Mobile gaming has gone from strength to strength, recently overtaking console and PC gaming in terms of revenue. This boom is led by casual titles and esports hits. Top performers include PUBG Mobile and Arena of Valor. The latter has turned over more than $14 billion in revenue.
Yet with so many people worldwide now enjoying the accessibility that mobile gaming affords, the market has expanded to include top tier titles just about every genre. You’ll find plenty of options when it comes to mobile anime games, battle royales, puzzlers, and more.
This article takes a look at some of the best mobile games available that have a fantasy theme, ranging from casual slots to complex mobile-only RPGs.
XCOM: Enemy Within
Some love it, some hate it, but the XCOM series has been undeniably impactful and generally well received. The turn-based combat is extremely difficult and the permadeath is punishing, but to survive the onslaught of enemies is a rewarding experience.
XCOM: Enemy Within was launched on mobile in 2013 and, unlike many mobile titles, it is a full port of the original game. There’s no difference in content and, in fact, the mobile version also comes with all the extra DLC included.
The fantasy element comes from the fact that you’re dealing with a relentless alien invasion. You’ll do battle with all sorts of biological organisms and tech machines on your way to saving the planet. Players are responsible not only for combat, but also for developing new tech, upgrading the base, and training elite soldiers to send into battle. All in all, this is an awesome mobile game.
Online slots
Online slots have come a long way since they were first launched in the late 1990s. The original versions were almost as simple as their casino counterparts, often involving little more than a click of a button and the spin of the reels.
The development of online slots has since improved dramatically, and therefore so has the player experience. Major operators tend to host dozens of titles, and these slots games often have unique themes and bonus features. It’s still all about spinning those reels, but the visuals, sound effects and features have been elevated. Among the many online slots available today, you’ll find plenty of fantasy themes, including Gates of Olympus, Tomb of Ra, and the newly released Mystery Mission to the Moon.
The Shadow Sun
This title was also released back in 2013, making it almost a decade old, yet it is still one of the best mobile RPGs out there. In Shadow Sun, you are tasked by the king to find out the reasons why a plague has fallen on the Golden City of Shar. What results is a 10-15 hour adventure with plenty of twists and turns.
There’s a lot to like about The Shadow Sun, not least of which is the character development. From the initial customization of both aesthetics and attributes, to the skill points you spend as you level up, you can choose from many options for your character, all without having to commit to one path. You’ll be joined by NPC companions that are surprisingly helpful in combat.
The gameplay and soundtrack to this game are excellent, the graphics are not great and characters and enemies look clunky and pixelated. However, still an awesome choice for a mobile adventure.
Final Fantasy Brave Exvius
No list of fantasy games would be complete without mentioning Final Fantasy. There are mobile ports available for most of the FF console games, including I through IX and XV, and each stays true enough to the originals.
Final Fantasy Brave Exvius is a mobile instalment of the franchise that takes many of the core elements of the series, from battle mechanics to character progression. It’s a free-to-play title with the option to buy add-ons such as summoning tickets and weapons. You can also get these in game by grinding out materials.
The storyline is a little thinly woven for an FF game – you have to save the world by stopping the Dark Lord Veritas from destroying crystals. Standard. But when it comes to the combat and to the systems at work, this is about as complex as a mobile adventure game gets.
