented and imprisoned. Escaping your cruel enslavement is only the beginning of your adventure. Even decades later, the Baldur’s Gate series still turns heads.
Available on Google Play
2. Banner Saga
The first thing you will notice about the Banner Saga is its unique art style, giving this dark fantasy adventure a special appeal. Combine that with the haunting music, dower plot line and elegant turn-based tactical combat, you are in for a treat. Follow two nomadic groups who only have one goal: to survive. This mobile game mixes elements from Final Fantasy and The Oregon Trail to make for a fresh gaming experience.
Available on Google Play
1. XCOM Duology
The Xcom Duology throws you into the middle of an arms race with aliens invading your planet. It mixes turn-based play with base and resource management, making each player pull out all their skills in order to succeed. With great intuitive touchscreen controls and well-aged graphics, the XCOM Duology the absolute last word in turn-based tactical combat.
Available on Google Play
Like the list? It’s part of an HD series. Be sure to check out our list of the Best Offline Android Strategy Games, The Best Offline Android Indies, The Best Offline Action Games, the Best Offline Android Shooters and the Best Offline RPGs for Android.
And if you want to keep up to date on the best of Android, check out The Best Android Games of 2023, The Best Android RPGS of 2023 and The Best Android Strategy Games of 2023.
And while you’re at it, check out Androidhackers.