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Best iOS Games2022

The 20 Best iOS Games of 2022: A Look Ahead

Last updated: 12/27/2023

12 minutes read

iOS is one of the principal players in the gaming and app store market. Despite competing with Android, Apple's iOS is still one of the most popular options in gaming. Why? Well, the options on iOS are limitless.

There are over a million iPhone apps available, and the system rolls out new games all the time.

There is no reason to think 2022 is going to be any different. In fact, there are dozens of iOS games planned for release in the new year. In this article, we are going to explore the top 20 best iOS games of 2022.

We will provide you with everything you need to know about their releases, so you can start preparing to play as soon as the clock strikes midnight on January 1st. Happy gaming and Happy New Year!

The 20 Best Free iOS Games to Play in 2022

The Lowdown

In Q2 2021, puzzle games accounted for 21.18% of mobile gaming revenue on iOS devices in North America. Casino, strategy, RPGs, and simulation games followed. Based on these figures, it wouldn't be surprising if the best iOS games of 2022 were from the same, or at least similar, genres.

As it turns out, based on the list above, you can see the iPhone games coming out in 2022 are similar. There are card games and role-playing games. There are also strategy games. In other words, it's going to be an all-around good year for the gaming community.

#1: Tomb Raider Reloaded. Developed by Emerald City Games

Are you a fan of the original character depiction of Lara Croft in the Tomb Raider franchise? If so, you are in luck. One of the best free iOS games in 2022 that you have to try uses this classic illustration.

Next year, Emerald City Games will release its new Tomb Raider Reloaded game for iOS devices. Tomb Raider Reloaded is an action-adventure mobile game. You control Lara Croft and explore hazardous ruins and ancient tombs.

According to the developer, Tomb Raider Reloaded moves away from the “grittier” presentation of Lara Croft that we have seen in recent titles.

#2: Diablo Immortal. Developed by Blizzard Entertainment and NetEase

Diablo Immortal is a free-to-play game designed for iOS devices. Its inspiration is the eerie dungeon crawler Diablo video game series. Diablo Immortal will come out in the first half of 2022.

Players can act as a Demon Hunter or a Wizard in the game as they navigate a nightmarish landscape. You can also choose to be a Monk.

When games have several character options, you can better express yourself in different ways as many times as you want. That can help make your gaming experience more enjoyable.

The developers of Diablo Immortal understand this, and the game could be a contender for one of the best mobile games in 2022 for iOS devices as a result.

It is important to note you will only be able to play this game with an internet connection as it is an online mobile game. Don’t worry, though! You will find the best offline games for iOS in 2022 later in this article

#3: Wipeout Rush. Developed by Amuzo Games

Have you ever wanted to play a classic PlayStation racing car game on your mobile phone? Well, soon, you will be able to, as one of the best mobile games in 2022 for iOS is a mobile version of PlayStation’s Wipeout.

The card-based racing game is coming to iOS, but instead of racing the cars, you will take on the role of the team manager.

While the game will look different, there’s still evidence it will be one of the best games released in 2022. Why? Well, because gamers appreciate it when developers take something classic and give it a new spin.

It is even better when developers keep the traditional game's beloved elements. That's what Wipeout Rush is all about.

#4: Echoes of Mana. Developed by Square Enix

Echoes of Mana will also be one of the best iOS games of 2022. That's because the action RPG mobile game is the first new entry in the Mana series since 2014.

The release of Echoes of Mana is also part of Square Enix’s 30th-anniversary celebrations for the Mana franchise. You can play this game for free, but there is reason to believe there will also be in-game purchases.

#5: Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis. Developed by Applibot, Inc.

If you are a fan of the Final Fantasy franchise, this next game is for you. In 2022, Square Enix will release for iOS the new Final Fantasy VII: Ever Crisis role-playing game.

This game retells the events from the 1997 Final Fantasy VII video game. It is also a single-player mobile experience.

#6: Super Meat Boy Forever. Developed by Team Meat

Have you ever felt like you have been waiting for something for ages and it has still never happened? Well, that’s sort of what it has been like with Team Meat’s Super Meat Boy Forever game.

A mobile version of Super Meat Boy Forever has been in the works for years, and we’re getting it at last in 2022.

The game is set a few years after the original and expands on its gameplay. We also have to note that Team Meat has introduced a couple of gameplay changes. For instance, one change in the game is that it is now an auto-runner.

That means you can only control non-scrolling movement interactions, such as jumping. Either way, the game will be welcomed with open arms and will become one of the best games on iOS in 2022.

#7: Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition. Developed by Grove Street Games

Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition is a compilation of three games in Grand Theft Auto. Grove Street Games has remastered all three. There have been upgrades across-the-board, especially gameplay and visual enhancements.

Despite the graphic improvements, Grove Street Games made sure The Definitive Edition maintained the same look and feel as the original GTA games. For these reasons, Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition is one of the best iOS games of 2022.

#8: Apex Legends. Developed by Respawn Entertainment

A mobile version of Apex Legends, a free-to-play battle royale shooter game, is available on iOS in 2022. Since Apex Legends supports cross-platform play, it is bound to become one of the best iOS games of 2022.

The game takes place in the same universe as Respawn Entertainment’s Titanfall series. Mobile players can form squads and choose characters with unique abilities and characteristics. Again, by having options for players, Apex Legends could become one of the best mobile games in 2022 for iOS.

#9: Bravely Default: Brilliant Lights. Developed by Square Enix

Square Enix is releasing a new game for iOS to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Bravely video game series. The mobile game, called Brilliant Lights, is a single-player RPG. It will feature key characters from previous installments in the Bravely series.

There will also be new characters in the game, thanks to an original story written by Keiichi Ajiro. Ajiro worked on Bravely Default: Flying Fairy and Bravely Second: End Layer in the past. For these reasons, we’re sure Brilliant Lights will end up one of the best iOS games of 2022.

#10: Star Wars: Hunters. Developed by Zynga and NaturalMotion

Zynga has developed a game for iOS devices called Star Wars: Hunters. The mobile game takes place after the fall of the Galactic Empire, which fans first saw in the 1977 Star Wars film.

Star Wars: Hunted will come out in 2022, and it will feature several new characters, including rebellion heroes and bounty hunters.

#11: Heck Deck. Developed by Torcado

Heck Deck is a unique new mashup game that combines cards and bullet hell shooter games. It is one of the first games to do this, which makes Heck Deck one of the best iOS games of 2022.

hi everyone, important news:
after 3 years, Heck Deck has an official release date! the bullet hell card game will be coming to PC and mobile on ✨ January 11th, 2022! ✨https://t.co/Je6mtAgjqM pic.twitter.com/EZ0ULc4hB5
— torcado (@torcado) November 10, 2021

The game has five different levels, where each one should test both your strategy and your dexterity.

The expected release date for Heck Deck is around early January. You can play it across iOS devices, such as your iPad. Keep in mind that Heck Deck is one of the iPad games that requires iPadOS11 or later.

#12: eFootball 2022. Developed by Konami

Like Super Meat Boy Forever, eFootball 2022 is another game we have been waiting to hit iOS devices for a while. The mobile game came out in 2021, but critics panned it for its lack of content and graphics.

As such, Konami removed the game and selected a re-release date. According to Konami, the new 2022 version of the game will have significant improvements.

Konami also said these improvements would add more meaning to the user’s experience. It is reasonable to think that eFootball 2022 could become one of the best iOS games of 2022.

The main reason for that has to be that with the extra time Konami has had after pulling the first version of the game, they can ensure they deliver a high-quality product.

#13: Sumire. Developed by GameTomo

Emotional Japanese narrative adventure game Sumire is coming to iOS in early 2022. Mobile players can explore a Japanese village where they take on the role of a young girl named Sumire. There is no doubt Sumire will be one of the best iOS games of 2022.

You can credit Sumire's gameplay, but in reality, it is going to be because of the game's compelling narrative, art, music, and characters. The game evokes various emotions and reminds us of the importance of friendship.

#14: Unreal Life. Developed by Hako Life and Room6

Unreal Life, a Pixel art adventure game, is coming to iOS soon. The mobile game lets players take on the role of a young girl who has lost most of her memories but remembers one person: “Miss Sakura.” You try and find Miss Sakura to regain your memories.

Unreal Life will hit iOS as a premium release in 2022 and include four different endings. Every choice you make in the game leads to the endings, so you have to be careful. This choose-your-own-fate aspect of Unreal Life makes it one of the best iOS games of 2022.

#15: Alien: Isolation. Developed by Creative Assembly

By now, we know over a dozen new games are coming out on iOS in 2022. But what about in the weeks leading up to the new year? Are any new iPhone games or iPad games coming out? If so, can we still list them as the one of the best iOS games of 2022?

The answer is yes because they are still so new.

From December 16, you will be able to hold the complete Alien: Isolation experience in the palm of your hand. We challenge you to find a better way to spend these dark and rainy winter nights. https://t.co/mcMFmN8rq2
— Alien: Isolation (@AlienIsolation) November 23, 2021

To begin, we have Alien: Isolation, available on mobile devices from December 16th, 2021. Despite a 2021 release, Alien: Isolation will still be one of the best iOS games of 2022, so don't worry if you can’t get your hands on it right away.

This is a survival horror video game based on the 1979 Alien movie franchise. It is a single-player action-adventure game where you control Amanda Ripley, from a first-person perspective and explore the enemy-infested space station.

#16: Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX. Developed by Koei Tecmo

Monster Rancher 1 & 2 DX is another new iOS game with December 2021 as its release month. This Pokémon-like game is a remaster of Koei Tecmo’s Monster Rancher (1997) and Monster Rancher 2 (1999).

You can raise your own monsters — who doesn’t want to do that? — and train them to compete in tournaments. You can also train them to compete in combat against other creatures. The game offers hundreds of different monsters. Each has different characteristics and skills.

#17: Warhammer: Age of Sigmar: Soul Arena. Developed by Trophy Games

Warhammer: Age of Sigmar: Soul Arena will also come out in December 2021 on iOS. It is a free-to-play strategy game that takes place in the fictional universe of Warhammer: Age of Sigmar.

As a player, you will take part in turn-based wars and use tactics to outsmart your enemies.

#18: Disney Melee Mania. Developed by Mighty Bear Games

The release of Disney Melee Mania is one month short of the new year. Still, it is going to end up being one of the best offline games for iOS in 2022 to play.

Head in the game? Disney and Pixar's holo-arena awaits in #DisneyMeleeMania ⭐️Coming soon to @AppleArcade! https://t.co/QF62cs1cRG pic.twitter.com/uwVMUCa7Vz
— Disney Melee Mania (@playmeleemania) November 15, 2021

Disney Melee Mania is an Apple Arcade exclusive, which, if you don’t know, is a subscription-based gaming platform for iOS devices. There are hundreds of games available, and Apple lets you download them and play them offline.

Disney Melee Mania is a battle arena game that features iconic Disney and Pixar characters.

#19: Yu-Gi-Oh Master Duel. Developed by Konami

Konami will release its new Yu-Gi-Oh Master Duel on iOS devices in Winter 2021. The new mobile game includes a new story mode that allows players to explore the history of Yu-Gi-Oh! cards. You will also be able to play in tournaments.

#20: Pako 3. Developed by Tree Men Games

We saw Pako 3 released on December 2nd, 2021. It is the latest installment in the Pako series, and this car chase game is as fast-paced as the other titles. Pako 3 is also unpredictable.

There's never a dull moment in the car chases, which makes Pako 3 another one of the best games on iOS in 2022 to check out.