11 Best Open World Games to Play on Mobile

Nowadays, it’s not uncommon to play games on mobile phones, as they often have hardware and software capabilities almost comparable to modern PCs and consoles. We often see news about emulation of previous generation consoles on phones or complex games running on them. Never has the phrase “The future is mobile” felt so true.

But for most gamers, having a mobile phone that can run some average or simpler games is enough, and we’ve already given you recommendations to play offline and of RPG games for mobile phones and today we’re going to talk about open world games!

If before exploring huge open worlds on phones seemed difficult, today we have ports of games such as GTA and Minecraft for mobile that allow exploration as wide and dense as on any last-gen console. So, if you're looking for games where you can explore vast maps for hours and discover lots of secrets, let's talk about Open World games on mobile and, if you have any questions, leave a comment.

One of the biggest hits of the PS2 has been ported to countless platforms since its release, including an excellent mobile version.

While some elements are missing, such as multiplayer missions, most of the same endlessly exciting sandbox gameplay is present here. You’ll find it hard to put your phone or tablet down as you make your way through various run-and-gun and driving missions.

GTA – and particularly the renowned San Andreas – is one of those rare titles that’s fun no matter what you do. This version also strives to provide a fairly smooth and intuitive experience, with a bold interface and a well-defined map system.

Re-Logic’s mega-hit has done well on mobile despite its complexity, massive biomes and combat gameplay, thanks to the retro side-scrolling Metroidvania action style. This engaging game has you adventuring to slay monsters, collect items, craft gear and build structures much like a 2D Minecraft.

Having undergone a series of quality-of-life adjustments and having sharp, clear controls, the game looks surprisingly great even on a small touchscreen phone. And you can also use the game’s social co-op features with relative ease, allowing another player to jump in and fight, build and claim treasure alongside you.

This has been one of the most anticipated titles since the first announcement, and while that was partly due to its similarity to Genshin Impact, most of it was still because of the game's beautiful character and world design, with combat that relies on timed dodges and parries.

You get to play as a Rover from the start as you try to uncover the many secrets of this world, including your true identity. You also meet several characters who you can acquire through the Gacha system and enjoy the beautiful story of exploring the world at your own pace.

Before Gacha games became so popular, traditional Korean MMORPGs were the best representation of the Eastern online RPG market.

One example was Perfect World, and it was one of the best ever made, as it allowed unprecedented freedom in character creation, world, storylines and more, which was impressive for its time.

Fast forward to today, and we can thankfully relive that experience once again with Perfect World Mobile. It’s a nearly identical game, except it’s much easier to play now with all the automation mechanics that ensure you get to the point of it if you don’t have a lot of time to waste around.

For many people, mobile games are reserved for times when they’re on the go and want to pass the time. However, in those scenarios, it’s hard to play a game that requires intense focus. Fortunately, Infinity Nikki isn’t one of those, as this is probably the coziest open-world experience you’ll ever have.

The massive world of Infinity Nikki is filled with beautiful dresses that you can find and create amazing combinations for your Nikki. In addition to cute dresses, you’ll also take part in various challenges like super stylish Voguing boss battles, a fashion show with puppies wearing hats, and a heartwarming storyline.

No, you just can’t get away from this one, no matter how hard you try. Minecraft is an exercise in creativity and freedom, and few games can match the level of creation and customization that it offers.

The game isn’t free, and that’s okay; its PC and console counterparts aren’t free either anyway. Regardless, this is almost the same experience you’d get on larger, more robust platforms, complete with multiplayer. It’s impressive to be able to explore and build in an infinitely vast world, creating almost anything you want (as long as it’s made of blocks) on mobile.

Some games sometimes forget that the best thing they can give players is pure,simple and destructive fun. That’s what Goat Simulator offered when it launched as a glitchy-looking game about a rebellious goat in a small town.

Now, that same goat can terrorize the small screen of your Android or iOS phone. The graphics weren't all that demanding to begin with anyway, so they fit easily into mobile hardware. It's a good way to de-stress and have a few laughs in the process.

"Relaxing" is a requirement that’s always present in the successful farming game/romance simulator, Stardew Valley, an absolute hit on PC and console. And on mobile, the port offers the same features, setting, music and everything else right in the comfort of your hands.

The graphics are the same, and you return to the small Pelican Town to live out your dreams of living in the countryside in a place full of single country people with personalities and stereotypes that seem to have come right out of romance anime. The intuitive features of the touchscreen are a great option for this title, which is often criticized for its complex interface.

Even before Grand Theft Auto 5’s massively popular multiplayer mode changed the way we look at the series, making it one of the best-selling games on the new consoles, Grand Theft Auto was already a big name in the gaming scene with single-player campaigns that have long been celebrated for their mix of dark humor and street smarts.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, the second installment in the long-running PlayStation 2-era trilogy, remains one of the most famous and celebrated games in the franchise. Its hero, Tommy, is a captivating guy with a story worth getting to know about. More specifically, Vice City’s satire of the 80s gives it the kind of vibe you won’t find in any other game in the franchise.

As far as great Zelda-style games go, Genshin Impact is by far one of the most successful. It took everything that made Breath of the Wild such a unique RPG and gave it its own twist, including a great story and engaging characters.

It puts players in the world of Teyvat, controlling one of the siblings, Lumine or Aether, after an unknown goddess exiled them. Nowadays, it’s an open-world co-op RPG that forces players to spend hundreds of dollars in the gacha system just to get the best characters they can find. It certainly shows that the game is doing something right.

And as a final extra recommendation, let’s talk about Pokémon Go! Seriously, is there a game more open-world than Pokémon Go? Can you imagine yourself in a more open world than our own (I mean, you don't go around breaking into houses to catch Pokémon, but our world is pretty open)?

Created by Niantic in partnership with the Pokémon Company, the game uses your cellphone's camera and augmented reality technology to bring the pocket monsters from Nintendo's famous franchise into our world. You can capture them, collect them, put them in battles at Gyms and even walk around your city and discover new places.

But be careful: Be aware of your surroundings while playing, because you can, at the very least, end up losing your Pokémon (and your phone) if you walk around carelessly.