This month’s theme: 100% FREE games

Among the many RPGs out there are some quality RPGs that are 100% free, with zero IAP whatsoever. That’s the theme for this month.

Some of these games may have ads, but they’re not usually too intrusive. For example, Swarm of Destiny: Fantasy Idle simply has optional ads when you check back in from a break, that let you double up the crystals mined in your absence.

Fateful Lore – a 100% free RPG

I’ve also created a page for all free games (mobile-optimised version here) which includes games that are free to play initially, but require IAP to unlock the full game, as well as games with “good IAP”.

I’ve written about good IAP before, and it’s something I wish the AppStore would offer better clarity and classification for. There’s a vast difference between a game like The Battle of Polytopia where IAP unlocks new tribes, or Archlion Saga, where it gets you an auto-star-charger (so you don’t have to bother to charge manually), and a game that is a hideous, dreary grind-fest unless you spend hundreds of bucks on “crystals”. I’m sure many of us remember the crashing disappointment and frustration with the “chest unlock” system in Elder Scrolls Blades.

Amethlion – a 100% free RPG

FREE iOS RPGs with zero IAP:

Yorozuya RPG

Yorozuya RPG

Cute retro JRPG with extensive post-game content
Tenmilli RPG

Tenmilli RPG

Retro JRPG reminiscent of the early Dragon Quest series
Saga RPG II: Evolution

Saga RPG II: Evolution

Ultra retro RPG with large gameworld and lots of grinding
Saga RPG: First Blade

Saga RPG: First Blade

Ultra retro RPG that's challenging and fun
Swarm of Destiny: Fantasy Idle

Swarm of Destiny: Fantasy Idle

Fun, fantasy-themed idle RPG with crystal mining and witches
Wanderer of Lifetimes

Wanderer of Lifetimes

Eastern-inspired RPG combining text-adventure and 2D exploration
Fateful Lore

Fateful Lore

Retro-inspired, 8-bit RPG with beautiful pixel art and nostalgic adventure
Amethlion

Amethlion

Superb indie retro-style RPG with crafting
TacWars

TacWars

Spirited match-3 puzzle RPG with cartoon-style artwork
Dink Smallwood

Dink Smallwood

iOS port of classic 1997 RPG with surreal humour
Sorceria 1: The Mad Doctor

Sorceria 1: The Mad Doctor

Quirky original classic RPG, retro-style & randomised
Fairune

Fairune

Slick action-puzzler RPG with retro 8-bit feel