Latest entries - 28 June 2025:
Other recent entries
Introduction
This is a list of all games, sorted by category, that I've purchased, loved, and finished (or played extensively) over many years and I'd like to recommend as they're all excellent and without predatory monetization or gacha system.
Edit: now I'm also including the most recommended titles by the community - which I haven't playtested yet or I'm not particularly interested in - marked with ๐ฌ. Please check entry criteria below before commenting.
Some of the games may be free with IAP's, but EXCLUSIVELY to unlock the full game, DLCs, or remove ads (no gacha or energy/gambling mechanics, "diamonds", pay-to-win, or any recurrent cash-grab bullshit of sort).
[Disclaimer: chances are some items in this list will inevitably be removed from Play Store as time goes by, or will not be compatible with future Android versions. I'll do my best to always keep it updated, but feel free to PM me if you come across any unavailable title and I'll make a correction]
I'm planning to keep the list updated for personal reference with the new games I'll play and like, or old games I've played that will come to mind later. So feel free to save it and check out new entries every so often.
My ultimate goal is to promote worthy content and honest/talented devs, hoping to see more quality games in the future, rather than the cancerous cash-grab machines the Play Store is regrettably riddled with. And, of course, to let everyone have a great time playing great titles ;)
Entry criteria for user recommendations ๐ฌ
- paid Play Store games compatible with recent Android versions
- no ads or microtransactions (except ads-removal, full-game unlock, or proper DLCs)
- you love the game and think it's worth the price
- must include link and, possibly, genre
I will still use my discretion and judgment to filter the entries, in an effort to try and keep the list's quality high.
[If you want to recommend free games, without ads or microtransactions, here is the list for you.]
THE LIST
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Legend
๐ - top favorite ย
๐ - top favorite and masterpiece status ย
๐ฌ - recommended by the community, but I haven't played it or not my favorite ย
๐ฎ - controller supported and, usually, strongly recommended ย
๐ฎโ๏ธ - controller recommended but not supportedโyou need a controller mapping app like Panda ย
๐ฑ - portrait orientation (either exclusively or optional)
๐ฅ - includes multiplayer
120FPS
- 120 FPS on supported devices
~~[Game title]~~ - delisted, but you might still see it in the store if you've purchased it ย
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Action shooter
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Action-adventure platformer/hack-n-slash
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Grimvalor ๐ ๐ฎ 120FPS
(2.5D hack and slash medieval fantasy platform/RPG)
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Shadow Blade ๐ ๐ฎ (2D hack and slash action platform)
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Swordigo ๐ฎโ๏ธ (2D RPG action-adventure platformer; requires controller mapping app if you want controller support - free with 2 IAPs that add compass or coin doubler, and either of them remove ads too)
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Oddmar ๐ฎ 120FPS
(2D action-adventure platformer)
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Ninja Arashi ๐ฎ (2D hack and slash action platformer - free with IAPs to remove ads)
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SAMURAI II: VENGEANCE ๐ฎ (top down/isometric hack and slash)
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Dead Cells ๐ฌ ๐ฎ 120FPS
(roguelite action platformer)
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Platformer
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Metroidvania
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Beat 'em up
- TMNT: Shredder's Revenge ๐ ๐ฎ ๐ฅ๏ธ (beat 'em up with story mode and fun multiplayer - IAP to unlock complete edition with all DLCs - free if you have Netflix)
ย
Turn-based RPG
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Dragon Quest Monsters: The Dark Prince ๐ 120FPS
(3D monster-collecting turn-based JRPG - ported from Switch. Great game and touch controls. It includes all DLCs. No controller support, but no need here. I recommend this game for flagship devices from 2023+ and with a TEC cooler)
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Final Fantasy - Pixel Remaster ๐ ๐ฎ (2D turn-based JRPG)
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Final Fantasy II - Pixel Remaster ๐ ๐ฎ (2D turn-based JRPG)
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Final Fantasy III - Pixel Remaster ๐ ๐ฎ (2D turn-based JRPG)
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Final Fantasy IV (3D Remake) ๐ ๐ฎ (3D turn-based JRPG)
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Final Fantasy V - Pixel Remaster ๐ ๐ฎ (2D turn-based JRPG)
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Final Fantasy VI - Pixel Remaster ๐ ๐ฎ (2D turn-based JRPG - the best version of the best 16-bit FF)
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Final Fantasy Dimensions ๐ (fantastic 2D turn-based JRPG, old school graphics, totally worth it)
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Chaos Rings III ๐ (excellent 3D turn based JRPG by Square Enix. A bit pricey, but totally worth it)
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Chrono Trigger ๐ ๐ฎ (2d turn-based JRPG - best 16-bit JRPG in history, originally on SNES. This mobile portโfrom the Steam versionโis excellent and I haven't had a single issue with touch controls, bugs, or glitches whatsoever)
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Epic Battle Fantasy 5 (2D turn-based RPG with funny dialogs, adult jokes, 4th-wall breakers - it contains a couple IAPs to unlock extra content, remove ads)
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Monster Hunter Stories ๐ (3D turn-based RPG)
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Doom & Destiny ๐ (humorous 2D turn-based RPG)
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Doom & Destiny Advanced ๐ฎ ๐ฅ๏ธ (humorous 2D turn-based RPG. Touch controls work great)
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Tactical RPG
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Action RPG
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Trials of Mana ๐ ๐ฎโ๏ธ (it's a port from console/PC but critically lacks controller support. You can use Panda Gamepad Pro - recommended - or Mantis to achieve that)
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The Bard's Tale (3D action RPG adventure - this game has some optional IAPs: they can easily be ignored but they're there. Also, some users experienced an auto-save bug that corrupts ALL save files, so I recommend disabling auto-save altogether. I'm keeping the game listed here for now as I still consider it a true premium game and I haven't personally experienced any bug)
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Evoland ๐ฎ (action/adventure RPG with 2D and 3D graphics and a mix of genres. Touch controls work great)
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Evoland 2 ๐ ๐ฎ (action/adventure RPG with 2D and 3D graphics, mix of genres; controller recommended)
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Pascal's Wager (soulslike) ๐ฌ ๐ฎ
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Star Wars: KOTOR ๐ฌ ๐ฎ
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Star Wars: KOTOR II ๐ฌ ๐ฎ
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CRPG
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Text-based RPG
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Roguelite (cards, dice, deck builder, action)
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Action adventure/Zelda-like
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Ogu and the Secret Forest ๐ ๐ฎ (unlocking the full game through IAPs is quite pricey on the Play Store so maybe check the Epic StoreโI got it for free there)
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Anodyne ๐ ๐ฎโ๏ธ ๐ฑ (lanscape/portrait. Adding controller support through Panda is a must if you want to finish the game)
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Legend of the Skyfish 2 ๐ ๐ฎ (Zelda-like with a fishing rod for weapon)
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Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion ๐ฎ (humorous, Zelda-like, pixel art adventure; achievements didn't work correctly, but they might have been fixed after I played it)
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Oceanhorn ๐ ๐ฎ (3D Zelda-like action adventure)
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Afterplace ๐ฌ ๐ฎ ๐ฑ 120FPS
(landscape/portrait)
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Puzzle adventure
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Point-and-click adventure
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Simulation/management
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Worker placement survival
- This War of Mine ๐ฌ (DISCLAIMER: as of April 2025 multiple users still report crashes, but I'll keep the game here because it is otherwise worth it, and devs often donate part of the profits to victims of various wars)
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Survival crafting
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Survival horror
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Racing
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Sport
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Tower defense
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Idle
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Netflix games
(require an active Netflix subscription)
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Delisted or outdated
Extras and emulators
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AppSales is an app that will make you save some money by notifying you when specific games (or apps) in the Play Store go on sale. Just add the games you wish to buy to the AppSales' watchlist and you'll get notified when the price gets cut.
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Panda Gamepad Pro ๐ฎ is a tool that allows you to map your controller for touch inputs, practically adding controller support to those game that don't have it.
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Gamedeck ๐ฎ (game launcher/front-end for controllers)
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Beacon Game Launcher ๐ฎ (game launcher/front-end for controllers. Also optimized for emulators)
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Retroarch ๐ฎ (emulator for almost all consoles) "jack of all trades" emulator, the only one that supports analog triggers for Xbox One S controller. It has a bit of a learning curve, and other individual emulators might offer better performance
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Dolphin ๐ฎ best emulator for GameCube and Wii
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DraStic DS Emulator ๐ฎ
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PPSSPP Gold - PSP Emulator ๐ฎ
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Delta Touch [9 x Doom engines] ๐ฌ (engine for Doom games)
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Quad Touch ๐ฌ (engine for Quake games)
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Happy gaming ;)
ps: please let me know if there's any wrong information about the games included in this list (especially regarding IAPs or availability) so that I'll fix the post if necessary.
Glad you like it :)