The mobile gaming landscape is vast and ever-evolving, constantly flooded with new titles vying for your attention. For many players, the sheer volume can make it challenging to sift through the options and discover truly exceptional games, especially those that won’t cost a penny. Thankfully, dedicated reviewers often dive into this crowded space to highlight the gems. The video above offers a fantastic overview of some of the best free iOS & Android games that captivated players back in July 2020, providing a curated list of experiences worth downloading.
Whether you’re looking for a quick diversion or a deep, engaging adventure, the world of free mobile games has something for everyone. This article expands on the insights from the video, delving deeper into each game’s appeal, mechanics, and why it stood out during that time. We’ll explore the diverse genres, unique art styles, and innovative gameplay that made these titles must-plays, ensuring you have all the details to understand what made them special.
Top 10 Free Mobile Games to Download Now (July 2020)
Finding high-quality free iOS & Android games often feels like searching for a needle in a haystack. The following selections represent the cream of the crop from July 2020, offering hours of entertainment without an upfront cost. Each game brings a unique flavor to the mobile platform, promising engaging experiences for all types of players.
10. Brawlhalla: Cross-Play Brawling Fun
Brawlhalla immediately captures the essence of a “brawler” fighting game, a genre famously established by titles like Super Smash Bros. Players engage in fast-paced, platform-based combat, aiming to knock opponents off the stage using a diverse roster of characters, each with unique abilities. The game’s fluid mechanics and dynamic battles make it incredibly engaging.
What truly set Brawlhalla apart upon its mobile release was the integration of cross-play across every single platform. This feature meant that mobile players could compete directly with those on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch, guaranteeing a massive and active player base. Such connectivity ensures that finding a match is always easy, and the competition remains vibrant, making it a standout entry among free iOS & Android games.
9. Hell Rider 3: A Frenetic Ride with a New Perspective
Hell Rider 3 marked a significant evolution for the series, shifting from its previous top-down, “Crossy Road” meets “Excitebike” style to a more immersive 3D perspective. This change injected a substantial amount of urgency and energy into the gameplay, pulling players directly into the action rather than having them observe from above. The feeling of being part of the high-speed motorcycle chaos was a welcome upgrade.
Players still found themselves dodging obstacles, battling enemies with various weapons, and collecting power-ups, but the new viewpoint made every maneuver feel more impactful. This blend of familiar mechanics with a fresh visual approach proved to be a successful pivot for the developers. It offers a more frenetic and engaging experience that stands out in the crowded mobile racing and action genre.
8. Winwing: A Visually Unique Bullet Hell
Winwing is a “bullet hell” shooter, a genre known for overwhelming players with intricate patterns of enemy projectiles that demand precise dodging and quick reflexes. Beyond the intense action, this game incorporates rogue-like elements, where players collect upgrades and modify their airplane during each run. The goal is to fight back against an alien horde and protect Earth, a classic but effective premise.
The game distinguishes itself with a unique aesthetic that sets it apart from many other bullet hells on the market. A strong visual style is often a crucial factor in this genre, alongside solid gameplay, and Winwing excels at both. It offers a fresh and engaging take on the classic arcade shooter, proving that even familiar concepts can feel new with the right presentation.
Based on the popular PC title, Soulworker Anime Legends brings an action RPG experience with robust multiplayer elements to mobile devices. Players can engage in both player-versus-player (PvP) and player-versus-environment (PvE) cooperative modes, offering a variety of ways to play. The game’s vibrant anime art style is also a significant draw for fans of the genre.
A key highlight of Soulworker Anime Legends is its exceptionally fluid combat system, which is a rare achievement for mobile games with on-screen controls. The developers managed to optimize the user interface to feel natural and intuitive, preventing the buttons from getting in the way of the action. This thoughtful design ensures that battles are enjoyable and responsive, making it one of the more satisfying free iOS & Android games in the action RPG category.
6. Soda Dungeon 2: Deep Turn-Based Dungeon Crawling
Soda Dungeon 2 offers a charming and surprisingly deep turn-based dungeon crawler experience. The core loop involves recruiting a team of adventurers, sending them into dungeons to gather loot, and then using those resources to expand and upgrade your tavern and surrounding town. This creates a compelling cycle of combat, progression, and base-building.
The game features a considerable amount of depth, including crafting systems and light management elements that add layers to the gameplay without becoming overwhelming. Furthermore, Soda Dungeon 2 is praised for its fair free-to-play model, allowing players to achieve everything using in-game currency. It provides a flexible and absorbing experience that significantly improves upon its predecessor, making it an excellent choice among free mobile games.
5. Emergent Fates: A JRPG with a Storybook Charm
Emergent Fates clearly draws inspiration from classic Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPGs), offering a turn-based, linear, and story-driven adventure. The battle system and overall structure feel very much in line with the genre’s beloved traditions. Its compelling narrative keeps players engaged as they uncover the world’s secrets.
What truly makes Emergent Fates stand out is its highly unique art style, reminiscent of an animated storybook or even a 90s computer game. This distinctive visual choice is uncommon in modern mobile RPGs and adds a layer of charm and originality to the experience. For those who appreciate deep storytelling and unique aesthetics, Emergent Fates offered a refreshing take on the JRPG genre, available on iOS at the time.
4. Tales of Crestoria: A Proper Mobile JRPG Adventure
From the renowned developers at Bandai Namco Entertainment, Tales of Crestoria delivers a full-fledged JRPG experience specifically designed for mobile. This game is deeply embedded in the popular “Tales” universe, bringing the familiar character designs, deep lore, and strategic turn-based combat that fans have come to expect from the series. It successfully translates a console-quality experience to smartphones.
The development team made thoughtful adaptations to ensure the classic “Tales” gameplay felt natural and engaging on mobile devices, without compromising its complexity or narrative depth. With an intriguing story and a battle system that felt instantly familiar to series veterans, Tales of Crestoria proved that a proper, long-form JRPG could thrive as one of the best free iOS & Android games.
3. Battle Legion: Fast-Paced Auto Battler Strategy
Battle Legion introduces a unique twist on the “auto battler” genre, blending elements from popular strategy games like Auto Chess, Clash Royale, and even tower defense, but without the traditional towers. The core gameplay revolves around strategically arranging your army formations before a battle and then watching the short, intense clashes unfold automatically. These battles are typically over in under 20 seconds, making it perfect for quick play sessions.
The game offers a satisfying blend of strategic planning and visual spectacle, as players quickly learn the strengths and weaknesses of different unit compositions. With robust PvP options, Battle Legion delivers an addictive and rewarding strategy experience. It stands out for its accessibility and rapid-fire engagements, making it a highly recommended free mobile game.
2. Sinoalice: A Dark & Intriguing Mobile RPG
Sinoalice is a mobile RPG that delves into a more complex and unconventional narrative, directed by the acclaimed Yoko Taro. It presents a bizarre and original story where beloved fairy tale characters take on darker, often murderous, roles in a twisted world. This unique premise immediately grabs attention, distinguishing it from more straightforward mobile titles.
While the game features a complex class system and can take some time to fully understand, its overall presentation, atmospheric design, and compelling gameplay are exceptional. Sinoalice masterfully creates an immersive and infinitely interesting atmosphere that draws players in despite its occasional slow pace or initial learning curve. Its dark aesthetic and unusual storytelling cemented its place as one of the most intriguing free iOS & Android games of the month.
Guardian Tales offers a delightful action-adventure experience that immediately evokes strong “Legend of Zelda” vibes, delivering a sense of classic exploration and discovery. The game features a slightly faster pace than its inspirations and incorporates a significant amount of puzzle-oriented gameplay, which adds a fresh layer of challenge and engagement. This combination creates a well-rounded and highly enjoyable package.
Players traverse a vibrant world, solving environmental puzzles, engaging in combat, and uncovering secrets, all while enjoying a game that feels both familiar and refreshingly new. Guardian Tales expertly balances homage with innovation, ensuring that while many elements might be recognizable, the overall experience feels distinct and compelling. It quickly became a favorite among free mobile games for its charm, depth, and creative gameplay.
Beyond Free-to-Play: Noteworthy Paid Mobile Games of July 2020
While the focus is often on free iOS & Android games, sometimes a premium experience offers unparalleled quality. July 2020 also saw the release of several paid mobile titles that provided exceptional value and gameplay depth, proving that investing a few dollars can unlock truly remarkable experiences.
MudRunner Mobile ($5.99): Off-Roading Realism
MudRunner Mobile delivers an incredibly realistic off-roading simulation experience, allowing players to conquer treacherous terrain with various heavy-duty vehicles. The game boasts phenomenal graphics for a mobile title, showcasing detailed environments and realistic physics that make navigating muddy paths and rushing rivers a true challenge. For simulation enthusiasts, this was a must-have.
Pascal’s Wager ($3.99): A Mobile Souls-Like
Pascal’s Wager boldly steps into the “Souls-borne-like” genre, known for its challenging combat, intricate level design, and dark, atmospheric worlds. This game successfully creates an aesthetic that is both unique and reminiscent of its inspirations, offering a grim yet captivating setting. The gameplay itself is notably robust, providing a genuinely challenging action RPG experience on mobile.
Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales ($9.99): Gwent’s Single-Player Epic
Believe it or not, Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales is a single-player campaign set in the rich universe of The Witcher, built around the popular card game Gwent. This standalone RPG offers a deep narrative, tactical card battles, and tough moral choices that impact the story. It provided a fresh way for fans to engage with the Witcher lore, all within a strategic card-based framework.
Layton: Unwound Future in HD ($15.99): Classic Puzzle Adventure Remastered
Professor Layton: Unwound Future in HD is a beautifully remastered version of the third installment in the beloved Professor Layton puzzle adventure series. Known for its engaging storylines, charming characters, and intricate brain-teasing puzzles, this title offers hours of intellectual entertainment. While priced higher at $15.99, its rich content and polished presentation make it an incredibly worthwhile investment for puzzle game aficionados.
The mobile gaming world is constantly evolving, but the quality of these free iOS & Android games from July 2020 showcases the lasting appeal of well-designed experiences. From strategic auto battlers to deep JRPGs and thrilling action adventures, there’s always something new and exciting to discover for your smartphone.
