Whatoplay presents 15 of the best iOS titles during the first half of 2021. All arranged
by playscores. To check out our full list, visit our page on all best iOS games of 2021.
15. Infinite Galaxy If anyone’s looking for a space sim for the iOS,
Camel Games cooks up something to satiate that hunger for epic space battles. Those
familiar with popular Space sims such as Stellaris will find this a great substitute,
especially when it’s on a mobile format. Infinite Galaxy lets you manage your own galactic empire.
Rebuild a once broken dreadnought and witness the growth of your army in a matter of in-game years.
Like all simulators, this requires the players to invest their time in micromanaging everything
from resources,spaceports, and more. It receives a playscore of 8.43.
14. Northgard It seems like iOS
is getting more and more strategy games on the App Store. Shiro Games’ city builder RTS will be
familiar to those who play 4X titles like Age of Empires, Civilization, maybe even Clash of Clans.
Lead a band of vikings and help them evolve into this era. It’s not as complicated compared as the
games mentioned, but its well-balanced economy and hours and hours of playtime
still feel like it’s a pocket version of premium RTS titles. A playscore of 8.48.
13. Astracraft All those days
watching Anime shows about robots fighting one another has finally led to this moment…
at least, from a mobile user’s perspective. Astracraft is a mecha-based battle royale where
you gear up your metallic monster and let him tear apart enemies in its massive arena. The game has
a lot of options for you to consider, namely in its customization options. Equip them with the
best firepower known to man, but be mindful of the game’s aggressive microtransactions. Once you’re
done beefing up your mechanical avatar, you can climb the ranks in no time. A playscore of 8.49.
12. SMASH LEGENDS This 3 versus 3 multiplayer
game is far from Nintendo’s popular crossover fighting game. It’s a top-down MOBA where you
control various characters, each with their unique abilities. Those who enjoy Wild Rift
or Mobile Legends can find something fun here, if they can get past its unbalanced matchmaking.
While the game is out for quite some time, there are still numerous issues plaguing it,
including pay to win mechanics like game-changing microtransactions. The gameplay is by far its best
feature. You can always try it out since it received a generous playscore of 8.51.
11. NBA Ball Stars Before we talk about this game,
it’s best you know that this isn’t the NBA game you know. You don’t shoot hoops here. Instead,
it’s a match-three puzzle game where you rack up the highest score and unlock special cards
based on your favorite NBA athletes. You don’t get to interact with the game at all, but hey,
if you’re into Candy Crush and love some NBA, you might just enjoy this. A playscore of 8.52.
10. The Oregon Trail A re-release for the Apple Arcade,
Gameloft takes into the familiar dangers of the classic Oregon Trail where you lead a band of
hopeful individuals towards civilization. With its randomized paths, it’s no easy feat. Each
adventure brings different surprises for your brave settlers. Managing those resources right
and making tough decisions can change the course of your journey. It receives a playscore of 8.53.
9. Touchgrind Scooter A BMX game where instead of using an
actual BMX, you use your fingers to perform snazzy tricks and gain combos. There’s a lot
of content to enjoy if you’re into this form of thrill-seeking. You can customize your scooters
and even unlock more if you can rise up to its challenges. It receives a playscore of 8.54.
8. Giant Dancing Plushies A kaiju game that dabbles in the adorable.
Compared to the normal Kaijus we see on TV, they’re not fire-breathing lizards and giant
mechanical robots. They’re everyday plushies we encounter in a toy-store.
Giant Dancing Plushies is all about that, really. Gameplay involves rhythm-based timing
where you guide them to their next onslaught. Sure, they are cute, but they are destructive.
At least they come with pretty colors though! A playscore of 8.60.
7. Unruly Heroes A huge leap from PC to Mobile,
this mischievous monkey king myth is now available on iOS. Ancient China’s fate
is up to four implausible heroes to turn back the tide. In this adventure, Sanzang, Wukong,
Kihong and Sandmonk travel to fantastical lands to gather scroll pieces and fight evil. Effortlessly
immersing you in 16th century China with their visuals. and the spirit of competition with their
local and online PvP. Master the combined strength of each unique hero and test your
reflexes across a multitude of challenging enemies and bosses. A playscore of 8.61.
6. Huntdown This iOS arcade title from Coffee Stain is
like a time machine. Anyone familiar with Contra or Metal Slug will find this game’s aesthetic and
gameplay delightful. Help these bounty hunters secure the bag in this sprawling cyberpunk city.
This side-scrolling retro shooter really takes us back to the good ol’ days of 80s gaming.
Huntdown takes pride in its inspirations from the games that came before,
and injects it with their own unique and modern twist. A playscore of 8.64.
5. Sixit This indie adventure takes
players to a strange world full of anthropomorphic characters. Sixit’s gimmick lies in its limited
number of moves. Its story is about a young mammal with a strange gift to only move with six actions,
hence the name. Your journey will consist of repelling a vicious,
sentient storm that threatens their land. Make the best out of your limited moves
and solve a myriad of puzzles through trial and error. A playscore of 8.66.
4. Queen: Rock Tour UK’s beloved rock legends have
their own rhythm game for the iOS and it’s taking over our fourth place on the list.
Vibe to the tunes from their greatest albums like “Bohemian Rhapsody”,
“We Will Rock You” and more. Master different instruments for each song and tap the tiles
to become the ultimate music legend. Freddie Mercury would be proud! A playscore of 8.68.
3. Overboard! Climbing to our third
spot is an unlikely visual novel where you try to get away with murder. Yep, you heard that
right. We have reached the point in gaming where this is indeed possible. Lay out some clues,
fabricate evidence and deceive the entire populace using your charms. You have eight hours to escape
from the clutches of justice, so plan every move and make sure you trust the right people.
It’s highly replayable as the events will change depending on your choices.
This is Inkle’s best work yet, and it receives a playscore of 8.69.
2. FANTASIAN While it took the crown
on our last Best Mobile list, Square Enix’s Apple Arcade JRPG fell back one spot on iOS. Fantasian
is a product of the industry legends responsible for the Final Fantasy series. Any fan of JRPGs
will enjoy the world and its themes, especially in tandem with Nobuo Uematsu’s fantastic score.
Players assume the role of the protagonist, Leo, who awakens from a massive explosion
only to find himself lost in a strange land with only one memory left to him. A playscore of 8.73.
1. Divinity - Original Sin 2 Divinity is Larian Studios’ crowning
jewel and a testament to their love of tabletop games. It made its way to multiple platforms,
and recently, iOS. Original Sin 2 evolved in ways we didn't even expect. It revamped most of the
clunky features of the original and dived deeper into characters and storylines. It’s the perfect
RPG game for iOS and it’s packed with hours of content! It receives a playscore of 8.95.