Apps – Android Authority
It’s true that the very best Android games cost money. Unfortunately, not everyone has money to spend. There are many reasons why this can be the case, but suffice it to say that there is a market for games that are totally free. The good news is that those of you who can’t afford games are in luck because there are great options out there that cost nothing. In this roundup, we’ll take a look at the best free Android games with no in-app purchases. Please note that many of these do have in-game advertising to support the developers. Free games with no in-app purchases aren’t common releases.
The best free Android games with no in-app purchases
AI Factory Limited games
Price: Free / Varies
AI Factory Limited is a developer on Google Play. They make a variety of simple free Android games. That includes Chess, Checkers, Gin Rummy, Hearts, Euchre, Go, Reversi, Sudoku, and many others. Each one is free with no in-app purchases. Some of them have paid versions that remove advertising. However, the ads really aren’t that bad. A few of them, especially the Chess game, are actually fairly in-depth. You can’t go wrong when it comes to simple, free Android games.
See also: The best chess games for Android
Alto’s Odyssey and Alto’s Adventure
Price: Free to play
Alto’s Odyssey and Alto’s Adventure are two of the best free mobile games for runner fans. Players ski down gorgeous landscapes while avoiding obstacles, collecting coins, and performing neat tricks. Alto’s Adventure is the older game and its mechanics are a little simpler in terms of scope. Alto’s Odyssey adds to the Adventure experience and adds some extra stuff. Now, technically, these do have in-app purchases. However, they are purely cosmetic. The entire game and everything in it is unlockable through gameplay, although it does take a while. The developers went on record to state that the game makes most of its bones from ads anyway so hardly any of the players actually buy anything.
Biphase
Price: Free
Biphase is a game developed by some college students. It’s a 2D puzzle platformer with a fun concept. It features a red and black game world with a bunch of levels. The colors invert over the course of the level and it subtly changes the layout. Players must exploit the changes to make it to the end. The developers say it’s a metaphor for bipolar people who sometimes have problems seeing the full picture. The game is pretty short, but it’s entirely free with no in-app purchases or ads.
Crossy Road
Price: Free to play
Crossy Road is another extremely popular free game. It’s basically this generation’s version of Frogger. You navigate a chicken (or other characters) across streets, streams, and other areas while avoiding obstacles. If you fall in the water or get hit by a truck, it’s game over. The game also features tons of unlockable characters, online and offline multiplayer modes, Android TV support, and more. It’s also family friendly, if that helps. Like Alto’s Odyssey above, Crossy Road does technically have in-app purchases. However, they are purely for cosmetic purposes and you can’t pay your way to the end of this game.
See also: The best endless runner games for Android
Cytoid
Price: Free
Cytoid is a rare, totally free rhythm game. You simply tap and swipe the screen when instructed. The game features a few decent tracks and simple controls. The big feature is song porting. The game’s community-made hundreds of songs. You download them, install them in the game, and you get more stuff to play with. It’s otherwise a very dry game. This is a great game for people who like a real challenge. Plus it’s free, obviously. As of the time of this writing, the game boasts over 1,400 user-generated tracks to play through so you’re not starved for content with this one.
Doom and Destiny Advanced
Price: Free (with ads) / $4.99
Doom and Destiny Advanced is a jRPG. It’s also free. The game features a 30-hour storyline. In addition, there are side quests and plenty of other things to do. That includes 100 hidden secrets and a bunch of hidden areas. The experience is quite lighthearted and fun. Finding full RPGs for free is not an easy task. Doom and Destiny is definitely the best one. The free version has ads and a few limitations. However, it does contain the entire base game and that’s what’s most important.
See also: The best RPGs for Android for both JRPG and action RPG fans
HQ Trivia
Price: Free
HQ Trivia is a hit new trivia game. People compete from all over the world for real cash prizes. Each game has between 12 and 15 questions. Those left at the end split the winnings. It’s not a unique premise. Game shows have existed for decades. However, this one is unique in that it’s a mobile game, it’s free, and it has a live host asking questions. There are usually around 12 games per week at set times. Follow the company on Twitter for the full schedule. The game is buggy, though, especially if your web speeds are slower than average. That should work itself out over time, though.
See also: The best quiz games and trivia games for Android
It’s a Space Thing
Price: Free
It’s A Space Thing is a relatively newer shooter that was released in 2016. This is an arcade-style shooter where you play the character on the bottom and your job is to kill the bad guy at the top of the screen. It features simple controls, intense gameplay, and five boss battles to play through. It also features local multiplayer where you can play the bottom character and someone else sits opposite of you and plays the top character. Add in the retro graphics and you have a pretty well-rounded experience for a free game.
Pathos
Price: Free
Pathos is a retro game with a surprising amount of depth. It’s a roguelike adventure game so players will spend most of their time roaming the game and collecting loot. The graphics are super simple, but you can choose between 13 classes and play through the game for free. It’s a Nethack port so it’s something that existed before the mobile game appeared. The mechanics are good, but the game has a bit of a learning curve. In any case, it’s an excellent free game with no in-app purchases whatsoever.
See also: The best retro games for Android
Pocket City
Price: Free / $4.99
Pocket City is a newer simulation game. It’s a lot like Sim City. You build a city, its infrastructure, and all of that. The goal is to build a self-sufficient city where everybody is happy. There is a free version and a premium version of this game. The free version has fewer features, but it’s still a full game. It doesn’t have a ton of features even in the full version. However, it’s hard to complain too much about a free city builder simulator.
See also: The best simulation games for Android
Rowdy Wrestling
Price: Free
Rowdy Wrestling is one of the newer free Android games. This one is an arcade wrestling game. Players go head to head with AI opponents in massive battle royales. There are 55 playable characters, simple controls, and retro 2D graphics. The game has two modes, a solo mode and a tag-team mode. Both are pretty fun. This one is an arcade game through and through. Thus, it’s best for killing a few minutes rather than longer playing sessions.
See also: The best wrestling games for Android
Rusty Lake Cube Escape series
Price: Free
Cube Escape is a series of puzzle games by Rusty Lake that are all entirely free. It’s a hybrid between the hidden item and puzzle genres that has you finding clues, putting together puzzles, and figuring exactly what is going on. There are a bunch of games in the series. They should keep you busy for a while. The graphics aren’t anything special, but everything is so quirky and offbeat that it doesn’t matter. Each game’s Google Play description shows what order the games go.
Sonny
Price: Free
Sonny is one of the newer free Android games with no in-app purchases. It is an action RPG with a post-apocalyptic theme and comic book elements. The mechanics are easy enough to figure out. The game is also fairly deep for a free game. There is advertising and it can get a little brutal. However, it doesn’t mess too much with the fun of the game. It is rather new. Thus, there may be a few bugs. Otherwise, it’s pretty decent.
See also: The best action games for Android
The Spike
Price: Free
The Spike is a volleyball game sim. It has a basic story about a group of students trying to win volleyball games. It lasts for 18 levels and it doesn’t very long to finish. The true joy of this game is in the harder modes where the game actually becomes rather challenging. Balls travel quickly and get harder to defend over time, Plus, the AI is pretty good as well, resulting in some truly competitive matchups. It’s honestly not bad for a group of high school students.
Vodobanka
Price: Free
Vodobanka is a puzzle game with a neat premise. You command a SWAT team and you must make your approach and breach without losing hostages. There are some goofy elements to lower the intensity of the subject matter, but it’s a pretty neat little game. Each level is a map with bandits and you use various tactics and abilities to disarm them and keep them from harming hostages. This one could’ve easily have gone for a few bucks if the developer decided to charge money for it. The developer has a bunch of other free games with no in-app purchases as well.
If we missed any of the best Android games with no in-app purchases, tell us about them in the comments! You can also click here to check out our latest Android app and game lists!
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