Summary
- RPGs have evolved across platforms, from classic to mobile titles, offering diverse gameplay elements and narratives.
- Major gaming companies like Square Enix and Hoyoverse continue to release popular mobile RPGs with different combat systems and gameplay styles.
- Mobile RPGs like Pascal's Wager and Genshin Impact have successfully brought complex gameplay and open-world experiences to handheld devices.
RPGs have always been an incredibly popular genre of video games. Beloved titles range from RPGs made decades ago, such as the Wasteland series and Final Fantasy, to modern interpretations such as Baldur's Gate 3 and Elden Ring. There are differences in the genre that allow for even more variation, such as JRPGs, ARPGs, and CRPGs, to name a few.
Of course, technology has improved since the earlier days of RPGs, with titles now being released for mobile devices. The range of these games differs: some are vast open-world titles, some are more linear, some focus and emphasize combat, and others indulge heavily in story. Mobile RPGs can offer a lot, and can be worth playing.
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10 SaGa Emerald Beyond
A Mobile Entry In The SaGa Series
SaGa Emerald Beyond
- Released
- April 25, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Square Enix
- Genre(s)
- JRPG
Square Enix has a long history with RPGs, and particularly JRPGs. The SaGa series is but one such example from their repertoire, with SaGa Emerald Beyond released for mobile platforms in 2024.
It has combat reminiscent of JRPGs, being turn-based with a resource for taking actions. The formation of the party, and their position, can influence how a battle will unfold, with characters combining attacks, or a single character using a chain of attacks. In the narrative, these characters explore various worlds, with different quests. The choice to journey to a world will also change the story in a subsequent playthrough.
9 Blue Archive
A Strategy RPG For Mobile
Blue Archive
- Released
- February 4, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
A lot of gacha games are available on mobile, perhaps due to mobile games being popular in Asia, where a lot of gacha games are developed. Blue Archive is one such game that is available on mobile devices.
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Players can form a party and engage in combat where there are two types of units: Specials and Strikers. Strikers will deal the damage, which is done automatically, whereas Specials support the Strikers. Players can influence the battle via skills, but otherwise don't interact with combat. A large part of the game is the story, which is separated into various volumes and told via a visual novel medium.
8 Heaven Burns Red
A Visual Novel With Turn-Based Gameplay
Heaven Burns Red
- Released
- February 10, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Wright Flyer Studios, Key
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Games that are a bit slower-paced work better with mobile platforms, as they can be easier to control. Heaven Burns Red does indeed fit the more controllable requirements of mobile systems, as it is a turn-based RPG with its story told via a visual novel narrative.
There are 48 characters for the player to control and create a team with to fight against hostile extraterrestrials. The combat is done via turn-based gameplay that fans of Final Fantasy or Persona will find familiar. Players spend a turn attacking, then the enemy will attack. Fights involve different weapon properties, elemental properties, shields, skills, and other influencing factors.
7 Goddess Of Victory: Nikke
Gameplay Naturally Suited For Mobile
|
Platform |
Android, iOS, PC |
|---|---|
|
Released |
2022-11-4 |
|
Developer |
Shift Up |
|
Genre |
RPG, Third-Person Shooter |
Mobile games that aim to be a bit of a hardcore, or have more involved gameplay similar to games on consoles and PC, can be awkward to play. Goddess of Victory: Nikke doesn't fall into this trap, as the gameplay is a natural fit for mobile controls.
Combat is in a third-person shooter style, where players aim their reticule over enemies to damage them. Players can hide behind cover to stop enemy damage, but the cover will eventually be destroyed if it takes too much damage. Players control five characters whom they can use in combat. Like other gacha games, there are different elements that have their strengths and weaknesses against enemies.
6 Honkai: Star Rail
Hoyoverse's Take On Traditional JRPGs
Honkai: Star Rail
- Released
- April 26, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo)
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Turn-Based RPG
JRPGs have always been an incredibly popular genre of gaming. The most well-known is Final Fantasy, but other new games have come about, such as Octopath Traveler, and Honkai: Star Rail.
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The game features a classic turn-based combat system, using four party members when fighting. Each of the characters possesses different combat types, different classes, and different abilities. These characters are involved in the story, which is a sci-fi narrative as opposed to Hoyoverse's other games' settings.
5 Reverse: 1999
A Story-Heavy, Strategic RPG
Reverse: 1999
- Released
- October 26, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Bluepoch
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Tactical, Visual Novel
A common trend in anime-stylized mobile games is the heavy focus on narrative, as seen with a range of titles. Reverse: 1999 is no exception, with emphasis placed strongly on its story.
The combat is executed via a turn-based system. Players use different cards to use incantations, which can deal damage, cast buffs, cast debuffs, and use an ultimate. The different cards possess their own unique effects. These incantations can be upgraded, and vary between different star levels, such as a one star or a three star.
4 Zenless Zone Zero
A Fun Game With Addictive Combat
Zenless Zone Zero
- Released
- July 4, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo)
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Hoyoverse exploded in popularity with Genshin Impact. They have continued to release games since, including Honkai: Star Rail and Zenless Zone Zero. The latter is arguably the most unique game they have made, filled with incredible animation, fun characters, and addictive combat.
Although it takes place in a world on the brink of ending, the world and the characters are filled with enthusiasm and energy. Characters bounce all over the place, both in combat and especially during animations. Players will wonder why Hoyoverse hasn't made an animated show, considering this is the level of animation quality they are capable of. The combat is an action-filled, high-octane spectacle, with dodging, parrying, combos, and team synergy that makes players want to keep fighting.
3 Pascal's Wager
A Soulslike For Mobile Systems
Pascal's Wager
- Released
- January 16, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- TipsWorks
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
Soulslikes have become incredibly popular over the years. Even before Elden Ring, they were a popular type of video game, available on consoles and PC.
However, Pascal's Wager is a soulslike RPG available on mobile. It features most of the traditional features of a soulslike: a bleak world, as well as difficult gameplay with varying enemies and bosses. Similarly, there are an array of NPCs, and currency is lost when a player dies.
2 Wuthering Waves
A Big Open-World RPG
Wuthering Waves
- Released
- May 22, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Kuro Games
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG, Open-World
Genshin Impact opened the door in 2020 for big open-world RPG experiences available on mobile systems. Various games have tried to recreate that same success in differing ways, with Wuthering Waves being a title that has seen high popularity.
It does indeed feature similarities to Genshin Impact, but with a deeper focus on combat. Players can execute parries and dodges to avoid damage and keep them in the fight longer. The map is also quite large, offering players hours to explore to their heart's content.
1 Genshin Impact
A Hugely Successful RPG
Genshin Impact
- Released
- September 28, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- HoYoverse (Formerly miHoYo)
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Action, Adventure, Gacha, Open-World
Genshin Impact has seen huge success over the years from when it was released. Released as a large and ambitious gacha game, it has since been updated, improved, and expanded upon to become a game filled to the brim with content.
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Players travel the world following its main story, attempting to reunite with the player character's sibling, while aiding the various nations that make up the land. Combat is done via a party, where four members use different elemental reactions to deal damage. There are different elements, including electricity, fire, water, and more, that make up the combat, along with the unique individual skills a party member has access to, whether that's to deal damage, buff teammates, or offer support.
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