Updated on January 12, 2024 – swapped one game. Original post created by Jon Mundy, now maintained by Ivan Spasojevic.
As far as mobile gaming has come over the past decade, we still don’t naturally associate the role-playing genre with portable play. However, this list of best iOS RPGs for iPhones and iPad is so vast now that we could probably make it double and some of the impressive games would still be left out.
Role-playing games, as they’re more commonly known, are typically seen as the preserve of console and PC gamers. With 100-hour run times and labyrinthine combat systems, it’s not hard to see why.
But there are a couple of factors in the mobile RPG boom. One thing is simply the capabilities of modern smartphones. With laptop-level processing power and larger, sharper displays, your modern flagship phone can accommodate these complex worlds with ease.
For another thing, role-playing games have become way more diverse than before. Yes, there are plenty of straight ports on iOS, but role-playing mechanics now find their way into all sorts of unexpected places.
The list of best iOS RPGs
We’ve sought to reflect this diversity in the following list. You’ll see that plenty of classic games, JRPGs, and tactical RPGs have made the cut. But there are plenty of original mobile-focused experiences too.
We’re all role players these days, whether we realise it or not.
What’s that? You don’t see your favourite mobile RPG on the list? Sorry about that. But while 25 sounds like a pretty long list, we know for a fact we’ve left a whole bunch of stone-cold greats off. Let us know about your own mobile RPG favourites for iPhones in the comments below. In case you like any of the mentioned titles, head out to the App Store and find it in the correct section.
