Hardcore. A term that’s been thrown around a lot over the years. If an aging punk is discussing hardcore, he’s not talking about his exploits in Fortnite. And if a veteran is using the term you probably should refrain from discussing your KD ratio in COD. For our purposes at Hardcore iOS, we mean iOS games that are as deep and engaging as those found on PC and consoles. Our best of lists aim to uncover not just the best iOS games, but those iPhone and iPad titles that offer the same level of immersion that core games do. So, what do we think are the most hardcore iOS games?
10. Invisible Inc.
Did you ever want to be a spy when you were younger? Imagine fulfilling that fantasy in a strikingly beautiful techno-punk setting. Fortunately for you, this is exactly what Invisible Inc. by Klei is, originally a PC game that has been adapted into iOS format. The game is a beautiful romp into the world of espionage throughout the isometric turn-based stealth game. The art style is a unique combination of futurism and noir. This creates a beautifully lit grid-based movement system the game is based around.
The game puts you in charge of Invisible’s field agents, retrieving loot, and completing missions. The most amazing part of Invisible Inc. is its replayability. Not only is the gameplay heavily affected by your actions, but Locations, Threats, and Loots are all randomly generated each time. No two playthroughs will be the same. There are also five different game modes and options to alter the generation methods of each level. Invisible Inc. is truly a game that can be built to your preferences to create the ultimate spy thriller in the palm of your hands.
9. FTL
Permadeath is a terrifying yet underutilized game mechanic. Dying means starting over. Period. It grants a sense of permanency and actual stakes to in-game consequences. One title that handles this well is FTL, an award-winning spaceship management game originally available on PC by Subset Games. Once your ship is taken down, that’s it; you must start all over from the beginning.
That being said, with each fresh restart you as the player know more about the game. What do we mean? We mean as you start over, you are able to progress faster and faster with more knowledge gained through playing the game previously. The fresh restarts give you a chance to experiment with new set-ups and play-focuses. This, coupled with charming pixel graphics, “hundreds of text-based encounters,” and randomly generated galaxies means you are guaranteed hours upon hours of fun and strategic gameplay.
8. Into the Breach
Into the Breach has unique qualifiers to get it on iOS, as to get this title you’ll have to have a Netflix account to get the mobile edition. As this game and FTL share the same developer, Subset Games, you can expect the same level of thought and stellar pixel art graphics in a science-fiction setting with a permadeath mechanic. However, that is where the similarities end.
Rather than being a spaceship management simulator like FTL is, Into the Breach is an isometric turn-based strategy game. It is your job in Into the Breach to take down aliens with your fleet of pilots and mechs to defend cities on Earth. Although the premise is simple, the game is anything but that.Tthe stellar soundtrack and extensive story are enough to engage even strategy novices. In fact, the game’s story is written by Chris Avellone, who wrote the story for both Fallout 2 and Fallout: New Vegas. That’s quite the pedigree.
7. Moonlighter
Many mobile RPGs exist solely for the purpose of selling loot boxes. Time and time again, the mobile RPG title will start off strong. Then it jumps straight into pay-to-win territory. Difficulty ramping in mobile RPGs are often purposefully skewed so your character’s levels are astronomically low for what the next objective needs. This is not proper game design. These sleazy tactics are the opposite of hardcore; however you will not find them in Moonlighter.
You will need a Netflix subscription to play Moonlighter. That being said, a Netflix subscription is the only in-app purchase listed for the app developed by Spanish indie studio Digital Sun, originally for PC. This game is a combination of traditional dungeon-crawler RPGs and shop management games, with a splash of village simulation to top it off. Once again the title has a pixel art style. However, this time the artwork is reminiscent of the colorful low-poly games that have been trending in mobile games lately. Combining these two art styles feels very fresh on the eyes. This multi-genre title allows you to play your way, in a charming and rich fantasy world with the loveable underdog Will as your guide.
6. Hyper Light Drifter
Yes, Hyper Light Drifter is the fourth game with pixel art graphics, but the style is utterly breathtaking. Its use of unique and jarring color palettes blend flawlessly with the energetic yet unsettling atmosphere the game strives for. It is quite honestly one of the most beautiful uses of pixel artwork to date, but that isn’t the only positive for Hyper Light Drifter.
The game’s soundtrack is created completely by Disasterpeace, who started composing with the game Fez. Disaserpease has since went on to make soundtracks for horror films like It Follows and Bodies Bodies Bodies. The plot is interesting and unique; you play as the Drifter, who is someone with an unknown illness who has access to technology long forgotten by society within the game. The fresh combat mechanics and silent but compelling storyline are also worth praise. This game truly feels like the classic top-down RPGs we know and love, with a fresh coat of techno-dystopian paint.
5. Slay the Spire
Trading card games have found resurgence in recent years, and Slay the Spire is a fresh roguelike dungeon-crawler take on the genre. You begin with a choice between four characters. All of these characters start with a unique deck to introduce you to a strategic playstyle that fits their cards. You then progress through the game’s dungeons collecting new cards. Not only do you build your own deck, you can develop your own unique strategies and play style.
The hand drawn art style is reminiscent of physical trading card games of the past. There’s also over 350 possible cards to collect and 200 mysterious items to be found. This means this isn’t the type of game you can finish in a few hours, but that’s a good thing. This game is simple strategic fun that is a fresh breath of air to the two genres featured in Slay the Spire. There are also ‘Daily Climbs’ that provide a new ranked challange every day. There’s even a custom sandbox mode for you to set up your own battles. Overall, there is a plethora of content that is prime for replayability and unique experiences each time you open the game.
4. Atom RPG
Atom RPG is a love letter to our favorite apocalyptic RPGs, from the Fallout franchise to Wasteland. Everything from the graphical style to the leveling system is a callback to these classic nuclear apocalypse games beloved by gamers for generations. Of course this is while adding their own cheeky spin on it. The leveling and role-play system are both inspired by GURPS. GURPS is the Generic Universal Role-playing System, which is a tool GMs can use to create their own campaigns in table top roleplaying games.
The plot follows a world where the Soviet Union and the Western Bloc both are obliterated by nuclear bombings. The protagonist you play as is one of the few survivors of this nuclear attack, and must now make their way in the apocalyptic wasteland of Atom RPG. There is also a looming conspiracy to find by way of captivating gameplay and dialogue options. Side-quest lovers can rejoice; this game is full of extra objectives to enhance the non-linear nature of this game.
3. KOTR I and II
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, otherwise known as KOTR, is a popular RPG duology ported into a mobile format. Not only is the KOTR duology the only official Legends source alive since George Lucas discontinued the Expanded Universe canon in 2014, but the games hold their own in a world of science fiction RPGs, quite possibly being one of the only critically acclaimed video games adapted from popular movies.
There is no Star Wars knowledge needed to play this stellar title, as the story is self-contained within itself. However, longtime Star Wars fans can find extra enjoyment in this unique story apart from the beloved franchise. This is especially true for fans of Darth Revan, often hailed as the best character to come from the now-titled Legends. There are also genuine consequences to your actions. There is a Light side ending and a Dark side ending, both with their own unique twists and turns. The stories themselves rival the Star Wars franchise, which is the icing on the cake of a well-constructed game with some of the most fun and unique fighting sequences in all of gaming. The first title won a spot in Time’s 100 Greatest Video Games of All Time for a reason.
2. The Banner Saga
Norse mythology’s fascinating folklore is only amplified in The Banner Saga by the beautiful 2D hand-painted art designed in part with rotoscoping. The game is a work of art and an absolute feat for a tactical RPG indie title originally launched in 2014. The game also features a dynamic story in which every choice matters and contributes to which ending you receive.
It’s not just the choices you make in cutscenes that determine the story. If a character dies in battle, they’re dead in the story as well. This adds more weight to the battle sequences, which run on a grid system. There’s also a multiplayer battle mode for when you’ve finished all of the story’s possible routes. This means you can play the game infinitely. The most amazing feature is how the story you chose to end with in the first game carries over to the second installment in the planned trilogy, adding even more importance to every choice you make.
1. Xcom Series
The XCOM Series deserves the top spot for a number of reasons. It is an extensive franchise spanning nearly three decades, and all of its mobile ports are worth playing. XCOM: Enemy Within is an expanded version of the cult-classic strategy game from 2012, and is completely worth playing even if you played the original remake. There are new abilities, new weapons, new threats, new story and even more new content that make it nearly a completely new game. Yes, it’s the same story as the original game. The only difference is the added content. XCOM 2 is even better and a complete port of the original sequel, including the best DLCs.
In the XCOM series, you are a member of an elite task force taking down aliens attempting to invade Earth. The premise and storyline pay homage to 90’s alien thrillers with exhilarating takedowns and genuinely terrifying aliens. Both entries ported into a mobile format still look like AAA games, and play as well as one. This tactical strategy game is incredibly intuitive with AI that actually plays well, ramping up the difficulty more and more with each fight. The cutscenes look like a studio film, and the story is stellar as well.
