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According to a report from App Annie, mobile RPG games represented 25% of all mobile game downloads in 2022. They are especially popular in Brazil, China and India.
RPG, or Role Playing Game, is a genre in which players take on the role of characters and embark on great adventures. While some titles can be played by just one person, others can be played by two or more players.
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Mobile RPG games are, to a large extent, inspired by famous tabletop RPGs, such as Dungeons & Dragons, Vampire: The Masquerade, Call of Cthulhu, etc. Each one has characteristics that make them unique.
Do you need a powerful smartphone to play mobile RPG?
In general, most mobile RPG games are very light and run with acceptable performance on mid-range smartphones without any problems. Especially classic 2D ones, which usually have very low minimum requirements.
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Of course, there are some exceptions – and one of them will be covered in this article. Certain games can be heavy and require a more robust device to function properly: but this is not the market standard, which always seeks the best possible compatibility with the average device in circulation.
Time to explore unknown lands, meet new people and complete some missions!
Genshin Impact (Android/iOS)
Image: Google Play
The massively multiplayer game (MMO) was developed by miHoYo and released for all platforms in September 2020. Since then, it has become one of the most popular mobile RPG games in the world. Its gameplay is similar to Zelda: Breath of the Wild, but with some substantial differences.
You control a Traveler who is searching for his or her twin sister in a land called Teyvat. Along your journey, you will meet other captivating characters who will take up arms at your side.
Its combat system is action-based: you control up to four characters and use their skills to defeat challenging enemies and bosses. New characters and weapons can be discovered throughout the adventure.
Meet thousands of other players in the same world, share experiences and play cooperatively to survive the greatest adversities! Genshin Impact is free, but it has a cosmetic item store to customize your characters and make your adventure even more unique.
The game is considerably heavy and most smartphones “suffer” to run it: choosing more modest graphics settings may be a choice!
Honkai Impact 3rd (Android/iOS)
Image: Honey's Anime
Developed by the same company as Genshin Impact, Honkai Impact 3rd is a mobile action RPG released in 2016 for mobile devices and in 2019 for Windows.
In this title, players take on the roles of Captains, who control Valkyries, beings genetically modified to fight the Honkai, a mysterious force that aims to destroy humanity.
It is a very popular game, with more than 50 million active players around the world. Its gameplay is very fast-paced and its graphics are very beautiful, too: because of this, it's important to check if your smartphone will be able to run it properly!
In addition to the main story missions, players will be able to venture into various side quests and participate in seasonal events and challenges. This type of content ensures that the community remains active and the game remains constantly changing.
Dragon Raja (Android/iOS)
Image: Google Play
Dragon Raja is a free mobile RPG, developed by Archosaur Games. Launched in 2019 for all mobile devices, the title has 35 million active players, making it one of the most popular options on the list.
Choose your preferred class, advance through the main quest to delve deeper into the story, and trade items with other players in a vast open world. Character customization is also quite solid, being one of its main differentiators.
Despite being free, players will be able to spend real money on cosmetic items. This is a very common trend among MMORPGs (massively multiplayer online RPGs) and, as expected, Dragon Raja is no exception to the rule.
The Seven Deadly Sins (Android/iOS)
Image: Google Play
This is another great multiplayer mobile RPG option: developed by Netmarble, The Seven Deadly Sins has an engaging story, great graphics and very fun turn-based gameplay.
A really cool feature is that its story is very faithful to the original manga and anime series The Seven Deadly Sins. All characters present in the game can be found in their original productions.
In this game, you take on the role of Meliodas and his team of knights, titled The Seven Deadly Sins. Travel the world of Britannia and look for the other members of your battalion.
The Seven Deadly Sins is a free game, but you can purchase coins to unlock exclusive characters and items. There is also the option to purchase the battle pass and season pass to unlock unique rewards.
Honkai: Star Rail (Android/iOS)
Image: Pocket Tactics
Released on April 26, 2023, Honkai: Star Rail is a mobile action RPG developed by the same company as Genshin Impact. Its combat system is turn-based, in the JRPG (Japanese RPG) style.
All 4 characters under your control will act in the set order and everything is determined by their speed stat. This is a very different footprint from the company's other titles.
Despite being a fairly recent title, it already has around 10 million active players around the world. You can buy Gacha Currency, a currency that guarantees access to premium items.
Final considerations
Interactivity and teamwork are essential features in a mobile RPG: all of the titles above have all this and much more to offer! Their communities are very active and you can find several tutorials on the internet, if you have any difficulty advancing in your adventure.
Remember to check if your device is capable of running the games properly: otherwise, an upgrade may be necessary!
Do you like mobile RPGs? What are your favorite titles?
