I’ve compiled a list of the best offline iPhone games to play in airplane mode that will help you tackle those boring flight hours with no access to the internet. Let’s have a look at them below:
1. Solitaire
Solitaire is an age-old classic entertaining people since the early days of the Microsoft PC. Thankfully, it’s no longer exclusive to Microsoft. If you’ve played Solitaire before, this version on the iPhone will surprise you for its different customization options and animations that they’ve added to the gameplay. If you’ve never played Solitaire, this would be a good place to start. The ease of use and general gameplay will surprise you. However, it can also be difficult to master. There are different themes to choose from, with each theme representing a different season. There are challenges to complete, and you can play the game either with the AI or your friends. Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $2.26)
Constantly updated for improvementBrings the classic Solitaire feel to the iPhone
Too many ads
Download
2. Asphalt 8: Airborne
If you have been playing racing games or simulators for a long time, you’d know that the Asphalt series is one of the best in the mobile gaming scene. Their latest game, Asphalt 9: Legends, does not have the option to play it offline. Nonetheless, you can get all the thrills of performing stunts over beautifully rendered canyons offline through Asphalt 8: Airborne. There are multiple modes for you to choose from, and all of them are inclusive of new tracks and cars that have been added to this version. If you want to play offline, you can play any 40 different tracks, with powerful and gorgeous cars to wreck every time. In the offline modes, there are career mode events that you can compete in. There are also multiple challenges to complete. Moreover, you can choose your favorite car and customize it to your heart’s content. For a free game, there’s a lot that Asphalt 8: Airborne offers the player. Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $0.99)
Great visualsAddictiveVariety of modes
Microtransactions are aplenty
Download
3. Wayward Souls
Wayward Souls is one of the best roguelike RPGs that you can play offline on your iPhone. For the uninitiated, roguelike RPGs are usually difficult role-playing games involving a lot of dungeon-crawling. They are usually based on fantasy tales. Wayward Souls satisfies all the criteria! It has multiple classes to choose from, and each class has its storyline. While the gameplay can be easy at first, it increases in difficulty and brings new challenges as you progress. The game is essentially endless, and this means that even the longest of flights will involve multiple quests to complete and get lost in. You can also upgrade your characters based on their class and your playstyle. Just like any other roguelike game, exploration is key to understanding the game. Just ensure that your phone is fully charged before you start playing the game mid-flight. There’s nothing worse than being stuck in an interesting section of the game and your phone dying on you, right? Price: $7.99
Rewards your skillsIntuitive and user-friendly controlsThe learning curve is gentle
You lose pets after each restartCharacters are also restarted after every level
Download
4. Jetpack Joyride
Like Temple Run and Subway Surfer, Jetpack Joyride also features endless running mechanics, but with a twist. You can choose your preferred jetpack and run along the endless paths laid out in front of you. On your way, you’ll face numerous challenges to overcome by upgrading your jetpack. One of my favorite things about the game is the background music. It’s fun, peppy, and will urge you to try your best and set a high score. As you keep playing to unlock better upgrades, you’ll also find some exclusive machines with special characteristics. If you’re anything like me, you’re likely to search for the three S.A.M tokens that can be found once a day. This enables you to use the Strong Arm Machine (S.A.M.). Using this beast of a machine allows you to deflect oncoming projectiles and plow your way through obstacles. Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $0.99)
Highly engaging and addictiveContinues to receive periodic updates
Too many ads
Download
5. Shadow Fight 2
I grew up watching martial arts movies starring the likes of Jackie Chan and Jet Li. For my inner kid, finding out that a game such as Shadow Fight 2 exists was an absolute boon! If you’re a martial arts fan or a fan of the Mortal Kombat/Tekken/Street Fighter series on consoles, you should have a look at Shadow Fight 2. Keeping true to the name, the characters in the game are in black, white, and shades of grey. The background is contrasting and colorful. This makes the characters stand out, and the fluid movement looks even more realistic as they fight each other. Different ninjas have different skills, and the in-game shop allows you to equip your favorite characters with various weapons that can change their stats and the gameplay itself. The 3D environments create an atmosphere to appreciate what the developers have created. Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $0.99)
Fluid gameplayAestheticsProvides a strong storyline
Encounter mechanic is buggy
Download
6. Brothers in Arms 3
If you’re a fan of shooter and action games, you’ll love Brothers in Arms 3. It comes from Gameloft, which has crafted wonderful iOS games. Brothers in Arms 3 brings the heavy-duty action of shooters like Call of Duty, and a good focus on the storyline. There’s a full-fledged campaign set in the context of World War 2, right after the infamous D-Day. You can control different characters, called ‘brothers.’ Each of these characters has abilities useful in different combat situations. So, in choosing your characters, you have to plan any step you take strategically. There are different kinds of missions as well. Some are stealthy, where you have to tip-toe your way around to complete mission objectives. Others are based more on the aspects of assaults. For an offline game, Brothers in Arms 3 offers a lot of variety to hook you when trying to cut boredom on a long flight. Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $0.99)
Great storyline to keep you engagedRealistic graphicsTanks add a lot of variety to the gameplay
The daily reward mechanic is buggy
Download
7. Dream League Soccer
I’m a huge football fan. I’ve played both FIFA and PES \for a long time, and surprisingly, Dream League Soccer wins the best mobile football game for me. It brings the best elements from the usual two popular football franchises and combines them with a few nuances to make the game stand out. The most important part of Dream League Soccer is that you can play it without an internet connection. It also brings in licensed players to create a more authentic football gaming experience. You not only build your team from scratch but also create your football stadium to authenticate your club’s experience. You can save your progress to the iCloud when you have an internet connection. Apart from all the gameplay features of a good football mobile game, the entire game comes to life with gorgeously rendered pitches and realistic movements of top players. Simply said, if you’re missing the football gaming experience of consoles, this game can recreate it on an iPhone. Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $1.99)
Licensed players add to the realismThe fluid movement of playersTeam and stadium creation is a plus
Reward system after matches needs fixing
Download
8. Hill Climb Racing 2
I’ve been playing Hill Climb Racing since its early days. The game has endless levels, similar to Temple Run, and employs a fun physics system, making the game as challenging as it is. There are different levels to try out as well. The game gives you various vehicles, each with its characteristics, to try on different levels. You can upgrade them as you progress through the levels and gather resources. From a dirt bike like Motorcross Madness to 4×4 trucks, there’s a good range of vehicles to try. Even if you load the game offline, entire levels will be pre-downloaded. Since these levels are near-endless, you can progress as much as you possibly can in each level. This adds an enormous scope of replayability to the game. Its fun and addictive nature draws you in and keeps you hooked for long! Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $1.69)
Physics-based gameplay is fun and addictiveVariety of environmentsCustomization options for different cars
Experiences frequent crashesMany microtransactions
Download
9. Criminal Case
Are you a true crime fan? Do you find yourself solving mysteries in your head as you binge through multiple docuseries and episodes of true crime podcasts? If your answer is yes, Criminal Case is definitely a game that you will enjoy. Criminal Case brings multiple different cases with twists and nuances that you have to solve. To solve the cases, you will have to analyze numerous clues and pieces of evidence. You also have the opportunity to talk to various suspects and combine the clues to find the real culprit. Think of yourself to be a top-notch detective? Can nothing accept your keen eagle-eyes? To find out how good of a detective you are, try Criminal Case. Your flights will no longer seem like dreary affairs as you try to catch culprits and bring them to justice. Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $0.99)
ChallengingVariety in episodes keeps the stories refreshingThe added investigation has many nuances
Crashing issues
Download
10. Badland 2
As a gamer, I wasn’t aware that the basic gameplay fundamentals of Mario on the older consoles could be combined with the aesthetics of Limbo to create a new game altogether. That perception changed when I played Badland and Badland 2. I’ve chosen to put Badland 2 here instead of its predecessor because the sequel brings even better gameplay and adventures. In Badland 2, you control a rolling character, keeping them afloat as you face dangers along the way. From different elements such as frost and magma to come across different items that change the nature and characteristics of the ball itself, there’s a lot to explore in Badland 2. The best part is that it’s another endless side-scroller game. There are several challenges to complete for which you are rewarded handsomely. The background score is dark yet draws you in as you get hooked to the gorgeous environments. This is a must-try offline game, especially if you’re a fan of Mario and Limbo like I am. Price: $0.99
Beautiful graphicsThe ambient soundtrack adds layers to the gameplayLots of powerups
No level editor
Download
11. Real Racing 3
While the Asphalt series brings a good amount of racing, it’s mixed with different stunt and car wreckage mechanics. Basically, it is not purely a racing simulation game. For the racing games purists, Real Racing 3 definitely catches the eye. The game has licensed cars from manufacturers such as Porsche, Audi, and Bugatti. It also brings different tracks from around the world, with their specific signature weather and tracks conditions. From narrow tracks hidden in dense forests to wide highways, you can race your favorite car across different environments. As an offline game, there’s plenty to explore. You can compete in different events and complete challenges. The game’s graphics are hyper-real – something that couldn’t have been imagined on mobile phones even 5 years ago. With over 40 tracks and 200 cars to try, you’ll find yourself turning tight chicanes and taking hairpin turns while your co-passengers are bracing for possible air turbulence. Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $1.99)
Hyper-realistic graphicsDriving mechanics has a fair learning curveVariety in tracks and environments
In-app purchases are expensive
Download
12. Fruit Ninja
Who hasn’t heard of Fruit Ninja, an extremely popular arcade game? The game has been around since 2010 but is still relevant today for its fun core gameplay mechanics and constant updates. In Fruit Ninja, various fruits pop up on the screen, and you have to swipe across the screen at the right time to cut through all the fruits. The faster and more fruits you swipe across, the more points you accumulate. Slicing through some fruits will give you added boosts and points. Don’t mistake its simplicity for boredom! Fruit Ninja is one of the most addictive games to play on your iPhone. After you’re addicted to Fruit Ninja, ensure that you don’t try to slice fruits in real life as you do in the game! Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $0.99)
Constantly updatedAddictiveSound effects add to the experience
XP system can be inconsistent
Download
13. Crossy Road
I remember when arcade games were popular – the mid to late 1990s when we could go to the arcade and play some classic games on old machines. Unfortunately, these machines are now a thing of the past, and some of the older arcade games have seen a complete overhaul to meet the requirements of the newer consoles. If you like arcade games, you must download Crossy Road. It is relatively simple – you have to choose a character and help it cross a busy street without hitting any moving obstacles. These obstacles can be vehicles and random parts of the environment. The game’s simple mechanics are exactly what makes it elegant and likable. You won’t get bored while playing this game as there are lots of characters to choose from. Each character brings something unique to the table, and the game gets more challenging as you move to the higher levels. Price: Free (In-app purchases start from $0.99)
Over 145 characters to chooseDoes not hog resources on iPhonesMultiple maps to unlock and play in
The challenging aspects of the game can be overwhelming for a beginnerLots of ads
Download
14. Monument Valley 2
If you’re a puzzle enthusiast, Monument Valley 2 has a lot to offer. Yes, I know that the game is old, being released in 2017. However, its evergreen nature is fuelled by the numerous updates that the game continues to receive. The game has also inspired numerous others in the App Store. In the game, you have to guide Ro and her child out of numerous environments. Essentially, every part of the environment continues to change into different shapes, trying to make Ro’s escape almost impossible. If you like optical illusions, you’ll find that the numerous optical illusions in the game make your objectives a lot more challenging and engaging. Further, the soundtrack also accompanies the gameplay well, bringing each environment to life. You’ll find yourself lost in the labyrinths of this game when you’re trying to kill time on your flight. Price: $4.99
Intriguing optical illusions keep the game refreshingBeautiful aesthetics with a minimalist approachThe ambient soundtrack adds depth
Some levels are too easy
Download
15. Civilization VI
I’ve already mentioned Civilization VI as an absolute gem for strategy games lovers. I stand by my selection of this game if you want to play an offline game on the flight. Of course, it would be great if you’d paid for the game beforehand. But if you haven’t, the game still allows you to play 60 rounds without paying a single penny. Take control of humanity from the beginning of time and see them progress through the ages in this extremely popular strategy game. Considering the vast pools of resources, economics, and politics that you have to keep in mind when playing this game, you will have to think twice before making a move here. Each move you make can have a significant impact on different aspects of the society you’re managing. You may not see the consequences immediately, but it could have an impact 100 years down the line (in-game). Do you have a vested interest in anything to do with History, Civics, Economics, Politics, and the military? If yes, Civilization VI is the game for you! Price: Free (In-app purchases start at $1.99)
Deep gameplay mechanics keep you hookedPlenty to explore through the different agesNumerous historical events to play through
The learning curve can be a bit steepSome glitches in gameplay need to be ironed out
Download Summing up! Long flights without access to the internet can be difficult to manage. Thankfully, iPhones give us a lot of options to kill time. If you’re not someone who likes to watch a movie or binge on a series during a flight, there are a lot of good offline games for iPhone to try. Did I miss out on any of the games that you play on a long flight? Share those hidden gems in the comments below! Read more:
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