Like any other gaming platform, there are always hidden gems that players discover over time. Thanks to major technological advancements in mobile devices, this platform has become more and more compatible with any type of game, whether indie or large-scale.
Fortunately, many indie studios also see mobile as an ideal platform to promote their games. Here are nine hidden gems available on mobile devices. These games are perfect for the platform and offer a unique way to experiment with mechanics that are really well-developed for mobile.
9 – Good Pizza, Great Pizza
The fun and engaging pizza-making mechanics make this game one of the most accessible. Players must pay attention to customer orders and correctly place each ingredient on the pizza to make it as tasty as possible before delivering it.
One of the standout features of this game is that it’s much more relaxing than other games in the same genre, where you manage a shop and fill orders.
Developed by TapBlaze, this mobile game is truly fun and entertaining to play, whether during commute or while enjoying some downtime at home. It’s not stressful at all, and the challenge of completing orders as best as possible adds to the enjoyment.
It’s one of the most accessible options for any player looking for a casual experience on mobile with solid gameplay mechanics that are amazingly addictive and enjoyable.Â
8 – HyperParasite
In HyperParasite, players must devise the best strategy to defeat enemies as efficiently as possible. The game offers various abilities, and speed is key to progressing through levels.
Thanks to its top-down camera, the player can move in four directions while dodging enemy attacks and finding upgrades for their weapons. This game by Troglobytes Games has a truly original world design.
The alien parasite mechanic is highly unique, allowing players to control different characters with varied abilities, making each playthrough feel fresh. There are up to 60 different characters to possess, each offering new powers and weapons to use.
The level design is incredibly fun, encouraging players to experiment with different enemies to unlock new abilities. The amount of content on this HyperParasite is impressive.
7 – ScourgeBringer
This 2D action platformer gives players a variety of skills to use in combat, where speed is crucial to avoid losing. ScourgeBringer stands out because of the developers’ spectacular sound design.
Players will face a wide range of enemies, from the smallest to the most massive, that they must defeat. This platformer is quick and will make the player destroy enemies and pass to the next stage.
Procedurally generated levels undergo changes as the player advances, evoking a roguelike experience. Players can unlock new paths and transform their gameplay experience by gradually uncovering small mysteries.
Across all platforms, the mobile game has received high praise, earning excellent scores from critics. This indie hidden gem offers a very enjoyable gameplay experience with a classic yet amazing action title. This game is only one of the hidden gems in mobile gaming.
6 – Mars: Mars
Mars: Mars offers simple platforming gameplay, with the art style serving as the main draw. It features beautiful and varied designs that depict a completely reimagined Mars.
Players must jump from platform to platform while exploring this planet, filled with many discoveries. The goal is to bring more explorers to Mars and fully explore it to uncover its secrets. The levels are simple but very effective.
The simple gameplay mechanic requires players to manage their jetpack, landing on the next platform without dying from the fall. Each jump between platforms resets the jetpack’s fuel, so precision is key when making leaps.
If players fall from too high a height, they’ll die and have to restart. This is a simple yet addictive mechanic keeps players coming back for more, unlocking new levels as they go.
5 – Stardew Valley
One of the most recognized indie games, Stardew Valley continues to expand its platforms and fanbase. With simple yet enjoyable mobile gaming-friendly mechanics, players must manage their farm, meet new people, and keep growing.
It’s one of the most accessible indie games for players of all kinds, offering a nearly limitless range of activities and one of the most complete gameplay experiences out there.
Even after more than eight years since its release, the development team continues to add new features, ensuring that players never tire of this incredibly immersive and entertaining experience.
Recently, the studio released a major update that added many features players had been asking for, so there’s still plenty to explore in Stardew Valley. The player has an endless array of options and activities to choose from.
4 – Undertale
Undertale is marked as a turning point in indie games with one of the most original premises. People still regard Undertale as one of the best examples of this type of game today.
With a hilarious story full of humor, music, and themes of deeper significance, everyone should at least try to complete Undertale once. Toby Fox truly offered a unique and captivating storytelling formula.
People universally praise this indie game as one of the best ever, nearly ten years after its release. It is now available on practically every gaming platform, including mobile.
One of its key mechanics is the variety of ways to complete each level, offering players a level of freedom rarely seen in this type of game. The story is the key feature of the game, and the players will discover a group of extraordinary characters to interact with.
3 – Dead Cells
Another standout indie game, Dead Cells features unique roguelike mechanics and is still considered one of the best in the genre. Players will die and respawn repeatedly, unlocking permanent upgrades that help them progress faster with each new run.
They’ll need to master the wide variety of weapons and find the best combinations to succeed. With Dead Cells, the possibilities of replayability are amazing.
Dead Cells is a fast-paced game in which players must react quickly to enemies in order to keep moving forward and gather as many souls as possible.
One of the game’s best features is its nearly unlimited replayability. Motion Twin’s work is truly impressive, and the protagonist’s silence further immerses players in the game world. The story is a slow burn, but it pays off once the first few runs end.
2 – Monument Valley
This is one of the most original offerings for mobile gaming in terms of both gameplay and visual style. The game blends a top-down platforming perspective with increasingly complex puzzles as players advance through the levels.
Monument Valley has several sequels and continues to expand onto more platforms, offering its unique gameplay to all types of players. It’s one of the most original entries on this list.
Each level is more inventive than the last, with intricate puzzles challenging players to think creatively in order to progress. All the while, they uncover a beautiful story filled with colors and visuals that aim to both entertain and captivate users.
This studio’s level design is truly impressive and vast; every new level is breathtaking and very difficult to pass. This studio provides an ideal opportunity for mobile gamers seeking to pass the time.
1 – Mini Metro
Mini Metro offers the most original gameplay on this list, which is why it takes the top spot. The game mixes an intellectual challenge with the stylized maps of metro systems as players manage their own subway line.
This mechanic is truly unique, and anyone who has played it agrees it’s one of the best of its genre. With its minimalistic visuals, the number of options and fun that this game offers are truly remarkable.
What seems like a casual mobile gaming experience quickly becomes addictive, with players eager to keep progressing through the game’s various mechanics. Mini Metro’s visual style perfectly complements its gameplay, which is one of its key features.
It’s truly one of the most original and fun games available for mobile today. This game is perfect for playing while traveling to work or spending time waiting for the doctor.
What are your favorite mobile games? Do you enjoy mobile gaming? Let us know in the comments!
