I’m looking to play some mobile games online with my partner while we’re away; something simple and potentially asynchronous but doesn’t have to be. Something like Words With Friends but not cluttered and overrun with ads. Simple board games, strategy, or other casual games.
Anyone have any suggestions? Doesn’t necessarily have to be free, but it is preferred. I’ve looked all over but navigating the Play Store is a nightmare if you’re not looking for the top 20 grossing games.
Edit: Thank you to the very few who actually gave some recommendations closer to what I asked for. To be more clear, the kind of games I am looking for are:
Ad-free (it’s okay if it’s cheap to remove ads as long as the game is not overly monetized and cluttered)
The version that I played was actually a BBS game — played with a 286 and a modem! Other players could steal your stuff if they found your base while you were sleeping — it was a fun but often very frustrating game because of these uncool players.
Do you only want free ad-free or is it ok if you can pay to remove ads?
Free ad-free is kinda limited. Can’t think of anything there right now.
Paid ad-free, there are lots of options. Most games offer an ad-free version/in-app-payment for a few Euros.
Alternatively, you can get rid of ads using NetGuard (only the versions from F-Droid and Github can block ads, the one on the play store cannot due to Googles restrictions).
NetGuard filters ads locally without sending leaking metadata to some ad-blocking DNS services.
And contrary to a Pi Hole it also works when you are not at home, since it runs directly on the phone.
I’m not one for simple and quick games, so I’m the wrong one to ask.
I enjoyed Polytopia, Minecraft, Conspiracy (a Diplomacy clone), Bomb Squad and Star Realms a lot. But none of them are exactly simple. Maybe Conspiracy, but that’s also not quick at all.
It’s the cluttered, overly monetized apps that are the problem, not the ads. Adblock won’t stop the pop-ups or banner ads, they’ll just make them blank. Plus free adblock DNS are sketchy, and I’m not about to pay for one.
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Does anyone remember SPACE TRADER from the 90s?
You’re in luck! Someone made an Android port years ago, and it’s available on F-Droid! Definitely still enjoying it as well.
Downloading right now!!
The version that I played was actually a BBS game — played with a 286 and a modem! Other players could steal your stuff if they found your base while you were sleeping — it was a fun but often very frustrating game because of these uncool players.
Chess Time is a great asynchronous chess app with only an unobtrusive banner ad. My wife and I always have a casual game going.
Lichess is better - no ads, period. It’s a free open source game.
Does it have an async mode?
Yes
Well heck, colour me interested. Thanks for the heads up!
I think spaceteam is ad free, free and local. Lots of fun too!
I think you might like Polytopia
Thanks for an actual suggestion and not just saying I should get adblock, I will look into it.
Ah, Polytopia!.. It’s been a while. Nice game, great time killer!
Do you only want free ad-free or is it ok if you can pay to remove ads?
Free ad-free is kinda limited. Can’t think of anything there right now.
Paid ad-free, there are lots of options. Most games offer an ad-free version/in-app-payment for a few Euros.
Alternatively, you can get rid of ads using NetGuard (only the versions from F-Droid and Github can block ads, the one on the play store cannot due to Googles restrictions).
NetGuard filters ads locally without sending leaking metadata to some ad-blocking DNS services.
And contrary to a Pi Hole it also works when you are not at home, since it runs directly on the phone.
Can you name some? I don’t want to go the adblock route for reasons mentioned in another comment
I’m not one for simple and quick games, so I’m the wrong one to ask.
I enjoyed Polytopia, Minecraft, Conspiracy (a Diplomacy clone), Bomb Squad and Star Realms a lot. But none of them are exactly simple. Maybe Conspiracy, but that’s also not quick at all.
Tux Cart (racing game) might be fun
I will look at this, thank you
Just use third-party DNS resolvers with ad-blocking feature.
It’s the cluttered, overly monetized apps that are the problem, not the ads. Adblock won’t stop the pop-ups or banner ads, they’ll just make them blank. Plus free adblock DNS are sketchy, and I’m not about to pay for one.
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Even easier, set your phone dns to an ad blocking dns. I like to play the generic charades games with my partner.
Free adblock DNS sells your data, and I’m not interested in paying for it.