Best games
Best iOS games of 2021
The 14 best iOS games released in 2021, ranked from 4,720 critic and player ratings.
The best iOS game of 2021 is Forza Horizon 5, with a critic score of 94/100 — updated September 2026.
How this ranking is built
- Games are ranked on the aggregated critic score out of 100 imported from IGDB and Metacritic, never on Tier's own grades.
- A game only enters the ranking with at least 80 external ratings, so a single enthusiastic review never outranks a proven classic.
- Community grades from F to S are shown next to every game, and only stated as a fact above 5 Tier ratings.
- Release window covered: 2021.
- 14 games are listed on this page, carrying 4,720 ratings between them.
- Rankings are recomputed hourly; this one was last rebuilt on 29 September 2026.
Top 14
01
D
Forza Horizon 5
Your Ultimate Horizon Adventure awaits! Explore the vibrant and ever-evolving open-world landscapes of Mexico with limitless, fun driving action in hundreds of the world’s greatest cars.
94
/100
02
Unpacking
Unpacking is a zen puzzle game about the familiar experience of pulling possessions out of boxes and fitting them into a new home. Part block-fitting puzzle, part home decoration, you are invited to create a satisfying living space while learning clues about the life you’re unpacking. Over the course of eight house moves, you are given a chance to experience a sense of intimacy with a character you never see and a story you’re never told.
92
/100
03
Death Stranding Director's Cut
Death Stranding is an action game set in a post-apocalyptic United States. Players control Sam Porter Bridges, a courier tasked with reconnecting isolated cities via a communication network while delivering essential cargo. The gameplay blends traversal, resource management, and narrative elements, with a focus on social connectivity through asynchronous multiplayer. It is known for its unique mechanics, atmospheric world, and philosophical themes. The Director's Cut includes more character action, extended storylines through new missions and a unique Social Strand System to stay connected with other players around the globe.
91
/100
D
Forza Horizon 5
Your Ultimate Horizon Adventure awaits! Explore the vibrant and ever-evolving open-world landscapes of Mexico with limitless, fun driving action in hundreds of the world’s greatest cars.
94
/100
02
Unpacking
Unpacking is a zen puzzle game about the familiar experience of pulling possessions out of boxes and fitting them into a new home. Part block-fitting puzzle, part home decoration, you are invited to create a satisfying living space while learning clues about the life you’re unpacking. Over the course of eight house moves, you are given a chance to experience a sense of intimacy with a character you never see and a story you’re never told.
92
/100
03
Death Stranding Director's Cut
Death Stranding is an action game set in a post-apocalyptic United States. Players control Sam Porter Bridges, a courier tasked with reconnecting isolated cities via a communication network while delivering essential cargo. The gameplay blends traversal, resource management, and narrative elements, with a focus on social connectivity through asynchronous multiplayer. It is known for its unique mechanics, atmospheric world, and philosophical themes. The Director's Cut includes more character action, extended storylines through new missions and a unique Social Strand System to stay connected with other players around the globe.
91
/100
04
Disco Elysium: Final Cut
90
/100
05
Death's Door
Death's Door is an action-adventure game developed by Acid Nerve and published by Devolver Digital. Released in 2021, it follows a crow reaper tasked with collecting souls in a mysterious, atmospheric world. The game features exploration, fast-paced combat, and puzzle-solving.
87
/100
06
Loop Hero
The Lich has thrown the world into a timeless loop and plunged its inhabitants into never ending chaos. Wield an expanding deck of mystical cards to place enemies, buildings, and terrain along each unique expedition loop for the brave hero.
85
/100
07
A
Resident Evil: Village
Resident Evil Village is a first-person survival horror game and the sequel to Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. The game maintains elements from previous Resident Evil games, with players having to scavenge environments for items and manage their resources. However, it adds more action-oriented gameplay, with higher enemy counts and a greater emphasis on combat.
83
/100
08
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition
It's the early '90s. After a couple of cops frame him for homicide, Carl "CJ" Johnson is forced on a journey that takes him across the entire state of San Andreas, to save his family and to take control of the streets.
80
/100
09
Black Book
A fusion of card-based RPGs and Adventure games, “Black Book” is a haunting tale of a young sorceress, who gave her life to serve the dark forces. Dive into the cold, yet alluring world of folk tales - and uncover the secrets that hide in the darkness.
78
/100
10
Pokémon Unite
Team up and take down the opposition in Pokémon’s first 5-on-5 strategic team battle game! Join Trainers from around the world as they head for Aeos Island to compete in Unite Battles! In Unite Battles, Trainers face off in 5-on-5 team battles to see who can score the most points within the allotted time. Teamwork is key as you and your teammates defeat wild Pokémon, level up, evolve your own Pokémon, and work to prevent the opposing team from scoring points. Put your teamwork to the test, and take home the win!
75
/100
11
Totally Accurate Battle Simulator
73
/100
12
Twelve Minutes
69
/100
13
Poppy Playtime
66
/100
14
Bright Memory: Infinite
65
/100
Disco Elysium: Final Cut
90
/100
05
Death's Door
Death's Door is an action-adventure game developed by Acid Nerve and published by Devolver Digital. Released in 2021, it follows a crow reaper tasked with collecting souls in a mysterious, atmospheric world. The game features exploration, fast-paced combat, and puzzle-solving.
87
/100
06
Loop Hero
The Lich has thrown the world into a timeless loop and plunged its inhabitants into never ending chaos. Wield an expanding deck of mystical cards to place enemies, buildings, and terrain along each unique expedition loop for the brave hero.
85
/100
07
A
Resident Evil: Village
Resident Evil Village is a first-person survival horror game and the sequel to Resident Evil 7: Biohazard. The game maintains elements from previous Resident Evil games, with players having to scavenge environments for items and manage their resources. However, it adds more action-oriented gameplay, with higher enemy counts and a greater emphasis on combat.
83
/100
08
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas – The Definitive Edition
It's the early '90s. After a couple of cops frame him for homicide, Carl "CJ" Johnson is forced on a journey that takes him across the entire state of San Andreas, to save his family and to take control of the streets.
80
/100
09
Black Book
A fusion of card-based RPGs and Adventure games, “Black Book” is a haunting tale of a young sorceress, who gave her life to serve the dark forces. Dive into the cold, yet alluring world of folk tales - and uncover the secrets that hide in the darkness.
78
/100
10
Pokémon Unite
Team up and take down the opposition in Pokémon’s first 5-on-5 strategic team battle game! Join Trainers from around the world as they head for Aeos Island to compete in Unite Battles! In Unite Battles, Trainers face off in 5-on-5 team battles to see who can score the most points within the allotted time. Teamwork is key as you and your teammates defeat wild Pokémon, level up, evolve your own Pokémon, and work to prevent the opposing team from scoring points. Put your teamwork to the test, and take home the win!
75
/100
11
Totally Accurate Battle Simulator
73
/100
12
Twelve Minutes
69
/100
13
Poppy Playtime
66
/100
14
Bright Memory: Infinite
65
/100
Frequently asked questions
What is the best iOS game of 2021?
Forza Horizon 5 currently tops the ranking with a score of 94/100 across 771 ratings. Ranking updated September 2026.
How is this ranking built?
Games are ranked on their aggregated critic score out of 100, with a minimum vote threshold so a single glowing review never outranks a proven classic; the Tier community's own F-to-S grades are shown alongside each game.