this post was submitted on 16 Mar 2025
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330
Free Android Games (incl. FOSS βœ…οΈ) - no ads, no IAPs, no gacha. (lemm.ee)
submitted 1 month ago* (last edited 3 hours ago) by char_stats@lemm.ee to c/android@lemdro.id
67 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Latest entries - 22 April, 2025:

Other recent entries

Introduction

(scroll down for the actual list)

I recently realized there are still, to this day, some actual "hidden gems" in the Play Store. Not the fake ones everyone talks about which, in a way or another, often have a catch or aren't very "hidden". I mean free games with no ads or IAPs of any kind that are fun to play.

So I was thinking maybe it's time to compile a list of them. Please suggest the ones you've found and enjoyed!

Edit: I'm now including free games (no piracy) from other sources beside the Play Store (which will be specified within brackets), such as github or F-droid. If they're also FOSS, like all F-droid games, they'll have this green checkmark βœ…οΈ. For the games that have both F-droid and Play Store versions, the green checkmark is for the F-droid version.

I won't try them all as I did with my premium games list, because you could simply download and try them for yourself without spending a dime. I'll simply list them.

‼️Also, please do checkout MiniReview - Game Reviews for more free games that match the following criteria (use the "Browse" tab and select the correct filters). The same app for iOS - App Store - is here.‼️

I've saved this post so to keep it updated over time, for my own reference and for your benefit. So feel free to save it and check out new entries every so often.

Entry Criteria

  1. FREE
  2. NO ADS
  3. STRICTLY NO IAPs (except donation buttons, but I'll have to check first)
  4. NO PIRACY
  5. it has to be a legit, full game you've played and liked. No demos, no emulators (everyone knows RetroArch anyways)
  6. no entire repositories. You can recommend them in the comments if you really want, but this list is for games you'd like to recommend
  7. if it's a Play Store game, it should be compatible with the latest Android version at the time of entry
  8. must include a link to the game, especially if from sources outside the Play Store. Not direct-download links, just links to the page
  9. sketchy sources won't be considered. Play Store, GitHub, and F-droid are welcome

[If you want to recommend paid games, without ads or predatory microtransactions, here is the list for you.]

THE LIST

Β 

Legend

βœ…οΈ - FOSS (Free and Open-Source Software)

β˜•οΈ - includes option to donate, with or without minimal cosmetics only

~~[Game title]~~ - delisted

Β 

Shooter

Β 

Stealth

Β 

Platformer

Β 

Rhythm

Β 

Arcade

Β 

RPG

Β 

Roguelike dungeon crawler

Β 

Deck builder

Β 

Adventure

Β 

Puzzle

Β 

Tower defense

Β 

Strategy

Β 

Management

Β 

Racing

Β 

Simulation

Β 

Casual

Β 

Visual novel

Β 

Delisted or outdated

Β 

Happy gaming ;)

ps: please let me know if there's any wrong information about the games included in this list (especially regarding the ones with free donations) so that I'll fix the post, if necessary.

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[–] Brainsploosh@lemmy.world 1 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Underhand seems to be outdated.

Can I suggest Drill Down as an automation game? I've lost so very many hours to that game.

[–] char_stats@lemm.ee 1 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Underhand seems to be outdated

What does it say? It looks good on my end, with Android 14.

Can I suggest Drill Down

Yes, I'll add this as it's also FOSS. Thank you!

If you have other suggestions, next time please also provide a link to the game. This one has been delisted fron the Play Store so I found it on itch.io

[–] Brainsploosh@lemmy.world 1 points 5 days ago (1 children)

Says it's made for an older version of android, and won't let me download.

Happy you liked the suggestion, I'll make sure to provide a link in the future.

[–] char_stats@lemm.ee 1 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago) (1 children)

Says it's made for an older version of android, and won't let me download

That's odd, but also it isn't the first time someone tells me that a game is outdated while seeming to be fine on my end. May I ask what device and Android version you use?

Thanks for reporting this by the way!

[–] Brainsploosh@lemmy.world 1 points 5 days ago (1 children)

I'm on a Samsung S21FE, android 14, One UI 6.1.

But if it works for you, feel free to keep it on the list until you get others' reports to confirm?

[–] char_stats@lemm.ee 2 points 5 days ago

Thanks. It seems like the message you see might be due, while misleading, to the device hardware rather than it's OS version. At least that's what came up as one of the possible reasons after a web search.

One more reason to keep "outdated" games still on the list, as they might work for someone!

[–] char_stats@lemm.ee 72 points 1 month ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (4 children)

Hi everyone!

I'm moving my two lists of games from Reddit to Lemmy, as I'm planning to jump platform and totally abandon Reddit in the future. The reason is well, Lemmy is better, and Reddit's admin have suspended or shadowbanned my account without reason, deleting all my contributions to the community (Android Gaming) there.

Most notably my two lists of games which I've curated for over 4 years: "100% free games" and "Favorite PAID games".

Lemmy's still young and, unfortunately, there isn't a relevant or active Android gaming community yet, so I'm uploading here hoping I'm not doing anything wrong!

I'll probably cross-post the two lists on !android@lemmy.world too.

I'm very new to Lemmy so ANY feedback is appreciated. Thank you!

[–] SatyrSack@feddit.org 16 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Some small markdown suggestions:

  • Headers require a space after the number signs, like:
    ## **THE LIST**
  • I think "Introduction" and "Entry Criteria" should both be headers as well
  • Each of your genre headers should get three number signs, since those are each subsections of the "THE LIST" section
[–] char_stats@lemm.ee 9 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

First of all, thanks for your observations and suggestions. I love to be precise with my posts and learning more about markdown formatting.

Headers require a space after the number signs

A question about this: does it change the way it actually looks? I'll fix it, but I'd love to know if there's a practical difference in using space vs no space?

I think "Introduction" and "Entry Criteria" should both be headers as well

You're probably right, as general rules go, but the reason why headers in my list are formatted this way is because I wanted to draw attention to the actual list and genres, rather than to the introduction/criteria. As I'm expecting most users to browse this list when they want to checkout some games.

Each of your genre headers should get three number signs, since those are all headers that fall within the "THE LIST" section

I've actually tried that recently, but didn't like the way it looked. I think something was off with the spacing between genre headers and first line when using three hashtags. Might give it another try soon.*

*fixed the genre headers with three hashtagas

[–] SatyrSack@feddit.org 6 points 1 month ago (2 children)

A question about this: does it change the way it actually looks? I’ll fix it, but I’d love to know if there’s a practical difference in using space vs no space?

Without the space, they don't render as a header at all.

No space:

##THE LIST

With space:

THE LIST

[–] char_stats@lemm.ee 6 points 1 month ago (1 children)

They both always looked the same for me, but once I tried on Obsidian I could see the difference! I think it depends on what app the formatting is displayed on. Thanks, I'm gonna fix all headers

[–] SatyrSack@feddit.org 5 points 1 month ago

I think it depends on what app the formatting is displayed on.

That is probably where the confusion lies here. Because in the default Lemmy web UI, omitting the space literally displays the number signs as-is without making the line a larger font at all.

[–] char_stats@lemm.ee 3 points 1 month ago

Should be fixed now. Let me know if I forgot something!

[–] ddash@lemmy.dbzer0.com 8 points 1 month ago

Thanks for posting that here!

[–] smeg@feddit.uk 6 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Welcome! FYI you can type !android@lemmy.world to link a community

[–] char_stats@lemm.ee 4 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Thanks! Would this be helpful for cross-posting to that community? My goal is to have a post showing in these 2 communities, and when I update the original one in this instance, the update will automatically carry on to the community in the other instance.

I tried cross-posting using a function in the Summit app, but the updates don't carry on... Do you know how I could achieve this?

[–] smeg@feddit.uk 3 points 1 month ago

I don't think there's any formal concept of a cross-post in Lemmy, the button in Summit will just create a new post with a link to the original and the description text quoted. They are essentially just two different posts.

[–] ijeff@lemdro.id 4 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Thanks for your work on this! Will pin it for awhile :).

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[–] SatyrSack@feddit.org 24 points 1 month ago (4 children)

Anything on F-Droid should fit your criteria, but here is what I have installed:

[–] char_stats@lemm.ee 13 points 1 month ago (1 children)

That is great! I should probably start adding FOSS games from F-droid.

[–] SatyrSack@feddit.org 13 points 1 month ago (1 children)

And careful throwing around terms like "100% Free" around here, considering most of the titles in your list are not free open source software in the "libre" sense that Lemmy users tend to expect more than Reddit users do.

[–] char_stats@lemm.ee 4 points 1 month ago

Yes, thanks. I removed the 100% in the title. That was to distinguish the games in this list from the "free-to-play" games, which are free to download but then have predatory monetization through microtransactions, or ads.

Personally, I can see the difference between saying "free" and "FOSS" so I thought it should be alright. But thanks for the feedback!

I might start listing real FOS games recommended by the users, but I'm not sure whether I should add a dedicated section within this list, or build a new list from scratch for FOS games alone.

[–] ChaoticNeutralCzech@feddit.org 3 points 1 month ago
[–] Onomatopoeia@lemmy.cafe 2 points 1 month ago

Anuto is fun, I really like the back-to-gradeschool graphics

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[–] Davel23@fedia.io 14 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Welcome to Lemmy! Love the post and I look forward to more, just one small suggestion. The title reads a little bit spamlike, I almost dismissed the post as some sort of ad.

[–] char_stats@lemm.ee 6 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Lol! You're right, actually. But it's accurate, to the point and, I suppose, easy to find for users.

What would you suggest instead? Maybe removing the "100%"?

[–] SatyrSack@feddit.org 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I think changing it to something like "List of my favorite 100% Free Games - no ads, no IAPs" should suffice. To me, that comes off as having a more genuine/personal feel

[–] char_stats@lemm.ee 2 points 1 month ago

Thanks for the suggestion. I can't really say that because, as mentioned in my post, I haven't played all those games. This is a list of games recommended by the users that I simply put together for everyone to easily browse.

I changed the title a bit and I'll see if I can further improve it! Cheers!

[–] claymore@pawb.social 8 points 1 month ago (3 children)

Guaguin is a sudoku-like puzzle game that I enjoy a ton. Instead of the usual 9-block square, this has random shapes with a number and a math operator on them. The goal is to have no repeating digits on rows/columns, and each block needs its mathematical problem to be solved. For example a block labeled 20x needs to filled so that all the numbers inside of it multiply to 20.

Play Store

F-Droid

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[–] Zak@lemmy.world 8 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

See also https://nobsgames.stavros.io/android/

Many of these are paid, but they're one-time payments and usually a reasonable price.

[–] char_stats@lemm.ee 4 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Ye I'm all for one-time paid games! I'll drop my premium games list here tomorrow

[–] Zak@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago

Thanks for your lists. It's hard to find mobile games that offer fun and a fair deal.

[–] u_u@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Every time this topic appears, I always make sure Simon Tatham's Puzzles is mentioned.

A no frill collection of puzzles that just works.

[–] char_stats@lemm.ee 4 points 1 month ago (2 children)

Yup! It's there in the list and a great collection :)

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[–] Fallofturkey@lemmy.world 6 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Links that didn't work for me / not on the play store anymore: Satyrn, Supertux, Supertux classic, Dribble, Bad Trip, Lofi Ping pongΒ , Rocket League sideswipe, Butterfly soup, Butterfly soup 2

[–] char_stats@lemm.ee 4 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Thanks for the feedback. I'll check.

Edit: fixed them

[–] Fallofturkey@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Great, thanks for the list!

[–] char_stats@lemm.ee 2 points 1 month ago

You're welcome :)

[–] Nukul4r@feddit.org 6 points 1 month ago

Forge is a very nice Magic the Gathering implementation. It has (almost?) all cards ever and it's single player. There is an APK, but also a desktop version.

https://card-forge.github.io/forge/

[–] Sterile_Technique@lemmy.world 6 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (3 children)

This only kinda meets the criteria since emulators are available on the play store, though roms will have to be sourced elsewhere, but... 100% roms and emulators. The N64 content and earlier emulate really well on a smartphone, especially when paired with a bluetooth controller.

IIRC ever version (different language releases, etc) of every game for Nintendo consoles from when they first became a company through all of the N64 content is a grand total of like 20bg: each individual game is tiny, so you can easily fit all your favorites on your phone.

I'm not sure what the latest and greatest emulators are today, but when I dabbled into this stuff last time, there were free, no bullshit options.

Quick search reveals a couple communities for it here on Lemmy:

!emulation@lemmy.ml

!emulationonandroid@lemmy.ml

I'd hit the side bars of those communities and go from there.

Note: downloading roms you don't own the license to is piracy; and even if you do own the license, your ISP won't know that, so I'd recommend practicing some basic internet safety like using a VPN. Also, ad blockers are an ABSOLUTE MUST on any website that provides or directs you to roms, otherwise you'll have like 20 links on your page that all say "Download!" that will lead you to some flavor of shitware.

But yeah, if you want games without all the modern bullshit in them like ads and lootcrate gambling, etc, then what better option than games that were made before all that cancer existed?!

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[–] CaptainBasculin@lemmy.ml 3 points 1 month ago

Consider adding osu!lazer to the rhythm game list. While not available from Play Store yet since some features are on development, it gatekeeps no gameplay feature with a paywall. Only server sided features like friend/mod rankings.

https://github.com/ppy/osu/releases

[–] Sylvartas@lemmy.dbzer0.com 3 points 1 month ago

TIL CDDA is on the play store

[–] pelya@lemmy.world 3 points 1 month ago (1 children)

More open source games with no ads

OpenTyrian

OpenTTD

[–] char_stats@lemm.ee 2 points 1 month ago

Thanks! OpenTyrian is obsolete, unfortunately. I will add OpenTTD.

[–] Pamtomaka@lemm.ee 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Glad to see you here! I hope this helps getting traction towards a critical mass on Lemmy!

[–] char_stats@lemm.ee 2 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Hey! I hope so too, but I'm sure Reddit itself will do most of the legwork for us haha! They're going the way of the Xitter.

And BTW thank you for reminding me Lemmy existed and I should have gotten on it long ago!

[–] murmelade@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Nice list, will be checking out some of these as I've only been playing Sudoku lately. Thank you!

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