Five free games for iPhone, Android and iPad you'll actually play for hours – you won't touch your PS5 or Xbox for weeks
THERE'S no end of games for your phones and tablets – but plenty of them are a bit rubbish.
I'm The Sun's tech editor and I've spent hundreds of hours tapping and swiping my way through mobiles games to find the best free gems that you'll actually want to play.
Advertisement
16
Wild Rift is a mobile version of League of Legends
Credit: Riot Games
16
The game has an all-star cast of characters – and you may recognise some of them from hit Netflix animated series Arcane
Credit: Riot Games
16
You'll battle for control of a map in a bid to destroy the opposing team's Nexus
Credit: Riot Games
In fact, I'm convinced this lot of titles is so good that you'll even snub your PS5 or Xbox – at least for the moment.
Better still, all five of them are available on
These games are truly brilliant, with hours of replayability, immense depth, and no upfront fees to play.
Best mobile game #1 – Wild Rift
First on my list is Wild Rift, which is a mobile version of PC gaming mega-hit League of Legends.
Advertisement
Read more on gaming freebies
It's a fantasy MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) where two teams face off with the aim of dominating a battleground.
There are dozens of magical and mystical characters to play, each with different abilities.
And though it's easy to pick up, it could you take years to truly master.
As you progress through the game, you'll find yourself battling more skilled players, so you'll never be short of a challenge.
Advertisement
Most read in Gaming
And Riot Games' Wild Rift is constantly being updated with new characters, modes, and mini-games, so there's always something to do.
Best mobile game #2 – Polytopia
Polytopia is a fiendishly replayable "4X" game – that stands for Explore, Expand, Exploit, and Exterminate.
Watch trailer for Old-School RuneScape's Varlamore expansion
16
Polytopia is a colourful and thrilling strategy game
Credit: Midjiwan AB
You're set loose upon a map occupied by opposing tribes, and it's your goal to build a civilisation, conquer your enemies, and dominate the world. All through your phone screen.
Advertisement
The game is turn-based and involves a decent amount of strategy, and is easily paused for you to come back later. It also works offline, so this is a great option for flights.
It feels far easier to pick up than the hit Civilisation game series – and is bright, colourful, and
suits
shorter gameplay sessions.
You can ramp up the difficulty of the AI, the number of enemies, and size of the map for extended games – or trim it all back for a quick session.
16
You invest points in a talent tree to customise your gameplay style
Credit: Midjiwan AB
Advertisement
16
You're tasked with dominating and destroying opposing tribes
Credit: Midjiwan AB
And because there are so many different tribes with different perks, you can come at the game from lots of different play-styles.
Best mobile game #3 – Kingdom Rush
Kingdom Rush is an entire series of games that kicked off back in 2011.
They're not all free, but the first one is – and it's a cracker.
Advertisement
Kingdom Rush is a tower defence game set in a medieval fantasy realm where you control wizards, archers, and knights to fend off baddies.
16
Kingdom Rush is one of the best tower defence games for mobile devices
Credit: Ironhide Game Studio
16
You'll upgrade your defences to stop a horde of baddies
Credit: Ironhide Game Studio
Your reinforcements and power-ups get more sophisticated as you progress through increasingly difficult levels.
Advertisement
And the thrill of creating a truly epic defence is like no other.
The Kingdom Rush games are fun and don't take themselves too seriously. They're also easy to pick up, with relatively short levels that can easily be enjoyed on a commute or during a lunch break.
And you'll probably find yourself wanting to pay for the sequels. I certainly did.
16
Waves of baddies become stronger as the game progresses – but your ability to defend yourself improves too
Credit: Ironhide Game Studio
Advertisement
MOBILE GAMING – THE GAME HAS CHANGED
Here's a quick take from The Sun's tech editor
Back in the day, most mobile games were cheap and cheerful – but no match for console titles.
Soon game makers clocked on to the fact that pretty much everyone has a smartphone and/or tablet.
And very few people have consoles by comparison.
So developers have poured huge amounts of money into making mobile games, resulting in plenty of brilliant console-rivalling titles.
Pair that with the fact that the latest phones and tablets have very impressive computing power, pixel-dense displays, and access to fast internet, and you'll soon find you've basically got a console in your pocket.
You can also upgrade your phone or tablet by connecting a Bluetooth controller (like the PlayStation's DualSense joypad) for more console-like gaming.
And you could also enjoy actual console games by using a game streaming service like Xbox Cloud Gaming.
You'll save money on a console, and get even more value out of the mobile you're already paying for. Mobile gaming is a no-brainer!
Picture Credit: Sean Keach
Best mobile game #4 – Old School RuneScape
RuneScape is such a global hit that it almost needs no introduction.
This is the relaunched 2013 "old school" version of the hit massively-multiplayer online role-playing game based on its 2007 version.
Created by British studio Jagex, RuneScape drops you into a vast fantasy world filled with brilliant quests, fearsome bosses, and endless areas to explore.
This is the sort of game you lose days, not hours, to.
Advertisement
16
Old School RuneScape is one of the biggest games on mobile, and can easily provide hundreds of hours of gameplay
Credit: Jagex
16
The whimsical medieval MMORPG gives players plenty of freedom in terms of gameplay style
Credit: Jagex
It's one of the greatest games ever created and remains wildly popular to this day – so it's a miracle that you can enjoy it on a smartphone.
The game receives regular updates with new content, and has a large online community to play with, so every game session feels different.
Advertisement
RuneScape's very large base game is free, but you can upgrade it with a monthly membership to unlock an absolutely enormous selection of new zones, quests, and more if you prefer.
My only warning: this game is so good, you might find it difficult to put down.
16
There's also a PVP element if you're interested in taking on other players
Credit: Jagex
Best mobile game #5 – Hearthstone
Created by World of Warcraft titans Activision Blizzard, Hearthstone is a beautiful and brilliant online card game.
Advertisement
You collect virtual trading cards to build decks that you can then use to battle against the computer or other players.
And all of the cards are themed around the Warcraft universe, featuring iconic characters and spells from the smash-hit fantasy game.
Hearthstone is very simple to pick up but progresses to very high-level strategy if that's your interest.
16
Hearthstone is a trading card game in virtual form
Credit: Activision Blizzard
Advertisement
16
You'll use the cards that you collect to battle against the computer or even other players
Credit: Activision Blizzard
And you can play on your own, against a pal, or even versus total strangers.
Blizzard is constantly releasing new cards and decks for Hearthstone, so it never gets stale.
And you don't need to spend a penny on it if you don't want.
Advertisement
This is one of the slickest card games out there, and works just as well on a small phone screen as it does on a giant iPad.
16
New cards and decks are constantly being added to the game
Credit: Activision Blizzard
16
League of Legends: Wild Rift won an Apple Design Award back in 2021
Credit: Apple / Riot Games
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
How Oasis said they'd never split up in classic Sun interview… and why iconic rock singer refused to speak to Liam
'I DIDN'T join Oasis to split up,' said Liam Gallagher. 'I joined the band because I like being in a band and I like to make music. Advertisement 4 It's just two weeks until the Oasis reunion tour kicks off in Cardiff Credit: Getty 4 The Sun spoke to Oasis in 2006 three years before the band split Credit: AFP 'If the tunes are f***ing good and we all look half-decent, then people will want to buy the records. "I still love everything about it.' These were the forthright frontman's words when he spoke to me for a 2006 SFTW His love for the band was unmistakable, and every time I've interviewed him since that same passion for keeping the group alive has come through loud and clear. Advertisement read more on oasis 'This is what I like doing and it never gets boring,' he said back then. 'So, who knows, man? "All those bands that split up after a couple of records, well, they can suck my d**k! 'I love singing our kid's songs and I love doing the gigs. I like the way our band's perceived and we've got the best fans in the world. Advertisement Most read in Music "So why would you not like it?' Now, with just Inside Noel & Liam Gallagher's first Oasis show in 16 years at surprise venue where they enraged neighbour 'As bad as things get in Oasis, there's always this sibling thing that draws us back together — or my mam gets involved,' Noel added in the same 2006 interview, three years before that fateful brawl in Paris in 2009 that led to Asked by a reader how close they had ever come to breaking up, Advertisement "We just needed a couple of days off instead of going into another country. "I don't think it's ever come close really. 'We've had some serious arguments but as you get older you think, nah, f***. Ask Noel.' While Liam downplayed any threat of a split, Noel recalled things differently: 'The real low point was Barcelona for the Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants tour. Advertisement "In that period, we were all drinking a lot and 'With Oasis we started off right at the very top at a place that took U2 a decade to get to. So, it was bound to drop. 'We were party people. We weren't the most professional and we didn't give a f***. 'And Liam sees things very differently from the rest of us. Advertisement "He needs to go to anger management classes and get some manners.' 'GET SOME MANNERS' Always a brilliant storyteller, Noel's interviews never failed to entertain. 'I remember when we shot our first Rolling Stone cover in America and the photographer was an ahole,' he said. 'After 40 minutes Liam and I said, 'We are done now, see ya'. And he said solemnly, 'I have you for eight more hours'. Advertisement 'There was no way we were staying for eight hours. We were off to buy drugs. 'It was f***ing brilliant but I've also had a couple of nights out with 'He and Liam are similar and those two do not get on at all. 'So, I'm in LA and I've got John on one side and Liam on the other. Advertisement "John wouldn't refer to Liam in person either. "He'd say, 'Ask your singer if he wears make-up?'. 'And I'd turn to Liam and go, 'Liam, do you wear make-up?'. He'd then go, 'F*** off, you prick'. 'And so I'd turn back to John and say, 'He told you to f*** off'. Advertisement "To which John would say, 'Go on northerner, ask your singer, is he a f***ing hard man?'. It's a top day out at an Oasis gig, whether you're on the stage or in the crowd, so why would you want to cut that stuff short? Liam Gallagher 'I'm like, 'Liam are you a hard man?'. "And it would carry on back and forth. It was probably one of the best nights out I've ever had!'. Another time, at Advertisement "One of them bald, and two f***ing brothers always arguing. You'd never say they were going to change the world. 'And that's what I mean. You can't focus group that — it just explodes out of nowhere.' Solo careers had always been on the cards for the Gallaghers. In the quiz special, one reader asked: 'Is it true Noel wants to make a solo album but never seems to have time? Would Liam let him?' Advertisement Noel replied: 'I'll do one eventually, as life's too short and none of us is getting any younger. "I'd like to make one while I still look good and before I look like Phil Collins, which, eventually, I will. It's nothing to do with Liam.' Meanwhile, Liam answered: 'I've got the songs, I could do four solo albums.' 'QUALITY CONTROL' He was right about that. Advertisement By 2024, Liam had released four records, all chart toppers, including And his solo career saw him establish himself as one of Britain's last true rock'n'roll frontmen. But the singer has always insisted that his focus was on entertaining and playing live. He told me: 'People like the f***ing s**t that comes out of my mouth. Advertisement "And I've not changed much, have I? 'I'm the same person as I was when I was 20. "I dress the same, my haircut is pretty much the same. "I'm still pretty cool. Advertisement "And I enjoy being on the stage more because that is where it is at. 'Sitting in the studio all day is great but I've got to see people's reactions. "It's a top day out at an Oasis gig, whether you're on the stage or in the crowd, so why would you want to cut that stuff short?' Noel, meanwhile, saw things differently, focusing more on control and clarity. Advertisement When I interviewed him for his second "There is more quality control with what I do now I'm solo. 'I want to enjoy this because it's a moment in my life that I will never get back. Now I'm older and not f***ing high all the time, I've made a conscious decision to enjoy and remember it Noel Gallagher "With Definitely Maybe, I didn't know what the f*** was going on. Advertisement 'Now I'm older and not f***ing high all the time, I've made a conscious decision to enjoy and remember it. "But it's different now. 'I work better when I am in charge. I think my records prove that. 'I wasted a lot of time with Oasis splitting up, so I just want to put my voice on as many records as I can before I die.' Advertisement Still, moving on was something Liam also proved he could handle and success was never taken for granted. In a 2022 chat for third album C'Mon You Know, he told me: 'I'm definitely still pinching myself. "I thought I'd gone down the s**tter man.' Humbler than in his Oasis days, Liam was also strikingly down to earth. Advertisement I'll never forget how welcoming he was backstage at Alexandra Palace after the premiere of his film, And how he joked about football with my then-teenage son at an after-party following his Union Chapel gig for Shelter in 2018. More mellow, yes. But in our 2017 chat, Liam wanted to make it clear to his critics that he had not grown up. Advertisement 'F*** growing up, mate, I'm growing down.' 4 Liam says he loves Twitter and will never grow up Credit: Getty 4 Noel found success outside of Oasis with his band High Flying Birds Credit: Getty Liam has always said it like it is and Advertisement He said: 'I f***ing love Twitter. I f***ing love it. I know people go, 'Oh, you need to grow up'. 'Well, you go and put your f***ing pipe on with your slippers and your hot cocoa and get to bed. 'I am going the other way. F that growing-up business.' Yet away from the chaos and comedy, it is his children that Liam credits for calming him down as he got older. Advertisement On the eve of his 2022 solo gigs at Knebworth, he said: 'When you're young you've got a bag of chips on your shoulder. "As you get older you cool it down a bit. 'My kids are great. " Advertisement "Molly was living with us for a bit and now she's moved in with her fella. 'NOSTALGIA TRIP' 'Gene and Lennon are both talented musicians. They love music and they're into it.' The demand for Oasis's long-awaited reunion — and the fact that the shows won't be televised — makes it a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many. And it's far from just a nostalgia trip. Advertisement In our pre-Knebworth chat, Liam spoke about the new generation of fans who had got into Oasis through his solo work. He added: 'I've been lucky and there's people who were there the first time for Oasis. 'People who are my age and have kids now who they've brought up on the music and want to hear the tunes. 'I could have Sylvester Stallone on stage and Advertisement "It's about ME and the fans. "The reason I'm doing Knebworth again is because of the fans. That's what the people want and I'm respecting them. 'I'm absolutely buzzing for Knebworth, it's going to be Biblical. "Hopefully we can deliver a good gig and have a good weekend.' Advertisement But selecting a setlist for the forthcoming shows might see the brothers back to arguing over which songs to play — just as they did when they clashed over the track listing Noel chose for Oasis's 2006 greatest hits album Stop The Clocks. Back then, Liam said: 'I think he's missed a few. I'd have put on Rockin' Chair, D'You Know What I Mean?. 'I would have put some stuff off Be Here Now. 'If he didn't like the record that much, he shouldn't have put the fing record out in the first place. Advertisement 'I don't know what's up with him but it's a top record, man, and I'm proud of it — it's just a little bit long.' We've never shared a bed — and if I was looking for someone to take me to bed, it wouldn't be Liam! Noel Gallagher Noel retorted: 'D'You Know What I Mean?' was on it right up to the day before it was mastered. 'But it's just too long. It upset the flow of the album. 'When we recorded Be Here Now I thought it was the greatest thing ever, but the novelty of that record wore off pretty soon. Advertisement 'It was a great period. The money had just come in from Morning Glory, so we had become very, very wealthy overnight. "Sony had given us a private jet, I was given a Rolls-Royce — but unfortunately, the music suffered. 'I don't know why Liam is saying that, because when it comes to playing them live, he won't sing them!' And then there was Acquiesce — a song that was a mystery to Liam. Advertisement He said: 'The title did confuse me. It still confuses me — I haven't got a clue what it means. "I've never asked Noel what it means either. "The less I have to talk to him, the better.' Noel, typically unfiltered, replied: 'Liam still doesn't know what it means. Advertisement "People have this misconception that the song is about me and Liam, which annoys me to f***. 'The lyrics in the second verse are, 'To sing my soul to sleep, and take me back to bed'. It's absolutely not about me and our kid. 'We've never shared a bed — and if I was looking for someone to take me to bed, it wouldn't be Liam!' It's the kind of blunt humour fans have come to expect from Noel — and it doesn't stop there. Advertisement Asked what's not allowed on his tour rider these days? 'Nothing. Thunderbirds are go when I am on tour.' He pauses for a second. 'Hang on. Actually, there is one thing I've banned.' Advertisement 'What?' I ask. 'Liam,' he grinned before breaking into another laugh. Some things never change. And for Oasis fans, that's exactly the point. Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club. Advertisement
The Irish Sun
7 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Motorbike fan quits job after scooping £4m lotto win and reveals dream purchase
A HARLEY-Davidson motorbike fan plans an easy ride into retirement after winning £4million on the National Lottery. Jon Waring, 57, has already handed in his notice as a police radio operator and nurse wife Lucy, 48, is also quitting. 2 Jon Waring and wife Lucy scooped a £4million National Lottery jackpot Credit: PA The couple, who have a 15-year-old daughter, are set to splash the cash with a Harley trike topping Jon's shopping list, while a hot tub is Lucy's No1 priority. They also aim to buy a new family home in the area and create a music room in the house. Jon said: "This will be the perfect place to display the family's guitar collection - and potentially add to it too. "As a family, we love rock music and now the world really is our oyster - we hope to get the chance to attend gigs up and down the country. "This win will just enable us all to slow down, enjoy life - and of course hit that road on the sunny days ahead on our new trike." They do not have passports but are now looking forward to whichever holidays take their fancy. Reacting to his huge win in the Lotto draw on May 31 Jon said: 'I keep thinking I am going to wake up from a dream. Jon, who also hopes to go on a Lions rugby trip, added: 'It won't change us but it will change what we can do.' Most read in The Sun I almost died after freak surgery accident AND bus crash, now I've won £65k in lottery win 2 The couple plan to attend gigs up and down the country Credit: PA Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
The Irish Sun
9 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Kim Woodburn's family hit back at former co-star Aggie MacKenzie after ‘hurtful' comments about ‘fight' with late star
KIM Woodburn's family has hit back at her former co-star Aggie MacKenzie following comments she made after the TV star's death. Earlier this week, it was revealed that Celebrity Big Brother star Advertisement 5 Kim Woodburn died at the age of 83 Credit: Getty 5 Kim's husband was 'hurt' by recent comments made by her former co-star Credit: Alamy 5 Aggie MacKenzie spoke out about Kim in following her passing Credit: Getty The Kim's family called Aggie's comments "hurtful" after she recalled an argument the pair had to Aggie told the paper that she and Kim fell out in 2008 after they had a disagreement backstage of a pantomime production. Aggie then alleged that Kim pushed her and she fell over. Advertisement Read More about Kim Woodburn A friend of Kim's husband Peter told The Sun: "Peter is very hurt and upset that Aggie has used Kim's death as an opportunity to put herself back out there in public domain. "A lot of things that Aggie has said are untrue. "Recollections may vary." They went on: "Kim was asked in interview many times about Aggie but kept a dignified silence out of respect for the great work they did together. Advertisement Most read in News TV "Kim's friends and family find it upsetting that she couldn't do the same since Kim's passing." Kim and Aggie hosted How Clean is Your House? from 2003 to 2009. 'I hope you're ok… and keeping well' Kim Woodburn's touching last video on Valentines Day - months before death aged 83 One year before the series ended, the pair starred as the Ugly Sisters in pantomime Cinderella in Brighton. Speaking to The Mirror, Aggie claimed the alleged shove "blew up" their friendship. Advertisement She said: "She [Kim] went off to her dressing room and she was crying her eyes out. "She was really upset and I was really upset – I was so furious." 5 The two TV stars were the faces of How Clean is Your House? Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 5 Kim and Aggie seemingly had a strained relationship Credit: Getty Advertisement
