Offline Games Worth A Slot On Your Phone

A surprising number of mobile games refuse to work without a connection, even single-player ones. When I travel, offline capability jumps to the top of my checklist.

Adventure and puzzle games are usually the safest bet, since they rarely need servers. A lot of simulation and cozy games work offline too, though some sync features may pause until you reconnect.

The trap is games that let you start offline but silently lock content behind a connection. I test this by putting the phone in airplane mode for a full session before recommending anything for travel.

Keep two or three reliable offline games installed at all times. Future you, stuck in a tunnel, will be grateful.