Here are 23 of the best games for the iPad.
Hearthstone
Beautiful art design based onWorld of Warcraft.
Patches are released inconsistently.
Ustwo
Rank resets at the end of each month, rendering it somewhat pointless.
It truly embodies everything that is great about mobile gaming.
Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition
Excellent writing that holds up.
Lots of conversation choices allow players to drive the plot.
A bit simple by today’s standards.
The graphics haven’t aged well.
Baldur’s Gatearrived at a time when the role-playing game (RPG) genre was thought to be dead.
If you like to sit around playingDungeons and DragonsorPathfinderwith your friends, this is a must-have.
Plants vs Zombies 2
Highly addictive gameplay.
Adorable art style keeps things from feeling too tense.
Battles get repetitive after a while.
The Michael Jackson Zombie from the original was removed.
Ustwo
Tower defense games have a long history, and asPlants vs. Zombiessuggests, a sometimes wacky history as well.
The basic idea of having waves of enemies attack a defensive target has branched off intoMOBAgames likeLeague of Legends.
But the quick-thinking, strategizing core of tower defense remains more or less the same.
Plants vs Zombiesis easily one of the best such games on the iPad.
But unlike most zombie movies, it’s not violent.
XCOM: Enemy Within
Difficult but not too difficult.
Missions are unique and fun to replay.
Enemy AI doesn’t always follow the rules of combat.
It’s been around for nearly a decade but its lasting appeal speaks for itself.
Through turn-based combat, you’re tasked with defending the planet from an alien invasion.
XCOM: Enemy Withinis also one of the best strategy games on the iPad.
Monument Valley
Ustwo
Levels are cleverly designed.
Plenty of walkthroughs are available if you get stuck.
Not enough levels for some players.
There’s really only one bad thing to say aboutMonument Valley: It’s a short game.
Many people solve it in a few hours.
But it’s still a fun few, puzzle-filled hours.
Beautifully designed and highly underrated,Monument Valleyis worth the time of any puzzle enthusiast.
World of Tanks Blitz
Many of the tanks are historically inspired.
In-app purchases aren’t required to succeed in battle.
Lacks some features found in the PC version.
The chat feature has been disabled.
Build, customize, and deploy tanks and participate in dynamic, action-packed battles.
Infinity Blade III
Exhilarating soundtrack.
Nice blend of action and RPG.
Complex weapons crafting system.
Missions require backtracking and fighting the same enemies.
TheInfinity Bladeseries is no longer available on iOS.
Still, those games were hailed as the most console-like mobile games when released.
We’re including the third in the series for that reason alone.
Infinity Bladedefines high-end gaming on the iPad.
It may not have the visuals of an Xbox One or PS4 game, but it still looks fantastic.
Punch Quest
Punching things is a great way to relieve stress.
An abundance of unlockables encourages more play.
Grinding can get monotonous.
Controls can’t be customized.
Dash forward while punching.
You get the point.
So proceed with caution.
Minecraft
Extensive parental controls.
Easy integration with the Xbox connection and the Windows version.
Doesn’t include all the features of the PC version.
Can’t connect to third party servers.
At its essence,Minecraftis a crafting game.
You find material to build new things.
You build living things.
You fight those living things.
Or, you let other living things fight those living things.
But mostly, you create, have fun, and destroy.
All in a retro, block-like fashion.
If you don’t knowMinecraftyet, you should probably experience it.
It’s one of the most popular and sensational games of the last decade.
Though it’s intentional lack of direction means it may not be for everyone.
The story is thin and disappointing.
Not as elaborate as its sequel,The Room: Old Sins.
Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery
In-game hints are helpful.
Puzzles are well integrated into the game’s world.
Real-time moon cycles are annoying.
Looks better on smaller screens.
It has a retro look but somehow manages to update the ambiance with a modern perspective.
With compelling level design and aesthetics,Superbrothers: Sword & Sworceryis a unique gaming experience.
Lords of Waterdeep
Dungeons & Dragonsfans will grasp the rules quickly.
Fantastic artwork consistent with the tabletop version.
Might be too complex for casual gamers.
TheD&Dtheme feels tacked on as an after thought.
Lords of Waterdeeppacks a two-for-one punch.
First, the board game is fantastic.
You also compete against other players by giving them mandatory quests or using Intrigue cards to steal their resources.
Second, the game has been adapted to the iPad brilliantly.
The AI opponents can be pushovers, but when you dial in the hardest options they prove quite challenging.
Machinarium
Characters express a lot of emotion without any dialogue.
Hand-drawn maps are visually stunning and timeless.
You’ll frequently find yourself stumped.
Characters move at a slow pace.
If you lovedThe Room,Machinariumis your game.
For puzzle-lovers, it may be the only game able to trumpThe Room.
The puzzles inMachinariumare beyond tough, keeping you thinking about possible solutions late into the night.
This makes it a rather addictive game.
Beautifully designed and nearly silent,Machinariumis almost like playing inside of a painting with its own ethereal soundtrack.
Temple Run 2
Fast paced gameplay that isn’t mentally taxing.
Improves upon the formula that made the original successful.
In-app purchases diminish competitive elements.
There are hundreds of similar games available.
Is it possible to create a list of best games for the iPad and not mentionTemple Run?
Best of all it’s a free game, though the in-app purchases can restrict the gameplay somewhat.
If you like fast-paced, vertical-scrolling action there’s no reason not to try it.
Traps n' Gemstones
Puzzles are challenging without being frustrating.
Graphics are reminiscent of a classic 16-bit game.
A little too short.
Many of the collectibles feel pointless.
Traps n' Gemstonesis a platformer with a distinctly archaeological theme.
It presents a 2D map that players can explore, solving puzzles and beating foes along the way.
It’s very much in the tradition of a classicMetroidvaniagame, meaning a cross betweenMetroidandCastlevania.
The puzzles are difficult but not too difficult, and it evokes the classic aesthetic of an NES game.
Faster Than Light
Unpredictable battles add endless replay value.
Graphics are charming in their old-school simplicity.
The controls and UI are better in the PC version.
Limited ability to stash your progress mid-battle.
A satirical look at the sub-genre ofStar Trekgames,Faster than Lightis perfect for any sci-fi nut.
Vainglory
Battles are more fast paced than in similar titles.
In-game tutorials are a little lacking.
Beginners may have a hard time scaling up.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Hours of content justify the price.
Combat is easy to learn but challenging to perfect.
Some game mechanics feel outdated.
The gameplay, however, is more akin to an adventure game.
If you’ve never playedKnights of the Old Republic, you are in for a treat.
Angry Birds: Star Wars II
Attention to animation details is remarkable.
Simple controls make it easy to pick up and play.
The screen gets cluttered sometimes.
Much harder than other Angry Birds titles.
Despicable Me: Minion Rush
Accurately captures the humor and spirit of the movie.
Fun for all ages.
In-app purchases seem excessive.
Probably too easy for serious gamers.
If Minions aren’t your pop-cultural cup of tea, then maybe stick toTemple Run.
If you are a fan then there’s no reason not to download this free game.
Asphalt 8: Airborne
Play with or without an internet connection.
Multiplayer mode makes it easy to race with friends.
Upgrades are expensive, and the game is stingy with its currency.
The selection of vehicles could be better.
PlayAsphalt 8: Airborneand you’ll quickly realize that the iPad is perfect for racing games.
You’ll defy gravity as you perform air stunts and nitro boosts to reach the finish line.
It’s also quite a long game, especially for the mobile platform.
You aren’t going to solve this one in a few hours.
You’ll be playing it for weeks or months.
Wayward Souls
Creative enemy design.
Unlockable character classes add variety.
Not a game for the impatient.
Enemies sometimes spawn at ridiculous rates.
If you’re a fan of games likeDark SoulsandDiablo, this is your game on the iPad.
It has a retro aesthetic with a top-down perspective, but the action is dazzling and fast-paced.
Order & Chaos 2: Redemption
Great graphics.
World feels large and immersive.
Seamless transition from iPad to iPhone.
Lacks the depth of other MMORPGs.
Nothing about the game is very original.
World of Warcraftmeets the iPad.
