games for ipad mini?

July 27, 2022 11:48 AM

I just got an ipad mini. i'm about to be doing a lot of travelling, and i want some fun, distracting games. i have an apple arcade subscription, but i'm also willing to pay for good games. i really really do not want "free" games that are full of ads and trackers, or freemium games. also, needs to work without an internet connection if possible. i'm open to pretty much anything but stuff like visual novels and really text-heavy games aren't what i'm looking for right now. thank you!!
posted by capnsue to Computers & Internet (13 answers total)

I really like Stardew Valley on the iPad with the caveat that it has not and probably never will be updated to the latest version of the game (1.5). So if you are already a seasoned Stardew Valley player who wants the island farm and the new person (People? I don't know, I only play on iPad) then it won't be good for you. But if you have never played before than I completely recommend the iPad version.
posted by mygothlaundry at 12:15 PM on July 27, 2022 [1 favorite]

Into the Breach is a fantastic game that just got an expansion released and was already worthy the list price, and just got released on iOS.
posted by furnace.heart at 12:36 PM on July 27, 2022 [2 favorites]

Dark Pattern Games is stuffed full of recommendations for games that don’t… uh, have dark patterns like ads/trackers/microtransactions etc.
posted by Happy Dave at 12:38 PM on July 27, 2022 [2 favorites]

FTL is another fantastic game (by the same makers of Into the Breach), and I think the iPad is the best platform for it (I've only ever played on an iPad, but controlling your ship's systems using a touchscreen that looks just like a PADD from Star Trek works so perfectly I can't imagine playing with a mouse and keyboard). I think I've had the game for at least five years and regularly go back to it, and am currently working on unlocking all of the ships again on a new iPad. It can be punishingly difficult, even on the Easy setting, but remains enjoyable despite/because of that.

No ads, and no internet connection needed. Well worth the $10 price tag!
posted by Jawn at 12:47 PM on July 27, 2022 [2 favorites]

I don’t have an iPad mini but I like Patterned on both my ipad and my iphone so I’m guessing it would be good on the mini as well.
posted by 2 cats in the yard at 1:23 PM on July 27, 2022 [1 favorite]

Osmos is a beautiful and fun game. No text at all. You are a mote, trying to become the biggest by merging with smaller motes, trying to avoid being swallowed up by larger motes. But every motion expends a little of your mass. It's all just physics and gorgeous sound design, and very relaxing.

If you like board games, the iOS versions of Agricola, Carcassonne, and Terraforming Mars are quite good.
posted by hovey at 2:12 PM on July 27, 2022 [2 favorites]

Apple Arcade games are required to have no ads, no "freemium" stuff, and no in-app purchases. So that may be the most fertile ground to work from. I like Card Of Darkness, Mini Motorways, What The Golf, Oceanhorn 2, Monument Valley, Dandara, Tiny Wings, Leo's Fortune, Inks, and Grindstone, all on Apple Arcade.
posted by churl at 2:32 PM on July 27, 2022 [5 favorites]

The Battle of Polytopia is free with IAP for additional tribes, which you don't need unless you start getting into it. The AI players aren't great but will keep you busy, and it works offline.
posted by credulous at 2:58 PM on July 27, 2022

Do you like chess? And do you like chaos and rule-breaking?
Then Really Bad Chess is the game for you!
Ever wanted to play chess with 3 queens, 6 bishops, and no knights?
Then Really Bad Chess is the game for you!
Ever wanted to play chess where your opponent and you do not have the same piece setup?
Then Really Bad Chess is the game for you!
posted by ApathyGirl at 3:27 PM on July 27, 2022

Apple Arcade:
- cozy grove
- crashlands
- bloons TD 6
- monument valley 2
- Card of Darkness
- donut country
- what the golf
- grindstone
- spire blast
- roundguard
- game dev story+

Non-Arcade
- Slay the Spire
- Wingspan
- other games by Kairosoft
posted by itesser at 6:39 PM on July 27, 2022 [1 favorite]

Monument Valley and its sequel are beautiful and strange games. Not arcade at all.
posted by schrodycat at 6:48 PM on July 27, 2022 [1 favorite]

Into The Breach is so good, I can't recommend it highly enough, but you need a Netflix subscription (it's only available via Netflix Games on iOS).

Lots of good recommendations above, Slay The Spire is a standout for me.

Some others

Amanita Design games are wonderful, these three are on Apple Arcade:
- Creaks
- Pilgrims
- Samorost 3+

Non-Arcade:
- Gorogoa
- Gris
- Northgard
- Hoplite (very old but a favourite)
posted by riddley at 8:13 PM on July 27, 2022

XCOM and XCOM 2 are on iOS I believe.
posted by rhamphorhynchus at 6:05 AM on July 28, 2022