As the calendar flipped to 2021, a fresh wave of mobile gaming experiences hit both Android and iOS platforms, bringing exciting new adventures for players worldwide. This guide builds upon the excellent video above, diving deeper into the top 10 new games for Android and iOS that marked the beginning of 2021, offering insights into what makes each title stand out.
From adrenaline-pumping racing to deep role-playing sagas and unique open-world exploration, January 2021 delivered a diverse lineup. We explore the standout features, gameplay mechanics, and overall appeal of these fantastic new mobile games, helping you decide which ones deserve a spot on your device.
Top New Android and iOS Games of Early 2021: A Deeper Dive
10. Gate of Mobius: A Magical Third-Person Shooter
Kicking off our list of top new Android and iOS games, Gate of Mobius immediately grabs attention as a third-person shooter. Players step into a vibrant world filled with an array of magical, creepy creatures and formidable robots, engaging in dynamic combat.
This game offers players flexibility through both a main story mode and various event modes, each presenting unique challenges. Successfully destroying enemies yields valuable rewards such as precious armor, coins, and weapons, which are crucial for upgrading your character and preparing for subsequent battles. While the game showed promise with its great graphics and engaging gameplay at launch, it was noted to have initial problems; however, ongoing updates likely smooth out these rough edges, enhancing playability significantly over time.
9. CarX Rally: Off-Road Racing Thrills
For those who prefer their racing adventures away from the predictable asphalt, CarX Rally offers a thrilling alternative. This title throws you into challenging forest environments, demanding a different kind of driving skill. Unlike typical racing games, CarX Rally tests your ability to maintain grip on diverse terrains, allowing for spectacular mud-slinging and aerial stunts that truly ignite a feeling of excitement.
Graphically, the game is a standout, boasting amazing visuals and smooth 60 FPS frame rates that run exceptionally well on most modern mobile devices. The option to manually adjust graphics settings from low to ultra ensures optimal performance and visual fidelity across a wide range of hardware. Ultimately, it delivers an experience that surpasses the average mobile racing game, setting a high bar for the genre.
8. Cyberika: Action – Cyberpunk RPG Adventure
Set within a gritty Cyberpunk universe, Cyberika: Action plunges players into an action-adventure RPG with a compelling, deep storyline. The narrative begins on a silent street, quickly escalating into a fight for survival against rival gang members. A notable feature is the large map, allowing players to traverse vast distances in their car.
Despite its open-world aesthetic, exploration is focused within limited areas to complete quests, rather than truly boundless freedom. While the top-down perspective offers a distinct gameplay style, many players express a preference for a third-person viewpoint to fully immerse themselves in the rich, dystopian setting. Nevertheless, it provides a solid RPG experience for fans of the genre.
7. Ninja Arashi 2: The Return of a Talented Hero
Ninja Arashi 2 marks the eagerly anticipated second installment in the action-adventure series from Black Panther. Players once again join the agile hero Arashi on a brand-new journey, tackling fresh missions and facing new foes. The gameplay often draws comparisons to popular stickman-style games, delivering a satisfying sense of accomplishment with each completed level.
The story unfolds across various levels, presenting a fascinating action game rich with interesting content and numerous features to explore. Controls are designed to be simple and intuitive, allowing players to master Arashi’s movements quickly. Although the plot is somewhat flexible, it remains engaging, complemented by vivid graphics that enhance the dynamic action scenes, making it a captivating mobile title.
6. Block Tech Tank: Crafting and Combat Simulation
For players with a penchant for creativity and strategic combat, Block Tech Tank offers an engaging simulation experience. This game challenges your engineering prowess, tasking you with building incredible custom vehicles from a vast array of blocks and components. You gain access to diverse wheels, turrets, machine guns, rocket launchers, rocket engines, and various armor pieces.
Assembling these components into a formidable vehicle is key to battling opponents across three expansive open-world maps. The game features two distinct event types: the chaotic Derby, a free-for-all where every player fends for themselves, and a series of tests demanding a more thoughtful approach to vehicle design. Success in the latter requires smart crafting to pass all challenges, making it an excellent choice for imaginative players who enjoy both building and tactical warfare in their new Android and iOS games.
5. Nitro Jump Racing: Arcade PVP Thrills
If you’re a fan of high-octane racing and competitive PVP, Nitro Jump Racing is a mobile game designed for you. This arcade racer impresses with its cool 3D graphics and over 50 thrilling tracks, ensuring a diverse range of racing environments. Players engage in intense 1v3 matches, pushing their skills to the limit against other opponents.
Performance and daring stunts like front flips, back flips, or nitro boosts are rewarded with coins, which are vital for progression. The game boasts a wide selection of cars and extensive upgrade options, allowing players to fine-tune speed, acceleration, rotation, and stability. As a compelling free-to-play title, Nitro Jump Racing offers immense replayability and competitive fun, making it a must-try for racing enthusiasts among the new Android and iOS games.
4. Bloodstained Ritual of the Night: A Mobile Metroidvania Masterpiece
The highly acclaimed Bloodstained Ritual of the Night, from Netease Games and ArtPlay, made its way to iOS and Android devices, much to the delight of fans. This release brings the successful Metroidvania experience, previously enjoyed on PC and consoles, directly to mobile. It is a faithful adaptation that maintains the original’s high standards.
Players are invited to explore a truly enormous map, teeming with over 120 unique bosses and mobs to defeat. Crucially, the mobile version makes zero compromises on visual quality or gameplay fidelity from its console and PC counterparts. Aspiring demon slayers who wish to take fate into their own hands will find an expansive, challenging, and visually stunning adventure awaiting them. It stands as a testament to what’s possible in mobile gaming when major titles are ported with care.
3. Sky Gamblers Air Supremacy: Classic Arcade Flight Combat Returns
From Atypical Games comes Sky Gamblers Air Supremacy, a title that, while not entirely new, makes a significant return to mobile platforms. This re-release of a previously delisted game offers an engaging arcade flight simulation experience reminiscent of classics like Ace Combat or After Burner. It fills a niche for players seeking exhilarating aerial combat.
Primarily, the game offers robust solo campaigns, allowing players to hone their piloting skills and engage in thrilling dogfights. However, for those who thrive on competitive multiplayer, there are plenty of online modes to explore, including Team Deathmatch and Capture the Flag. Despite its age, its re-release as one of the new Android and iOS games proves it remains a competent and enjoyable arcade flight sim, appealing to both nostalgic fans and new players.
2. Wilderless: A Unique Open-World Adventure
Wilderless for iOS stands out as a truly distinct adventure game, offering an open-world experience unlike many other titles on the market. In contrast to most open-world games filled with puzzles, lurking enemies, and endless quests, Wilderless takes a different approach. It strips away these common elements to provide a uniquely serene and explorative journey.
This game features no enemies, no predefined quests, no jump scares, and no unexpected threats. Instead, the experience focuses purely on exploration, discovery, and immersion in a beautifully rendered natural world. Players can wander freely, taking in breathtaking landscapes and enjoying a peaceful, unhurried adventure. It’s an ideal choice for those seeking a tranquil escape and a fresh perspective on open-world gaming among the new Android and iOS games.
1. Warhammer Odyssey: A Grand MMORPG Adventure
Claiming the top spot among the new Android and iOS games is Warhammer Odyssey, an impressive new MMORPG that transports players to the iconic Old World locations of the Warhammer universe. This grand adventure takes you from the bustling streets of Marienburg and the shadowy depths of Drakenwald Forest to the desolate Wasteland, each area brought to life with its unique visual style and hordes of enemies.
The game showcases impressive detail in its rendering, providing a visually rich experience as seen in its gameplay. Players can choose from six distinct classes when creating their character, offering varied playstyles and strategic depth. From a visual standpoint, Warhammer Odyssey looks exceptionally impressive, capturing the essence of the beloved fantasy world and delivering a robust multiplayer online experience on mobile platforms.
