Seriously, it feels like every mobile game these days is designed to extract as much money as possible. Are there any mobile games that aren't cash grabs? I'm talking about games made by developers who actually care about creating a good experience rather than just maximizing revenue. Games where the design isn't intentionally frustrating to push you toward purchases.
They definitely exist, but you have to look beyond the top charts. Most of the games that aren't cash grabs are premium titles from indie developers or PC/console ports. The problem is that the freemium model makes so much money that it dominates the storefronts.
I think the key is looking for games from developers who have a reputation for quality over monetization. Companies like Devolver Digital, Annapurna Interactive, or Raw Fury often publish mobile games that aren't cash grabs. They focus on the experience rather than extracting maximum revenue.
Another approach is to look for games that were successful on PC or console first, then got mobile ports. Those tend to be complete experiences because they were designed as finished products, not as services. Games like Slay the Spire, Dead Cells, or Stardew Valley weren't designed around microtransactions from the start.
The sad reality is that mobile games that aren't cash grabs don't make as much money, so they're less visible. But they're out there if you're willing to dig. I follow some mobile gaming blogs that focus on premium games rather than freemium ones. That's how I find most of my games.