If you love role-playing games, you'll love the App Store: Apple's digital emporium is chock-full of new and classic RPGs.
Some are free-to-play experiences, some cost a few pennies / couple of quid, and some are a darn sight
more expensive.
Thankfully, being the good souls we are here at
Pocket Gamer, we've put together this list of the top ten best RPGs for your iPhone and iPad.
Zenonia 4: Return of the LegendBy Gamevil -
download for iPhone and iPad
This
Link to the Past-esque role-playing game is an action-RPG rather than a turn-based affair, meaning you'll be furiously tapping your device's screen to unleash attacks as opposed to selecting strikes from a list.
The world of
Zenonia 4 is teeming with enemies - all of which grant experience points that help you level-up your character.
Final Fantasy IIIBy Square Enix -
buy for iPhone or
buy for iPad
Final Fantasy I and
II were also contenders for this rundown, but this revamped Nintendo DS title just pipped both of them to the post.
Originally developed for Nintendo's NES console, this turn-based RPG follows a party of young adventurers who can change their occupation at will. Each job comes with unique abilities, such as being able to summon huge creatures.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the LionsBy Square Enix -
buy for iPhone or
buy for iPad
Final Fantasy Tactics is a tactical role-playing game in which you and an opponent take it in turns to move a party around isometric battlefields and unleash devastating attacks.
Battles aren't just a case of gutting your opponent like a pig, though, as sneaking up behind your foe and attacking it results in your dealing out far more damage than a frontal assault would engender.
Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EPBy Capybara Games -
buy for iPhone and iPad
Capybara's pixel-art adventure focuses on exploration rather than combat, but you'll still run into battles as you attempt to help a wandering warrior monk complete a pesky errand in a world that's affected by real-world moon phases.
If you're picking up this title for the first time, be sure to check out our
detailed walkthrough.
Dungeon Hunter 2By Gameloft -
buy for iPhone or
buy for iPad
Battles in Gameloft's
Dungeon Hunter 2 aren't slow turn-based affairs. In fact, they're quite the opposite. It's a good job you have plenty of weapons, armours, and magical abilities up your sleeve, then.
This action-RPG features a rather unique co-op feature, which allows you to play through the entire campaign alongside three of your sword-, axe-, and hammer-toting buddies.
Chaos Rings IIBy Square Enix -
buy for iPhone or
buy for iPad
Role-playing games and Square Enix go hand-in-hand, so you shouldn't be surprised to see
another of the Japanese company's titles pop up on this list.
In
Chaos Rings II - which is very reminiscent of the
Final Fantasy series - you're tasked with exploring environments and battling all manner of unscrupulous beasties, including the fiery goliath in the cropped image above.
The Bard's TaleBy inXile Entertainment -
buy for iPhone and iPad
The Bard's Tale is massive. Seriously massive. There's a vast world to explore, plenty of NPCs to interactive with, and 50 enemy types to overcome.
You have to explore this world and use your gift of magical song to summon unique characters that aid you in battle.
Mage GauntletBy RocketCat Games -
buy for iPhone and iPad
Mage Gauntlet is a classic-style action-RPG that's heavily inspired by the likes of
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past.
There are a total of 84 levels (spread across two game modes) to slash your way through, and tons of loot to find, which can be used to alter your abilities and tactics.
Puzzle Quest 2By Infinite Interactive -
buy for iPhone and iPad
In
Puzzle Quest 2, you choose a character and embark on an adventure filled with dreadful monsters, glittering treasure, and match-three mini-games.
This puzzle-RPG actually sees you complete familiar tasks from the RPG genre, such as exploring environments and slaying critters.
Chrono TriggerBy Square Enix -
buy for iPhone
Chrono Trigger actually debuted on the SNES in 1995, and was subsequently ported to Sony's PlayStation, the DS, a range of mobile phones, as well as PSN and the Wii's Virtual Console.
In this game, you guide seven playable characters through a 2D world, and combine your attacks with your fellow party members in battle to increase their effect and destroy creatures.
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Check out my list of the Best RPGs for iPhone iPad I have about 23 listed here: http://www.squidoo.com/best-rpgs-for-the-ipad-best-role-playing-games-for-ipad
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computerkind | 21:41 - 21 May 2012
Recommending Silversword!
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Promiceus | 13:19 - 14 May 2012
Ha-ha, the cookies went nuts...
Of course I've meant 'pre FF-VI era', not IV...
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Promiceus 2 | 12:15 - 14 May 2012
FFIII is here... why? The game is a collectors item only. It wasn't released outside Japan (originally) because even SE decided the game sucked. Only years later they re-did it for DS and technically it was the first US/EU release of FFIII (they even released other part of FF as III in US and EU back in the years). And frankly, the game is pretty boring and has way too much grinding. I've finished it only to say "i did it". Other games in FF series were a little/way better than FFiii. The only thing it has is a new, 3D graphics that other re-releases of FF titles lack...
Complete IMHO, but from 'before-FFIV-period', FFII is the best so far. I'm playing FFV btw...
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240
curtisrshideler | 19:52 - 11 May 2012
My favorites from your list are easily Chrono Trigger, Superbrothers..., FF III, & FFT. CR2 is fun too, but doesn't beg me to come back for more.
However, my favorite RPG ever on iOS used to be Crimson Gem Saga because it had the most compelling story and best graphics, in my opinion. (Reminded me of FF IX) However, since that title is no longer playable on iOS 5+, I've been really playing Dragon Fantasy and RPG Dragon's Odyssey Frane, as well as Ash and Adventure Bar Story.
But I highly recommend Dragon Fantasy. It always gets me excited and relaxed all at the same time. AND, there's 4 chapters so far!
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NotSpam | 19:27 - 11 May 2012
Aralorn or GOFII, are they not pure RPGs?
Also which is the best of the above? Bard's Tale sounds interesting.
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