We all love playing video games, right? Whether you are a professional gamer, passionate about gaming, or just like to casually pass the time – video games can be intriguing. And it is quite well-known that iOS is a fantastic platform for mobile gaming. Even if you mostly play on your PC or console, you might have a game or two installed on your iOS. The convenience, readiness, and ease of playing make iOS games a must-have for all gaming enthusiasts. In this article, let’s explore some of the best offline games for iPhone and iPad.
➡️ Convenience and Accessibility
Before jumping right into our list of the best offline games for iPhone and iPad, let us see what makes offline iOS games so special.
Offline games installed on your iOS device are perfect for playing anytime, anywhere. You cannot carry your PCs or consoles with you (laptop? Yes. But you don’t always do that). However, you always have your smartphone in your pocket. This allows you to play your favorite titles regardless of where you are.
Offline games are always triumphant over online games in terms of user-friendliness. In today’s world, everyone has to constantly move around from place to place. There are also places with little to no internet connectivity, like the subways. Having an offline game on your iOS helps you stay worry-free and keep your playing session alive in such places.
Furthermore, such offline games are often free of those annoying mid-game advertisements that often span over 30 seconds. All you have to do is download the games and pay their price, provided they are under a paywall, and you are good to go. Also, offline iOS games give you complete control of your gaming sessions. Provided that you have not shared your screen, nobody can see what you are up to. Unlike online games, here, you never feel the pressure of other gamers watching and judging your every move.
➡️ Affordability and Value Proposition
When it comes to gaming titles, the Apple App Store has a large collection that can cater to all kinds of gamers. From professional to passionate to casual gamers – everyone can find their ideal game in the store.
Moreover, the offline games there are reasonably priced, with a wide range of titles being free of cost. These free games provide entertainment without the requirement to opt for in-app purchases. The collection of free offline titles is so huge that it can sometimes become overwhelming to pick one. This has been a contributing factor in pulling more people towards iPhone gaming, even those who were not much into gaming before.
As we have mentioned already, the App Store is full of amazing offline titles that can keep you entertained for hours. Here are some of the best options to look for to have an unforgettable experience:
Asphalt 8: Airborne
If you love to show off your racing skills, Asphalt 8: Airborne can be a solid choice. Featuring over 300 official speed beasts, such as Bugatti, Lamborghini, McLaren, and more, the game gives you ample scope to satisfy the speed fanatic in you.
Asphalt 8: Airborne comes with six unique game modes, 400+ career events, 1,500 Car Mastery challenges, 50+ tracks, and so on. As a player, you are free to customize your avatar according to your wish.
The game also offers cross-save and cross-play facilities, allowing you to play across various platforms and never miss an action.
Besides, the multiplayer mode empowers players to compete against a maximum of 12 other racers and put their skills to the test.
Developer: Gameloft Barcelona
Publisher: Gameloft
Release Date: August 22, 2013
➡️ Download: iOS
Sid Meier’s Civilization VI
Sid Meier’s Civilization VI is a turn-based strategy game where players have to build an empire and maintain its longevity.
In Civilization VI, players get an opportunity to become the Ruler of the World by establishing a civilization.
Be a leader and guide that civilization from the Stone Age to the Digital Age. To create the greatest civilization to ever exist, you have to fight wars, make diplomatic moves, bring about cultural advancements, and more. And in your path, you will come face to face with the most influential leaders in history.
Interestingly, the game offers cross-platform cloud saving. Thus, you can save your progress and play across devices.
Civilization VI also provides easy-to-comprehend tutorials that help newbies grasp the essence and conceptual ideas behind the game for a smooth beginning.
Developer: Firaxis Games
Publisher: Aspyr Media
Release Date: August 13, 2020
➡️ Download: iOS
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Even after nearly two decades, Rockstar Games’ magnum opus – Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is still a fan favorite. The game revolves around the return of Carl Johnson – the protagonist – to the city of San Andreas after his mother’s death.
He returns to the city at a time when the drugs, gang wars, and corruption have left San Andreas in shambles. His own family is in no better state. You, as CJ, have to do whatever it takes to save your family and gain authority on the streets again.
While the graphics and SFX look dated, as is normal for a game from that era, the gameplay is impeccable.
Packed with 100 storyline missions, lots of side missions, and a vast open world perfect for exploration, GTA San Andreas is still a force to be reckoned with in the gaming realm. Just like it was on other platforms, this game is still one of the best iPhone games available today!
Developer: Rockstar North
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Release Date: December 12, 2013
➡️ Download: iOS
Into the Dead 2
You are in the middle of a zombie apocalypse; run for your survival, kill deadly zombies, and save your family – that is what Into the Dead 2 is all about.
No matter what you do – shoot, mutilate, or massacre the zombies – do not stop. That is not something you want to do in a field full of the undead.
The story is great and keeps you fervent till the end. Talking of the end, the game has multiple endings. Into the Dead 2 comes with 60 high-octane stages scattered across 7 chapters.
The locations are pretty atmospheric, the zombies are varied, and the daily and special event modes provide more fun. Additionally, you get to keep a trustworthy canine buddy by your side too.
Developer: PikPok soft
Publisher: PikPok soft
Release Date: August 9, 2017
➡️ Download: iOS
Need for Speed No Limits
Need for Speed No Limits strives to quench your thirst for fast cars and achieve dominance over the underground racing scene.
The game offers a large variety of automobile beasts, including Pagani, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Koenigsegg, etc., and plenty of customizations to suit your racing style and preferences.
Perhaps the coolest things about NFS No Limits are spots like the Mod Shop and the Black Market, giving you access to a whopping 2.5 million+ custom combos.
Drift through the tracks, leave your competition behind using nitro, and lay waste to your opponents and cops.
If you have what it takes to become the next king of the underground, take to the streets and prove your worth. There are truly no limits to your road to supremacy.
Developer: Firemonkeys Studios
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Release Date: September 30, 2015
➡️ Download: iOS
Plants vs. Zombies 2
The name of the game is pretty much self-explanatory; Plants vs. Zombies 2 takes you through a battle between plants and zombies.
In this game, you have to bring together and supercharge an army of plants using plant food to defeat your zombie foes. Build the perfect plan to guard your brain from a wide range of zombies. These include the Jetpack Zombie, the Mermaid Imp, and more.
Also, you get to assemble legendary plant figures like Sunflower and Peashooter. With 300+ challenging levels, 11 different worlds, never-ending zones, amusing minigames, and daily events – Plants vs. Zombies 2 is bound to become your favorite.
Plus, you can compete against other players in the Arena and go up the leaderboards.
Developers: PopCap Games
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Release Date: July 9, 2013
➡️ Download: iOS
Star Wars: KOTOR
If you are a fan of Star Wars movies, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is a must-play for you. Going back 4,000 years prior to the Galactic Empire, players must lead a batch of heroes and villains and be the savior of the galaxy.
In Star Wars: KOTOR, you can design your characters and play as you want. The game offers many iconic locations, including the Jedi Enclave on Dantooine, the Sith Academy on Korriban, the Cantina on Tatooine, and more. Embark on a daring journey and save the galaxy. This is also one of the best Star Wars games that you can play today. So, do yourself a favor and download it now!
Developer: BioWare
Publisher: Aspyr Media
Release Date: December 18, 2013
➡️ Download: iOS
Subway Surfers
Subway Surfers has always been a top choice among mobile gamers for a long time. The game takes you on a world tour with Jake, Tricky, and co.
Run along the subway tracks dodging incoming trains and other hurdles while collecting coins and other boosters – that is the essence of Subway Surfers. And oh, do not forget the running from the cranky guard and his canine companion.
One great thing about Subway Surfers is that each update takes you to a new city.
Fascinatingly, the game is an endless runner. So, there is a good chance that you might get immersed in the amazing world of Subway Surfers for hours.
Developers: Kiloo and SYBO Games
Publisher: SYBO
Release Date: May 23, 2012
➡️ Download: iOS
XCOM 2 Collection
The story of XCOM 2 Collection takes you through an epic fight between the new rulers of planet Earth – aliens and the brave force of XCOM.
As a member of XCOM, you have to birth a worldwide resistance, overthrow the alien regime, and save humankind.
Packed with lots of unique maps, nail-biting missions, amazing soldier customization, and more – the XCOM 2 Collection is an exciting iOS title. And with the 4 DLC packs, the game reaches newer heights.
Developer: Feral Interactive
Publisher: 2K Games
Release Date: February 5, 2016
➡️ Download: iOS
Plague Inc.
Plague Inc. makes you assume the role of a pathogen, infect the entire world, and eradicate its population.
Plan a solid strategy to bring about a global plague while adapting yourself to newer measures taken by humans to stop you in your tracks.
The game utilizes a hyper-realistic world and details with eye-catching retina graphics. There are more than 50 countries to infect, 12 disease types, and lots of traits to develop. Plague Inc. forces you to be strategic and tactical if you want to survive and put an end to humanity.
Begin playing, and soon you will find yourself in a loop of endless retries and fresh starts.
Developer: Ndemic Creations
Publisher: Ndemic Creations
Release Date: May 26, 2012
➡️ Download: iOS
BADLAND
BADLAND is an award-winning action-adventure title with an atmospheric setting that appears straight out of a fairytale. Nevertheless, you will discover that the forest is not what it seems at first.
You, as a player, take control of a forest dweller to unveil truths about the woods and come across various traps and hurdles along the way.
The fabulous graphics, 100+ challenging levels, immersive sound design, and physics-based gameplay make BADLAND worth a shot.
Plus, there is a local multiplayer mode that allows up to 4 players to either compete against or cooperate to boost the fun.
Developer: Frogmind Games
Publisher: HypeHype Oy
Release Date: April 4, 2013
➡️ Download: iOS
Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Edition
In Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Edition, the evil wizard Irenicus has kidnapped you to snatch away your inborn powers. The question is, will you embrace your evil and become the new Lord of Murder, or will you resist your inherent evil and avert your dark fate?
Besides the OG 60-hour campaign called Shadows of Amn, there are a variety of journeys that include Throne of Bhaal, Fist of the Fallen, A Price Paid in Blood, and In Defense of the Wild. Some of these journeys require in-app purchases, though.
Developer: Overhaul Games
Publisher: Atari
Release Date: November 15, 2013
➡️ Download: iOS
Conclusion
As is clear from the entries, the Apple App Store has a huge collection of tremendous gaming titles that can open up a portal to a whole new world. The above list compiles the best offline games for your iPhones and iPads.
So, without wasting time, please check out these games and make sure to play them without ads and the need for internet connectivity.
If you want something slightly different, check out our list of the best tower defense games for iPhone as well!