The games I want (Reign, Worldbox, To the moon etc) either aren't there, only have old versions or the downloads are straight up thrash.

I've been browsing many past threads with users asking for free game recommendations to make a personal wishlist and I thought it would be nice to share it.

Aiming to put together a small "very best of", I started including titles mentioned by at least 2 Redditors and with very positive comments, then kept only games rated more than 4 on the Play Store and available for the latest Android OS. I then asked Chat GPT to add a short description and 3 keywords to describe the mood - I hope it didn't hallucinate too much!

I divided the titles that made it to the final list in 3 groups based on the presence of ads and data treatment - however ads and in-game purchases should not be disruptive in any of these based on everyone's comments.

If I missed any beloved free title I'll be happy to add it - and try it!

Free games with no ads and no data shared with 3rd parties:

Shattered Pixel Dungeon - A rogue-like RPG with dungeon crawling, turn-based combat, and random level generation. [Strategic, punishing, engaging]

Mindustry - A resource management and tower defense game where you build and defend factories against waves of enemies. [Strategic, complex, rewarding]

Unciv - A mobile port of the classic Civilization game, where you build and manage a civilization from the ground up. [Deep, immersive, expansive]

OneBit Adventure - A minimalist RPG with pixel art and random dungeon generation, focusing on exploration and combat. [Retro, simplistic, engaging]

Data Wing - A fast-paced, minimalist racing game where you control a winged ship racing through neon tracks. [Elegant, fast, engaging]

Contains ads, doesn't share data with 3rd parties:

Vampire Survivors - A rogue-like survival shooter where you fend off endless waves of enemies. [Addictive, challenging, intense]

Alto's Adventure - A snowboarding game where you explore scenic environments, perform tricks, and avoid obstacles. [Serene, peaceful, beautiful]

Alto's Odyssey - A serene, visually stunning endless runner where players glide through beautiful landscapes. [Peaceful, immersive, relaxing]

My Friend Pedro - A fast-paced action game where you control a protagonist guided by a talking banana. [Chaotic, stylish, fluid]

Contains ads and could share data with 3rd parties:

Magic Survival - An action-packed survival game with magic powers to defeat waves of enemies in an arena. [Fast-paced, chaotic, fun]

Soul Knight - An RPG set in a mystical world where you fight enemies and collect powerful loot. [Epic, deep, immersive]

TheoTown - A city-building simulator with intricate management of resources, zoning, and citizens. [Detailed, creative, relaxing]

Sword of Xolan [edited, thank you] An action platformer in pixel art style where a brave knight fights the darkness. [Retro, good paced, entertaining]

Idle Iktah - A casual idle game where you manage the growth of a village through strategic resource allocation. [Relaxing, simple, addictive]

Tiny Rails - A railroad management game where you control a train, expanding routes and completing missions. [Relaxing, immersive, nostalgic]