Interesting mobile RPGs you can play Portrait mode in 2023

It's surprisingly hard to find mobile RPGs that are also playable in Portrait Mode, so I've put together this list as I discover the games that catch my eye.

I think of RPGs as a broad category, so any game where you can embody a character and go on fun quests is fair game! This list includes every subgenre from roguelikes to action RPGs and classic JRPGs.

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Shattered Pixel Dungeon

Try it: Android / iOS / Steam
Price: $4.99
What's interesting: SPD takes the roguelike genre about as far as it can go on a mobile device. It's been built up with collaboration from the community for a long time, so it's deep and feature-rich. I love games with good applications of random generation!

Hero of Aethric

Try it: Android / iOS
Price: Free
What's interesting: Nostalgia-based design that evokes classic Final Fantasy games. The game has a strong community, modern MMO features, and an expansive world with a deep end-game. The game also has unintrusive monetization, which is hard to find in F2P mobile games.

Merchant

Try it: Android / iOS
Price: Free
What's interesting: Unique, first-person perspective with lovely pixel art. Layers "tycoon crafting" elements on top of a traditional RPG game.

Knights of Pen and Paper +1

Try it: Android / iOS
Price: $4.99
What's interesting: The game is presented as a tabletop RPG with a real Dungeon Master. You can even create your own challenges as the DM!

Dragon Quest V

Try it: Android / iOS
Price: $14.99
What's interesting: A legendary franchise from a legendary publisher: SQUARE ENIX. It's interesting to see how expansive RPGs from the past are adapted to mobile controls and screens.

Postknight 2

Try it: Android / iOS
Price: Free
What's interesting: Blends many RPG elements with sidescrolling, arcade-style action. Postknight also has a charming art style.

Micro RPG

Try it: Android / iOS
Price: Free
What's interesting: A unique take on reflex-based fight mechanics that keeps the hero in the middle of the screen with an action circle. Seems especially good for short play sessions.

Knight's Edge

Try it: Android / iOS
Price: Free
What's interesting: Sharp-looking cell-shaded graphics. Multiplayer combat with one-handed controls.

Sword Hunter

Try it: Android / iOS
Price: Free
What's interesting: Hard-hitting action combat. Incorporates stylish elements from manga and anime. I really love the main character's sprite design!

The Seven Deadly Sins

Try it: Android / iOS
Price: Free
What's interesting: Super high production value. I haven't watched it yet but I hear the anime this is based on is pretty cool.

Dragon Hunters: Heroes Legend

Try it: Android / iOS
Price: Free
What's interesting: Stunning graphics and a big open world. It's quite a feat to adapt an open-world game to a mobile screen.