Plarium Blog Our Picks 9 Best Cross-Platform RPGs to Play in 2026

Ever start playing an RPG on your phone during lunch, then get home and realize you can’t continue on your PC? Or worse, try to play with a friend but you can’t because they don’t have the right device? We’ve been there. The struggle is real.

Some games have this figured out. Take RAID: Shadow Legends. Your 900+ champions follow you everywhere, no questions asked. Grind dailies on your phone during your commute, jump on PC for serious clan boss battles. It just works.

Want more options? Here’s our roundup of the best cross-platform RPGs that let you play how you want, where you want, with whoever you want.

At a Glance: 9 Best Cross-Platform RPGs

GameBest forPlatforms
1. RAID: Shadow LegendsChampion collectors who want seamless syncWindows, Mac, iOS, Android
2. Honkai: Star RailJRPG fans who love turn-based combatWindows, iOS, Android, PlayStation 4
3. Hero WarsBusy gamers who need idle progressioniOS, Android, Facebook/Web Browser
4. King Arthur: Legends RiseMythology lovers seeking dark fantasyPC (Steam), iOS, Android
5. Watcher of RealmsTactical minds who enjoy tower defenseiOS, Android
6. AFK JourneyCasual collectors who appreciate visual artWindows, Android, iOS
7. Marvel Puzzle QuestMarvel fans who like match-3 puzzlesiOS, Android, Steam, PlayStation, Xbox
8. AFK ArenaRelaxed gamers wanting classic idle gameplayiOS, Android, Windows PC (via Google Play Games)
9. Genshin ImpactAdventure seekers who love open-world explorationPC, iOS, Android, PlayStation 4/5

How We Chose the Best Cross-Platform RPGs

We tested these games across multiple devices and combined our experience with community feedback to find which ones deliver smooth cross-platform play.

Here’s what matters:

  • Device sync quality: Does your progress transfer over without issues?
  • Performance consistency: Does the game run smoothly on all supported platforms?
  • Feature parity: Are all game modes available on every platform?
  • Control optimization: Do controls feel natural on both touchscreen and keyboard?
  • Cross-platform multiplayer: Can you team up with friends regardless of their gaming device?
  • Account management: Can you easily link and manage your account across devices?
  • Update synchronization: Do all platforms receive updates simultaneously?

The 9 Best Cross-Platform RPGs for Every Gaming Style

1. RAID: Shadow Legends: The Best Cross-Platform RPG for Champion Collectors

Genre:RPG, Turn-based, Gacha
Release Date:2018
Platforms:iOS, Android, PC (Windows), Mac
Gameplay Features:Turn-based tactical combat, 900+ champions, faction synergies
Developer:Plarium
Best for:Champion collectors who want seamless cross-platform sync

RAID: Shadow Legends Features

  • Turn-based combat system with 900+ unique champions gives endless team combinations
  • Six rarity tiers from Common to Mythical create clear progression goals
  • Story campaign with 300+ champion backstories builds an immersive world
  • 10+ game modes including dungeons and clan battles keep gameplay fresh
  • Cross-platform sync works instantly between all devices
  • Regular content updates add new champions and events monthly

RAID: Shadow Legends Pros and Cons

ProsCons
Regular content updates add new champions and eventsEnergy system can limit marathon sessions
Deep strategic gameplay rewards careful planningUI has many menus to learn initially
Massive champion collection gives you endless team-building possibilitiesPremium currency helps but isn’t required

RAID: Shadow Legends isn’t only one of the funnest RPGs out there— it also gets cross-platform right. Your 900+ champions come with you whether you’re auto-battling on your phone or planning clan boss strategies on PC. The game works exactly the same everywhere, which is honestly how every game should do it by now.

It’s a dark fantasy RPG with turn-based tactical combat that makes team building addictive. You know how some games just click when you figure out the perfect squad? That’s RAID. You’ve got fully-voiced campaigns across 12 locations and 15 factions to mix and match.

The faction synergies are where it gets even more interesting. Pair the right champions and you’ll steamroll content that seemed impossible before. Plus, special collaboration events bring in heroes from other franchises, keeping the roster fresh.

2. Honkai: Star Rail: Turn-Based Combat for JRPG Fans

Genre:RPG, Turn-based, Gacha
Release Date:2023
Platforms:Windows, iOS, Android, PlayStation 4
Gameplay Features:Space-traveling narrative, 7 elemental types, strategic combat
Developer:HoYoverse
Best for:JRPG fans who love turn-based combat

Honkai: Star Rail Features

  • Space-traveling narrative connects diverse worlds
  • Seven elemental types create combat variety
  • Cross-platform play with full synchronization

Honkai: Star Rail Pros and Cons

ProsCons
Beautiful art style with strong world-buildingGetting specific characters relies on random chance
Accessible turn-based combat suits all skill levelsLess exploration freedom than action RPGs
Regular story updates expand the universeStamina system gates progression speed

Honkai: Star Rail is HoYoverse showing off what they can do with turn-based combat. You’re riding the Astral Express through different worlds, juggling seven elemental types, and building teams from dozens of gorgeous characters.

The Unreal Engine graphics look great, with character models and environments that really stand out. Combat rewards thinking over button mashing. The Path system and Light Cone equipment give you plenty to tinker with, but they introduce everything gradually so you won’t drown in mechanics.

3. Hero Wars: Idle Progression for Time-Conscious Players

Genre:Action RPG
Release Date:2016
Platforms:iOS, Android, Facebook/Web Browser
Gameplay Features:Idle gameplay, 80+ heroes, automatic battles
Developer:Nexters Global
Best for:Busy gamers who need idle progression

Hero Wars Features

  • Automatic battles with strategic hero placement
  • Cross-platform between mobile and web browser
  • 2+ year average player retention shows longevity

Hero Wars Pros and Cons

ProsCons
Works for busy schedules with minimal time investmentBecomes expensive at competitive levels
Guild system creates active communitiesGameplay loop stays repetitive long-term
Runs smoothly on older devicesServer segregation limits player interaction

Hero Wars is perfect if you have a job, kids, or just a life outside gaming. It’s an idle RPG that works on mobile and browser, managing 80+ heroes across six factions while they do all the fighting for you.

The game collects resources even when you’re not playing, which is the whole point of idle games. Quick daily logins keep you moving forward without the grind. Guild Wars add some social stuff if you want to connect with other players, but you don’t have to.

4. King Arthur: Legends Rise: Dark Fantasy for Mythology Lovers

Genre:Tactical RPG
Release Date:2024
Platforms:PC (Steam), iOS, Android
Gameplay Features:Turn-based tactical combat, environmental mechanics, 6 RPG classes
Developer:Kabam
Best for:Mythology lovers seeking dark fantasy

King Arthur: Legends Rise Features

  • Physics-driven combat with environmental interactions
  • Six classic RPG classes offer familiar roles
  • Dark mature themes separate it from typical fantasy

King Arthur: Legends Rise Pros and Cons

ProsCons
Nice Unreal Engine 5 graphicsSlow loading times frustrate players
Strong narrative throughout the gameSome reports of PC optimization issues
Balanced monetization feels fairLimited endgame content currently

King Arthur: Legends Rise takes the Knights of the Round Table and makes them dark and gritty. Running on Unreal Engine 5, it looks cool on all platforms while you build teams from six RPG classes to save Camelot. Your Steam progress carries to mobile without any hassle.

Between Story Mode, Adventure Mode, and Colosseum PvP, there’s plenty to do, and combat gets fun when you start using the environment: pushing enemies off cliffs never gets old. Plus the story actually tries, which is more than most gacha RPGs can say.

5. Watcher of Realms: Tower Defense Meets RPG Collection

Genre:RPG, Gacha
Release Date:2023
Platforms:iOS, Android
Gameplay Features:Tower defense mechanics, 100+ heroes, tactical positioning
Developer:Moonton
Best for:Tactical minds who enjoy tower defense

Watcher of Realms Features

  • Tower defense mechanics blend with RPG progression
  • 100+ heroes with detailed backstories
  • Eight factions provide team-building variety

Watcher of Realms Pros and Cons

ProsCons
Graphics impress for mobile gamingPremium character drop rates stay low
Strategic depth in positioning mechanicsDifficulty spikes after early game
Voice acting adds personalityStory content ends after introduction

Watcher of Realms mixes tower defense with hero collecting, and it works better than you’d think. You’ve got 100+ heroes with detailed 3D models to position strategically across eight factions in the world of Tya.

The dark realistic art style hits different. This isn’t your typical anime fantasy: tower defense battles need you to think about positioning and timing, not just throwing your strongest heroes at everything. Guild partnerships let you team up to take down epic dragons, which feels pretty epic when you pull it off.

6. AFK Journey: Canvas Art Style for Visual Novel Fans

Genre:RPG, Idle, Gacha
Release Date:2024
Platforms:Windows, Android, iOS
Gameplay Features:Canvas art style, idle progression, tile-based combat
Developer:Farlight Games/Lilith Games
Best for:Casual collectors who appreciate visual art

AFK Journey Features

  • Canvas art creates storybook atmosphere
  • Idle progression continues offline automatically
  • Open world includes puzzles and exploration

AFK Journey Pros and Cons

ProsCons
Beautiful unique art directionRequires more attention than the name suggests
Simplified systems welcome newcomersLess complex than the original
Free-to-play remains competitiveGacha rates can be harsh

AFK Journey has won gaming awards, and you can see why. The canvas art style makes everything look like a living storybook, which helps it stand out from other fantasy games.

As a sequel to AFK Arena, it streamlines the original’s systems without dumbing things down. Your heroes earn resources while you’re offline, and when you level up five heroes, your whole roster gets stronger. No more grinding the same character forever. The tile-based combat throws in stuff like flamethrowers and terrain to keep battles interesting.

7. Marvel Puzzle Quest: Match-3 Combat for Superhero Fans

Genre:Puzzle, RPG
Release Date:2013
Platforms:iOS, Android, Steam, PlayStation, Xbox
Gameplay Features:Match-3 puzzles, 250+ Marvel characters, strategic team building
Developer:D3 Go!/505 Games
Best for:Marvel fans who like match-3 puzzles

Marvel Puzzle Quest Features

  • 250+ Marvel heroes and villains available
  • Match-3 puzzles power character abilities
  • True cross-platform includes consoles

Marvel Puzzle Quest Pros and Cons

ProsCons
Extensive Marvel roster satisfies fansRecent updates cause performance problems
Long-running support ensures stabilityRoster slots require spending
Strategic depth beyond typical puzzlersToo many Spider-Man variants dilute variety

Marvel Puzzle Quest has been doing the superhero match-3 thing for over a decade, and they’ve built up 250+ Marvel characters along the way. From obscure comic characters to MCU favorites, if they’re Marvel, they’re probably here.

It’s not just mindless matching though. Character abilities and team synergies turn it into something more strategic. Daily challenges and seasonal events keep things fresh, while the cover system lets you upgrade abilities through collection. Alliance events mean you can tackle stuff with friends, and with 20 million players, finding teammates is easy.

8. AFK Arena: The Original Idle RPG Experience

Genre:RPG, Idle, Gacha
Release Date:2019
Platforms:iOS, Android, Windows PC (via Google Play Games)
Gameplay Features:Idle progression, 200 heroes, automatic battles
Developer:Lilith Games
Best for:Relaxed gamers wanting classic idle gameplay

AFK Arena Features

  • True idle progression works offline
  • Eight factions with strategic synergies
  • Crossover events bring famous characters

AFK Arena Pros and Cons

ProsCons
Genuinely idle gameplay respects timeLess support than newer sequel
Beautiful hand-drawn artwork throughoutLate game requires heavier investment
Generous for free-to-play progressionHeavy competition in idle genre

AFK Arena basically invented what we think of as idle RPGs, hitting 100 million downloads along the way. Nearly 200 heroes across eight factions, and the whole point is your progress continues when you’re not playing.

The merge token system is satisfying. You combine duplicate heroes instead of just discarding them. They’ve mixed in dimensional crossovers from Assassin’s Creed and The Witcher, which is pretty cool. The hand-drawn art still looks great years later, proving good art direction beats raw polygon counts.

9. Genshin Impact: Open-World Adventure for Explorers

Genre:Action RPG, Gacha
Release Date:2020
Platforms:PC, iOS, Android, PlayStation 4/5
Gameplay Features:Open world exploration, elemental reaction combat, 7 nations
Developer:HoYoverse
Best for:Adventure seekers who love open-world exploration

Genshin Impact Features

  • Massive open world with seven unique nations
  • Elemental reaction combat system rewards creativity
  • Regular content updates expand the world

Genshin Impact Pros and Cons

ProsCons
Revolutionary graphics for mobile devicesGacha monetization frustrates players
Vast world offers hundreds of hoursResin system limits playtime
High-quality voice acting and musicStorage requirements exceed 100GB

Genshin Impact basically broke mobile gaming—nobody expected Breath of the Wild quality on phones, but here we are. The anime-style world of Teyvat has seven nations to explore, and combat revolves around swapping characters mid-fight to trigger elemental reactions.

The open world is massive: we’re talking hundreds of hours of content, and regular updates keep adding new regions and characters. Four-player co-op means you can drag friends along for the adventure, assuming they have 100GB of storage space free.

How Does RAID: Shadow Legends Handle Cross-Platform Progression?

RAID makes switching devices feel like nothing. Link your account once, and everything syncs instantly. Summon a champion on your phone? It’s on your PC before you can blink. Start a clan boss battle on desktop? Finish it on mobile.

Everything transfers: champions, gear, resources, even your battle settings and team setups. The whole system just works through the game’s built-in account system. Use the same login everywhere, switch devices whenever you want. It’s what every cross-platform game should do but many don’t.

What Makes RAID: Shadow Legends Perfect for Multi-Device Gaming?

RAID feels right whether you’re tapping a screen or clicking a mouse. The UI knows what device you’re on. Text stays readable on phones, while PC uses all that screen space properly. Touch controls work great for navigation, but when you need to manage gear precisely, mouse control has you covered.

Graphics scale automatically too. Your phone runs smooth battles at 60fps while PC cranks up the visual effects. You’re never stuck with a mobile port that looks terrible on PC or a desktop game squeezed onto your phone.

The game performs consistently everywhere, which sounds basic but so many games mess this up. Loading times stay quick, battles run smooth, everything just works. That’s why RAID stands out in the cross-platform RPG crowd.

Why RAID: Shadow Legends Is the Best Cross-Platform RPG for Serious Collectors

RAID combines a massive 900+ champion roster with cross-platform that actually works. No other RPG gives you this much to collect while making it this easy to play anywhere.

The game respects however you want to play. Quick mobile sessions during your commute? Deep theorycrafting sessions on PC? You get the full experience everywhere. That’s what cross-platform should be. Your game, your way, anywhere.

Jump in today and see why millions stick with RAID: Shadow Legends for their RPG fix. Your champions are waiting on every device.

FAQs About Cross-Platform RPGs

What does RPG mean?

RPG stands for Role-Playing Game. These are games where you control characters through adventures, level them up, and collect gear. RAID: Shadow Legends shows what modern RPGs can do with 900+ champions to customize and develop.

What RPGs are cross-platform?

Plenty of RPGs do cross-platform now. RAID: Shadow Legends syncs between PC and mobile perfectly. Genshin Impact covers six platforms including consoles. Marvel Puzzle Quest even includes Steam alongside mobile platforms. The days of being stuck on one device are over.

Are there any cross-platform multiplayer games?

Tons of them. RAID: Shadow Legends lets you do clan battles with players on any platform. Genshin Impact has four-player co-op regardless of what everyone’s playing on. This connectivity is huge for gaming communities. Everyone can actually play together now.

Are RPGs good for your brain?

RPGs make you think through strategic planning and resource management. Games like RAID require you to figure out optimal team compositions and gear setups. You can’t just mash buttons and win. All that problem-solving keeps your brain engaged while you’re having fun.

Is RAID: Shadow Legends better on PC?

RAID works great on both PC and mobile, it’s more about what you’re doing. PC’s bigger screen makes managing 900+ champions easier, especially when you’re deep into team building. Mobile is perfect for daily tasks and auto-battles during your commute. The real answer? Use whatever device you have handy.

How long does RAID: Shadow Legends take?

RAID fits whatever time you have. Daily tasks take maybe 15-30 minutes if you’re casual. Want to dive deep into team optimization or push new content? You can play for hours. The game works for both quick sessions and marathon gaming equally well.

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