10 Best iPad Games

Summary

• Discover a variety of engaging iPad games like Stardew Valley and Dead Cells, offering immersive experiences.
• Find affordable entertainment on the App Store with games usually under ten dollars, perfect for gaming on the go.
• Enjoy diverse gameplay experiences on the iPad, from serene farming sims to challenging roguelikes and strategy games.

The iPad unlocks a huge range of amazing games for players of all skill levels, like Stardew Valley and Dead Cells. From methodical puzzle games and soulslike RPGs to colorful indie games, the iPad’s larger screen and brighter colors can enhance gaming beyond the typical mobile game experience. iPad owners can find any number of well-made games on the App Store for relatively cheap price points, usually under ten dollars or even free, which makes iPad gaming economical and entertaining.

Mobile gaming has advanced significantly since the days of Flappy Bird and Temple Run. Gaming on the iPad can pass the time with more fun, especially when traveling or sitting in waiting rooms. There are a variety of mobile games to try on the iPad, ranging from classic turn-based strategy games to emotional wordless indie stories.

10 Monument Valley (2014)

An Architectural Dreamscape

Short and sweet, Monument Valley takes players through mind-bending architectural puzzles with striking visuals. Playing as Princess Ida, players must manipulate their environment through optical illusions to reach the exit.

Monument Valley’s puzzles have been praised as both difficult and too simple, so players may have varying experiences with this title. However, the beautifully designed levels alongside the carefully crafted soundscape create a unique gaming experience. Additional puzzles titled Ida's Dream are also available for purchase to add more to the admittedly short length of Monument Valley.

9 FTL: Faster Than Light (2012)

Never Play The Same Game Twice

In FTL: Faster Than Light, players save the galaxy by guiding their own spaceship through the trials and tribulations of space and transporting valuable information to allies as aliens attack and the ship experiences catastrophic failures. FTL: Faster Than Light is a roguelike, with randomly generated gameplay every time, so no two games are ever alike.

Players can upgrade their ship, recruit new crew members, and fight off various enemy factions. FTL: Faster Than Light is uniquely perfect for the iPad, given its almost real-time combat, which is convenient for a mobile device, and the iPad’s large screen makes controlling the ship even more immersive.

8 Dead Cells (2019)

A Mobile, Pixel Art Soulslike

Unlike the other more relaxing games listed, Dead Cells is a challenging side-scrolling game with rougelike features. Playing as the Prisoner, players traverse an island full of monsters while trying to escape their prison, using swords, shields, bows, and traps.

After each death, the Prisoner begins again in their prison with a permadeath feature that only excludes some permanent items, like special weapons and potions. Dead Cells is a difficult game that rewards learning how each unique enemy behaves and how to deal with them efficiently.

7 Alto's Odyssey (2018)

Sandboard Into Beautiful Landscapes

Alto’s Odyssey, the sequel to 2015’s Alto’s Adventure, is an endless runner game full of colorful landscapes. However, instead of running, players sandboard through the desert while collecting points, using power-ups, and unlocking new characters. With its beautiful visuals and smooth gameplay, Alto’s Odyssey is a perfect game for relaxing on the iPad.

Alto’s Odyssey is another game with an emphasis on calm vibes, with a Zen Mode and an original soundtrack. However, Alto’s Odyssey is trickier than it seems and may be difficult to master as players learn tricks, grind rails, and bounce off of obstacles.

6 Bastion (2011)

Traverse A Broken World Of Floating Islands

Bastion is an action RPG where players traverse a broken world, discover what happened, and what they can do to fix it. After the Calamity destroyed part of the world, the Kid wakes up and heads to a sanctuary named Bastion. As the Kid, players explore floating fragments of the world to collect Cores and try to uncover what happened to the city of Caelondia.

Bastion is notable for its outstanding voice acting, hand-painted art style, and intriguing plot. It is the very first game by Supergiant Games, also known for Hades, and came out to critical acclaim in 2011.

5 Stardew Valley (2018)

An Idyllic Farm At Your Fingertips

Build your perfect small-town life in this iconic farming simulator. After inheriting a run-down patch of land, players can start up their own farm and explore life in Pelican Town. The nearby town is full of lively characters to build relationships with and unlock special story moments with. Enjoy seasonal festivals, fight your way through the mines, or just go fishing.

Update 1.6 for Stardew Valley is coming soon for mobile, as it released for PC in March 2024.

Stardew Valley can be whatever you make of it, as this game encourages taking farming and living at your own pace. The mobile version of Stardew Valley includes some special mobile-specific features like auto-attack for enemies and auto-select for swapping between tools.

4 Civilization VI (2017)

Dominate The World With Just An iPad

After a few sequels, Civilization finally came to mobile in 2016. Civilization VI is a classic turn-based strategy game that everyone should try at least once. Taking charge of one civilization, players develop from the Stone Age to the modern Age, all while trying to rule the world. Dominant the world through superior technology, overwhelming armies, or cultural influence.

The first 60 turns are free on the mobile version of Civilization VI.

Civilization VI is a uniquely addicting game, and playing it mobile on an iPad is a surefire way to increase screen time. Build cities, invent new technologies, deploy troops, spread your culture, and explore the world.

3 Rocket League: Sideswipe (2021)

A 2D Take On Car Soccer

Rocket League: Sideswipe brings all the fun of car soccer to mobile with a 2D environment and easy touch controls. This easy-to-learn version of Rocket League is colorful and addictive from the very first match. Compete in 2v2 matches in fact-paced, action-packed matches with classic Rocket League car combat. Players can customize their car with countless cosmetics, level up through seasonal battle passes, and earn rewards through Ranked gameplay.

Though Rocket League: Sideswipe may not be the full Rocket League experience ported from desktop, it does distill the core gameplay into a mobile-sized package and provides an excellent multiplayer experience.

2 Donut County (2018)

Raccoons and holes make the perfect indie game

This quirky indie game from Annapurna Interactive, the same studio that created Stray and Outer Wilds, boasts both fun physics-based puzzle and a unique art style. Playing as a trouble-making raccoon named BK, players utilize holes to steal objects from around town.

This might not go over well with the townspeople as holes eat the town building by building and BK is confronted about his actions. The soundtrack for Donut County adds a funky yet soothing vibe to the gameplay, so make sure to play with headphones!

1 Unpacking (2023)

Making moving a pleasure

Unpacking takes one of the worst tasks in real life - packing, moving, and unpacking - and creates a relaxing puzzle game full of detail and hidden meaning. Place objects and decorate to your heart's content across eight different new homes, including childhood bedrooms, dorm rooms, and family homes.

In Unpacking, players methodically unpack the unnamed main character’s belongings over the course of eight years, and learn about their life through objects and locations. The gameplay of Unpacking, alongside the soundtrack and audio, is perfect for relaxation as players can unpack and redecorate at their own pace on the iPad.