2025 Year-end review: The best mobile games of the year

As 2025 draws to a close, this roundup highlights the best free-to-play mobile games of the year. From co-op action and shooters to platformers and story-driven titles, these games delivered standout experiences for mobile players.

As we enter the final weeks of 2025, I return with my annual responsibility of wrapping up the games that were made available to us this year. This week’s list identifies the best free-to-play (F2P) games that were available on mobile and touch devices this year. The selection of 2025’s best mobile games is a bit limited for Indian fans, as two of the most anticipated titles, Delta Force and Where Winds Meet, were not available in India at the time of their global launch.

So, without much ado, let’s begin with the winners:

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Best co-op and multiplayer experience: Mo.Co.

A novel approach from Supercell, Mo.Co. offers both a unique experience and a world that isn’t based on the many characters from the “Clash-universe.” A game where you hunt a variety of monsters across multiple maps and missions, Mo.Co. gives players plenty of gear and multiple avenues for grinding and upgrades. It also uses randomness in its level design to great effect, constantly pushing players to alter their equipment, strategies, and playstyles. For those seeking high-quality action and variety in their games, I cannot recommend a better all-around F2P title from 2025.

Best new shooter: Destiny Rising.

Destiny I and II are among the most popular looter shooters of all time—games known for their action, gear, and expansive intergalactic setting. As such, a full-fledged F2P mobile version simply had to be tested when it was announced. In my long-term review, I found the game to be not only good-looking and incredibly responsive, but also largely uncompromising and immersive. If you choose to play Rising, you are getting a true Destiny experience.

A beautiful world filled with vivid colours and fine detail, along with online and co-op modes that remain consistent and rarely lag, are the main reasons to give the game a try. For more serious players, the HUD is very well designed, and the controls are laid out thoughtfully.

Best platformer: Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown.

One of the standout entries from the best paid games of 2024, The Lost Crown, was made available as an F2P mobile game in April 2025. One of the best recent metroidvanias, the game relaunched Ubisoft’s iconic franchise, and being able to play it for free on phones and tablets is an absolute delight.

A game that guarantees oodles of nostalgia for anyone who remembers the original Prince and Prince II games from the 90s, this is a 2.5D side-scrolling adventure that offers new ways to map its dungeons alongside a fluid yet challenging combat system. A high-quality experience and a must-try if you are into metroidvanias.

Best narrative-driven experience: Marvel’s Mystic Mayhem.

The final game on this list was so eagerly anticipated that it garnered over 5 million pre-registrations before launch. Offering an experience that is completely different from Marvel Rivals, this is a game that combines energy- and mana-based combat with the unique abilities of characters from across the multiverse.

With vivid comic-book-style visuals, strong dialogue between characters, and a likable plot, there is a lot here to enjoy if you are a fan of the MCU. With plenty of room to upgrade each character and explore the possibilities unlocked through different character combinations in both combat and dialogue, Mystic Mayhem gives you many reasons to keep playing.

In the final weeks of the year or early next year, if you are in need of a new mobile game, make sure to try one of our top four picks. I assure you that you won’t be disappointed.