Apple Arcade is growing in popularity, and the service has some real gems that may have gone unnoticed by the wider gaming community. Here are some of the best Apple Arcade games in 2023.
Apple Arcade is a monthly subscription service boasting a wide array of games that can be played on Apple’s Mac, iPhone, and iPad platforms. It’s not dissimilar to Xbox Game Pass, but none of the games included offer microtransactions or paid DLC.
The service costs $4.99 a month and offers big hitters in franchises like Monster Hunter, as well as new games from the likes of PlatinumGames. With around 200 titles included, it can make it tough to settle on your next download. Thankfully, we’ve rounded up the best Apple Arcade games you can play right now.
The best Apple Arcade games
Here are the best Apple Arcade games in 2023:
Football Manager Touch 2023
We awarded Football Manager 2023 a very positive review when it launched, and we’re pleased to say that the (slightly) stripped-down experience of Football Manager Touch 2023 is just as life-consuming, offering an excellent way to take your tactics board on the go.
What The Golf?
Golf isn’t for everyone, but What The Golf? is no golf game. Every level breaks free from the game’s core concept in interesting new ways, like hitting your own character into a hole, or, uh, hitting a hole into another. It’s truly off the wall and always surprising.
Bleak Sword
If you’re looking for a grim 8-bit throwback with Dark Souls and Undertale vibes, then check out Bleak Sword. While the gothic retro art style won’t be for everyone, the game’s combat is remarkably fluid. It’s also highly addictive and difficult to master. Be warned, this one’s definitely a throw risk.
Beyond Blue
Beyond Blue feels like you’re living in a David Attenborough documentary as your character explores the ocean and its wildlife. It is undoubtedly one of the best Apple Arcade games on offer. Its story is also as deep and immersive as the environments you’ll explore, and it’s a great technical showcase on all platforms.
Grindstone
Grindstone is an addictive color-matching puzzler that takes the genre’s cutesy appeal and flips it on its head. Instead of matching gems, you’re actually slaying monsters, grabbing “Grindstones” to change color midway through and keep your streak going. It’s incredibly addictive, with fun bonus objectives and boss battles, too.
Monster Hunter Stories
Monster Hunter Stories is a little different from the base Monster Hunter game, swapping slaying monsters for taming them and raising them — not unlike Pokemon. This Apple Arcade version features the entirety of the first game that was originally released on the Nintendo 3DS.
Sayonara Wild Hearts
This neon-tinged adventure is like a playable music album. It’s full of stylish visuals and incredible music, and while the experience is short, it’s utterly unforgettable. Music fans, or fans of rhythm titles should really download this.
Oceanhorn 2
Oceanhorn 2 is a real improvement over the first game. It also wears its Zelda Breath of the Wild inspiration clearly on its sleeve. While some will criticize Oceanhorn 2 as unoriginal, it’s actually a very fun experience. It’s also the closest thing you’ll ever get to Zelda on Apple Arcade.
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on Esports, Gaming and more.
Assemble with Care
This relaxing, puzzle-solving Apple Arcade game will have you putting treasured items back together. From tape players to cameras, it’s a delight that makes excellent use of the touch screen to let you manipulate analog technology.
Hitchhiker
Hitchhiker is a tense mystery game that really deserves more attention. The premise is that the protagonist is hitchhiking across the country to a mysterious destination, chatting to drivers as they go. The fun is piecing together why you’re going there, and who you really are. Those who enjoy immersive single-player experiences with access to Apple Arcade should really give this a look.
Fantasian
Coming from Hironobu Sakaguchi’s Mistwalker studio, Fantasian carries forth a lot of Final Fantasy DNA while also adding a unique twist. Much of its backgrounds and environments are dioramas, giving it a dreamlike feel, with excellent turn-based combat.
World of Demons
As you’d expect from PlatinumGames, World of Demons is full of stylish action. It also offers a stunning cel-shaded art style that really pops on newer iPhones and iPads, as well as the ability to summon monsters to fight alongside you.
Gris+
Gris was a gorgeous adventure full of stunning colors and landscapes when it launched back in 2018, and thanks to Apple Arcade, the entire game is playable on your Apple device through your subscription.
There really are few games that look this good, particularly on more recent devices.
So, there you have it – the best Apple Arcade games you should play in 2023.
For more list content, be sure to check out the following:
Best Xbox Game Pass games | Best Nintendo Switch games | Best Meta Quest 2 games | Best party games | Best MMORPGs
