Mobile gaming, although still skeptical by many fans of the gaming industry, has been increasingly offering large-scale and serious projects in recent years that were previously only available on large gaming platforms. In this article, we suggest you pay attention to such games. We are sure that many of you did not even know about the existence of mobile versions of some recognized gaming hits that you can now run on your smartphone. Are you ready to strain your old school skills?
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Genre: Action-adventure, stealth, survival horror
Platforms: iOS ($11,99), Android. The first missions are free.
Alien: Isolation — is the rare case when a game is really worth a second playthrough. It still holds the bar as one of the best survival horror games in the sci-fi setting. The atmosphere of constant fear, brilliant sound design, and intelligent xenomorphs — all of this remained intact in the mobile port.
How does it play? Playing on a tablet or large phone is quite convenient, especially with a gamepad. Touch controls are not perfect, but customization of the interface helps.
Genre: Vehicular combat racing
Platforms: iOS ($4,79), Android (₴190)
At first glance, Wreckfest — is just a race with accidents. But under the hood, it has a deep damage system and extremely enjoyable physics. It has always been about fun chaos, and it is good that this is not lost in the mobile version. Mobile gamers who feel nostalgic at the word FlatOut should definitely try it.
How does it play? The touchscreen controls are well adapted, although the accuracy is still lame. With the gamepad, the situation is much better: the car’s feel, moment of inertia, collision response — everything feels right.
Genre: Construction and management simulation
Platforms: iOS (10,49$), Android (299₴)
Dictatorship has never looked so cozy. Tropico — is not just an island management simulator, but an ironic look at power that has remained relevant even decades later. It successfully strikes a balance between a construction strategy and a political simulator.
How does it play? On the touchscreen, the controls are simplified as much as possible, which is not always good for deep systems. But if you play on a tablet instead of a phone, everything becomes much more convenient. The controls are not in the way, and the map scale is easy to read.
Genre: Puzzle, simulation
Platforms: iOS ($5,99), Android (₴184,99)
One of the least obvious but most emotionally charged games. Papers, Please is not about mechanics, but about moral choices in a system that eats people. And this emotional tension is well transferred to the mobile format.
How does it play? The interface has been changed — documents are not scattered on the table, but are organized in a swipe carousel. This changes the pace of the game, but not the essence. It’s convenient to play, and the process is even more intuitive than on a PC.
Genre: Turn-based tactics, tactical role-playing
Platforms: iOS ($11,99), Android ($349)
XCOM 2 remains the benchmark tactical action game. All the main modules are available, the strategy is not simplified, the plot and complexity are — on point. But at the same time, this is a case where the technical implementation is a little behind the ambitions.
How does it play? Even on powerful devices, the game can slow down, and the interface in battle is a bit small. A tablet and a stylus are the best combination. Without them, you risk turning your strategy into a battle with the interface. But if you are not used to difficulties, we invite you to install this game on your smartphone.
Genre: Action-adventure
Platforms: iOS ($49,99)
The turn off truly large-scale modern projects has come. Mirage — is Ubisoft’s attempt to bring the series back to the beginning: a smaller map, more stealth, less open world. And that’s why it works better on mobile than expected.
How does it play? The game looks great, but the controls on the sensor are complicated — parkour and battles require precision. You shouldn’t play without a gamepad: there are too many gestures that require a precise reaction. However, with the — controller, it’s almost a console experience.
Genre: Action
Platforms: iOS ($34,99)
Death Stranding — is not a game for everyone, but if you have ever «stuck with it», the mobile version can be a good opportunity to refresh your impressions. The atmosphere of loneliness, nature, and strange logistics is fully preserved. It’s still Kojima’s genius, albeit in a mobile format.
How is it to play? Let’s be honest, there’s nothing to do here without a gamepad. Touch controls are more of a formality than a working option. But as a port, it’s a master class that shows the limits of what a modern mobile chip is capable of.
Genre: Action-adventure
Platforms: iOS ($5,99), Android (₴184,99). Free with a Netflix subscription
The GTA trilogy (III, Vice City, San Andreas) is a classic that needs no introduction. Although it was released on mobile back in the last decade, the new version is much better.
How does it play? With a gamepad — full experience. The touch controls are for amateurs, but tolerable: the interface is a bit overloaded and the accuracy suffers. Nevertheless, nostalgia does its job — exploring the gaming world of Miami and Los Angeles is almost as interesting as it used to be.
Genre: Construction and management simulation
Platforms: iOS ($5.99, free with Apple Arcade subscription), Android (₴154,99)
RollerCoaster Tycoon’s mechanics are so simple and ingenious that it works even better in mobile format than in the classic one. This is the perfect game for short sessions — start building, go bankrupt, restart.
How does it play? Controls are intuitive: swipes, pinch zoom, taps — everything works organically. And although sometimes there is a lack of accuracy, it is compensated by the overall «gaming zen» that this series has been giving for many years.
Genre: Turn-based strategy, 4X
Platforms: iOS ($5,99), Android ($184,99). Free with a Netflix subscription
Civilization VI is perhaps the most ambitious mobile strategy game ever. All the nations, diplomacy systems, victories, add-ons — everything is there. Once upon a time, this series taught patience, strategic thinking, and the ability to calculate several moves in advance — now it’s all available in your pocket.
How does it play? The tablet is a pleasure to use. The touch controls are well-thought-out, everything is readable, and there is support for gestures. On a smartphone — it’s technically possible, but it’s too cramped. The strokes are longer, more concentration is required, but as a port — it is a benchmark.
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Genre: Farm life sim, role-playing
Platforms: iOS ($5.99, free with Apple Arcade subscription), Android (₴134,99)
Stardew Valley on mobile is the most natural thing that could have happened to this game. This meditative village life is perfect for the portable format. It doesn’t lose any of its charming details.
How does it play? The touch controls are polished, with support for stylus and gamepad. If you want to relax in the game, it will adapt to your rhythm. The choice of platform ceases to matter at all.
Genre: Business simulator game
Platforms: iOS ($10,49), Android. Free trial version available
Railroads! — is a lesser-known member of Sid Meier’s empire, but one of the most interesting. It is more about logistics than economics. Building railroad tracks and optimizing routes keeps your attention longer than you expect.
How does it play? The game runs surprisingly smoothly on mobile, and the controls are well adapted. Problems arise only on small screens — sometimes it’s hard to hit the right segment of the path. But in general — the game is enjoyable even without a stylus.