The Best iOS Games of 2025

Wow, 2025 was a huge year for mobile gaming! As a fan, I was blown away to see some of my favorite console games finally come to iOS. The App Store was packed with everything – seriously impressive action games that looked amazing, and really clever puzzles too. It felt like developers were really taking advantage of the new Apple chips, delivering graphics and performance I never thought possible on a phone. It really cemented the idea that you can have a high-quality gaming experience anywhere, and that games are becoming more connected across all platforms.

‘Tavern Keeper’ (2025)

Greenheart Games’ ‘Tavern Keeper’ is a detailed simulation game where you run a fantasy inn. You’re in charge of everything – from how the inn looks to who you hire, and even dealing with quirky customers! It’s a funny take on the management game style, challenging you to keep all sorts of fantasy creatures happy while making sure the food and drinks never run out. The version for iPhones and iPads has menus designed for touchscreens and lets you save your progress in the cloud, so you can play on any of your devices.

‘The Midnight Walk’ (2025)

‘The Midnight Walk’ is a fantasy adventure game with a striking visual style – it looks like it’s made from clay! Developed by Moon Studio, the game puts you in control of a little creature navigating a shadowy world. You’ll use light to solve puzzles and stay safe. What makes the game special is that everything was actually sculpted from clay first, then turned into a digital world. The story unfolds through the atmosphere and the environment, without any spoken words.

‘Mina the Hollower’ (2025)

Yacht Club Games has launched ‘Mina the Hollower’, an action-adventure game inspired by classic handheld titles. You play as Mina, a mouse who battles through a dark, gothic world using her ability to dig and a trusty whip. The game is known for its precise controls, challenging gameplay, and a retro pixel art style with a nostalgic soundtrack, all combined with modern game design.

‘The Alters’ (2025)

In ‘The Alters’, a survival and base-building game from 11 bit studios, you play as Jan Dolski. He’s stranded on a dangerous planet and must create copies of himself – each with unique skills and personalities shaped by past decisions – to help build and manage a mobile base. Success depends on carefully managing resources and the relationships between these different versions of Jan to ensure everyone survives.

‘Duet Night Abyss’ (2025)

‘Duet Night Abyss’, created by Hero Games, is a fast-paced action RPG where you control two characters. You can quickly switch between shooting and fighting up close during battles. The game takes place in a unique world that combines futuristic technology with dark magic, featuring diverse locations like glowing cities and spooky forests. Players can fully customize their characters’ abilities and gear to match how they like to play.

‘Wuchang: Fallen Feathers’ (2025)

‘Wuchang: Fallen Feathers’ is an action role-playing game in the style of the ‘Souls’ series, now available on iOS. Developed by Leishen Games, it’s set in late Ming Dynasty China and features challenging combat focused on sword fighting and creatures from Chinese legends. Players will need to skillfully block and dodge attacks to defeat tough bosses and enemies. The game is designed for mobile play with options to customize the controls or use a gamepad.

‘Plants vs. Zombies 3’ (2025)

Okay, so ‘Plants vs. Zombies 3’ is finally here on iOS, and I’ve been playing it! It’s awesome to be back with the classic lane defense gameplay, but they’ve really shaken things up. There are tons of new plants and zombies, each with their own special powers, which keeps things fresh. Plus, the game looks fantastic with a completely updated art style. They’ve also added a social aspect – you can join clubs and compete in tournaments, which is a cool addition. And it doesn’t stop there! They’re constantly adding new events and challenges, so there’s always something to do, even if you’ve been playing since the original.

‘Skate.’ (2025)

Electronic Arts brought its popular ‘Skate.’ series to mobile, featuring easy-to-learn controls based on flicking motions. Players can roam a large city, complete challenges, and design their own skate parks. The game focuses on building a community, letting players share spaces and record videos of their best tricks. It’s designed to feel realistic, with physics that work well on touchscreens for authentic momentum and board control.

‘Little Nightmares 3’ (2025)

Okay, so I just got my hands on ‘Little Nightmares 3’ on my iPhone, and it’s awesome! The coolest thing is you can finally play with a friend in co-op, which is new for the series. You play as Low and Alone, and we’re trying to escape this really creepy place called the Spiral – it’s basically a bunch of messed-up lands with puzzles and huge monsters. The game is seriously tense and unsettling, and the sound design is incredible – it keeps you on edge the whole time. Plus, it’s cool that you can play with people on other platforms, and the controls feel really good on mobile – they even added some accessibility options specifically for us mobile gamers.

‘The Wolf Among Us 2’ (2025)

Telltale Games has launched the highly anticipated sequel to ‘The Wolf Among Us’ as an episodic adventure for iOS devices. Players once again step into the role of Bigby Wolf, who investigates the dangerous side of Fabletown in 1980s New York. The game features updated graphics with better character models and lighting, all while staying true to the original comic book look. Your choices as a player will shape the story and how Bigby interacts with the other fairytale characters, or Fables.

‘Civilization VII’ (2025)

Firaxis Games has released ‘Civilization VII,’ and for the first time, it’s available on mobile devices at the same time as the PC and console versions. The game lets you guide a civilization through history, from ancient times to the future, focusing on diplomacy, combat, and cultural growth. The game’s interface has been rebuilt for touchscreens, making it easy to control units and build cities. Plus, you can save your progress and continue playing on your computer, console, or iPhone/iPad.

‘Tales of the Shire’ (2025)

‘Tales of the Shire’ is a relaxing life-simulation game set in the beloved world of Middle-earth, created by Wētā Workshop and Private Division. Players get to experience the peaceful life of a Hobbit, spending their time gardening, fishing, and connecting with the community in the Shire. The game focuses on the simple pleasures of Hobbit life, offering a calm escape from the epic conflicts of the Ring War. It features a warm and inviting art style that beautifully captures the peaceful atmosphere of J.R.R. Tolkien’s world.

‘The Sims Project Rene’ (2025)

Electronic Arts has revealed the next installment of ‘The Sims,’ currently known as ‘Project Rene,’ which will work on iPhones and iPads. A major focus is expanded customization – players will have incredible control over how things look, changing shapes, colors, and materials. The game also lets friends collaborate and build together in real-time. Importantly, your progress will sync between the mobile and computer versions, so you can play on any device and continue where you left off.

‘Mecha BREAK’ (2025)

Amazing Seasun has launched ‘Mecha BREAK’, an action-packed multiplayer game where players battle using giant robots. You can personalize your robot with different weapons, armor, and skins to fit your play style. Gameplay features both fast-paced aerial combat and intense ground battles on large maps. The game offers several modes, like team deathmatch and missions with specific goals.

‘Persona 5: The Phantom X’ (2025)

Perfect World Games and Sega have launched ‘Persona 5: The Phantom X’, a mobile game continuing the popular Persona 5 story. Players follow a fresh team of Phantom Thieves balancing school life with adventures in strange, otherworldly Palaces. The game keeps the series’ signature look and turn-based battles, but adds new ways to connect with characters and enjoy the game. The story will grow over time with frequent updates introducing new chapters and characters.

‘Assassin’s Creed Jade’ (2025)

Assassin’s Creed Jade is a large-scale adventure game set in Ancient China, created by Level Infinite and Ubisoft. Players create and customize their own assassin, then explore famous landmarks like the Great Wall and the city of Xianyang. The game keeps the series’ popular parkour and stealth gameplay, and it’s been specifically designed for touchscreens. It delivers a high-quality gaming experience with a compelling story, plus plenty of side quests and opportunities to interact with historical events.

‘Hollow Knight: Silksong’ (2025)

After years of waiting, Team Cherry has launched ‘Hollow Knight: Silksong’ on iOS! Players take on the role of Hornet, a princess and protector, as she journeys through a brand new, expansive kingdom filled with silk and haunting melodies. The game is faster-paced and more focused on vertical movement than the original ‘Hollow Knight,’ and introduces a new crafting system for creating weapons and traps. The iOS version perfectly captures the game’s beautiful hand-drawn art style and delivers its famously challenging boss battles.

‘Monster Hunter Outlanders’ (2025)

Monster Hunter Outlanders, created by TiMi Studio Group and Capcom, is a large-scale open-world survival game. It keeps the classic Monster Hunter gameplay of hunting big monsters to create stronger equipment, but now in a continuously connected world. Players can explore different environments using tools like gliders and climbing equipment, and team up with up to three friends to battle powerful creatures together on their phones or tablets.

Share your favorite mobile gaming experiences from the past year in the comments.

2026-01-14 07:46