2014 was a rough year for gaming. The videogame community suffered from free-to-play business plans, Gamergate controversies, developer closings, buggy and unpolished releases and a handful of security hacks that left us uncertain about the future of our favorite medium. Mobile gaming in particular suffered, as gamers struggled to separate the good from the constant stream of shovelware that finds its way onto the Play Store and iTunes. With that being said, there was plenty of good as well, games that reminded us of the potential of mobile gaming, and truly impressive ports that were thought impossible just a few short years ago. The Hardcore Droid family has worked hard this year to separate the diamonds from the turds, and have crafted what we consider to be the Best Android Role Playing Games of 2014.
Our final revision for 2014 includes a couple of new entries, including the best Star Wars RPG ever made, and the surprisingly deep The Shadow Sun. We’ll make sure you finish 2014 with a bang, and keep playing well into 2015.
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic
The best damn Star Wars RPG period finally landed on Android after being ported to the iOS a few months prior. This port of the Bioware classic is fully optimized for Android and features just about everything you would want in a Star Wars game. The lore is well-respected and the gameplay is a fun mix of turn-based and real-time action combined with the kind of story-altering decision making that assures you that you are playing a Bioware RPG. And at an introductory price of only $5, it’s hard not to recommend this classic.
The World Ends With You
While there’s no shortage of JRPGs available for Android, finding one that’s actually worth your time and money is a much trickier proposition. The first of two JRPGs on this list is definitely one of the most stylish RPGs you will find here or anywhere else. The World Ends with You is a trippy romp through neo-Tokyo that oozes style. Developed originally for the Nintendo DS, the games controls suffered while making the jump, as it was originally built around Nintendo’s two screen console. The Android port is still a solid title that turned most traditional JRPG conventions on their head. Featuring a surprising narrative with a solid RPG system as well as a thrilling and genuinely unique approach to RPG combat, if you’re a JRPG fan, we say pony up the cash. You won’t regret it.
Read the review here.
Crystal Story II
The second JRPG on our list may lack the previous entries slick visuals, but what it lacks in visual panache, it more than makes up for with fun, addictive gameplay. Crystal Story II delivers a classic Final Fantasy-style RPG experience that features more depth and gameplay variety than you’ll find even in some of mobile gaming’s bigger AAA releases. While the greedy gamer in me wants to keep this gem a secret, Crystal Story II may just be the best JRPG available for Android, and anyone looking for a positively old school experience, should look no further.
Read the review here.
Baldur’s Gate & Baldur’s Gate II Enhanced Edition
Ah, good old Baldur’s Gate. One of my favorite entries on the list has shown almost no signs of aging more than decade later, which is a good thing, to say the least. With Baldur’s Gate II frequently being cited as the greatest PC RPG ever made, and BG 1 following close at its heels when it comes to both critical and popular acclaim, we were thrilled to say the least when these titles arrived on Android this year. Also, in case you were worried, considering that BG2 came out so soon after BG1, both mobile ports were masterfully done and play like a dream. No, not as accurate as mouse and keyboard, but these are not sniper sims, my friends. What they are, for mobile gamers, are the two smartest, deepest, richest RPG experiences to be had on a mobile device at this time.
Also bear in mind both of The Enhanced Editions include both sequels as well as the expansion packs The Black Pits and The Black Pits II respectively. These insanely deep RPG milestones, with their large casts of compelling characters, and world-spanning plots are, shall we say, extremely rewarding. If you are reading this and you haven’t played either one, stop reading this. Go play.
Read the review here.
Deus Ex: The Fall
Part first-person shooter, part sci-fi thriller—all RPG. Deus Ex was recently resurrected on the PC and consoles via the excellent Deus Ex: Human Revolution.Thanks to Square Enix, it made its way to Android early last year by way of its little bother Deus Ex: The Fall . While not the smoothest experience on Android, it’s certainly one of the most impressive. Play however you want, The Fall doesn’t sacrifice any of Deus Ex: Human Revolution’s visual finesse or gameplay, and crafts a story every bit as interesting. Intense combat, intuitive controls and gorgeous graphics make The Fall an easy recommendation.
Heroes of Steel Elite
The Trese Brothers’ have become a champion for RPGS on the Android, and they dropped another example of their superiority this year, in the form of Heroes of Steel Elite. A truly is an epic RPG in scope, Heroes of Steel Elite offers many of the bells and whistle of console RPGs, while crafting a genuinely unique experience. Elite is broken in four easily digestible episodes that work for both extended play or short burst, making it the ideal mobile app. The Trese Brothers have been blowing it out of the water lately, recently completing a Kickstarter for their upcoming epic Star Traders RPG 2.
Read the review here.
Bardbarian
Bardbarian is a cute and quirky game that’s sort of hard to place. Is it a real time strategy game? Is it tower-defense? Is it an RPG? The answer to that is simply “all of the above.” This charming little hybrid is perfect for any mobile gamers looking for a medieval fantasy RPG that’s determined to be different.
Read the review here.
The Shadow Sun
Crafted by veterans of the Neverwinter Nights, Baldur’s Gate and The Witcher franchises, Ossian Studios has created a deep, story-driven RPG experience for the Android. With deep customization options and gameplay that rivals its console brethren; The Shadow Sun is a deep, smartly storied open-world RPG made for mobile from jump street, and it is also one of the year’s most pleasant surprise, a great end of the year treat for RPG fans.
Read the review here.
Tales of Illyria: Beyond the Iron Wall
Tales of Illyria is good. Little Killerz managed to cram over 25 hours of gameplay, an engrossing story with multiple endings, a deep engaging battle system and over 80 original tracks, into a neat $5 package. Delivering a RPG experience that plays like a fantasy Oregon Trail, Tales of Illyria is unique in its presentation and gameplay. Just be warned – once you start, you won’t stop for a good while.
Shadowrun: Dragon Fall
Shadowrun: Dragon Fall is the standalone release of the critically acclaimed Dragonfall campaign, but make no mistake – this game is a complete experience. The cyberpunk RPG includes everything that made Shadowrun: Returns so great (and our Android Game of the Year in 2013). Developer Harebrainded Schemes crammed a lot of content into this game and players who prefer a gritty story in their RPG will feel right at home here. This director’s cut include 5 new missions, new music, a redesigned interface, and a revamped combat system that makes this the definitive version of Dragonfall.
Read the review here.
Icewind Dale Enhanced Edition
Originally released in 2000, Icewind Dale is an epic adventure set in the Dungeons & Dragons universe. Much like Baldur’s Gate, Icewind Dale Enhanced brings the more battle-centric classic to the Android in all its glory. The Enhanced Edition includes a new interface, cooperative cross-platform multiplayer, and quest content cut from the original game, now finished and fully restored. For a truly complete D&D experience, look no further than Icewind Dale.
Read the review here.
Do you agree with our list? Tell us your favorites in the comments.
