Loved Highwater? 6 Mobile Games to Play Next
Highwater's flooded world, chill radio soundtrack and slow boat trips are hard to replace. These mobile games, mostly free with Netflix, come closest.
Highwater is such a vibe. You're sailing a boat across a drowned world, a pirate radio station is playing in the background, and every so often you stop for a turn-based fight on a little island. It's sad and cosy at the same time.
It's still free on Netflix if you haven't finished it. If you have, here's what to play next. The first four are included with your Netflix membership.
On Netflix (free with your membership)
Spiritfarer
The best match for Highwater's mood. You captain a boat that ferries spirits to the afterlife, and you build it up with gardens, kitchens and little houses for your passengers. It's about saying goodbye, and it's beautiful. It's also long, so it's a good one for evenings over a few weeks.
Into the Breach
If the turn-based fights were your favourite part of Highwater, this is the upgrade. Small grids, giant mechs, alien bugs, and every enemy move is shown before it happens, so it's like chess where you know what your opponent is going to do. One fight takes a few minutes, which is perfect on a phone.
Into the Breach on the App Store
Oxenfree II: Lost Signals
No fights, but the same radio, loneliness and gorgeous coastline feeling. You walk and talk your way through a small town where something supernatural is happening. See games like Oxenfree II.
Laya's Horizon
From the makers of Alto's Odyssey. You glide down mountains in a wingsuit, and there's no real goal except getting better at flying. It's what I play when I want Highwater's calm without a story.
Laya's Horizon on the App Store
Worth buying
DREDGE
A fishing boat game where the sea gets creepier the further out you go. You upgrade your boat, sell your catch and try to get home before dark. The start is free, then it's a one-time purchase to unlock the rest.
Old Man's Journey
A short, wordless trip across beautiful hand-drawn hills and coasts, where you reshape the landscape to help an old man find his way. Gentle and a little sad, just like Highwater.
Old Man's Journey on the App Store
A quick tip
Highwater's soundtrack is a big part of the experience, so play with headphones. The same goes for Spiritfarer and DREDGE.
New to Netflix games? See how to play Netflix games on your phone.