Mobile phones are an under-appreciated platform when it comes to single-player offline shooting games. Yes, the big online shooters like PUBG and Call of Duty have made their mark on phones, but if you’re looking to pit yourself against AI soldiers, aliens, and other automated baddies, there’s plenty of choice.
From cerebral sniping games to Wild West adventures, we’ve rounded up the best offline shooting games you can play on mobile.
Also read: 17 Fun Offline Games to Play on Your Phone
1. Six-Guns: Gang Showdown
There have been many great cowboy-themed games on consoles over the years, and Six-Guns: Gang Showdown (Android) channels the core of what makes those titles appealing. The graphics feel a little dated, but that means even midrange handsets should run the game without any issues.
In this third-person run-and-gun Western, you get to explore a reasonably large environment, ride horses, take part in various Wild West activities, and of course shoot at things.
You don’t have to be a crack shot either, since the game uses a lock-on system, emphasizing mobility over accuracy. As with other Gameloft Games, there’s a fair amount of grind (or microtransactions) to get the really good weaponry, but if you have the time, the most important content is within reach for free.
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2. Cover Fire
Cover Fire (Android | iOS), with over 10 million installs, is a fast-paced shooting game with multiple missions and game modes. The offline mode is the main focus, but Cover Fire also includes a multiplayer mode to play with your friends.
Cover Fire is totally free, and the installation is pretty small (around 400mb). The 3D graphics are high quality, with sensible controls to make the best use of your thumb positioning.
The game gives you a wide range of enemies and weapons to choose from. You can focus on becoming a sniper, or you can go toe-to-toe with hand pistols. There’s an imaginative storyline mode to make regular gameplay interesting, with new “chapters” released on a regular basis.
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3. Hitman Sniper
Hitman Sniper (Android | iOS), from Square Enix Montreal, is a spin-off from the hugely popular Hitman series for PC and console. As with the other Hitman games, Hitman Sniper focuses on the missions of Agent 47, an assassin-for-hire.
As the name suggests, this game is a sniper-focused, shooting gallery-style game where players look to assassinate targets from a distance through the sniper scope. Control, speed, and accuracy are key components of this stylish and simple shooting game for Android.
It costs $0.99 to buy and comes with over 150 gameplay missions for you to try. You can upgrade your guns as well as compare your performance against other players on an online leaderboard.
4. Overkill 3
If you’re looking for a simple shoot-em-up where you can customize the difficulty of the gameplay, Overkill 3 (Android | iOS) is the offline shooting game you need for Android.
The gameplay is mixed with related cut scenes to help set the story: an “us versus them” where the player rebels against the evil “Faction.” The high-quality graphics make this game a stunning option for users who enjoy a console-like experience on their mobile devices.
One neat feature of Overkill 3 is being able to select how difficult the gameplay is when you start the game. You have guidelines through various levels, culminating in big boss battles that get harder as you progress.
It’s offline, but you can go online if you prefer, with daily tournaments and co-op missions as well as the ability to earn achievements for your gameplay.
5. Dead Effect 2
Dead Effect 2 (Android | iOS), the popular sequel to the original Dead Effect, offers a different approach for Android gamers who need their sci-fi fix. First released back in 2015, this fun sci-fi assault game receives regular updates and has had over 5 million installations to date.
From the beginning, your gameplay is customizable. You can choose to play as different characters, each with different weapons and abilities available.
The story is set on a spaceship, the ESS Meridian, and follows the storyline of the original Dead Effect, with the player fighting off invading fighters. There are over 20 hours of campaign gameplay for players to sink their teeth into, along with hundreds of different upgrades and weapons to choose from.
Also read: How to Play PS4 & PS5 Games on your Phone or Tablet
6. N.O.V.A. Legacy
If you like Dead Effect 2, you’ll find a lot to love in N.O.V.A Legacy (Android | iOS). This is a revival of one of the most legendary mobile FPS franchises ever, bringing Halo-like gameplay to phones.
N.O.V.A. Legacy has had over 50 million installations since it was originally released in 2017.
This fun sci-fi game is actually a smaller remaster of the original iOS game N.O.V.A. It follows the first, original mission of that trailblazing game, with better graphics and improved controls.
The storyline focuses on a battle between humanity, now living in space, against its enemies. The player takes on the role of Kal Wardin, a member of the N.O.V.A. space defense organization, defending against alien attacks.
The remastered graphics are appealing, even in 2022, with simple controls that make gameplay enjoyable from the outset. Players can upgrade their gear as they progress. Once you complete the storyline, you can try time-limited assault and special ops missions as well as a competitive multiplayer mode to keep things interesting.
7. Lonewolf
In Lonewolf (Android | iOS), you take on the role of the eponymous sniper as he becomes a member of a shady organization that needs exceptional assassins. The game is narrative focused, with comic book segments pushing the story forward between missions.
The missions each offer unique challenges and stay quite fresh. You must meet specific objectives to pass a mission, and it can be tricky, yet satisfying, to nail a tough job.
Lonewolf is free to play, and you can either earn currency by buying it with real money, or by watching advertising. The premium version of the game, which has all of the content and no ads, can be had for as little as $2, but the developers let you choose higher amounts if you feel like being generous. Lonewolf is a wonderful little gem of a game, but be warned that it is not for children or those with weak stomachs.
Also read: 9 of the Best Puzzle Games for Mobile
The Best of Mobile Gaming
Mobile gaming is enjoying a renaissance, with graphics hardware rapidly improving to match their PC and console equivalents. It isn’t quite there yet, but these offline shooting games give you the chance to let off some steam without wasting your data allowance. If you’re looking for more shooting games, try these top single player FPS games.
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