10 Best Offline Android Games You Should Try: No Wi-Fi Needed!

Have you ever been in a situation where you wanted to play a game but had no internet connection or data plan? Well, this exact situation happened to me, and I was left fiddling with my fingers for hours.

From that moment, I made sure that I had several offline games installed on my Android device, particularly my tablet, which I always bring along with me.

Whether preparing for a long flight, a camping trip, or a remote area with spotty internet, you need a good offline game to keep you entertained.

Here are some of the staples that you’re going to see on my Android devices, especially my tablet:

Top Offline Games When You Don’t Have Wi-Fi

Monument Valley 2

One of the best offline Android games that combines excellent gameplay with a heartwarming narrative is Monument Valley 2. You control Ro and her daughter on a mesmerizing journey through stunning and impossible structures.

Unlike the first iteration, Monument Valley 2 focuses on the parental relationship between Ro and her daughter, exploring themes of love, guidance, and growth.

If you’re familiar with Penrose shapes like the triangle and the stairs, you’ll quickly notice it’s the game’s core design premise.

It’s an entirely different approach to puzzle games, which captivated me the first time I tried it. I had to rethink every move as it distorts your perspective and spatial awareness. However, once I was settled in, it’s easy to get drawn into the minimalist yet stunning visuals that will immerse you in the Monument Valley universe.

As someone who loves a good puzzle game, I enjoyed playing Monument Valley 2 immensely and quickly understood why it won multiple mobile game awards when launched.

Rating: 4.7/5

Price: $3.99

Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ustwo.monumentvalley2&hl=en&gl=US

Stardew Valley

I’ve had a long history of playing Stardew Valley on my laptop via Steam. Plus, I’ve also played games like Harvest Moon and Animal Crossing, which are in a similar genre. Since it was released on Android, I made sure to have it in my game library for when I’m on the go.

The game starts with you, the player, as an overworked corporate employee frustrated at the monotonous cycle of everyday life. You remember receiving a letter from your grandfather about inheriting his old farm before he passed.

Overwhelmed by the pressures of your demanding career and longing for a change of pace, you heed your grandfather’s call and off to the countryside you go. When you arrive at the farm, you start from scratch, rebuilding the farm by planting crops, raising animals, and making friends with the locals.

Its charming and relaxing style mirrors its premise of escaping modern life. The ability for offline play doubles down on that idea, as you don’t need Wi-Fi or cellular data.

As for gameplay, it’s up to you on which area you want to focus on, allowing you to choose how you want to play it. There are quests that will guide you on how to play, but the fate of your farm is entirely up to you.

Rating: 4.4/5

Price: $4.99

Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.chucklefish.stardewvalley&hl=en&gl=US

Two Dots

Puzzle games are some of the best contenders for offline games as they don’t need a connection for you to enjoy them. Two Dots is one with a simple premise of connecting two or more dots of the same color to meet your objectives.

The game’s mechanics sound simple, but Two Dots offers surprising depth as it introduces obstacles as you progress through the levels. These add complexity layers and allow you to think outside the box to solve the puzzles.

It’s a mobile game that I play offline when I’m looking to kill a few minutes while waiting. For the most part, it’s fun and relaxing until you reach the harder levels, which can pose a challenge and will test your nerves.

Rating: 4.3/5

Price: Free

Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.weplaydots.twodotsandroid&hl=en_US

Iron Marines

One offline game on this list that I have played extensively is Iron Marines. It’s a game that combines strategy and action elements with some humor. As a gamer who grew up playing strategy games like Starcraft and Warcraft, it’s definitely right up my alley.

When I saw the game launch on the Google Play Store, I was eager to play it but skeptical about how they would pull that off on a device without a mouse and keyboard. After playing several levels, all the hesitation was out the window, and I was fully immersed and engaged.

Although many players expressed disappointment that there is no multiplayer mode, it’s a great game with much to offer, especially for strategy game fans.

The single-player campaign is extensive, with an excellent storyline and stellar gameplay. Couple these elements with its top-notch game design, graphics, and sound. Iron Marines is a serious contender if you’re looking for a great real-time strategy game on your Android phone or tablet.

Pro Tip: Playing on your Android tablet will give you that near-PC experience and immersion.

Rating: 4.6/5

Price: Free with in-app purchases

Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ironhidegames.android.ironmarines&hl=en_US

Mini Metro

Mini Metro is an unassuming minimalist puzzle game that challenges you to design and manage a subway system for your city. The game is simple, and all you need to do is draw lines between stations, allocate trains, and avoid congestion.

You can think of it as a simplified way of managing an efficient metro system, but once you start dealing with multiple train lines and stations, the difficulty ramps up until you’re overwhelmed by the volume of people using the mass transport system you designed.

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The game starts off relaxing, but it does have this addictive element, where I can easily get engrossed in the game for multiple sessions.

The clean lines and simple color palette create this calming atmosphere, but once the rush starts to kick in, Mini Metro, although deceptively simple, offers a surprising depth and challenge.

Rating: 4.7/5

Price: $0.99

Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nz.co.codepoint.minimetro&hl=en&gl=US

Plants vs Zombies 2

If you’re looking for a tower defense game that you can play offline, Plants vs Zombies 2 is a classic. The game continues from the first version, where you protect your lawn from a horde of zombies hungry for your brain.

The difference in this installment is that you’re embarking on a time-traveling journey in different periods and places, with your lawn tagging along for the ride. You’ll still get to use the classic plants like the Peashooter and the Cabbage-pult and new additions like the Laser Bean and the Spikeweed.

As a tower defense genre enthusiast, I enjoyed the first iteration on a PC immensely. This time around, I played Plants vs Zombies 2 on an Android tablet. The upgraded graphics and intuitive controls allowed me to look into the details and notice the game’s charming and quirky visuals.

Plants vs. Zombies 2 is a game that keeps you hooked and entertained for hours, which comes in handy during long car or plane rides. Its dynamic gameplay and strategy are perfect for casual or enthusiast gamers.

Rating: 4.2/5

Price: Free

Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ea.game.pvz2_na&hl=en&gl=US

Badland

If you’re looking for an action-packed adventure game to help you pass the time when you don’t have an active internet connection, Badland is the game you’re looking for. It’s a side-scroller where you play a fluffy creature as you fly and dodge obstacles through a mysterious forest.

The game has a unique charm brought on by its simplicity and muted visuals. Although I don’t consider it minimalist due to its detailed art style, it’s enough to hook me into enjoying the game for minutes at a time.

Even though the game’s premise is simple, the levels are intricate and unique as they offer a unique challenge. My reflexes and problem-solving skills were surely tested as I found creative ways to complete the level.

As an indie games fan, this gives a lot of retro platformer vibe, which I greatly enjoy. It is nostalgic but has a lot of fresh elements that redefine what these games should be all about.

Rating: 4.4/5

Price: Free

Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.frogmind.badland&hl=en&gl=US

Pocket City

City-building simulation games are often one of the most complex ones to play, where you’re faced with multiple mechanics and intricate menus. Pocket City streamlines all that, making it easy for players to learn and enjoy.

I’m an avid fan of the city builder genre, with games like SimCity to Cities Skylines on PC. Pocket City is one of those games that intrigued me since it’s a mobile version. However, after trying the game out for a few hours, I can say that I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Its charming pixel art graphics and intuitive tap-friendly allowed me to focus on the fun of building and growing my city rather than worry about the complexities.

Even though it’s a simple game, it does have a surprising depth of gameplay, as you still have to consider various macro factors. You’ll still need to balance your residential, commercial, and industrial income, balancing it with your city’s resources and services.

Pocket City does offer a simpler take on simulation games, allowing you to unlock new buildings, landmarks, and events that you can use to shape the city according to your vision.

Rating: 4.4/5

Price: $2.99

Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.codebrewgames.pocketcitygame&hl=en&gl=US

Plague Inc

If you’re looking for an offline game that rips out the playbook and chooses an entirely different direction, you need to check out Plague Inc. It departs from tried and tested formulas as you’re in control of a pathogen with the end goal of infecting and wiping out the entire human population.

Essentially, you want to wreak as much havoc as you can on humanity by managing its evolutionary path and figuring out ways to make it spread effectively. You start by choosing from a virus, bacteria, or other disease vectors. As you infect people, you’ll earn DNA points that you can use to evolve symptoms and new abilities to help you become a more effective disease.

One factor that makes Plague Inc. an enthralling and fun game is its incredibly realistic simulation of disease outbreaks. It uses real-world scientific data, which will keep you hooked for hours until you find the strategy that will wipe out humanity.

It’s a game I enjoy for the challenge, as the premise can seem straightforward, but wiping out humanity is pretty difficult. The uniqueness of the gameplay is a plus, especially if you want a change of pace from the other games you’ve been playing.

Rating: 4.7/5

Price: Free with in-app purchases

Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.miniclip.plagueinc&hl=en&gl=US

Asphalt 8: Airborne

If you’re looking for a game with great graphics, Asphalt 8: Airborne will give you the immersive racing experience you want. As an arcade racer, it lets you drive amazing cars and bikes on different tracks and cities.

You will be greeted with adrenaline-pumping gameplay and realistic physics that will quickly hook you in and get you to keep playing session after session. You’ll also get the chance to get cars from popular automakers like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and more.

It’s one of those offline games where you occasionally need to come online to access multiplayer features and make purchases.

Asphalt 8: Airborne is one of the great offline games that’s a must-have in your library. I’m not much of a racing game fan, but I couldn’t help but start racing again. For those who love cars and racing games, you also get the chance to tweak your car and seek marginal performance gains to shave a few seconds off your lap time.

Rating: 4.5/5

Price: Free with in-app purchases

Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gameloft.android.ANMP.GloftA8HM&hl=en_US

Wrap Up

These are some of the best offline games you can play without an internet connection for Android devices. Whether on a long car ride or flight, these games keep you entertained and engaged for hours.

In my case, I always keep a copy of Stardew Valley, Iron Marines, Mini Metro, and Pocket City when I need something to grab when I don’t have access to the internet.