Top 21 best soft launch mobile games for iPhone, iPad or Android
The biggest games yet to launch on the global market
- Soft Launch games are games that release in select markets, normally to test server stress or A/B test features.
- Most soft launches take place outside of the USA or UK, in markets with lower population density or non-English speaking audiences.
- Despite this there are often ways you can access the games, and doing so can get you access to a great game months ahead of its launch.
If you've been looking for something new and exciting that isn't quite fully released then look no further, you've found our list of the best games currently in soft launch.
Sometimes developers like to make sure the paying public is willing to play their game before they push it to every device in the world - that's where soft launch comes in. Available in just a handful of countries and regions, a soft-launched game is subject to drastic change as developers take on board customer feedback (and other metrics) to alter the game and ensure the best possible product is ready for when it goes to worldwide launch.
But here's the kicker - we can see when developers do that. And when you're looking at some of the big games, like the ones we have on this list, then you can find yourself getting very excited, and even a little jealous that you can't play it yet.
So to help you out a little, we've collected a huge list of some of the biggest and best games currently available in soft launch, which you might well be able to get if you have the right Apple ID or Google Play account to download it with.
Just as a note: In the case of a game suddenly disappearing, it might be because the developer has decided to stop development on it early and save themselves the cost of a big launch, or because the developer is gearing up for a big launch and wants to surprise the world. Whatever the case, we'll try and keep you updated when these things happen.
Dig into the list of games below and find out what you could be playing later this year, or right now if you've got the right account in the right region.
UPDATE: 26th January - Avatar: Reckoning removed (Cancelled), Doctor Who: Worlds Apart added.
1
Starship Survivor
- Publisher: Brainium Studios LLC
- Platform: iOS
- Country: Australia, Canada and USA
Starship Survivor is the next title from Branium, developers of several AppStore twists on classics (like Solitaire, Sudoku), and marks their first time straying beyond casual, word or card gameplay.
It's a familiar, twin-stick style space shooter where you have to fight against masses of enemies and the bosses that follow them. Last year they implemented mote bundles which are microtransactions to help you push further into the game via upgrades - that said, the developers have gone on record priding themselves as having it as a completely free to play game that is free of both paywalls and gates.
2
World of Warships: Legends
- Publisher: Wargaming
- Platform: Android/iOS
- Country: Brazil, Canada, France the Phillippines
World of Warships: Legends is a new free-to-play multiplayer ship combat action game from Wargaming - who are best known for their other World of ~ titles. Here you'll fight in 9v9 battles against other players. It's not as simple as that, of course: You can expect the same level of depth and simulation as you find in other Wargaming titles, and there's almost certainly going to be a leveling/research tier system as well as a well-balanced matchmaking system.
3
The Division Resurgence
- Publisher: Ubisoft
- Platform: iOS/Android
- Country: UK (CBT)
Definitely one of the bigger titles to watch out for, Ubisoft's The Division brand is making its way over to mobile at some point in the near future. Following on from a successful regional test in Dec '23, and with preorder rewards already published, live and ticking up, we don't think it'll be long before we've got The Division Resurgence in our hands.
It's a phenomenal-looking title and the development team doesn't seem to have cut any corners (or tried to create a light, 'mobile friendly' take on the IP) featuring all of the weapon-upgrading, huddled-running and cover-clambering that made the core series a success. Multiplayer has come a long way in mobile shooters over the last ten years, but Resurgence could set a new bar.
4
Rainbow Six Mobile
- Publisher: Ubisoft Entertainment
- Platform: iOS/Android
- Country: India, Canada, US, Mexico, Brazil, Singapore, Philippines
Rainbow Six' season-based, quick play style has kept its popularity growing for years over on PC and console platforms, so it's really surprising that it's taken this long for it to make its way over to mobile. The team vs team, attack vs defence formula is succinct and stylish - the quick rounds, season-based monetisation and hero-based play all feel right at home on mobile - why have we been waiting for Rainbow Six Mobile exactly?
Whatever the reason, we're likely not going to have to wait much longer. It's playtesting with a majority Canadian audience, servers are holding up, and - from what we've heard - everything is running smooth. Roll on launch!
UPDATE: 17th January: Rainbow Six Mobile is currently showing as only active in Canada, Mexico, Colombia, and Chile.
5
Clash Mini
- Publisher: Supercell
- Platform: Android/iOS
- Country: Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Finland, Hong Kong, Philippines, Singapore, Chile, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Portugal, Spain, Pakistan
Clash is back (although we'd probably argue that it's never gone away) and this time it's mini! Clash Mini is a tiny fusion of the Clash universe and the ever popular auto-batttler formula. You could argue, and perhaps you will, that Clash of Clans' town attacks were an auto-battler of their own, and you'd be right. This, however, plays more like an autochess RPG, but featuring familiar branding and a bright and colourful setting.
If you are eager to test it out, we have made a guide on how to download Clash Mini that's worth a read.
6
Call of Duty: Warzone
- Publisher: Activision
- Platform: Android/iOS
- Country: Germany, Australia, Chile, Malaysia, Sweden, Norway are all listed as having active users. Limited number of players being granted access, with CBT access.
"Call of Duty's battle royale mode" Call of Duty: Warzone is easily one of the most anticipated mobile releases of the near future. It's been rumoured and heavily discussed under its previous moniker: Call of Duty: Project Aurora, and we've seen so much gameplay of it that we're - frankly - starting to feel a little queasy.
Despite all of the gameplay, we don't actually have too many details about the launch - let alone a release window. We do know that it's a battle royale, that you'll be fighting to take over Verdansk, and that there'll be both team and solo play. The developers have said that you'll be able to play crossplay with Console and PC folks, but also that there are mobile-specific rewards - so we're a little stumped.
Still, keep your eyes on PG as we'll be sure to let you know more as soon as we do.
7
Endless Survival
- Publisher: Gameloft
- Platform: iOS
- Country: Unknown
We don't know much about Gameloft's Endless Survival, besides the fact it was recently renamed from Survive Together. We know that it's a multiplayer game set in a world overrun with undead monsters, we know there's lootin', shootin' and a fair bit of craftin'... beyond that, information is currently scarce.
Historically it appears that those lucky enough to live in The Netherlands or The Philippines were able to jump in, but you can currently only gain access through the official website.
8
Doctor Who: Worlds Apart
- Publisher: Reality+
- Platform: Google Play / AppStore
- Country: Malaysia, The Philippines
With the good graces of the BBC, Reality+ didn't wait long to get underway developing their CCG twist on the classic British TV staple. Stuffed full of cards and cosmetics, and with a promise to keep evolving alongside the series, it's even a really promising little title for those who aren't a fan of the long-running brand.
A big selling point here is that your collection is not just dynamic and changing as per the content (as per most CCGs) but that you can trade your cards between accounts, meaning that there's a real experience here for mega collectors.
9
Awaken Legends
- Publisher: Webzen Inc.
- Platform: Android/iOS
- Country: Canada and the Philippines
Webzen appears to be building something really strong with Awaken Legends, an idle RPG that already features over 50 characters. For us, the most impressive thing is the beautiful artwork, but various praise from players points at a well-balanced guild system that escalates to server vs server arena battles, as well as a well-implemented AFK/offline combat system.
10
Cybernom
- Publisher: ZeptoLab
- Platform: iOS/Android
- Country: Currently Unknown, was UK.
Om Nom is back, however this time he's a bit closer to Stealth Espionage Action rather than being up to his traditional candy consuming or rope cutting antics. In Cybernom you'll move him around, hack terminals and outwit the various defences of a futuristic office-complex/sinister-lair.
UPDATE: As of January 2024 we've not heard much, and lost visibility on Cybernom, we'll check in with the developers to see if this is still in development.
There's some footage below, courtesy of iOSTouchPlayHD on Youtube.
11
XCOM Legends
- Publisher: Take Two
- Platform: iOS/ Android
- Country: Malaysia and The Philippines (See below)
XCOMs next foray into mobile steps away from the tactical gameplay we are used to seeing, and instead toward the gacha-powered, team-based RPG that we've seen popularized by games like RAID: Shadow Legends. We're excited to see the universe explore new territory, however, there has definitely been some trepidation about stepping away from the genre that the series is best known for.
When gameplay first started appearing for the game, it was through accounts attached to Google Play in The Philippines.and Malaysia. There are now listed uses from the following regions: Germany, Denmark, United Kingdom, Sweden, Canada, Australia, Norway, New Zealand, Netherlands, Switzerland, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Ireland, Finland and Vietnam.
12
Oh My Anne
Oh My Anne is a match-3 game based on the popular novel series Anne of Green Gables. Players proceed through the story by completing levels and associated challenges.
It's certainly interesting to see Neowiz deciding to take established, historical (1908~) novels and their IP and spin them off into games. There's a question to be asked about brand recognition and 'crossover IP' when those IPs are not ones from the current vogue. We regularly see Warhammer and Marvel crossover games, but those things are currently 'in', Anne of Green Gables — and Oh My Anne — targets a different audience and plays on different rules of advertising.
Could there be a Dracula, Canterbury Tales or Beowolf games on the horizon if this takes off?
13
Candy Crush 3D
Arguably one of the world's most famous mobile games, Candy Crush Saga going 3D as Candy Crush 3D could be seen as an evolutionary milestone for the gaming industry when it comes around to full, global launch. Sure, most of us reading this might not think of Angry Birds, Candy Crush or Wordscapes when we think of gaming on mobile, but games like this have created a strong backbone that helps mobile stand much taller than the other gaming sectors when it comes to power and reach.
Shaking loose of the grid-based play that make the original a massive success, it's going to be interesting to see how Candy Crush 3D does - it's a hotly contested genre, and visibly resembles the Match-2/find-pairs gameplay that we're seeing plenty of games already doing well.
14
Royal Kingdom
King Robert's out and King Richard is in. Dream Games are trying to have lightning strike twice with Royal Kingdom, their follow-up (well, we imagine they'll try and run both simultaneously) to Royal Match.
Everything is very familiar here, of course, however, we've seen screenshots of an interesting player-vs-player matching as well as a slightly more fun-looking metagame. As to how this pans out in the long run, we'll have to wait and see.
15
Hunter's Journey
DeNA have taken a stab at the popular HunterxHunter IP with their 3D RPG Hunter's Journey. Much like a lot of anime fighters it looks amazing, with 3rd person fighting interspaced with generous cutscenes and narrative. We've seen a fair bit of it in action now, and while we're not too familiar with the anime that it is adapted from, everything has looked phenomenal.
Here's the App Store Description (Translated):
"Hunter's Journey" is a genuine mobile game authorized and adapted from the famous Japanese IP "HUNTER x HUNTER", dedicated to creating an immersive 3D role-playing adventure experience. Through the combination of classic scenes, plots and delicate animation storyboards, the hunter's world view is truly restored. During the exploration of the main storyline and dungeons, all Hunter candidates can transform into original characters and visit Whale Island, Dore Port, Lost Melo Wetland, Sky Arena, Youkesin City... Enjoy exploring the Hunter world, and interact with Gon, Killua, Kurapika and Leorio adventure and grow together!"
16
My Talking Hank: Islands
Outfit7's series of Talking Tom games has become an institution in recent years, with Tom and friends regularly rocketing up the charts as, it appears, people can't get enough of them. Their latest outing, My Talking Hank: Islands has Hank explore an island and make friends along the way. Apparently, it's crammed full with things to do, including stacks of mini-games.
17
EVE Galaxy Conquest
A mobile-4X strategy - alliances and all - that takes the popular EVE MMO setting and spins it into strategic battles, base-building and expansive, large-group play. We're excited to give EVE Galaxy Conquest a go and see how the developers have managed to adapt the feeling of 'THE' space MMO into a social, mobile experience.
EVE Galaxy Conquest slipped into soft launch in November of last year, so we're not too sure how long it'll be before it goes global - but it's definitely one to watch.
18
Ragnarok Begins
While it could be argued that Ragnorok Begins is almost global - being that it has been released in most major markets now - there are some notable absences in its regions of release (France, The Southern Hemisphere anybody?). It originally slipped into Soft Launch back in October 2022, and has been getting regular updates (including in-game events) every other week since then.
Ragarock has changed a lot over the years, and Ragnarok Begins' features list is incredibly different than the Ragnarok Online of old. There's a card system for upgrading weapons, armour and accessories - which are customizable, there seem to be more players on screen than I've ever seen in the series, and Midgard is larger than ever.
19
Plants Vs Zombies 3
Here's one that we've featured before, that didn't quite make it, but is back with a vengeance. Plants Vs Zombies 3: Welcome to Zomburbia has now soft launched in the UK and other select regions. We've listed the regions that were in the official press release above, however it should be added that it was also available in Ireland and Romania last year, and so it may well be available elsewhere.
The big change here, other than a very nice visual overhaul, is that there's an episodic structure to its narrative, with new characters and lore coming before release. You'll also be able to customise and build up your own version of Neighborville, but we're waiting on more details about that.
20
Command & Conquer: Legions
Level Infinite's planned foray into the legendary Command & Conquer series is absolutely fascinating. It takes the late-stage Tiberian Twilight (think Command & Conquer 3) setting and splices the game with the hero-based, 4X Mobile MMOStrategy formula that we've seen games like Rise of Kingdoms and State of Survival perfect.
Are we interested to see the Command & Conquer series out in the open again? Most definitely. Is Command & Conquer: Legions going to be what veterans of the 30-year old series expect? Maybe not. We managed to play a few hours of this last year and were really impressed with how the team had managed to use the IP, which fits it perfectly. That said, we really want to see the alliance and server-vs-server systems at play before we pass judgement.
21
Eggy Party
NetEase's Stumble Guys killer, Eggy Party, is rapidly moving toward its global release with seven new regions granted access to it in January of 2024, before that it simply in the SEA region.
What's the big appeal? Well, if you're not sold in by the constant party, cheerful colours and multiplayer mania of Eggy Party, then maybe the map creation will be the thing to grab your attention. A bumbling race to the finish might be fun, but doing it on a map that you - or one of your friends - created is vastly more fun.
