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c/android · by char_stats@discuss.tchncs.de · 1y

My favorite PAID games on the Play Store (+ user recommendations ๐Ÿ’ฌ)

๐Ÿ‘‰For my free games list, please go here.

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New list entries - updated June 2026:

::: spoiler Other recent entries

:::

::: spoiler Introduction

This is a list of all premium games, sorted by genre, that I've purchased, loved, and finished (or played extensively) over many years and I'd like to recommend as I found them excellent and without predatory monetization, gacha, battle passes, daily logins, or infinite microtransactions of any kind. I'm also including the most recommended premium titles by the communityโ€”which I haven't playtested yet or I'm not particularly interested inโ€”marked with ๐Ÿ’ฌ. Please check the entry criteria below before recommending a game.

Some of the games may be free with IAP's, but EXCLUSIVELY to unlock the full game, DLCs, or remove ads (no gacha or energy/gambling mechanics, "diamonds", pay-to-win, or any recurrent cash-grab bullshit of sort).

[Disclaimer: chances are some items in this list will inevitably be delisted from the Play Store as time goes by, or will not be compatible with future Android versions. I'll do my best to always keep it updated, but feel free to PM me if you come across any unavailable title and I'll fix the entry]

I'm planning to keep this list updated for personal reference with the new games I'll play and like, or old games I've played that will come to mind later. So feel free to save it and check out new entries every so often.

My ultimate goal is to promote worthy content and honest/talented devs, hoping to see more quality games in the future, rather than the horrible cash-grab machines the Play Store is regrettably riddled with. And, of course, to let everyone have a great time playing good games ;)

:::

::: spoiler Entry criteria for user recommendations ๐Ÿ’ฌ

  1. Paid Play Store games compatible with recent Android versions
  2. No ads or infinite microtransactions. Allowed: ad-removal, full-game unlock, proper DLCs
  3. You love the game and think it's worth the price
  4. Must include link and, possibly, genre

I will still use my discretion and judgment to filter the entries, in the attempt of keeping the list's quality high.

[If you want to play or recommend free games, without ads or microtransactions, here is the list for you.]

:::

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THE LIST

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Legend

๐ŸŒŸ - top favorite ย 

๐Ÿ’Ž - AA or AAA production

๐Ÿ‘‘ - masterpiece ย 

๐Ÿ’ฌ - recommended by the community, but I haven't played it yet or not my taste ย 

๐ŸŽฎ - controllers are supported and, usually, strongly recommended ย 

๐ŸŽฎโ—๏ธ - controller recommended but not supportedโ€”you'll need a controller mapping app like Panda ย 

๐Ÿ“ฑ - portrait orientation (either exclusively or optional)

๐Ÿ‘ฅ - includes multiplayer

120FPS - 120 FPS on supported devices

[Game title] - delisted, but you might still see it in the store if you've purchased it ย 

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Action-adventure shooter

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2D shooter

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Isometric shooter

  • Time Recoil ๐ŸŽฎ (3rd person shoooter - top down/isometric with slow-mo mechanics - touch controls work great)

  • Neon Chrome ๐ŸŒŸ ๐ŸŽฎ (3rd person shoooter - cyberpunk theme, top down/isometric view - touch controls work great)

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Action-adventure platformer/hack-n-slash

  • Hyper Light Drifter - S.E. ๐ŸŒŸ ๐ŸŽฎ (only PS controllers supported; pixel art)

  • Grimvalor ๐ŸŒŸ ๐ŸŽฎ 120FPS (2.5D hack and slash medieval fantasy platform/RPG)

  • Shadow Blade ๐ŸŒŸ ๐ŸŽฎ (2D hack and slash action platform)

  • Swordigo ๐ŸŽฎโ—๏ธ (2D RPG action-adventure platformer; requires controller remap app; free with 2 IAPs that add compass or coin doubler, and either of them remove ads too)

  • Oddmar ๐ŸŽฎ 120FPS (2D action-adventure platformer)

  • Ninja Arashi ๐ŸŽฎ (2D hack and slash action platformer - free with IAPs to remove ads)

  • SAMURAI II: VENGEANCE ๐ŸŽฎ (top down/isometric hack and slash)

  • Dead Cells ๐Ÿ’ฌ ๐ŸŽฎ 120FPS (roguelite action platformer)

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Platformer

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Metroidvania

  • Prince of Persia: Lost Crown ๐ŸŒŸ ๐Ÿ’Ž ๐ŸŽฎ (platform hack-n-slash - if bugs, try one of these: copy save onto a different slot; load game and save w/o connecting controller, then connect; backup+reinstall)

  • Carrion ๐ŸŒŸ ๐ŸŽฎ (inverted horror, pixel art - touch controls are recommended over a controller)

  • Blasphemous ๐Ÿ’ฌ ๐ŸŽฎ (platform hack-n-slash)

  • Castlevania: SotN ๐Ÿ’ฌ ๐ŸŽฎ

  • Dandara Trials of Fear Edition ๐Ÿ’ฌ ๐ŸŽฎ

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Beat 'em up

  • TMNT: Shredder's Revenge ๐ŸŒŸ ๐Ÿ’Ž ๐ŸŽฎ ๐Ÿ‘ฅ๏ธ (beat 'em up with story mode and fun multiplayer - IAP to unlock complete edition with all DLCs - free with a Netflix subscription)

  • Streets of Rage 4 ๐ŸŽฎ

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Turn-based RPG

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Tactical RPG

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Strategy

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Action RPG

  • Cat Quest III ๐ŸŒŸ ๐ŸŽฎ ๐Ÿ‘ฅ

  • Cat Quest II ๐ŸŽฎ ๐Ÿ‘ฅ

  • Undead Horde 2: Necropolis ๐ŸŒŸ ๐ŸŽฎ

  • Trials of Mana ๐ŸŒŸ ๐Ÿ’Ž ๐ŸŽฎ (added controller support and achievements!)

  • The Bard's Tale (3D action RPG adventure - this game has some optional IAPs: they can easily be ignored but they're there. Also, some users experienced an auto-save bug that corrupts ALL save files, so I recommend disabling auto-save altogether. I'm keeping the game listed here for now as I still consider it a true premium game and I haven't personally experienced any bug)

  • Evoland ๐ŸŽฎ (action/adventure RPG with 2D and 3D graphics and a mix of genres. Touch controls work great)

  • Evoland 2 ๐ŸŒŸ ๐ŸŽฎ (action/adventure RPG with 2D and 3D graphics, mix of genres; controller recommended)

  • Pascal's Wager (soulslike) ๐Ÿ’ฌ ๐ŸŽฎ

  • Star Wars: KOTOR ๐Ÿ’ฌ ๐ŸŽฎ

  • Star Wars: KOTOR II ๐Ÿ’ฌ ๐ŸŽฎ

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CRPG

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Fishing adventure

  • Dredge ๐ŸŒŸ ๐ŸŽฎ 120FPS (lovecraftian horror, RPG)

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Text-based RPG

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Roguelite (cards, dice, deck builder, action)

  • Loop Hero ๐ŸŒŸ ๐ŸŽฎ (tactical deck builder, RPG)

  • Monster Train ๐ŸŒŸ (cards, deck builder)

  • Solitairica ๐Ÿ“ฑ (cards)

  • Balatro ๐ŸŒŸ (cards, deck builder; poker-inspired roguelike)

  • Indies Lies ๐ŸŒŸ (cards, deck builder; inspired by Slay the Spire; free and with paid DLCs which will remove ads, add extra story modes, characters, and new mechanics)

  • Meteorfall: Journeys ๐Ÿ“ฑ (cards, deck builder)

  • Slay the Spire (legendary deck builder; PC port)

  • Dicey Dungeons (dice; it plays like a roguelite deck-builder)

  • Dungeon Clawler ๐Ÿ’ฌ ๐ŸŽฎ (deck builder)

  • Brotato ๐Ÿ’ฌ (action; twin-stick shooter)

  • Luck be a Landlord ๐Ÿ’ฌ ๐Ÿ“ฑ (slot)

  • Slice & Dice ๐Ÿ’ฌ ๐Ÿ“ฑ (dice)

  • Dawncaster ๐Ÿ’ฌ ๐Ÿ“ฑ (cards, deck builder)

  • Dead Cells ๐Ÿ’ฌ ๐ŸŽฎ 120FPS (roguelite action platformer)

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Action adventure/Zelda-like

  • Ogu and the Secret Forest ๐ŸŒŸ ๐ŸŽฎ (IAPs to unlock the full game. I got it for free on Epic, but not sure if/when it's gonna happen again)

  • Anodyne ๐ŸŒŸ ๐ŸŽฎโ—๏ธ ๐Ÿ“ฑ (lanscape/portrait. Adding controller support through Panda is a must if you want to complete the game without losing your mind)

  • Legend of the Skyfish 2 ๐ŸŽฎ (Zelda-like with a fishing rod for weapon)

  • Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion ๐ŸŽฎ (humorous, Zelda-like, pixel art adventure; Play achievements didn't work correctly, but they might have been fixed later on)

  • Oceanhorn ๐ŸŒŸ ๐ŸŽฎ (3D Zelda-like action adventure)

  • Afterplace ๐Ÿ’ฌ ๐ŸŽฎ ๐Ÿ“ฑ 120FPS (landscape/portrait)

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Puzzle

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Physics-based puzzle platformer

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Puzzle adventure

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Puzzle platformer

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Point-and-click adventure

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Simulation/management

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Worker placement survival

  • This War of Mine ๐Ÿ’ฌ (DISCLAIMER: as of April 2025 multiple users still report crashes, but I'll keep the game here because it is otherwise worth it, and devs often donate part of the profits to victims of various wars)

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Survival crafting

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Survival horror

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Racing

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Sport

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Tower defense

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Arcade

  • Smash Hit 120FPS (first-person rail shooter)

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Idle

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Netflix games

(require an active Netflix subscription)

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Extras and emulators/engines

  • AppSales - add the games you wish to buy to AppSales' watchlist and you'll get notified when it's on sale. Ka-ching! ๐Ÿค‘

  • Panda Gamepad Pro ๐ŸŽฎ is a tool that allows you to map your controller for touch inputs, practically adding controller support to those game that don't have it.

  • Gamedeck ๐ŸŽฎ (game launcher/front-end for controllers)

  • Beacon Game Launcher ๐ŸŽฎ (game launcher/front-end for controllers. Also optimized for emulators)

  • Retroarch ๐ŸŽฎ (emulator for almost all consoles) "jack of all trades" emulator, the only one that supports analog triggers for Xbox One S controller. It has a bit of a learning curve, and other individual emulators might offer better performance

  • Dolphin ๐ŸŽฎ best emulator for GameCube and Wii

  • MelonDS ๐ŸŽฎ (Nintendo DS emulator)

  • PPSSPP Gold ๐ŸŽฎ (PSP Emulator)

  • Delta Touch [9 x Doom engines] ๐Ÿ’ฌ (engine for Doom games)

  • Quad Touch ๐Ÿ’ฌ (engine for Quake games)

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::: spoiler Delisted, outdated, or moved to subscription services

:::

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Happy gaming ;)

ps: please let me know if there's any wrong information about the games included in this list (especially regarding IAPs or availability) so that I'll fix the post if necessary.

60 points · 20 comments · view on lemmy.world

20 Comments

DoucheBagMcSwag@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 3 pts · 362d (2 replies)

This is such a great thread...it took me 40 minutes to locate this again

char_stats@discuss.tchncs.de · 1 pts · 362d (1 reply)

Thanks!

If you don't mind, can you please tell me why it took you so long to locate it? I wanna make it so it's easier to discover. Did you first find my free games list or my old paid games list, or what else?

DoucheBagMcSwag@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 2 pts · 361d

I sat it a couple of days ago movies from another Lemmy comment and then couldn't remember if this was a megathread from Reddit (which I don't engage with anymore) Lemmy or an offshoot wiki page from Lemmy or Reddit

darkguyman@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 2 pts · 348d (1 reply)
[ removed ]
char_stats@discuss.tchncs.de · 1 pts · 348d

Added. Thank you!

weirdo_from_space@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 1y (1 reply)

Streets of Rage 4 has a mobile port. Also Retro City Rampage DX.

char_stats@discuss.tchncs.de · 2 pts · 1y

Thanks! Added both :)

Ilandar@lemmy.today · 1 pts · 1y (1 reply)

Has anyone recommended Laya's Horizon before? It's a Netflix-exclusive game where you wingsuit fly around a big island with different biomes. There are a lots of different activities to do and as you complete achievements you unlock new magical capes (the game's equivalent of wingsuits) that change how you fly. The gameplay really fits mobile devices because there's no real story or main objective and you can complete a single run down the mountain in just a minute or two, which makes it perfect as a "time waster" type game. The controls are very fun and intuitive and it runs quite well on modern mid-tier devices (Snapdragon 7 Gen 1) and above.

char_stats@discuss.tchncs.de · 1 pts · 1y

Added to the "Netflix games" section. Thanks :)

sag@ani.social · 1 pts · 352d (2 replies)

Here is some more which I enjoy

Pirate Outlaw

Dungeon Clawler

Loop Hero(IAP)

Peglin(IAP)

char_stats@discuss.tchncs.de · 1 pts · 352d (1 reply)

Thanks! I can add all of them except for Pirate Outlaw, because it includes virtually limitless microtransactions for in-game currency (not allowed in this list).

Edit: reading some reviews, I decided to keep out Peglin too. Apparently it gets impossibly hard and luck based in later stages, besides complaints about not great UI optimization on Android, so I don't feel like including it in a recommendation list for paid games.

sag@ani.social · 2 pts · 352d

Oh OK thanks for checking. Peglin is very luck based(Like other Roguelike) but yeah UI optimisation is very bad.

Alphane_Moon@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 1y (1 reply)

I would recommend the following commercial games with fair monetizaion (B2P, DLC only)

Project Highrise:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kalypsomedia.projecthighrise

The Final Earth:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.FlorianVanStrien.TheFinalEarth

Both are well made tower builders in the vein of SimTower (they both have excellent PC versions as well).

char_stats@discuss.tchncs.de · 2 pts · 1y

Added Project Highrise, thanks! However, The Final Earth seems to have been delisted

sag@ani.social · 1 pts · 362d (1 reply)

No Rusted Warfare? Blasphemy (Also Blasphemous)

Brotato too.

char_stats@discuss.tchncs.de · 1 pts · 362d

Added all of 'em, thanks!

SlimePirate@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 1 pts · 249d (1 reply)

May I suggest Terraria and Minecraft?

char_stats@discuss.tchncs.de · 2 pts · 249d

I'll add Terraria. Minecraft has lots of IAPs so probably not โ€” it doesn't need exposure anyways

Mnem667@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 1y (3 replies)
[ removed ]
char_stats@discuss.tchncs.de · 2 pts · 1y (2 replies)

Apparently there's also some in-game currency (candy packs) that can be infinitely purchased through microtransactions, so it breaks rule #2 of entry criteriaโ€”the only IAPs allowed are ads removal, full game unlock, and proper DLCs.

Mnem667@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 1y (1 reply)

Huh Fair enough. Guess I never noticed. ยฏ\(ใƒ„)/ยฏ
I'll remove the suggestion

char_stats@discuss.tchncs.de · 2 pts · 1y

No problem mate. No need to remove any suggestion next time! I'm keeping strict rules for my list, but lots of users are OK with some extra, optional IAPs so it might be useful to them :)