Long awaited, this is a post where you will find the best offline strategy games. From real-time combat (RTS), through tower defense and completely original games. The list includes free games and also some paid ones.
Warning: This topic is not about “city building” style games. For them, we will bring another list soon.
See also:
INDEX WITH THE BEST ANDROID GAMES OF ALL TIME
List of Other OFFLINE GAMES by genre?
- Threw
- Open world
- Survival
- Race
- Platform
- GTA-like games
- RPG from 2016
- Terror
– XCOM: Enemy Within (PAGO)
We start with the best strategy game by far, both on Android and iOS. In XCOM, the alien invasion has already happened, you are in charge of dealing with the street war between humans and aliens. With console-level graphics (PS3 and Xbox 360) XCOM: Enemy Within is a strategy game with intense combat and lots of action.
XCOM: Enemy Within features turn-based combat. The 3D scenery helps, and also hinders, it all depends on how you position your team of soldiers. The version released for mobile is already with the Enemy Within expansion.
Link to Download on Android
Link to Download on iPhone and iPad
– Timelines: Assault on America (Grátis)
Anyone who enjoys WWII needs to give Timelines Assault a chance. Focused on tank battles, this sensational 3D game is a classic RTS with a very beautiful look.
Your missions will be simple, seek and destroy enemy troops. Impossible not to remember past classics like Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor. In addition to tanks, it is possible to mobilize soldiers, trucks and air support.
Link to Download on Android
Link to Download on iPhone and iPad
– Anomaly 2 (PAGO)
Anomaly 2 is a tower defense that is also an RTS. The gameplay is divided into two moments, in some phases, the player just defends and in another he can be the attacker.
The look is very beautiful, even for a game from 2013. In Anomaly 2, it will take a lot of strategy to face the 14 levels with increasing difficulty. In addition to the single player mode, which we need to mention is offline, there is also an online multiplayer.
Link to Download on Android
Link to Download on iPhone and iPad
– Plague Inc (Free)
Plague Inc is a strategy and simulation game in which the player has to create a disease to decimate the earth's population. Create a virus capable of “cleaning up” the Earth and wiping out the damn humans.
Developed by Miniclip, Plague Inc is a 2012 game that has been updated ever since. Impressively, this is a game that always manages to stay current, with new pests constantly being added. The latest update brought a completely new zombie virus.
Link to Download on Android
Link to Download on iPhone and iPad
– Defend your life (Grátis)
In Defend your life, the player does the exact opposite of Plague Inc. The objective now is to protect an organism. Stop all viruses, bacteria and molecules that try to infect your body.
The game is from the Tower Defense subgenre, where the player places two defenses and waits for the enemy attack. The fun is in the representation of the characters. Everything is very funny and with references to things in the human body, because the phases are precisely in various organs of our body such as lungs, stomach, liver and so on.
Link to Download on Android
Link to Download on iPhone and iPad
Breach and Clear (PAGO)
Breach and Clear is a paid strategy game that will blow your mind. Mixing tactical combat and shooting, Breach and Clear is a game where you control a group of soldiers (SWAT) very well trained.
There are 20 missions in total with different objectives such as saving hostages, defusing bombs and so on. The game has modest graphics, but the gameplay is sensational. Undoubtedly one of the best offline strategy games.
Link to Download on Android
Link to Download on iPhone and iPad
– The Banner Saga (PAGO)
Another sensational strategy game that is also offline is The Banner Saga. This RPG focuses on its tactical combats with the scenario in the form of a board. The player needs to be careful how he deploys his troops across the field. Otherwise, you can be surrounded by the enemy and lose.
The Banner Saga has a sensational story with great animations. The game was created by former BioWare employees. If you liked it, be sure to check out The Banner Saga 2, the sequel maintains the quality of the visuals, and continues the story directly.
Link to Download on Android
Link to Download on iPhone and iPad
– Steampunk Tower (Free)
Steampunk Tower, despite its name, is a side defense game, the famous “Side Defense”. However, the differential of the game is that the enemies appear on both sides. Defend this high-tech tower (for the time of the game).
Simple and fantastic, Steampunk Tower mixes its difficulty well, offering refreshing gameplay. A great hobby in a free and offline game. Build your tower, position your weapons and try to make your tower grow while avoiding enemy attacks.
Link to Download on Android
Link to Download on iPhone and iPad
– Alien Creeps TD (Free)
In Aliens Creeps, you are Earth's last defense against the damn aliens. Place your defenses and wait for attacks from the scum of the universe.
Alien Creeps TD is a simple tower defense game with slightly more complex maps and the possibility to control heroes during the stages. The look of the game is all in cartoon, but the game is very done. Highlight for some stages with intense combats and hundreds of characters on screen. Also check out Castle Creeps TD.
Link to Download on Android
Link to Download on iPhone and iPad
– Olympus Rising (Free)
For those who really like a good 3D game with incredible graphics and at the same time offline, our recommendation is Olympus Rising. In this game, the beef between the gods of Olympus will eat loose.
Just looking at the images it looks like a tower defense game, but in Olympus Rising, you are the attacker who will invade the abode of the gods. Fortunately, the game is not just about attacking. Like any good strategy game, here you have to defend yourself and build an empire. Good luck!
Link to Download on Android
Link to Download on iPhone and iPad
– Civilization Revolution 2 (PAGO)
The fantastic Civilization Revolution 2 could not be missing from the list of the best offline strategy games. In this beautiful example of how to make a game in this genre, we have the possibility to guide a civilization from the ancient period to modern times.
Civilization Revolution 2 is a turn-based combat game where the player must choose from nine world leaders such as Alexander the Great, Gandhi, Cleopatra, Abraham Lincoln and others. Once the commander is chosen, you need to manage resources and control invasions from other civilizations. The cool thing here is to see the clash between civilizations from different eras from a high point of view.
Link to Download on Android
Link to Download on iPhone and iPad
– Great Little War (PAGO)
In the fun Great Little War, you'll coordinate a cute, action-ready army. The combats are in turns, with great variation of scenarios. The units are also very varied with the possibility of using soldiers, tanks and even planes.
With a Skrimish with more than 15 missions, Great Little War remains the best chapter in the franchise. There are still two more games, but you can even skip the second one, as the best ones are the original game and the third version.
Link to Download on Android
Link to Download on iPhone and iPad
– Final Fantasy Tactics (PAGO)
Impossible to talk about strategy without mentioning this beautiful strategic RPG. Final Fantasy Tactics is one of the most original chapters in the franchise that has opened up a whole new range of games.
In Final Fantasy Tactics, you will follow the saga of Ramza Beoulve, a cadet who sees his life change when his friend reveals himself as a villain and Ramza is accused of treason against the kingdom. And there is still a plot behind this “war for the throne”. Combat in Final Fantasy Tactics is turn-based with 3D scenarios, where the location and direction of the attack has an impact on damage. One of the highlights of the game is the possibility of evoking entities from the FF franchise such as Behemoth.
Link to Download on Android
Link to Download on iPhone and iPad
– Arma Tactics (PAID)
Arma Tactics is not an inspired game, it is an official game released for Android and iOS. In Arma Tactics, you need to move your troops carefully so you can surprise the enemy and use as little ammunition as possible.
Originally released for PC, Arma Tactics is one of the most entertaining strategy games on mobile. Its price is very affordable (R$ 15,99). The graphics are all in 3D, the gameplay is fully mobile-oriented with great controls. The game also has a free demo, ideal for testing before downloading.
Link to Download on Android
Link to Download on iPhone and iPad
– Skulls of the Shogun (PAGO)
Skulls of the Shogun is a game available for PC and Xbox 360 that has also come to Android and iPhone phones. Killed in battle, Shogun warriors come back to life to end their battles. The game's visuals are all cartoon with excellent animations.
Battles in Skulls of the Shogun are turn-based, with a strong focus on positioning your characters. In addition to Shogun generals, it is possible to use lesser soldiers who also have special abilities.
Link to Download on Android
Link to Download on iPhone and iPad
– Iron Marines (PAID)
Iron Marines is the latest game from Ironhide Studios. Following the example of classic games of the past, this is a space RTS that reminds a lot of StarCraft.
On a colony on Pluto, soldiers desperately fight to save themselves and who knows, save humanity. From the creators of the award-winning Kingdom Rush trilogy, this is yet another game that yields hours of offline fun, as after finishing it is possible to revisit the stages and try to “close” them in less time or in different ways.
Link to Download on Android
Link to Download on iPhone and iPad
– Defender Zone 3 HD (Thank you)
Defender Zone 3 is the only game in the franchise that is free to play. Before paid, the game went on sale and never came out (?). Good for us gamers that we can enjoy an offline game with great gameplay and amazing visuals.
There are only 12 missions, but the game has an absurd difficulty. The good news is that it is possible to visit all stages non-linearly.
Link to Download on Android
Link to Download on iPhone and iPad
– Guns Glory Zombies (Free)
In Guns'n'Glory Zombies, take control of kittens who will fight the zombies. The game system is simple, place the girls where you think the zombies might appear. But be careful, in some places it is necessary to reinforce the defense and take some girl from one place and move to another.
The colorful visuals and nonsensical humor reveal a light game that runs on literally any phone. Guns Glory Zombies is offline, but when you are connected to the internet, it displays ads. There is even a paid version without ads.
Link to Download on Android
Link to Download on iPhone and iPad
– UniWar (Free)
Build, mine resources and fight epic battles in this sensational (and ultra lightweight) mobile game. UniWar is an old-time classic that is also present on cell phones. There are 21 missions in this strategy game developed by Javaground (remember them?), It was the producer responsible for God of War: Betrayal (Java).
UniWar is a game of a very specific genre. On a board shaped like a starter, the player must place his units, mine resources and capture enemy bases. The simple look disguises a complex game.
Link to Download on Android
Link to Download on iPhone and iPad
– Plants vs Zombies (Grátis)
The Plants vs Zombies series could not be missing from this list of the best strategy games. Despite having a second game (which turns and moves is offline), the first game is still the best in the franchise. Even more so because it is complete, free and offline on Android.
In Plants vs Zombies, the mission is to use plants to stop the oncoming zombies. A fun game full of good humor. Each stage has its own difficulty level.
Link to Download on Android
Link to Download on iPhone and iPad
– Kingdom Rush (Free)
One of the best tower defense on the list. Kingdom Rush is a classic that is now available for free on Android and iOS. In this game all in Spanish, the player has fun alongside cute fighters.
In each level, you have a limited amount of money to spend on your buildings. For each wave of enemies destroyed, you receive gold. All simple, but very fun. A light and offline game that cannot be missing from your collection.
Link to Download on Android
Link to Download on iPhone and iPad
– Strike Team Hydra (PAGO)
Recently released, Strike Team Hydra is already making its presence felt in our top list. If you already knew XCOM and are looking for games of the genre, you need to give Strike Team Hydra a chance. Move your characters around the completely 3D scenario and defeat the aliens.
Of course, Wave light games does not compete with the classic PS3, PC and mobile, but Strike Team Hydra can be ideal for those looking for a “lighter” version of XCOM, as it is one of the heaviest games on Android and iOS.
Link to Download on Android
Link to Download on iPhone and iPad
– Battle of Polytopia (Grátis)
Still taking advantage of the “similar games for weak phones”, Battle of Polytopia fits as an ideal game for those who couldn't run Civilization Revolution 2.
The game scheme is very similar. Develop your civilization and defend it against aliens, or invade them. The graphics are in low poly, which ensures that Battle of Polytopia runs well on literally any mobile phone.
Link to Download on Android
Link to Download on iPhone and iPad
– World Conqueror 3 (Free)
World Conqueror 3 is another strategy game for those who enjoy Civilization and world wars (virtual only). Now things got serious and the battleground is Europe and the Americas.
Define your troops well in this game that takes place on the world map. World Conqueror 3 even has the option to choose between famous WWII generals.
Link to Download on Android
Link to Download on iPhone and iPad
– Out There Omega Edition (PAGO)
To close our list, an epic game of strategy and exploration. In Out There, the player must explore new worlds and meet new civilizations. Everything No Man's Sky promised, but with unique creativity and resource management gameplay.
What was good, got better with the Omega Edition version. New races and languages have been added. If you know a little bit of English this is a game that will really hold you.
Link to Download on Android
Link to Download on iPhone and iPad
And here ends our special post with the best offline strategy games for Android and iOS. In advance, I apologize for those who expected a lot of free games. The title of the post is the “Best”, so it wouldn't make sense to fill the post with just silly free games and call them “best”. It would be untrue.
[originally published September 28, 2017]
