Need something to pass the time while your turkey is cooking? These Android games are a heck of a lot more fun than listening to your family argue over politics.
Given the backseat status of Android games, many of these titles are also available on iOS. I don't own an iPhone though, so if you want to see if the game is also available on Apple devices, ask Siri or something.
Block
Rogue
Sokoban puzzles have been around since the invention of
video games, but Block Rogue tops all other push-block puzzle games with randomly
generated rooms and evolving gameplay mechanics. The graphics are reminiscent of
A Link to the Past, and the narration is pretty cute too.
Bridge
Constructor
If you like the old Pontifex bridge-simulation games...well, I
don't know how to finish that sentence, because I've never met another person
who likes bridge-simulation games. But I do, and Bridge Constructor is a pretty
decent mobile version. Why do all of my bridges collapse?!
Total
Pool
After playing dozens of mobile pool games, I've finally
concluded that Total Pool is my favorite. There are no fancy 3D graphics or lame
AI characters, just a top-down view of a table, simple yet responsive controls,
and a ton of different game types. Total Pool also has a satisfying unlock tree and
the ball physics are great. You're free to laugh at the phrase "ball physics," by the way; I won't judge.
Neuroshima
Hex!
Based on the critically acclaimed tactical board game of the
same name, Neuroshima Hex tasks you with taking down your opponents' armies
with a variety of different soldier and power-up tiles. The game translates
wonderfully to touchscreen devices, and plays even faster than its tabletop
counterpart.
Greedy
Spiders 2
Greedy Spiders 2 seems like your typical mobile offering, but
the turn-based gameplay is rooted in strategy, not reflexes. You're tasked with
cutting strands of a web to stop a spider from eating trapped flies, and figuring
out how to minimize the number of cuts you make is surprisingly challenging.
Dropwords
Dropwords is basically a clone of PopCap's Bookworm spelling
game, but seeing as how PopCap still hasn't
released Bookworm on Android (seriously, PopCap, let me pay you for this game
already!), it's the next best thing. Dropwords rises above the other clones
with its myriad options, including the ability to select what dictionary you
use, grid size, and a variety of different UI skins.
Spy Mouse
I may or may not have downloaded this game because Spy Mouse's suave hero reminds me of Tom and Jerry's titular rodent. Underneath the polished visuals lies a fun
little stealth/action game. You use your finger to lead a mouse around collecting
cheese and avoiding cats in over 70 levels.
Squids
If you think Spy Mouse is cute, brace yourself for Squids'
adorable characters. But don't let the light-hearted tone fool you – Squids is
actually an interesting turn-based action/strategy game. Combat consists of
catapulting your squids at your enemies. Each creature has different abilities
and can be upgraded between levels.
Trainyard
This clever puzzle game tasks you with laying down tracks to
deliver colored trains to their respective depots. Things get trickier when
solutions require you to merge trains to make new colors and set up elaborate
track switching routes to keep everything running smoothly.
War
Games: WOPR
I'm not a big fan of tile-matching games, but War Games
evolves the basic puzzle formula by pitting you in turn-based battles against
AI opponents. Each tile type has a different ability: highlighting rockets drains
your opponent's health, while collecting cash signs lets you buy different power-ups.
You can also purchase and upgrade a variety of passive bonuses between matches.
The War Games license tie-in is
totally bizarre, but going up against '80s versions of Matthew Broderick and
Dabney Coleman (not to mention hearing the classic "Shall we play a game?" line
every time you start the game), evokes a certain amount of nostalgia if you were
alive back then. Man, I'm old.
Looking for more fun Android games to play? How do you like them apples? Or these apples? Or those apples over there?