The iPad is a powerful tablet that can be used for everything from creating detailed 3D maps, to taking handwritten notes thanks to all the amazing iPad apps available out there. However, at the end of the day, a big display and a powerful processor make the iPad a really good gaming device as well. So, if you’re itching to spend your next flight playing some fun games, here are the 12 best offline games for iPad you should try.
1. Mini Metro
Mini Metro is a really fun game from the developers behind the Apple Arcade-exclusive Mini Motorways, and it’s a good way to spend hours without realising it. All you have to do, is connect various points to each other via Metro lines, and ensure a smooth travel experience for the people using your transport system.
The challenge here lies in the fact that you only get a limited number of lines, tunnels, and trains, in the game, and you have to ensure that none of the stations get overcrowded, or it’s game over.
You can tackle the metro lines for various well-known places including London, Paris, and New York City. As you play, you can unlock even more cities. Plus, the game features an Endless mode for a relaxed gameplay, and even an Extreme mode if you’re looking to be really frustrated and tear your hair out.
Download Mini Metro from the App Store ($3.99)
2. Alto’s Odyssey
I love Alto’s Odyssey and have done ever since the game first released years ago. It still remains one of the best games to kill some time, and since it works offline, it’s a wonderful addition for your commute and flights as well.
Alto’s Odyssey is an endless game of the same ilk as the previos Alto’s Adventure. However, this time around, you’re not snowboarding across snow-capped peaks, but sandboarding across… well, sand dunes. It’s an endless runner, and you have to perform tricks to earn high scores, collect stars, and upgrade your equipment. You can even unlock a flight suit which can help you get over bigger chasms, and even chain together multiple stunts for a higher bonus.
It’s a really fun game and will surely make you forget your long commute.
Download Alto’s Odyssey from the App Store ($4.99)
3. Offline Games
Yes, this is actually an app called “Offline Games” and as the name suggests, it brings a collection of fun offline games for your iPad. You get the classics like Solitaire and Freecell, along with other games including Pool, Table Tennis, and more. The best part is that while you can play these games alone against the AI, you can also play local multiplayer games with a friend if you so desire.
Personally, I found myself really enjoying the casual version of Pool and Table Tennis on the large screen of the iPad. And, since there are over 20 offline games to choose from, you can rest assured that you’ll certainly find something to your liking here as well.
Download Offline Games from the App Store (Free, with in-app purchases)
4. Pocket City 2
If city-building games are more to your liking, Pocket City 2 is definitely the iPad game for you. In this game, you are the mayor of a city, and you have to build out everything from residential and commercial zones, to landscaping, electricity supplies, banks and more.
You get a limited amount of starting cash, and you have to use it to build a self-sustaining city. As your city grows, you get more money (and you can even increase or decrease tax rates), which you can use to further improve your city.
You can buy surrounding land to get more area for your buildings, and you also have to face-off against many natural disasters that the game will throw your way. It’s a fun game with a decent amount of challenge, and if you just want to relax, you can play in the sandbox mode where you get unlimited money and can just build the city as per your liking without worrying about any disasters, cash crunch, etc.
Download Pocket City 2 from the App Store ($4.99)
5. Into the Breach
Into the Breach is a turn-based strategy game from Netflix that’s perfect for spending hours on end without getting bored. In this game you’re in charge of defending various sections of the map against the threat of Veks, which are weird alien threats attacking your world.
On your turn, you can reposition your troops, attack Veks, and ensure that they’re unable to damage your buildings. There are different types of attacks, including those that cause damage, and some that simply push the enemies to a different block. This can come in handy to derail the enemy’s attacks and even to cause enemies to attack each other if you plan your moves properly.
Since this is a Netflix game, you do need to log-in with your Netflix account once, which does require an internet connection. However, once you’ve logged in, you can play this game completely offline.
Download Into the Breach from the App Store (Free, Netflix subscription required)
6. Skies of Chaos
Another Netflix game that will get you through long flights and commutes, Skies of Chaos is an amazingly fun top-down shoot ‘em up game. You’re an ace pilot in the rebel army and you have to take to the skies to defend against waves of enemies.
As you play more levels, you will unlock different types of planes, guns, and even side-kicks to assist you in getting better and better at handling your enemies. Plus, you can upgrade your equipment for more firepower, better health, and more.
The game is set in a beautiful pixel-world, and you will be helped along the way by your helpful teammates. Overall, this is a really fun game to pass some time. However, just like Into the Breach, you will need to log-in once with your Netflix account. After that, however, you can play this game completely offline as well.
Download Skies of Chaos from the App Store (Free, Netflix subscription required)
7. GTA San Andreas
One of the most popular game franchises of all time, GTA is a game that you can play completely offline on your iPad, and if you’ve been missing the fun of San Andreas, you must check out this game.
I don’t think I really need to explain the plot or the point of this game, but in case you don’t know about it, you play the role of CJ. Newly returning home from prison, you have to complete missions across San Andreas to save your family, basically.
The story here is amazing, and it also comes with controller support, so you can pair your PS5 controller to your iPad and start playing easily. Or, you can use the touch screen controls as well. There’s a Netflix version of this game available as well, so if you have a Netflix subscription, you can download San Andreas for free and play.
Download GTA San Andreas from the App Store ($6.99) (Netflix version)
8. The Battle of Polytopia
The Battle of Polytopia is a turn-based strategy game similar to the incredibly popular Civilization series. In Polytopia, you start off with a single city, and you have to use your turns and your energy wisely to grow your city into an empire.
Along the way, you will find enemies and allies, and you have to strategically use your turns to ensure your victory, and even defend your city from attacks.
There’s a tech tree as well, where you can spend energy to unlock new technologies, units, and gain advantages over other civilizations. The game features a single player mode which can be played entirely offline, and it’s a lot of fun — pretty much guaranteed to have you wishing your flight was longer so you could continue playing just for some more time.
Download The Battle of Polytopia from the App Store (Free, with in-app purchases)
9. Retro Goal
Retro Goal is another fun offline iPad game for fans of soccer. It’s a mixture of a football manager and a football simulation game in one, and that makes for a really fun gameplay. You start off as a new manager for one of the lower-ranked clubs, and you have to manage the club to bring in better days.
This involves setting up the training regime for star players, upgrading the stadium and other facilities, and even answering press questions after matches. Plus, when your team is in a match, you can control your players and make them pass, shoot, and take free kicks completely in your control, which makes the game a lot more fun than just setting the formation and letting the game automatically give you the results.
It’s a fun game to spend hours on, especially because once you get the hang of things, you will find yourself rising the ranks of the managers and even get offers for bigger and better clubs over time.
Download Retro Goal from the App Store (Free, with in-app purchases)
10. Dungeon Abyss
If you love dungeon crawlers, Dungeon Abyss is the perfect offline game for your iPad. The game features procedurally generated dungeons, complete with various traps and enemies for you to grapple with.
You can move around the dungeon, interact with various objects and figure out solutions to different puzzles to clear each stage and proceed to the next floor. There are traps, hidden traps, and enemies, which you can either avoid, or try to defeat. Plus, you can interact with the environment as well, which means if you see an enemy over spilled oil, you can light the oil on fire to defeat them, among other things.
Overall, Dungeon Abyss is the kind of game that can keep you hooked for hours and will definitely be a good addition to your arsenal of offline games.
Download Dungeon Abyss from the App Store (Free)
11. The Silent Age
The Silent Age is one of the few games on this list that got me so hooked to figuring out the plot that I completely forgot that I had to write this article for a good 30 minutes. The SIlent Age is a point-and-click adventure game where you’re handed a time-machine by a time traveller from the future who ends up dying in your timeline.
Now, it’s up to you to figure out how to find him in the future, and save humanity from going extinct. The game features two episodes, with multiple chapters, and it will definitely have you engrossed in the story in no time. It starts off pretty easy, but soon you’ll find yourself jumping between timelines to try and solve various puzzles and get through doors, jump into alleys, and basically doing everything you can to save the human race.
Download The Silent Age from the App Store (Free, with in-app purchases)
12. Monument Valley 2
Last on the list, but definitely not the least fun, is Monument Valley 2. This sequel to the critically loved Monument Valley game brings even more magical and illusion-filled architecture to your iPad. You will find yourself figuring out puzzling levels filled with pathways that look impossible to navigate. However, you can rotate and move things around to uncover paths that were previously not visible (or obvious).
Apart from the simple yet charming graphics, the game also features a beautiful soundtrack that will engross you further in the world of Ro and her daughter.
This is a perfect offline game for people who love puzzles and isometric-designs in games. There’s a Netflix version available for the game as well, so if you’re a Netflix subscriber, you can download the game for free using the link below.
Download Monument Valley 2 from the App Store ($3.99) (Netflix version)
Well, those were the 12 best offline games for iPad that you should install and set-up before your next long flight. Hopefully you were able to find some games to your liking, and if there are any other games that you think should be on this list, do let us know in the comments.
