The Best Android RPGs Around
Whether you prefer to hack and slash your way through vicious foes or engage directly with their sordid backstories, RPGs have something for everyone. Luckily, for those of you reading this with interest, Android has some stellar RPGs. But who wants to sift through all the so-so titles to find the real gems? That’s why here at Hardcore Droid have compiled this list of the best Android RPGs as of 2020.
15. Exiled Kingdoms
Congratulations, you’ve just received a letter of inheritance. Unfortunately, as you journey to collect it, someone steals your letter of inheritance. Fight monsters explore the world and complete quests as you track down the thief in Exiled Kingdoms by 4 Dimension Games. Inspired by old school ARPGs and dungeon crawlers, Exiled Kingdoms is an engaging RPG.
Play as either a Warrior, Mage, Cleric, or Rogue. Each class has its own perks. Clerics can heal themselves during battle while rogues can lay traps. Combat is fast-paced, and some enemies can easily take you out after just a few attacks so players will need to be strategic. Besides challenging combat, Exiled Kingdoms offers players an open world and intriguing quests. You may find yourself rescuing a guard from a goblin dungeon or collecting zombie flesh for a priest. With visceral combat and engaging quests, Exiled Kingdoms has earned its spot on this list in spades.
14. Old School RuneScape
RuneScape was a highly successful MMO in the early 2000s. Recently, Jagex Games Studio breathed new life into the game with their release of Old School RuneScape. An extensive MMO filled to the brim with exciting quests and fearsome creatures, Old School Runescape allows players to vote on what new content will be added to the game. The game has 23 skills for players to master including fishing, mining, and cooking all which help to add depth to the game.
Unlike most MMO’s Old School Runescape does not follow a character class system. Players can take advantage of warrior, ranger, and mage skills, and can switch up their playstyle at any time. While it’s free to download there is an option for a monthly subscription which unlocks extra content. All in all, Old School RuneScape is an engaging and at times humorous point and click MMORPG. The disregard for the typical role-playing class system creates a unique experience that any RPG fan would be remiss not to try their hand at.
13. Eternium
Making Fun’s Eternium pays tribute to RPGs of old. Players can choose to take on the role of a warrior, a mage or a gun-toting bounty hunter. Each class has its own abilities such as, the bounty hunters snipe ability and the mages immolate ability. You are on a hunt for revenge, chasing your nemesis Ragadam across worlds. As you progress, you rescue and recruit companions to aid you in your quest. Eternium offers fast-paced real-time combat in which players draw simple symbols on screen to perform spells. Battle everything from automatons to aliens as you traverse a vast variety of environments. Rather than dealing with a clunky virtual joystick, players tap the screen to move which is reminiscent of classic point and click gameplay. Eternium is a beautiful old school ARPG with an entertaining and original story arc that will keep you thoroughly engaged.
12. Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition
Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition, ported to Android by the folks at Beamdog is a thrilling Dungeons and Dragons based RPG. Beneath the carved glaciers in the tundra of Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition dwells an ancient evil. Its up to you to defeat this evil before it can wreak havoc on the land. Instead of creating a single player character, players begin by creating a party of up to six characters.
Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition is a heavily combat-focused title which takes advantage of well-designed tactical real-time combat based on D&D’s 3rd Edition rules. Players can pause during combat in order to cast spells, consume potions and give orders to their party members. This enhanced edition adds new spells, weapons, and armor into the mix as well as previously cut game content and The Heart of Winter expansion. Featuring engaging combat that still manages to captivate players 20 years after its release, Icewind Dale: Enhanced Edition is a must for every Android RPG fan.
11. Heroes of Steel
A tactical RPG, Heroes of Steel, by the Trese Brothers, was originally funded through a Kickstarter campaign. Players control a team of four heroes as they attempt to protect the last dregs of humanity. The game takes place in a post-apocalyptic medieval world in which the human race is forced to live in underground caverns after a cataclysmic event. Heroes of Steel offers tactical turn-based combat. Rather than following a rigid turn system Heroes of Steel allows the player to switch back and forth between team members. This adds to the strategic capabilities of the game as you can place buffs on your melee fighters or debuff an enemy before you attack. A delightful indie RPG with an old school feel, Heroes of Steel is well worth the hours you’ll pour into it.
10. Ravensword: Shadowlands
Ravensword Shadowlands by Crescent Moon Games is an epic action open-world RPG with enticing 3D graphics. Players take on the role of the only survivor of a devasting battle against a fierce demon. You soon learn that an ancient noble blood runs through your veins and that only with the Ravensword can you defeat the demon. Ravensword: Shadowlands is a beautiful RPG offering a simplistic yet effective real-time combat system. Battle against goblins, orcs, and other fantastical creatures using your sword, bow, or magic runes. The game even allows you to attack enemies while on horseback. Ravensword: Shadowlands also offers tons of engaging side quests, and even implements a reputation system. One of very few bona fide open world (albeit a small one) RPGs, Ravensword: Shadowlands is definitely one of the best RPG experiences you can have on your Android.
9. Chaos Rings III
Chaos Rings III is an epic turn based JRPG by Square Enix. In the city of Neo Paleo adventurers gather to take a pilgrimage to a planet known as Marble Blue. The game has five playable characters each with their own reason for traveling to Marble Blue. Nazca, the game’s protagonist travels to Marble Blue in the hopes of fining Paradise, the planet’s greatest secret, while Daisuke hopes to find a cure for his dying mother.
Chaos Rings III utilizes an active time battle system. The battle system revolves around the game’s seven elements with each element being weak against certain elements and strong against others. Rather than having characters level up the traditional way, the player equips their characters with Genes—magical cards that affect what spells a character can use and what their base element is. As a Gene levels up, it unlocks new spells and talents. Chaos Rings III is a complex JRPG featuring a unique combat system and beautiful 3D graphics. It’s truly a must-play for any fan of turn based JRPGs.
8. Planescape Torment
Each time The Nameless One is slain he loses all memories of his past lives. Ported to PC, MAC OS, iOS and Android by Beamdog in 2017, Planescape Torment follows The Nameless One, an immortal man who is on a quest to retrieve his lost memories. While combat is present, Planescape Torment is primarily a story-driven title. Most combat scenarios can be skirted using stealth or by selecting the correct dialogue options. Planescape Torment has long been hailed for its deep and unique storyline. As the Nameless One, players begin as a member of the fighter class but can later change to the thief or wizard class if they so choose.
The title takes advantage of the D&D character alignment system. You begin the game as true neutral however your actions throughout the game change your alignment. Characters will react differently to the Nameless One depending on his current alignment. All in all, Planescape Torment is a deep and engaging Dungeons and Dragons based game with an enthralling storyline that will keep you glued to your Android device.
7. Pascal’s Wager
The Dark Souls inspired title, Pascal’s Wager by Giant Global was released on the Google Play Store earlier this year. The sun died long ago, and humans can only survive by building their towns around beings known as Colossus that produce the only light that can keep the dark mist at bay. You start out playing as Terrance, a courier who wields a sword. You’ll unlock several other player characters as you progress through the game. You can freely switch between Terrance and whichever companion you’ve chosen to take on your current mission when outside of combat. Each playable character is unique—there’s Norwood the one-armed tank who wields a coffin and Benieta, a blind nun who battles using a whip. Pascal’s Wager is a combat-heavy game and each battle is a challenge.
Players battle against the marred—terrifying creatures tainted by the dark fog. Long exposure to marred creatures effects the player character’s sanity level. Besides featuring excellent Souls-like gameplay, Pascal’s Wager also features a sanity mechanic. When your sanity level drops to low, you enter the Abnormal state. When in the Abnormal state enemies are stronger adding even more of a challenge to an already difficult game. Pascal’s Wager offers a compelling dark world and intriguing characters along with some of the most challenging RPG action on Android which easily earns it a spot on this list.
6. Knights of the Old Republic
So, you think you can master the Force? Originally released on Xbox in 2003, Knights of the Old Republic by Aspyr Media is an exciting game based in the Star Wars Universe. Set 4,000 years before the fo Galactic Empire , you play as a Jedi on a mission to defeat Darth Malak. You’ll venture to eight different planets in your starship, including Tatooine. Players even get to build their own lightsaber.
Your decisions matter in Knights of the Old Republic. Players level by earning Light Side or Dark Side points depending on how they choose to interact with other characters and which plot decisions they make. Points earned will have an impact on whether the player’s character joins the light or dark side of the Force. Knights of the Old Republic is arguably the best Star Wars game ever made. Unlock Force abilities, travel to intriguing planets, and fight the dark side or succumb to it in this must play Star Wars RPG.
5. The World Ends with You
Square Enix’s The World Ends with You revolves around the Reaper Games, a weeklong competition in which only the recently deceased may participate. The stakes are high—failure means being erased from existence. You play as Neku, a teenager who finds himself fighting in the Reaper Games. The game tales place in the Shibuya district of Japan, which lends the game a singularly charming atmosphere.
The title offers engaging combat in which players activate abilities by tapping, slashing, and dragging their fingers across the screen to create specific shapes. Often, you’ll be controlling Neku and his fighting partner simultaneously, adding to the complexity of the game’s combat system. Instead of unlocking new abilities through level ups, Neku equip different pins. Each pin has a unique combat ability linked to it. Pins can be purchased but are also dropped by enemies. Players can also take advantage of the games risk-reward system by leveling down in order to obtain more loot in battle. Square Enix struck gold when they created this title. With a compelling storyline and unique combat system, The World Ends with You is an RPG you simply can’t pass up.
4. Battle Chaser’s Nightwar
Battle Chasers: Nightwar by HandyGames, is an engaging RPG inspired by old school JRPGs. You control a group of unlikely heroes whose airship crashes down on an unknown island. The team discovers that an evil sorceress by the name of Destra is hellbent on stealing the islands abundance of mana.
One of the great features of Battle Chaser’s: Nightwar is the versatility of team members in combat. Only three team members can engage in a battle. Luckily, each member of your party can play more than one role in combat. For example, Alumon, a powerful mage, can act as a healer or focus on dealing high magic damage. Throughout Battle Chaser’s: Nightwar you’ll come across randomly generated dungeons full of puzzles, traps, and other secrets. With a breath-taking mix of 2D and 3D graphics and engaging turn-based combat, Battle Chaser’s: Nightwar offers up an immersive game that calls to both fans of RPGs and JRPGs.
3. Final Fantasy Series
When you think of story-driven RPGs, Square’s Final Fantasy Series likely comes to mind. Final Fantasy has become synonymous with engaging combat, and compelling characters, and fantastic storylines. Luckily for us Android users, many Final Fantasy games are now available on the Google play store. Whether you choose to Battle Shinra alongside Avalanche in Final Fantasy VII or restoring the battle records and saving your kingdom in Final Fantasy Record Keeper, you’ll find yourself immersed in the intricate worlds and complex characters the series is known for. Most Final Fantasy games take advantage of classic turn-based combat. Of course, not every mobile Final Fantasy title is a winner—we’re looking at you, Final Fantasy XV: A New Empire. Overall, however, the Final Fantasy Series offers players deeply intriguing plots, challenging combat, and charming environments that make for some of the most immersive RPGs ever made.
2. Chrono Trigger
Chrono Trigger by Square Enix is a timeless RPG, originally released on Super Nintendo way back in 1995. The title follows a group of adventurers as they travel through time to restore the timeline and stop the evil Lavos from destroying the world. Besides offering a beautiful in-depth story, Chrono Trigger was the first roleplaying game to offer multiple endings based on in-game decisions made by the player. It was also the first title to use side quests to further character development. Chrono Trigger takes place in a world similar to earth. Players will travel far into the past to when humans and dinosaur-like creatures walked the planet together, as well as forward in time to a devastating future.
Chrono Trigger has long been praised for its active-time battle system. Wait for a character’s speed bar to fill up then select an attack. Waiting until two or three character’s speed bars are full allows for extra attack options. Of course, waiting means the enemy has more chances to attack you. With strategic combat, an engaging world, and time-traveling heroes, Chrono Trigger is an amazing RPG that you’ll come back to time and time again.
1. Baldur’s Gate I and II
If you’re in the market for an in-depth RPG with real-time combat and compelling questlines look no further than the Enhanced Editions of Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate 2 both ported to Android by the wizards at Beamdog. Each game offers players over sixty hours of gameplay. The Baldur’s gate franchise has long been known for its engaging storylines and remarkably faithful implementation D&D’s 3rd Edition rules. In Baldur’s Gate Enhanced Edition an iron crisis is causing tension between Baldur’s Gate and the neighboring kingdom of Amn. The player is given the task of investigating the iron crisis. Baldur’s Gate 2 starts with the player character imprisoned by an eleven mage who has been performing sadistic experiments on his prisoners. Both games offer a plethora of engaging side quests.
Faithful adherents to Dungeons and Dragons, both Baldur’s Gate titles utilize superb real-time tactical combat. Pause combat to command your party to cast spells, use skills and drink potions. Both seminal RPGs allow players to choose from a wide variety of classes including mage, warrior, and thief. With rich interactive stories, sweet real-time combat and compelling quests Baldur’s Gate and Baldur’s Gate 2 are the reigning kings of the mobile RPG.
If you enjoyed the list definitely check out our list of the Best Android ARPGs Ever Made and The Best Android JRPGs Ever Made.