Every December, Apple awards its Game of the Year honor to a title on each iOS platform.
Most of these titles are available for both iPhone and iPad through theApple Arcadesubscription service.
Genshin Impactwas also named the Google Play Game of the Year for 2020.
miHoyo
It’s set in a gritty city that the player is tasked with protecting.
The gripping story presents players with tons of meaningful choices, adding almost endless replay value.
In this 2D platformer, players must traverse an underground maze filled with traps and puzzles to reach freedom.
Riot Games
Players take the role of a hungry bigfoot who has to steal food from campers while avoiding park rangers.
Don’t be deceived by the cutesy aesthetic;Sky: Children of Lightis a surprisingly deep experience.
The first honoree wasSayonara Wild Heartsfor its stylish animation, heart-pounding original soundtrack, and exhilarating gameplay.
ZA/UM
It has players racing through surreal environments, participating in motorcycle duels and dance battles along the way.
The game runs so smoothly on theiPad Prothat you’d swear you were playing on yourPS4orNintendo Switch.
2018
Donut County iPhone
One person’s trash is another raccoon’s treasure inDonut County.
Long Hat House
This cute physics-based puzzle game has a surprising amount of depth.
Most impressively, the game was created by one person, Ben Esposito, over a six-year period.
If you enjoyDonut County, you should try Esposito’s other games likeWhat Remains of Edith FinchandThe Unfinished Swan.
RAC7
Gorogoa iPad
Another story-driven puzzle game,Gorogoafeatures gorgeous hand-drawn illustrations by designer Jason Roberts.
If you’re looking for a mind teaser that is anything but frustrating, thenGorogoshould be your go-to.
You’ll probably want to play with headphones to enjoy the hypnotic soundtrack.
Thatgamecompany
Weekly challenges and events made this the must-play mobile game of 2016.
Severed iPad
InSevered, players hack and slash horrific monsters and use their limbs to solve puzzles.
While that may sound morbid, the vibrant graphics and creative character designs lend some levity to the task.
Heart Machine / Abylight S.L.
Easily one of thebest puzzle games on iOS,Prunecan also be challenging and deeply satisfying.
2014
Threes!
iPhone
If you’ve played2048on iOS or Android, thenThrees!will feel familiar.
Simogo
The original version of the popular sliding-block puzzle game,Threes!is simple yet challenging.
Players must move like-numbers together to create bigger numbers.
If you let the board fill up, it’s game over.
Ben Esposito
It was so successful that it became a key plot point in season three ofHouse of CardsonNetflix.
Another puzzle game,Monument Valleyencourages players to explore impossible landscapes.
Players must poke, prod, and turn the environment to reveal new pathways for their heroine princess.
Jason Roberts
Despite its simplistic controls,Badlandfeatures meticulously crafted levels that will test your mind and reflexes.
This formula has since been perfected in games likeSuper Mario RunandAlto’s Adventure.
The Room iPad
Not sinceMysthas there been an environmental puzzle game so deep and challenging.
RAC7
2011
Tiny Tower iPhone
Tiny Toweroffers a simplistic (but deeply satisfying) empire-building experience.
Since 2011, the team behindTiny Towerhas gone on to create a variety of cool mobile experiences.
As far as horror games go, this was the best title in the App Store for many years.
Jonathan Blow / Thekla Inc
The innovative lane-based design put a new spin on the tower defense genre that was sorely needed back then.
Supercell
DrinkBox Studios
Square Enix
Joel McDonald
Sirvo LLC
ustwo
Vlambeer
Frogmind
Ubisoft
Fireproof Games
Nimblebit
EA
EA
Hemisphere Games
