The Best Games on the App Store of 2024
Written by: BestApp.com App Testing Team - Updated: Dec 29, 2021
If you’re looking for a new game to play on your phone, we recommend Alto’s Odyssey for its great replayability value, relaxing gameplay, ad-free experience, serene music, and varied levels. But if Alto’s Odyssey doesn’t suit your gameplay preferences, we found nine other great games worth checking out. Here are the 10 best games on the App Store and Google Play Store.
Top 10 Games on the App Store to Try
- Alto’s Odyssey — Top Pick
- Brawlhalla — Best Free Game
- Lara Croft Go — Best Adventure Game
- The Witness — Best for Puzzles
- Threes! — Best Numbers Game
- Among Us — Best for Playing With Friends
- Clash Royale — Best Strategy Game
- Crossy Road — Best Arcade Game
- Device 6 — Best for Text-Driven Gameplay
- Downwell — Best Action Game
How We Chose the Best Games on the App Store
To find the 10 best games on the App Store, we searched for highly-rated games that offer offline capabilities, multiplayer, and cloud syncing for cross-platform gameplay, as well as apps that offer ad-free experiences. These features contribute to the relaxing, frustration-free gaming experience that most mobile gamers are looking for.
Choose the game that’s right for you
Since many of the games on our list do not offer free versions, we recommend reading user reviews, watching gameplay videos, and considering what game genres you typically prefer before making any purchases. For those that don’t want to pay for mobile games, we also included several free games for you to choose from.
Be wary of in-app purchases
There are countless games available on the app store that advertise themselves as free but contain expensive microtransactions that can quickly add up. Watch out for games that attempt to lure you into making costly in-app purchases, especially if you have children that use your phone.
Our App Store Game Reviews
Alto’s Odyssey — Top Pick
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
Alto’s Odyssey is an endless adventure game with plenty of variety and challenging objectives to keep you playing. Players can play as Alto as they explore fantastical settings, ranging from hidden temples to windswept dunes. The game is a sequel to the app Alto’s Adventure, but you don’t need to have played that game to enjoy this one. The game uses a one-touch trick system, which is easy for players to learn but difficult to master. There are 180 goals for players to complete, and there are six unique characters that players can unlock, each with unique abilities. One of the game’s most unique features is Zen Mode, which gets rid of coins and scores and allows players to play endlessly with a serene soundtrack playing in the background.
Notable features:
- Free version not available
- In-app purchases: $0.99 – $9.99 per item
- Support available: Email
| Alto’s Odyssey Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| No ads | No multiplayer |
| Zen Mode offers relaxing gameplay | No free version |
| Unique settings and characters | |
Brawlhalla — Best Free Game
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
If you’re looking for a free game, Brawlhalla is one of the best options available on the App Store. Super Smash Brothers fans will be drawn to Brawlhalla’s gameplay, which puts players in an arena to fight against one another. Players can play offline, but Brawlhalla’s multiplayer is where the game shines. You can team up with your friends to play against other users in casual or ranked modes, and the app features a great selection of game modes to keep things interesting. Unlike most other mobile games, Brawlhalla even lets you spectate, record, and replay matches whenever you want.
Notable features:
- Free version available
- In-app purchases: $5.99 – $49.99 per item
- Support available: Email, FAQs
| Brawlhalla Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| No ads | Expensive in-app purchases |
| Free to play | |
| Includes online ranked | |
Lara Croft Go — Best Adventure Game
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
Fans of the classic Tomb Raider franchise will love Lara Croft Go, a mobile recreation of the popular series. This app is a turn-based puzzle adventure that lets players explore the long-forgotten ruins of an ancient civilization. The game features 115 puzzles spread out across seven chapters. As you progress, you can collect ancient relics and unlock new outfits for Lara. Lara Croft Go is a completely offline experience and does not feature any ads, although there are in-app purchases. In classic Tomb Raider fashion, you’ll have to overcome dangerous obstacles and deadly traps as you experience an adventure that outshines any other adventure game on the App Store.
Notable features:
- Free version not available
- In-app purchases: $1.99 per item
- Support available: FAQs, Email
| Lara Croft Go Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| No ads | No free version |
| Includes 115 puzzles | No multiplayer |
The Witness — Best for Puzzles
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
The Witness is a single-player puzzle game that features innovative and unique puzzles spread out over a strange island. When you start the game, you wake up on a mysterious island with no knowledge of how you got there or what’s going on. As you continue to solve puzzles and explore the island, you’ll discover clues that help you regain your memory and find your way home. With over 500 puzzles, The Witness offers more variety than any other option on our list. However, the app is relatively expensive at $9.99 on iOS and $13.60 on Android.
Notable features:
- Free version not available
- Cost: iOS: One-time purchase of $9.99; Android: One-time purchase of $13.60
- Support available: Email
| The Witness Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Difficult and unique puzzles | More expensive on Android |
| No ads | No multiplayer |
| No in-app purchases | |
Threes! — Best Numbers Game
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
For those that enjoy numbers-based strategy games, Threes! is an incredibly addicting game in the same vein as 2048. The idea is simple enough: you move numbered cards around on a board with the goal of merging matching numbers to create larger numbers. Once your board fills up and there are no more possible moves, the game ends. Threes! stands out from other games on our list due to its potential endless nature — every game offers a new opportunity to beat your previous score. Threes! does not have any ads or in-app purchases, but it does cost $0.99 on Android and $5.99 on iOS.
Notable features:
- Free version not available
- Cost: iOS: One-time purchase of $5.99; Android: One-time purchase of $0.99
- Support available: Email, FAQs
| Threes! Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| No ads | More expensive on iOS |
| No in-app purchases | No multiplayer |
| Endless gameplay potential | |
Among Us — Best for Playing With Friends
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
Among Us is a party game that’s great for playing with your friends. In Among Us, you group up with four to 15 friends or random players and complete missions to prep your spaceship for liftoff. The catch is that there’s an impostor(s) on board whose mission is to kill everyone and stop the ship from taking off. As you play the game, you’ll get opportunities to talk with other members of the game to determine who the impostor is, and if you vote them out, you win. You can choose from several different roles, change the number of impostors and tasks, and more to shake up the gameplay and keep things interesting. Among Us also stands out as one of few mobile games that support crossplay with players on PC and console.
Notable features:
- Free version available
- In-app purchases: $0.99 – $2.99 per item
- Support available: Email
| Among Us Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Supports crossplay | No cloud sync |
| Free to play | Contains ads |
| Team-based multiplayer | |
Clash Royale — Best Strategy Game
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
Clash Royale is the ultimate option for players that enjoy strategy games. The game combines several gameplay elements to make it stand out from other games, including collectible cards, tower defense, and online multiplayer. Players can collect and upgrade over 100 cards, compete in 1v1 battles or team up with friends, participate in global tournaments for rewards, and level up to earn prizes. Unlike many mobile games on the App Store, Clash Royale is constantly updated with new content, like seasonal events, to keep players coming back. Players should be mindful of in-app purchases, though, as the game pushes them very aggressively and they can be as much as $99.99.
Notable features:
- Free version available
- In-app purchases: $0.99 – $99.99 per item
- Support available: Email, Help Articles
| Clash Royale Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Combines several unique gameplay elements | Expensive in-app purchases |
| Hosts seasonal events | Contains ads |
| Online multiplayer | |
Crossy Road — Best Arcade Game
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
Frogger is a classic game that lives in arcades across the country, and if you’re a fan of the popular arcade game, you’ll love Crossy Road for its addictive gameplay. The game is easy to get into. All you have to do is tap the screen to move the chicken across the road while avoiding obstacles. You can play on multiple levels and keep replaying to try to beat your previous score. As you play, you’ll earn coins and can collect over 150 retro characters. You can even play Crossy Road on the big screen with Android TV. One of Crossy Road’s most unique elements is its cubic graphics, which contribute to the game’s incredibly charming and family-friendly aesthetic. The game is free to play but is supported by in-app purchases and ads.
Notable features:
- Free version available
- In-app purchases: $0.99 – $29.99 per item
- Support available: FAQs, Email
| Crossy Road Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| Over 150 unlockable characters | Contains ads |
| Simple, accessible gameplay | |
| Unique graphics | |
Device 6 — Best for Text-Driven Gameplay
Download: iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
Device 6 is unlike any other game on our list. It’s a text-based adventure that features a thrilling, surreal story and interactive puzzle-based gameplay. Your goal is to navigate this text-driven narrative and help your character escape the island. You’ll have to read, listen to audio clues, analyze photos, and solve puzzles to uncover the mysteries of the island. The game also features immersive sound effects to contribute to the mysterious atmosphere. While there is no multiplayer, Device 6 is a great option for solo players looking for a compelling single-player story. Device 6 is only available on iOS for a one-time purchase of $3.99.
Notable features:
- Free version not available
- Cost: One-time purchase of $3.99
- Support available: Email
| Device 6 Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| No ads | No free version |
| Interactive puzzles | Not available on iOS |
| One-time cost | No multiplayer |
Downwell — Best Action Game
Download: Android ★★★★★★★★★★ | iOS ★★★★★★★★★★
Downwell is a great option for action lovers. When you open the game, you’ll immediately notice that it stands out from other mobile games due to its vertical gameplay. You play as a young boy searching through a well to uncover hidden treasures. As you continue through the well, you’ll encounter dangerous creatures, and you can use your gunboots to fight off enemies. You’ll Also come across shops where you can purchase unique items and weapons to help you through the game. What makes Downwell stand out is that each journey down the well is procedurally generated, meaning no two gameplay experiences are ever the same. The game does not include in-app purchases but does require a one-time purchase of $2.99 to play.
Notable features:
- Free version not available
- Cost: One-time purchase of $2.99
- Support available: Email
| Downwell Pros & Cons | |
|---|---|
| What we like | What we don’t like |
| One-time cost | No free version |
| Procedurally generated levels | No multiplayer |
| Vertical gameplay | |
Best Games on the App Store: Features Summary Table
| Games on the App Store Comparison Table | ||
|---|---|---|
| App | Subscription Fees or In-App Purchases | Features |
| Alto’s Odyssey — Top Pick | $0.99 – $9.99 per item | ✓ Offline X Multiplayer X Ads ✓ Cloud Sync |
| Brawlhalla — Best Free Game | $5.99 – $49.99 per item | ✓ Offline ✓ Multiplayer X Ads ✓ Cloud Sync |
| Lara Croft Go — Best Adventure Game | $1.99 per item | ✓ Offline X Multiplayer X Ads ✓ Cloud Sync |
| The Witness — Best for Puzzles | iOS: One-time purchase of $9.99; Android: One-time purchase of $13.60 |
✓ Offline X Multiplayer X Ads ✓ Cloud Sync |
| Threes! — Best Numbers Game | iOS: One-time purchase of $5.99; Android: One-time purchase of $0.99 |
✓ Offline X Multiplayer X Ads ✓ Cloud Sync |
| Among Us — Best for Playing With Friends | $0.99 – $2.99 per item | ✓ Offline ✓ Multiplayer ✓ Ads X Cloud Sync |
| Clash Royale — Best Strategy Game | $0.99 – $99.99 per item | ✓ Offline ✓ Multiplayer ✓ Ads ✓ Cloud Sync |
| Crossy Road — Best Arcade Game | $0.99 – $29.99 per item | ✓ Offline ✓ Multiplayer ✓ Ads ✓ Cloud Sync |
| Device 6 — Best for Text-Driven Gameplay | One-time purchase of $3.99 | ✓ Offline X Multiplayer X Ads X Cloud Sync |
| Downwell — Best Action Game | One-time purchase of $2.99 | ✓ Offline X Multiplayer X Ads ✓ Cloud Sync |