Action games dominated mobile gaming news in 2018. The Battle Royale wave is here to stay. But if you've only played 1v99 games, you've probably missed out on a lot of the fun. In the past year there were several other important releases. Check out the best shooting, punching and bombing games for Android and iOS.
See also the best action games
2017
2016
2015
10. JYDGE
Launched on mobile phones at the very beginning of 2018, JYDGE is an action game that doesn't roll, it goes straight to the point. In this topdown game, the player plays a policeman in a Cyber Punk world. The title is the spiritual successor to Neon Chrome by 10tons Ltd.
Despite the maps being a bit small, there is no right way to complete the missions. In this game, you just shoot the bandit in the best Robocop and Judge Dredd style.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9i31YoaCx7oLink to Download from the App Store
Link to Download on Google Play
Developer: Atypical Games
Advertising: No | Offline Game
Contains built-in purchases: No
Requires Android 7.0 | iOS 9.0
Language: Spanish | Size: 380
9. Escape from Chernobyl
With some continuity issues and a drawn-out first act, Escape from Chernobyl only comes in at #9 in our top 10. Not living up to the legacy of the “Radiation” series.
In Escape from Chernobyl, the player controls a character who is in the abandoned city of Chernobyl, in the midst of radiation that caused one of humanity's biggest nuclear accidents. But it doesn't take long to realize that you're not alone here. Radiation-derived zombies appear in droves.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RUJSWx4zwY
The game mixes survival and shooter elements. With lots of action and suspense. There is the historical factor where you can see zombies that were inspired by the workers who most likely must have died trying to repair the damage and seal the reactor that exploded.
But not even the great impression of Radiation City and the historical theme of the game, managed to keep the player's interest.
The first part of the game is pretty boring and only gets better after about an hour of playing. Controls are a little slow.
Although it has bad aspects, we still have a good game here to beat on mobile, and offline, something that is increasingly rare these days.
Link to Download from the App Store
Link to Download on Google Play
Developer: Atypical Games
Advertising: No | Offline Game
Contains built-in purchases: No
Requires Android 7.0 | iOS 9.0
Language: Spanish | Size: 2 GB
8. Identity V
In the year of Battle Royale, Identity V emerged as a game with a different proposal, which few players were used to. In this online action game, four players must escape from another player, who controls a super-powerful monster. On a map it is necessary to activate mechanisms to find the exit.
Inspired by Dead by Daylight, Identity V mixes its multiplayer and singleplayer in a unique way, creating objectives for the player to complete and continue the story. Hiding from an executioner has never been so much fun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB7pYz8_2cM
Recently, the game won the mode with two Hunters. In this mode, two players will embody the hunters and another 8 players will have to escape the place without dying. The map in this mode is bigger and contains more challenges, which makes the escape even more difficult. Good luck!
Link to Download on iPhone and iPad
Link to Download on Android
Developer: NetEase
Advertising: No | Offline Game
Contains built-in purchases: Yes
Requires Android 4.1 / iOS 6.0
Language: English | Size: 862 MB
7. Ark
Although it had a troubled launch, Ark stands out as the best survival game of 2018. The game redefines the standards of the genre, moving away from annoyances like internet connection and lots of monetization. Ark goes straight to the point, bringing an experience very close to that of the PC.
By offering both an offline and an online mode, Ark immediately stands out. The game has ads, but those who pay a monthly pass gain many benefits such as persistent worlds. Playing online with other players, in real time, is still something little seen in mobile survival games.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5O5uGHfwqcThe controls are simple and the gameplay is quite natural. The construction possibilities are immense, as are the challenges to overcome the existing fauna.
Ark's only "flaw" is that it's not for weak phones. And it's not even about optimization problems, the game is really designed from the ground up to be something grandiose and full of elements. You will need at least an Android smartphone with 3GB of RAM and Vulkan enabled. On iOS, the minimum required is an iPhone 6S.
Link to Download on iOS
Link to Download on Android
Developer: Studio Wildcard
Advertising: Yes | Online game
Contains built-in purchases: Yes
Requires Android 7.0 / iOS 9.0
Language: English | Size: 1.8 GB
6.Arena of Valor
In the sixth position, we place the most popular MOBA game today. Arena of Valor, deserves its place in the sun. Tencent's game was released at the very end of 2017 in Spain.
Literally a League of Legends on mobile. Arena of Valor brings an experience already known by MOBA lovers, but with that seal of Tencent quality.
The publisher of PUBG Mobile did not hesitate and brought a strong team to its game. Arena of Valor launched with DC heroes like Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JM_UdSUW1aoWith around 40 heroes, This MOBA shone in 2018 with one of the most balanced character rosters, championships and most active community. A play!
Game link on the App Store
Game link on Google Play
Developer: Tencent Games
Advertising: No | Online game
Contains built-in purchases: Yes
Requires Android 4.0 / iOS 8.0
Language: Spanish | Size: 1 GB
5. Brawl Stars
Brawl Stars was released a few days ago, but from the beta test, we already knew that it would be another addictive online game “by Supercell”.
While Clash Royale and Clash of Clans were Strategy games, Brawl Stars goes more in the online action game line. It's almost a MOBA.
In Brawl Stars main mode, players need to collect gems that are in the center of the stage. But each team (of 3 players) can shoot, hit or blow up their opponents.
https://youtu.be/CaryjOdYFa0The fun is precisely in seeing the pandemonium happen, with a lot of bullshit and confusion. Brawl Stars has charismatic heroes, called Brawlers, who have simple commands and are very easy to master.
Link to Download on iPhone and iPad
Link para download no Android
Developer: Supercell
Advertising: No | Online game
Contains built-in purchases: Yes
Requires Android 4.1 / iOS 7.0
Language: Spanish | Size: 142 MB
4. Animus
In the fourth position of our top, Animus caught everyone's attention as one of the rare third-person action games.
Dubbed by many as “Dark Souls Mobile”, the nickname this time fits like a glove. I've never played a mobile action game that hard, and that required skill, rather than asking you to buy a bunch of items.
Anyone looking for a game to beat, that brings gameplay elements, and is reminiscent of console games like Dark Souls and other hack'n slash, will find fun for many hours in Animus.
https://youtu.be/3lBKObYmxHE
Animus got a sequel in September, called Harbringer or Herald in Spanish. This version cuts the story of the first game and only features boss battles. Despite being free to download, the second Animus game is paid.
To understand the story of the game, you need to have all three games (IRE, Animus and Herald). All three are available on Android and iOS.
Link to Mind (iOS)
Link the Animus (Android)
Developer: Tenbirds
Advertising: No | Offline Game
Contains built-in purchases: No
Requires Android 5.1 | iOS 10.0
Language: Spanish | Size: 2 GB
3.Shadowgun Legends
Action games have taken over cell phones. This happened as little has been seen in years. Puzzle and casual games have always been the crowd's favorites but in 2010, things were reversed. Practically most mobile gamers only wanted to know about shooting games. Just look at the success of Free Fire, which has even won “Pictures Album”.
Among the shooting games, the one that stood out a lot was Shadowgun Legends. Madfinger's game is ideal especially for those looking for a shooting game to play alone or in co-op.
Very well optimized (I say optimized and not working miracles, ok?) Legends puts the player in the shoes of bounty hunters called Shadowgun.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSdbZiYHtUQSummoned to join this legion, the player will pass through several planets, with many weapons to collect and monsters to explode into a thousand pieces. Sounds fun, and it really is.
Maybe the only flaw is just not being offline. We even understand that the company needs to fight piracy, but it could well have some missions that don't require internet.
Link to Download on iPhone and iPad
Link to Download on Android (Google Play)
Developer: Madfinger Games
Advertising: Yes | Online game
Contains built-in purchases: Yes
Requires Android 6.0 / iOS 8.1
Language: Spanish | Size: 836 MB
2.Fortnite
In 2018, Epic games did something that until then seemed impossible. It took the most popular game today, available on computers, Playstation 4 and Xbox One, and transported it to cell phones.
Nowadays, those who have iPhone 7, Galaxy S8 and so on, think this is completely normal… but it's not. Two years ago, it would have been the equivalent of putting the entirety of Overwatch in your pocket.
But Although Fortnite is excellent, it is very complicated to build and make traps like on PC. Even on the console, it takes a lot of practice to at least stand toe-to-toe with those who play on PC.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyYzfMOUvZUAbove all this, it is evident that Fortnite is a game made for the computer and that, by chance, it was converted to mobile phones. The adaptations made by Epic are cool, but they are just adaptations. In a match, if you face a player who is on PC, the disadvantage is evident.
Link to Download on iPhone
Link to Download the APK
Developer: Epic
Advertising: No | Online game
Contains built-in purchases: Yes
Requires Android 5.0 | iOS 11
Language: Spanish | Size: 2.0 GB
1.PUBG Mobile
Fortnite is literally the PC version ported to cell phones, same code, same game. But the Mobile version of PUBG is a game designed for mobile phones from the beginning.
PUBG on mobile was launched in February, and has already gained 3 new maps, new modes and is basically the most popular mobile game of 2018.
Merits abound: perfect use of Unreal Engine 4, fluid gameplay, good controls and a ballistics system that makes shooting a delight. The exchange of “balitas” in PUBG on cell phones is the best since games like Bullet Force and Modern Combat 5.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCQe6c4IfDoAll credits must be given to LightSpeed Studio. The pressure must have been great and it's impressive how fast they deliver content, keeping up with the PC version.
PUBG Mobile has arrived exactly as it should be. A beautiful game, which has the feeling of PC Battle Royale, but without being overly easy or difficult to do the same things. In addition, it has modes that allow for faster gameplay, if desired. PUBG Mobile handily wins the title of best action game of 2018.
Download Link (IPHONE)
Download Link (ANDROID)
Developer: Tencent
Advertising: No | Online game
Contains built-in purchases: Yes
Requires Android 4.3 / iOS 9
Language: Spanish | Size: 1.6 GB
[originally published December 20, 2018]
