The offline RPGs I keep going back to

Offline RPGs used to mean stripped-down experiences. That's not true anymore. Emberfall Saga is my current favorite — a full turn-based campaign that downloads once and never phones home again.

What I look for is depth that survives without live events. A good offline RPG needs a story that carries itself, a combat system with real decisions, and progression that doesn't stall behind timers.

My advice for anyone starting one on a trip: download it on Wi-Fi the night before and check it works in airplane mode before you leave. Nothing worse than a 'story RPG' that turns out to need a login screen.

Battery is the real enemy with these games. Turn the brightness down, and you'll get through a surprising amount of a campaign on a single charge.