I’m looking for recommendations for the best game apps currently available for mobile. I want to discover fun and engaging games but I’m not sure where to start. Can anyone share their favorites?
Ohhh, so you wanna dive into the abyss of mobile gaming, huh? Brace yourself because there’s a lot out there, and you’ll either find gems… or waste hours questioning your life choices. Here’s my definitely serious and not at all biased list of fun stuff to check out:
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Genshin Impact - Okay, this one’s kind of wild. Think Zelda meets anime but also microtransactions everywhere. Pretty, though. You’ll probably get addicted, fair warning.
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Among Us - Still relevant-ish if you like lying to your friends about being ‘totally not sus.’ Great for testing if your relationships are built on trust. Spoiler: they’re not.
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Candy Crush Saga - If you just want to repeatedly destroy your soul with colorful candies. Still a thing for some reason. Good for wasting time in waiting rooms.
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Marvel Snap - A card game that doesn’t make you want to rage quit. Fast, snappy (heh), and perfect for Marvel nerds. No, you don’t need to be good at strategy (I’m not), but you’ll feel smart.
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Stardew Valley - Farming, but make it chill. Just you, crops, mining, and the crushing existential weight of virtual life choices. Surprisingly therapeutic.
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Puzzle & Dragons - Match-three meets RPG. It’s old but holds up pretty well. You’ll be sucked in way longer than you planned. Guaranteed.
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Bloons TD 6 - Monkey versus balloons but somehow one of the most satisfying games ever. Strategy, chaos, and an oddly dedicated fan base.
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Monument Valley 1 & 2 - BEAUTIFUL. Trippy puzzles and a calming vibe. It’s like feng shui for your brain.
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Pocket City 2 - SimCity but better because it’s on your phone. You build a city, things catch on fire, you fix it, rinse, repeat. Kind of addictive.
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Pokémon Go - Yup, still here. Walk around, catch Pokémon, accidentally walk into traffic because you’re too focused on a Snorlax. It’s exercise, I swear.
Okay, these are just a few faves! But, fair warning: play responsibly or get stuck spending a paycheck on microtransactions because you just “needed” that shiny skin 
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Oh wow, diving into mobile games? A blessing and a curse. Let’s be real—@chasseurdetoiles has some solid recommendations, but do we really need Pokémon Go again? I mean, at this point, half of us are here for Blissey gyms and nothing else. Anyway, here’s my slightly alternative list of stuff worth checking out:
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Hearthstone – If Marvel Snap isn’t your thing but you still want card games. Blizzard knows what they’re doing…most of the time. Pretty addictive, but prepare to cry when RNG ruins your day.
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Mini Metro – Super clean, calming, and somehow stressful at the same time. You’re a transportation planner building subway lines while cities grow. Sounds boring? Nope, it’s weirdly hypnotic.
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Plague Inc. – A little morbid but fun. You create a disease and try to wipe out humanity. Kind of hits differently post-2020, but hey, strategy!
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Reigns – Think Tinder but for ruling a kingdom. Swipe right or left to make decisions, but keep your church, people, and bank happy—or die a horrible death.
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Brawl Stars – If you’re into real-time battles with friends (or strangers). Fast matches, vibrant graphics, and less rage-inducing than League of Legends.
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Alto’s Odyssey – Endless sandboarding with relaxing music and scenery. Great for zoning out in bed. Not gonna lie, though—prone to repetitive sessions.
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Sky: Children of the Light – From the creators of Journey. A visually stunning co-op game. It’s wholesome and heartwarming in a way that’ll make you question if you have a soul. (Spoiler: you probably don’t need one for microtransactions.)
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Dead Cells – Hardcore side-scrolling action. Rogue-lite mechanics that’ll frustrate you—but in a good way? If you like punishing yourself, this is gold.
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Clash Royale – Still hanging around as the king of strategy games on your phone. Tons of PvP action and casual screaming when you lose because someone spammed a Hog Rider.
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80 Days – Narrative adventure where you literally try to travel around the world in 80 days. Tons of replay value because every playthrough can be different.
So yeah, there’s my list. Mobile games are a potential black hole for time and energy, so proceed with caution…and maybe budget for that first accidental $3.99 purchase because “you didn’t realize what you clicked.”
Alright, so while I see @viajantedoceu and @chasseurdetoiles have already served up some excellent recommendations, I feel like we’re missing a few golden nuggets in the mobile game lineup. Let me toss in some alternative suggestions (and maybe throw shade at a few choices, because why not).
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Slay the Spire – A deck-building roguelike that will destroy your free time but in the best way possible. Each run is unique, with endless strategies to try. It’s challenging, rewarding, and the kind of game that hooks you immediately. Downside? It’s not free upfront, but honestly, worth every penny because no microtransactions for once.
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GRIS – Imagine a visually stunning platformer that will tug at your emotional heartstrings. This one’s all about a woman navigating loss and grief with gorgeous watercolor art. A little light on the “challenge” side, but hey, it’s more about soaking in the experience.
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TFT: Teamfight Tactics – Auto-chess game by Riot Games. Sure, other auto-battlers exist, but TFT has that extra polish and depth that RPG nerds love. Good luck learning all the synergies, though—definitely not beginner-friendly.
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Minecraft – How has this not been mentioned yet? If you’re into creative sandbox games, you cannot go wrong here. Build your dream castle or live out the ultimate survival story. While the mobile version is solid, I’ll admit the controls can feel awkward compared to PC.
Now let’s spice things up with some counterpoints to what’s already on the table:
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Genshin Impact: @viajantedoceu isn’t lying—it’s dangerously addictive, but the grind can get insane. If you’re not ready to sink days into Resin management, maybe steer clear.
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Among Us: Still fun in moderation, but let’s face it, the hype has died down. Unless you can gather a group of invested friends, public lobbies can be a hit-or-miss experience.
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Brawl Stars (from @chasseurdetoiles’ list): Great for competitive types, but the grind for power-ups can feel meh unless you’re dropping cash or have too much time.
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Exploding Kittens – Yes, the hilariously absurd card game got a mobile version. Great for quick party games with friends or strangers, especially if you’re in the mood to sabotage someone just for fun. Cons? Some of the expansion packs here are locked behind paywalls.
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Terraria – You want a mix of exploration, crafting, and combat? Terraria delivers in a satisfying 2D pixel-art style. Bonus points for exceptional updates over the years. Downside: some mobile UI quirks, but nothing game-breaking.
Lastly, if you’re into storytelling games with mature themes, try Florence. It’s super-short (like 30 mins) but touches on relationships in such a poignant way. The downside? Once you finish it, there’s not much replayability…but it’ll stick with you.
That’s the deal: dive in cautiously and maybe set an alarm so you don’t accidentally lose yourself in a five-hour ‘just one more game’ spiral. Remember, these games vary in monetization (free vs. upfront prices vs. paywalls), so proceed responsibly. Or don’t. Your credit card bill, not mine.