The Best iOS Games of 2025

The mobile gaming landscape saw significant evolution in 2025, with major franchises making their debut on the iOS platform. From console-quality action titles to innovative puzzle experiences, the App Store provided diverse options for gamers of all preferences. Developers pushed the boundaries of the Apple Silicon chips to deliver visuals and performance previously reserved for dedicated gaming hardware. This year consolidated the shift towards high-fidelity cross-platform play and integrated mobile experiences.

‘Tavern Keeper’ (2025)

Greenheart Games released ‘Tavern Keeper’ as a deep simulation title where players manage every aspect of a fantasy inn. From designing the layout to hiring staff and dealing with eccentric patrons, the game offers a humorous take on the management genre. Players must balance the needs of different fantasy races while keeping the kitchen stocked and the ale flowing. The iOS version includes touch-optimized menus and cloud saving for seamless play across devices.

‘The Midnight Walk’ (2025)

‘The Midnight Walk’ is a dark fantasy adventure game developed by Moon Studio, known for its unique claymation-inspired aesthetic. Players guide a small creature through a world of shadows, using light as a primary tool to solve puzzles and avoid threats. Every asset in the game was first sculpted in real clay before being digitized to create a distinct visual texture. The narrative is told without dialogue, relying on atmospheric storytelling and environmental cues.

‘Mina the Hollower’ (2025)

Yacht Club Games released ‘Mina the Hollower’, a top-down action-adventure that pays homage to classic handheld gaming. Players take on the role of Mina, a mouse who uses her burrowing abilities and a whip to fight through a gothic world. The game features tight controls and a challenging difficulty curve reminiscent of 8-bit era titles. Its soundtrack and pixel art are designed to evoke nostalgia while providing a modern gameplay loop.

‘The Alters’ (2025)

‘The Alters’ is a survival and base-building game developed by 11 bit studios that explores the concept of alternative life paths. Players control Jan Dolski, who must create various versions of himself to manage a mobile base on a hostile planet. Each “alter” has different skills and personalities based on different choices made in Jan’s past. The game requires careful social management and resource allocation to ensure the survival of the collective.

‘Duet Night Abyss’ (2025)

Developed by Hero Games, ‘Duet Night Abyss’ is a high-octane action RPG featuring a dual-protagonist system. Players can switch between long-range firearms and close-quarters melee weapons instantly during combat. The game world is a blend of high-technology and dark magic, offering a variety of environments from neon cities to haunted forests. Its progression system allows for deep customization of skills and equipment to suit different playstyles.

‘Wuchang: Fallen Feathers’ (2025)

‘Wuchang: Fallen Feathers’ is a soulslike action RPG developed by Leishen Games and published on iOS via a high-end port. Set during the late Ming Dynasty, the game focuses on intense swordplay and supernatural encounters inspired by Chinese folklore. Players must master parrying and dodge mechanics to survive against formidable bosses and elite enemies. The mobile version features customizable on-screen controls and support for external gamepads.

‘Plants vs. Zombies 3’ (2025)

PopCap Games brought the long-awaited ‘Plants vs. Zombies 3’ to a full global release on iOS. The game returns to the classic lane-based defense but introduces new plant species and zombie types with unique abilities. It features a revitalized art style and a more social-focused progression system with clubs and tournaments. Periodic events and seasonal challenges provide a constant stream of new content for veteran players.

‘Skate.’ (2025)

Electronic Arts expanded the ‘Skate.’ franchise to mobile devices, offering a simplified but deep flick-based control scheme. Players can explore a massive urban environment, complete challenges, and build custom skate parks. The game emphasizes community through shared world instances where players can interact and record clips of their tricks. Its physics engine is tuned to provide a realistic feeling of momentum and board control on touchscreens.

‘Little Nightmares 3’ (2025)

Supermassive Games and Bandai Namco brought ‘Little Nightmares 3′ to iOS, featuring the series’ debut in cooperative play. Players control Low and Alone as they navigate the Spiral, a cluster of disturbing lands filled with environmental puzzles and giant threats. The atmosphere remains tense and eerie, utilizing sound design to create a sense of constant dread. The mobile port supports cross-play with other platforms and includes specific accessibility features for mobile users.

‘The Wolf Among Us 2’ (2025)

Telltale Games released the sequel to the acclaimed ‘The Wolf Among Us’ as an episodic adventure on iOS. Bigby Wolf returns to navigate the gritty underbelly of Fabletown in 1980s New York City. The game uses a new engine to deliver significantly improved character models and lighting while maintaining the comic-book art style. Player choices heavily influence the investigation and the relationships Bigby maintains with other Fables.

‘Civilization VII’ (2025)

Firaxis Games launched ‘Civilization VII’ with a day-and-date mobile version that offers the full grand strategy experience. Players lead a civilization from the Stone Age to the Space Age, managing diplomacy, warfare, and cultural development. The UI has been completely redesigned for touchscreens to allow for precise unit management and city planning. Cross-save functionality allows players to continue their campaigns across PC, console, and iOS devices.

‘Tales of the Shire’ (2025)

Wētā Workshop and Private Division released ‘Tales of the Shire’, a cozy life-simulation game set in the world of Middle-earth. Players live the life of a Hobbit, focusing on gardening, fishing, and building community within the Shire. The game emphasizes a relaxed pace and the simple joys of Hobbiton life, away from the wars of the Ring. Its visual style is warm and inviting, capturing the peaceful essence of J.R.R. Tolkien’s creation.

‘The Sims Project Rene’ (2025)

Electronic Arts launched the next generation of ‘The Sims’, codenamed ‘Project Rene’, with native iOS support. The game introduces massive improvements to customization, allowing players to adjust the shape, color, and texture of almost every object. It supports seamless multiplayer, allowing friends to build and decorate houses together in real-time. The mobile experience is integrated with the desktop version, ensuring that progress is shared across all platforms.

‘Mecha BREAK’ (2025)

Amazing Seasun released ‘Mecha BREAK’, a fast-paced multiplayer game focused on giant robot combat. Players can customize their mechs with various weapons, armor parts, and cosmetic skins to suit their tactical needs. The gameplay involves both high-speed aerial maneuvers and heavy ground-based brawls across massive maps. It features multiple game modes, including team deathmatch and objective-based missions.

‘Persona 5: The Phantom X’ (2025)

Perfect World Games and Sega released ‘Persona 5: The Phantom X’, a new entry in the series designed specifically for mobile. The game follows a new group of Phantom Thieves as they navigate high school life and explore mysterious Palaces. It retains the series’ iconic visual style and turn-based combat system while introducing new social links and activities. The narrative is expanded through regular content updates that add new story chapters and characters.

‘Assassin’s Creed Jade’ (2025)

‘Assassin’s Creed Jade’ is a massive open-world adventure developed by Level Infinite and Ubisoft, set in Ancient China. Players can customize their own assassin and explore iconic locations like the Great Wall and the capital city of Xianyang. The game features the series’ signature parkour and stealth mechanics, fully optimized for touch controls. It offers a console-quality experience with a deep narrative and a wide variety of side activities and historical encounters.

‘Hollow Knight: Silksong’ (2025)

Team Cherry finally released ‘Hollow Knight: Silksong’, with a highly anticipated day-one launch on iOS. Players control Hornet, the princess-protector of Hallownest, as she explores a vast new kingdom haunted by silk and song. The gameplay is faster and more vertical than the original, featuring a new crafting system for weapons and traps. The iOS version provides a flawless port of the intricate hand-drawn art and challenging boss encounters.

‘Monster Hunter Outlanders’ (2025)

Developed by TiMi Studio Group in partnership with Capcom, ‘Monster Hunter Outlanders’ is a massive open-world survival game. It features the series’ core loop of hunting giant monsters to craft better gear, but within a seamless, persistent world. Players can use various tools like gliders and climbing gear to navigate diverse biomes. The game supports four-player cooperative hunts, allowing friends to take down legendary creatures together on their mobile devices.

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