Discover the Top Mobile Gaming Gems of October 2018: Free & Paid Titles for iOS & Android
In October 2018, the mobile gaming landscape continued its rapid expansion, introducing a staggering number of new titles for both iOS and Android platforms. As highlighted in the accompanying video from Gameranks, sifting through this deluge to find truly exceptional games can be a challenge for even the most dedicated mobile gamers. This month, a curated list of 15 standout games emerged, ranging from innovative free-to-play experiences to premium ports of beloved classics, ensuring there was something for every type of player. We’ve compiled an in-depth look at these best new mobile games, expanding on their unique features, gameplay mechanics, and what made them significant releases at the time, providing a comprehensive guide beyond the video’s quick highlights.
The selection process for these top games often prioritized engaging gameplay loops, intuitive controls, and compelling aesthetics, catering to a diverse audience from casual players to those seeking more in-depth RPG experiences. While many titles were free, offering accessible entertainment, several premium games also demonstrated their worth through robust content and polished presentations. From high-octane racing simulations to charming pixel art adventures, October 2018 proved to be a vibrant month for mobile gaming enthusiasts, showcasing the platform’s growing versatility and capacity for quality interactive entertainment.
Unpacking the Top Mobile Games of October 2018
1. Pako Forever: The Endless Car Chase
Kicking off the list of best new mobile games in October 2018 was Pako Forever, a dynamic car chase simulator that immediately captivated players with its simple yet addictive premise. From a top-down perspective, players are tasked with surviving as long as possible in a relentless pursuit, navigating a minimalistic environment filled with strategic obstacles. The game’s vibrant color palette served a practical purpose, ensuring players remained fully aware of their surroundings without visual clutter, which significantly enhanced the fast-paced gameplay. Its controls were universally praised for being intuitive and highly responsive, providing a deeply satisfying feedback loop that encouraged repeated attempts to beat personal bests.
Available completely free on both iOS and Android, Pako Forever offered an accessible entry point into high-octane mobile gaming, making it a favorite for quick, engaging sessions. The inclusion of various cool cars to unlock and a myriad of challenging obstacles to overcome added layers of replayability, proving that simple mechanics, when executed well, can create an immensely enjoyable and persistent gaming experience. Its commitment to a core gameplay loop, focused purely on evasion and survival, resonated strongly with players seeking immediate gratification and a true test of their reaction times.
2. Marenian Tavern Story: A Unique RPG Adventure
Diverging from traditional heroic narratives, Marenian Tavern Story presented a unique RPG experience centered on the culinary arts and entrepreneurial spirit. Players embarked on a journey to gather diverse ingredients, not to save the world, but to establish and grow a thriving tavern, which was a refreshing change of pace within the genre. This involved a variety of engaging activities such as exploring vast maps, battling fantastical creatures, diligent fishing, meticulous searching, foraging for rare items, and even the charming task of milking cows, all in pursuit of the perfect dish or beverage. The blend of resource management, exploration, and turn-based combat created a rich tapestry of gameplay that kept players immersed in their quest for gastronomic glory.
This premium title, priced at $7.99 on both iOS and Android, successfully carved out its niche by offering a “normal person” type of adventure without sacrificing depth or entertainment value. The game’s narrative focused on the everyday challenges and triumphs of a budding restaurateur, allowing players to connect with the story on a more grounded level than typical high-fantasy sagas. Its charm lay in its ability to transform mundane tasks into meaningful progress, culminating in the satisfying experience of seeing your tavern flourish and gain renown across the land.
3. F1 Mobile Racing: High-Octane Competition
For racing enthusiasts, F1 Mobile Racing delivered an authentic Formula 1 experience directly to mobile devices, offering stunning visuals and competitive gameplay. The core appeal lay in the ability to develop an F1 car from scratch, allowing players to customize and upgrade their vehicles to gain a strategic edge on the track. While official teams were available, the real satisfaction, as many players discovered, came from the intricate process of building and fine-tuning a bespoke racing machine, creating a deeper connection to their performance. The graphics were lauded for their high fidelity, accurately depicting the sleek designs of F1 cars and the intricate details of iconic race circuits, which significantly enhanced the immersive quality of the game.
Controls were thoughtfully implemented, providing the responsiveness expected of a top-tier mobile racing game, ensuring that every turn and acceleration felt precise and impactful. A standout feature was the real-time 1v1 PvP mode, which not only functioned flawlessly but also provided an exhilarating competitive environment where players could test their skills against others globally. Initially a free iOS exclusive, its announced arrival on Android platforms promised to broaden its reach, allowing even more players to experience the thrill of developing their ultimate F1 car and dominating the mobile racing scene.
4. Monkeynauts: Casual Space Breeding Fun
Monkeynauts defied easy categorization, blending elements of a clicker game with breeding simulation and community building, all wrapped in an undeniably cute package. This casual title centered around managing a burgeoning community of space-faring monkeys, requiring players to engage in simple, yet engaging, tasks to ensure their growth and well-being. The game’s primary draw was its lighthearted approach and charming aesthetic, making it an ideal choice for players seeking a relaxed gaming experience without the demands of complex narratives or high-stakes action. Despite its lack of massive depth, its inherent fun factor and approachable mechanics made it a delightful diversion.
Offered for free on both iOS and Android, Monkeynauts embraced its casual identity, providing a pleasant escape into a whimsical space environment. The visual design was a significant contributor to its appeal, with adorable monkey characters and colorful space settings creating an inviting atmosphere that was difficult to resist. For those moments when a player simply wanted to unwind and enjoy a game without intense concentration, Monkeynauts delivered a reliably entertaining experience, proving that sometimes, the simplest pleasures are the most satisfying in mobile gaming.
5. Super Cat Tales 2: A Purr-fect Platformer
Super Cat Tales 2 emerged as a truly competent and highly enjoyable platformer, paying homage to classic titles like Mega Man and Super Mario World while forging its own identity. The influence of these legendary games was evident not only in its art style but also in its clever level design and varied gameplay mechanics. Players controlled a cast of agile feline characters, each with unique abilities, across beautifully rendered pixel art environments that evoked a strong sense of nostalgia for 16-bit era games. The controls were consistently responsive, allowing for precise jumps and movements crucial for navigating the game’s intricate challenges, making it a joy to play for platformer aficionados.
This fantastic free title, available on both iOS and Android, managed to introduce diverse gameplay elements without straying from its core platforming roots, offering fresh experiences within its established framework. The blend of familiar platforming tropes with innovative feline-specific mechanics created a compelling adventure that stood out in a crowded genre. Super Cat Tales 2 demonstrated that mobile platformers could achieve a level of polish and creative depth comparable to console titles, providing hours of engaging content for players who appreciate finely crafted challenges and charming aesthetics.
6. Badland Brawl: The Explosive Hybrid
Badland Brawl presented an ingenious fusion of two popular mobile gaming genres: the strategic card-slinging of Clash Royale and the physics-based trajectory of Angry Birds. This innovative combination resulted in a highly addictive and visually dynamic multiplayer experience, where players flung various character classes and destructive objects at their opponent’s tower. The game’s core mechanic involved precise aiming and strategic deployment of units, demanding both quick reflexes and thoughtful planning to achieve victory. The visual feedback of objects colliding and structures crumbling was immensely satisfying, drawing players deeper into each frenetic match.
Completely free on both iOS and Android, Badland Brawl was lauded for its easy-to-understand gameplay that belied a surprising amount of strategic depth, making it accessible to newcomers while offering plenty for competitive players. The distinct classes of characters, each with unique abilities and attack patterns, encouraged experimentation and the development of diverse combat strategies. Its ability to capture the addictive qualities of its predecessors, combined with its unique hybrid gameplay, cemented Badland Brawl as a compelling new entry in the mobile competitive landscape, ensuring endless hours of fun and intense player-versus-player battles.
7. Piffle: Charming Block-Shooting Puzzles
Piffle introduced a delightful and highly addictive block-shooting puzzle game, characterized by its incredibly cute aesthetic and upbeat, engaging music. The game’s physics-based mechanics required players to strategically launch adorable “Piffles” to clear blocks, creating a satisfying chain reaction of destruction and point accumulation. What set Piffle apart was its seamless blend of puzzle-solving with action-packed, fast-paced gameplay, ensuring that players were constantly engaged and entertained. The visual presentation was a key element of its appeal, with vibrant colors and dynamic animations that kept the screen lively and far from static, contributing significantly to the overall fun factor.
This free-to-play title, available on both major mobile platforms, managed to be both relaxing and exhilarating, offering a perfect balance for players seeking a game that could be enjoyed in short bursts or extended sessions. The progression system, which often introduced new block types and power-ups, ensured that the gameplay remained fresh and challenging over time, encouraging players to refine their aiming skills and strategic thinking. Piffle’s charming presentation and compelling puzzle mechanics made it a standout choice for those who appreciate games that are as visually appealing as they are intellectually stimulating.
8. Reigns: Game of Thrones: Ruling Westeros with a Swipe
Reigns: Game of Thrones ingeniously adapted the beloved swipe-based kingdom management mechanics of the original Reigns series to the politically charged and dramatic world of Westeros. This iteration presented players with a series of pivotal choices, presented as cards to swipe left or right, each decision impacting the delicate balance of the kingdom’s church, military, populace, and treasury. The game was praised for its engaging narrative and surprising humor, often injecting witty dialogue and unexpected plot twists that resonated well with fans of the HBO series. Its unique approach to storytelling, where player choices directly shape the fate of iconic Game of Thrones characters, made every decision feel weighty and impactful.
Available for $3.99 on both iOS and Android, Reigns: Game of Thrones offered a compelling blend of strategic decision-making and narrative exploration, capturing the essence of ruling a complex, often brutal, kingdom. The “Tinder-like” interface, as it was famously described, proved to be an incredibly effective way to manage the myriad challenges of leadership, from resolving internal conflicts to navigating external threats. Its successful integration of the Game of Thrones universe with the established Reigns gameplay mechanics created a fresh and highly replayable experience, providing hours of immersive political intrigue for fans of both franchises.
9. Dizzy Knight: The Spinning Sword Adventure
Dizzy Knight introduced a refreshingly unique gameplay mechanic where players controlled a knight perpetually spinning with a massive sword, creating a delightful and chaotic action experience. While its aesthetic might have hinted at similarities to The Legend of Zelda, the core gameplay was distinctively focused on the continuous circular movement and sword-swinging action. Players were challenged to navigate environments and defeat enemies while maintaining their momentum, a concept that was both simple to grasp and surprisingly difficult to master. The inherent fun factor of the continuous spin was a major draw, turning what could have been a hindrance into the game’s most charming feature.
With 40 stages to conquer, this free title, available on iOS and Android, offered substantial replay value and a consistent stream of new challenges, ensuring that players remained engaged throughout their spinning adventure. The game successfully leveraged its unique control scheme to create a memorable experience that stood out from more traditional action games. Dizzy Knight demonstrated that innovation in core mechanics can lead to exceptionally fun and addictive gameplay, providing a fresh perspective on mobile action-adventure titles and earning its spot as a notable release for October 2018.
10. Grimvalor: A Dark Fantasy Hack-and-Slash
Grimvalor delivered a gritty and atmospheric hack-and-slash experience, drawing clear inspiration from classic “Castlevania-style” games while modernizing the genre for mobile platforms. The game plunged players into a dark fantasy world, emphasizing combat and exploration in a meticulously crafted 2D plane, despite its impressive 3D graphics. This unique blend of visual depth with classic side-scrolling gameplay created an immersive and challenging experience, where every enemy encounter and platforming sequence felt impactful. The controls were exceptionally tight and responsive, a crucial element for a game demanding precision in combat and movement, allowing players to execute complex maneuvers with ease.
Priced at $6.99 and initially exclusive to iOS, Grimvalor quickly garnered acclaim for its high production values and engaging combat system, cementing its position as a premium mobile title. The game’s focus on detailed environments, intricate enemy designs, and a robust upgrade system provided a depth often found in console-level titles. Grimvalor proved that the hack-and-slash genre could thrive on mobile, offering a compelling adventure that rewarded skill and exploration, making it a must-play for fans of dark fantasy and challenging action games.
11. Old School Runescape: The Classic MMORPG on Mobile
Old School Runescape made its long-awaited debut on mobile, bringing the iconic MMORPG experience to a new generation of players and rekindling nostalgia for veterans. This faithful port allowed players to dive into the vast, player-driven world of Gielinor, complete with all the quests, skills, and social interactions that defined its PC counterpart. The game’s enduring appeal lies in its freedom of choice, allowing players to pursue a multitude of activities, from combat and crafting to trading and exploration, creating an endlessly engaging and truly expansive online world. Its transition to mobile was celebrated for maintaining the integrity of the original experience, offering a full-featured MMORPG without compromise.
Available free-to-play on both iOS and Android, Old School Runescape also offered an optional subscription service that provided additional content and benefits, though the core game remained fully enjoyable without it. The mobile version meticulously recreated the classic interface and gameplay, ensuring that the charm and depth of the “old school” experience were perfectly preserved. Its arrival on mobile marked a significant moment for the platform, demonstrating the viability of complex MMORPGs on handheld devices and offering countless hours of adventure for a dedicated and passionate community.
12. Monster Hunter Stories: A Kid-Friendly JRPG Port
Monster Hunter Stories, an HD port of the beloved 3DS game, brought a more traditional, turn-based JRPG experience to mobile, introducing a charming and kid-friendly take on the Monster Hunter universe. Unlike the action-oriented main series, this title focused on collecting and bonding with “Monsties” – friendly versions of iconic monsters – to battle alongside them in strategic, turn-based combat. The game’s narrative centered on a Rider’s journey, exploring vibrant landscapes, uncovering mysteries, and forging powerful bonds with their Monstie companions. Its bright, colorful art style and engaging story appealed to a wider audience, including those new to the Monster Hunter franchise.
While free to try, the full game was a premium purchase at $19.99 on both iOS and Android, a price point reflecting its substantial content and polished presentation. Monster Hunter Stories successfully delivered a compelling JRPG adventure, complete with deep character progression, extensive monster collection, and a charming world to explore. Its emphasis on a more narrative-driven experience, combined with accessible turn-based combat, made it a standout mobile port, offering a complete and highly enjoyable gaming experience for fans of traditional Japanese role-playing games.
13. Prince of Persia Escape: A Nostalgic Runner
Prince of Persia Escape offered a fresh take on the classic franchise, reimagining it as a “hop and run” endless runner with a distinctive aesthetic nod to the original 2D Prince of Persia games. While not a direct polygonal remake, the visual style evoked a strong sense of nostalgia, immediately appealing to long-time fans while also attracting new players with its fluid animations and engaging level design. The core gameplay involved precise timing and quick reflexes, as players navigated a treacherous environment filled with traps and obstacles, performing acrobatic jumps and slides to survive. The constant forward momentum and the need for split-second decisions created an addictive and challenging experience.
This free-to-play title, available on both iOS and Android, provided a highly enjoyable and accessible entry into the Prince of Persia universe, demonstrating that classic franchises can be successfully adapted to modern mobile game formats. Despite some initial expectations for a more traditional platformer, the game’s focus on fast-paced, rhythmic gameplay proved to be incredibly fun and well-suited for mobile devices. Prince of Persia Escape offered a compelling blend of nostalgia and contemporary mobile design, proving to be a worthy addition to the month’s best new games and keeping players on the edge of their seats.
14. Stardew Valley: The Ultimate Farming Sim
Stardew Valley, an indie phenomenon that redefined the farming simulation genre, made its highly anticipated mobile debut on iOS, bringing its expansive world and relaxing gameplay to handheld devices. Often described as “Harvest Moon in a post-Minecraft world,” the game allowed players to escape the hustle and bustle of city life to cultivate a neglected farm, raise animals, mine for resources, fish, and build relationships with the charming residents of Pelican Town. Its open-ended nature and vast array of activities ensured that players always had something new to discover or work towards, creating an incredibly satisfying and long-lasting gameplay loop. The depth of content, from intricate crafting systems to complex social mechanics, was unparalleled in its genre.
Priced at $7.99 for iOS, Stardew Valley delivered a full-fledged console experience without compromise, offering hundreds of hours of immersive gameplay perfectly adapted for touch controls. The mobile port maintained all the charm, depth, and endless possibilities of its PC and console counterparts, allowing players to truly shape their virtual lives and leave their mark on the valley. Its success underscored the demand for premium, content-rich experiences on mobile platforms, proving that players are willing to pay for quality and depth, and establishing Stardew Valley as a benchmark for mobile simulation games.
15. Dragalia Lost: Nintendo’s Action RPG Triumph
Rounding out the list was Dragalia Lost, Nintendo’s highly anticipated original action RPG, which immediately established itself as a vibrant and engaging experience on mobile. Featuring swipe-controlled combat, players commanded a party of heroes through colorful, anime-inspired environments, unleashing powerful attacks and special abilities with intuitive gestures. The game’s bright and cheerful aesthetic, combined with its well-paced combat and engaging character development, created an incredibly addictive gameplay loop that kept players returning for more. Developed by Nintendo and Cygames, its pedigree shone through in the polished presentation and fluid gameplay, setting a high standard for mobile action RPGs.
Available for free on both iOS and Android, Dragalia Lost quickly became a massive hit, drawing players in with its compelling gacha system, extensive story, and challenging co-op content. The strategic depth of team building, combined with real-time action, offered a robust experience that catered to both casual and dedicated players. Its success demonstrated Nintendo’s growing commitment to the mobile market and its ability to deliver high-quality, original IP that resonates with a global audience, making Dragalia Lost a monumental release for October 2018 and a testament to the potential of mobile action RPGs.
Beyond the Hype: Mobile Gaming Trends in Late 2018
The collection of games released in October 2018 provided a clear snapshot of the prevailing trends and exciting innovations within the mobile gaming industry. A significant observation was the continued diversification of genres, moving beyond simple casual titles to embrace complex RPGs, competitive multiplayer experiences, and faithful ports of beloved console and PC games. This period truly highlighted the growing maturity of mobile as a serious gaming platform, capable of hosting deep and engaging content. The success of premium titles like Marenian Tavern Story, Grimvalor, and Stardew Valley further solidified the market for paid games, indicating that players were increasingly willing to invest in high-quality experiences, moving beyond the traditional free-to-play paradigm for certain genres.
Conversely, the robust performance of free-to-play games such as Badland Brawl, Dragalia Lost, and Old School Runescape demonstrated the enduring appeal and financial viability of well-executed F2P models, often supported by thoughtful monetization strategies. Another key trend was the blend of genres, exemplified by titles like Badland Brawl, which creatively fused different gameplay mechanics to forge unique experiences that captured broad appeal. Furthermore, the strong showing of ported games, including Monster Hunter Stories and Old School Runescape, underscored the burgeoning potential for bringing established IP to mobile, leveraging existing fanbases and offering new ways to play classic titles. These developments collectively painted a picture of a dynamic and rapidly evolving mobile gaming ecosystem in late 2018, pushing the boundaries of what was possible on handheld devices.
