In a world where online connectivity seems necessary, it’s refreshing to know that some of the best gaming experiences can still be enjoyed without Internet access. To help you find them, we’ve scoured the App Store and compiled a list of the best offline iPhone games that will keep you entertained, no matter where you are.
1. Combat Master Mobile
If you’re a fan of first-person shooters and looking for an exhilarating experience that you can enjoy without an Internet connection, Combat Master Mobile is your go-to game. More specifically, its offline mode is. In this mode, you’ll find yourself pitted against challenging bots that do a good job of replicating the unpredictability and skill level of human players.
The best part? You can unlock new weapons and attachments even while playing offline, a feature that’s not common in many mobile shooters. This makes Combat Master Mobile a top pick among the best offline games for iPhone.
The technical aspects of Combat Master Mobile are equally impressive. The game boasts next-level performance with outstanding AAA graphics that run smoothly on a variety of devices. Add to that the diverse map designs catering to different combat styles, from close-quarter battles to long-range sniper duels, and you have a game that’s as versatile as it is exciting.
2. Kingdom Rush
Kingdom Rush, an award-winning tower defense saga, tasks you with defending your kingdom and its castle against forces of evil. With a vast arsenal of towers, spells, and mighty heroes at your command, each battle requires careful planning and strategic execution.
The game is set across diverse landscapes that compel players to adapt their tactics to various environmental conditions and enemy types. For example, the forest demands a different approach than the rugged mountains, while the desolate wastelands require yet another strategic angle.
With over 60 achievements to unlock and extra game modes that test your tactical skills, Kingdom Rush is guaranteed to keep you entertained for a long time. Should you ever take an extended pause from it, you can rely on the in-game encyclopedia to help you get back on track.
3. Eldrum: Red Tide
Eldrum: Red Tide, a sequel to Eldrum: Untold, is a text-based RPG that immerses players in a war-torn world, where they take on the role of a former soldier searching for his family. The game begins in a dramatic fashion, with the player waking up in an infirmary, only to find their city in flames and their family missing.
The game’s structure is reminiscent of old-school table-top RPGs and visual novel games, where the narrative unfolds through text and choices presented alongside often beautiful illustrations. Each choice you make in Eldrum: Red Tide carries weight, affecting the plot and the future outcome of the story.
What adds to the depth of Eldrum: Red Tide, compared with many other interactive fiction games, is the ability to find and equip armor and weapons – essential for the battles that unfold based on your choices. For those who enjoy engaging stories and the charm of an updated old-school RPG, Eldrum: Red Tide is a captivating pick among offline iPhone games.
4. Vampire Survivors
Even if you do not like roguelike games, you should give Vampire Survivors a try, as the game can captivate, with its straightforward yet addictive gameplay. In this game of escalation, you start with modest weapons but quickly grow your firepower to astonishing levels.
As enemies fall, they drop gems that you can collect for experience points, as you progress toward completing various objectives to unlock new parts of the game. New enemies and challenges are introduced on a regular basis, forcing you to continuously adapt your strategy.
The only potential turnoff for some might be its old-school pixel art graphics, but they add a nostalgic charm and make the game a visually unique experience in the world of offline iPhone games. What’s more, they also help the game run smoothly even on older iPhones.
5. Safari Forever
When you’re hunting for the best offline iPhone games, don’t miss out on the charming and creative world of Safari Forever. This unique auto platformer, developed by independent developer Johannes Stenson, offers a fresh twist on the genre. Your primary character, a cute little dinosaur, moves automatically, and your task is to master various jumps to navigate through the levels.
As you progress in Safari Forever, the game introduces more complex obstacles and mechanics, such as menacing buzzsaws and springy platforms, adding variety and placing increasingly higher requirements on your reflexes.
A standout feature of Safari Forever is its level editor, which allows players to unleash their creativity by designing their own stages. Best of all, you can play levels created by the community, as well as your own, ensuring a virtually limitless supply of new challenges.
6. The Battle for Wesnoth
The Battle for Wesnoth is a hidden gem among the best offline games for iPhone. This open-source, turn-based tactical strategy game set in a high fantasy theme defies the usual expectations of non-commercial titles by delivering exceptional quality and quantity.
The game is staggering in its content, offering over 100 hours of gameplay across 16 major campaigns. All this content is 100% free – no in-app purchases to suddenly interrupt your fun – and it was created using a community-driven development approach.
Since its first release in 2003, The Battle for Wesnoth has been translated into more than 50 languages, allowing players around the world to enjoy its deep strategic gameplay in their native tongue. Currently, its developers are working on downloadable add-ons, which will make it possible for iPhone users to enjoy hundreds of additional campaigns and maps.
7. Dead Effect 1 + 2
Dead Effect is easily one of the best offline games for iPhone. This spine-tingling first-person shooter with RPG elements merges sci-fi and horror in a thrilling way. Set aboard the ESS Meridian spacecraft, the game plunges you into an eerie world, where you wake up to find the hibernation pods empty and a sinister presence lurking. As a member of Unit 13, your mission is to navigate through the ship’s intricate environments, unraveling the mysteries that lie within.
If the game’s premise reminds you of System Shock, then you’re on the right track. The good news is that the graphics of Dead Effect are much closer to the 2023 System Shock remake than the 1994 original. Combined with intense background music, they create an immersive atmosphere that’s both captivating and unsettling.
And for those who crave even more action, there’s Dead Effect 2, which offers a campaign that takes over 20 hours to complete and more than 10 hours of side missions. You can enjoy all this content with on-screen controls or an external game controller.
8. The Battle of Polytopia
One look at the charming low-poly graphics of The Battle of Polytopia may just be enough to convince you to give this offline iPhone game a try. If it isn’t, the depth and variety of this turn-based strategy surely will.
As the ruler of a tribe, you are tasked with expanding your civilization through tactical decisions and strategic warfare. Whether you’re engaging in diplomacy, building embassies, or conducting stealth attacks with invisible cloaks and daggers, there’s always a reason to complete just one more turn.
We appreciate that The Battle of Polytopia is available in both portrait and landscape modes. Sometimes it’s more convenient to hold your phone in one hand, especially during a quick gaming session while commuting or multitasking.
9. Soul Knight
In this rogue-like dungeon crawler, the narrative is as quirky as it is captivating: a magical stone vital for world balance is stolen by aliens, and you, as one of the planet’s mightiest warriors, are tasked with its retrieval.
In terms of gameplay, Soul Knight is a masterclass in variety and challenge. Players can choose from over 20 unique heroes, each bringing their own style to the game. Whether you prefer the stealthy approach of an elf archer or the brute force of a knight, there’s a character for every play style.
With more than 400 weapons at your disposal, ranging from guns and swords to shovels, the game allows for numerous strategies to defeat the alien minions and otherworldly creatures you encounter in randomly generated dungeons.
10. Horizon Chase
Taking a trip around the world has never been as thrilling as in Horizon Chase. This arcade-inspired racing game allows players to speed through races in various international locations and under different weather conditions. It’s a visual feast that captures the essence of retro racing, bringing it to life on a modern platform.
The inclusion of music composed by Barry Leitch, a Scottish video game music composer responsible for the music in games like Lotus Turbo Challenge and Top Gear, perfectly complements the game’s pacing and retro vibe.
But it’s not just the visuals and sound that make Horizon Chase a must-play; the game also offers a challenging yet accessible racing experience. Its controls are intuitive, so it doesn’t take a long time to master them. Whether you’re a fan of old-school arcade racers or just looking for a fun and engaging way to pass the time, Horizon Chase is an excellent addition to your collection of the best offline iPhone games.
While the games listed above offer an entertaining range of offline experiences for your iPhone, there’s always room for a bit of nostalgia. If you’re a fan of retro gaming and want to explore classic titles on your iOS device, our article on how to install AltStore is just what you need. AltStore opens up a world of retro gaming, allowing you to relive those cherished gaming memories or discover classic games for the first time.
All screenshots and images by David Morelo.
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