45 Best (And 1 WTF) New Android Games From The Last 2 Weeks (12/8/14 – 12/23/14)

Welcome to the roundup of the best new Android applications, games, and live wallpapers from the previous 2 weeks or so.

Featured App

Swish

This week’s roundup is brought to you by Swish from developer Devionix. This free physics game stars a pair of space aliens with an inexplicable love of basketball. When a swarm of interstellar bees invades their ship, they use a little parabolic physics, super-advanced technology, and a humble b-ball to smash the bees and grab some coins. The game’s simple premise hides surprising depth as the stages become more complex. Swish is free to play, with in-app purchases (none larger than $2) for more coins, unlimited restarts, and power-up boosters.

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Have you ever played basketball in space? Help two friendly aliens to get rid of Cosmo Bees – the vicious intruders that invaded their spaceship. But be careful – the only weapon you have is a basketball.Master your basketball skills and show the uninvited guests what you’re capable of. Use parts of the scenery, discover cool space gadgets to interact with, and if you’re lucky enough, you’ll collect some shiny gold coins on the way. Boost your abilities with awesome power-ups like magnets, jet motors, bubbles and more. Unlock the increasingly challenging levels to beat the annoying space insects and free the unfortunate aliens. Use everything at your disposal and SWISH your way through to the victory.

Games

Hearthstone Heroes of Warcraft

Android Police coverage: [Update: Global Rollout] Blizzard’s Hearthstone Is On The Play Store Right Now… For Players In Australia, Canada, And New Zealand

This is the one I’ve been waiting for. After spending the better part of a year on the iPad, Blizzard’s free-to-play card battle game (loosely based on its own Warcraft series) is now available for Android. The basic game is essentially a super-simplified version of Magic: The Gathering, but its all-digital nature lets it cut loose with interesting strategy and whimsical animations. The best part might be the F2P system, which is easily one of the best and most player-focused out there. Unfortunately, Hearthstone is only available on tablets at the moment.

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DECEPTIVELY SIMPLE. INSANELY FUN. Pick up your cards and throw down the gauntlet. In Hearthstone, you play the hero in a fast-paced, whimsical card game of cunning strategy. In minutes, you’ll be unleashing powerful cards to sling spells, summon minions, and seize control of an ever-shifting battlefield. Whether it’s your first card game or you’re an experienced pro, the depth and charm of Hearthstone will draw you in.

Tales from the Borderlands

Android Police coverage: TellTale Games Continues Its Android Rollout With Tales From The Borderlands, Episode 1 Available Now

TellTale isn’t wasting any time bringing its Borderlands-focused adventure game to Android, undeterred by the lack of actual 2K shooters on the platform (cough, Bioshock, cough). It’s the same basic point-and-click storytelling and intermittent quicktime events that you’ve come to expect, but I found Tales From The Borderlands more enjoyable than Game of Thrones, if only for its irreverent tone and less heady setting. Episode 1 is $5, as are the following four. You’ll want a powerful phone or tablet to play without stuttering.

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Tales from the Borderlands is a five part episodic game series from the creators of The Wolf Among Us and The Walking Dead – A Telltale Games Series. Set on the unforgiving world of Pandora after the events seen in Borderlands 2, this is a story full of Borderlands’ trademark humor, following two adventurers on their quest for greatness. You’ll play as Rhys, a Hyperion ‘suit’ with dreams of being the next Handsome Jack, and Fiona, a Pandoran con artist looking to score her biggest ever swindle.

Game of Thrones

Android Police review: Game Of Thrones – A Telltale Games Series (Episode 1) Review: Point-And-Click Adventure Comes To Westeros

TellTale seems to be accelerating the mobile releases of their adventure games – this official adaptation of Game of Thrones reached Android just a few weeks after its PC and console release. For fans of HBO’s fantasy drama series, this episodic, story-driven game is an easy recommendation… if you’ve got the hardware to run it smoothly. The first $5 episode kicks off an original story that crosses with the third season (and a handful of voice actors from the show) as it follows three young protagonists.

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Game of Thrones – A Telltale Games Series is a six part episodic game series set in the world of HBO’s groundbreaking TV show. This new story tells of House Forrester, a noble family from the north of Westeros, loyal to the Starks of Winterfell. Caught up in the events surrounding the War of the Five Kings, they are thrown into a maelstrom of bloody warfare, revenge, intrigue, and horror as they fight to survive while the seven kingdoms tear themselves apart. You will take on the role of different members of the Forrester household, and determine their fate through the choices you make; your actions and decisions will change the story around you.

80 Days

Android Police coverage: Travel The World In ’80 Days,’ A Choose Your Own Adventure Game From The Makers Of the Sorcery Series

80 Days is halfway between a story-based adventure game and an MMO. It tasks you to recreate the famous feat of Phileas Fogg, but this time you get to pick your route across the world in a steampunk Victorian era. You’ll have to travel via various routes and methods over land, sea, and (occasionally) air, unfolding your own personal story while challenging other players. With 150 different cities to choose from on your route, it’s possible to play it in hundreds of different ways.

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1872, with a steampunk twist. Phileas Fogg has wagered he can circumnavigate the world in just eighty days. Choose your own route around a 3D globe, travelling by airship, submarine, mechanical camel, steam-train and more, racing other players and a clock that never stops. Featuring a brand new journey – to the North Pole. Built using the same inklewriter engine that powers our critically-acclaimed Sorcery. series, 80 DAYS is an interactive adventure created by your choices, on the fly, and is different every time you play.

Knights of the Old Republicâ„¢

Android Police coverage: Beloved Star Wars Action-RPG Knights Of The Old Republic Appears In The Play Store For $5

It’s been more than ten years since the best Star Wars-themed RPG ever made landed on consoles. Now you can play it again, for the very first time. Bioware’s classic has been released for Android phones and tablets running 4.1 or later (though compatibility is quite spotty at the moment) and the full game is on sale for $5. The graphics do seem to have been hobbled for the mobile release, but the game supports both touchscreen buttons and external controllers.

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Choose Your Path. It is four thousand years before the Galactic Empire and hundreds of Jedi Knights have fallen in battle against the ruthless Sith. You are the last hope of the Jedi Order. Can you master the awesome power of the Force on your quest to save the Republic? Or will you fall to the lure of the dark side? Hero or villain, savior or conqueror… you alone will determine the destiny of the entire galaxy.

 

EXILES

Android Police coverage: Crescent Moon’s Sci-Fi Shooter EXILES Graduates From The Humble Bundle To The Play Store, Available Now For $7

Exiles is an epic-scale sci-fi shooter. Like Crescent Moon’s previous huge mobile game, Ravensword, this one imitates a well-known franchise (Mass Effect this time around). The open world and full day/night system means you’ll be able to travel to exotic locations, meet interesting creatures, and shoot them all with a guided plasma rifle. Exiles costs a hefty $7, but that’s not unreasonable considering the scope, and there are no in-app purchases.

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From the creators of the award winning Ravensword: Shadowlands comes EXILES, a beautiful Sci-Fi 3D role playing game that takes place on a distant world. In the near future, a colony on a distant planet has been driven to isolation and desolation, as a corrupt government tries to enslave it with a lethal virus. Become one of the Elite Enforcers, and go on various missions that will unravel the secrets behind the plot to enslave the world. Unleash a large arsenal of weapons and items against vicious aliens and mechanized enemies.

SXPD The Comicbook Game Hybrid

Android Police coverage: SXPD Is A Comic Book And Video Game Hybrid Where Biker Babes Deliver Justice In Black And White

SXPD mixes comic book-style black and white visuals with first-person racing speed in a way that’s utterly unique on mobile (or any other platform, for that matter). You play a member of an all-female police department which dispenses justice on the back of hyper-powered motorcycles. With machine guns. So it’s a little ridiculous, so what? Check out the video below to see the comic/3D visuals in action. SXPD is $2 with no in-app purchases.

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SXPD: Extreme Pursuit Force is a brand new form of entertainment that blends gaming with digital comic books. The complete version of this Comic/Game Hybrid allows you to enjoy a full 42 page comic by renowned comic book artist Duke Mighten and then jump right into the action when the story demands it, with its game sections directed by game industry legend David Perry. It is a comic book you can play.

GTA: Chinatown Wars

Android Police coverage: Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars Expands Into The Play Store, Finally Wants To Call Android Home

GTA: Chinatown Wars was first released for the original Nintendo DS in 2009. This pint-sized take on GTA closely resembles the first two games in the series with its top-down perspective and 3D graphics, but the story and location mirror GTAIII. You play the son of a Triad boss trying to make a name for himself in Liberty City. Since this is a Grand Theft Auto title, that means killing an unreasonable amount of bad guys and civilians in stylized cartoon violence. $3 with no in-app purchases.

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Following his father’s murder, Huang Lee has a simple mission: deliver an ancient sword to his Uncle Kenny to ensure his family retains control of the Triad gangs of Liberty City. Huang is a spoiled rich kid who expects everything to run smoothly, but his trip does not go exactly as planned. After being robbed and left to die, he will search for honor, riches and revenge in the most dangerous and morally bankrupt city in the world.

Baldur’s Gate II

Android Police coverage: Baldur’s Gate II Enhanced Edition Published On The Play Store: $10 Gets You Dungeon Crawling For Christmas

After two classic PC RPGs published on Android, developer BeamDog is back for a hat trick. Baldur’s Gate II continues where the original left off, expanding into more than 100 hours of playable game across the primary campaign and the various expansions. Like the first Baldur’s Gate and Icewind Dale, the story, characters, and combat are based on the Dungeons & Dragons rules, but they play out in real time. $10 gets you in, with a few optional in-app purchases for extra party members and the like.

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Kidnapped. Imprisoned. Tortured. The wizard Irenicus holds you captive in his stronghold, attempting to strip you of the powers that are your birthright. Can you resist the evil within you, forge a legend of heroic proportions, and ultimately destroy the dark essence that haunts your dreams? Or will you embrace your monstrous nature, carve a swath of destruction across the realms, and ascend to godhood as the new Lord of Murder?

SimplePlanes

Android Police coverage: SimplePlanes Flies In From The Maker Of SimpleRockets And SimplePhysics

The biggest draw to SimplePlanes is that it lets you build your own aircraft. And I don’t mean in a LEGO or Minecraft sort of way, or even in the “pay x dollars to upgrade” way that most of the free-to-play racers in the Play Store do. With the unique 3D design system from developer Jundroo, you can customize just about every physical parameter of your design. After that, the sandbox exploration and physics-based challenge modes seem kind of tame in comparison.

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Bring all of the imaginative aircraft you’ve had in your head to life. Snap parts together to build your airplane’s body. Place engines to add thrust. Design the wings and then strap yourself into the pilot’s seat and see how it flies. You have the tools you’ll need to bring almost any airplane to life. Use the flexible wing tool to change the shape of the wings and build almost anything. Next-generation fighters, WW2 warbirds, civilian aircraft, and everything in between, some people have even made dragons, trains, and space stations.

bit Dungeon II

Android Police coverage: New Arrival bit Dungeon II Combines Simple Controls With Unforgiving Roguelike RPG Gameplay

You’ve seen this before: top-down action-RPG gameplay, old-school graphics, roguelike perma-death structure, randomly-generated dungeons. But the previous bit Dungeon game was perhaps the best of these small games, and so the sequel has been eagerly awaited. Levels are awarded based on the weapons that you use, allowing players to specialize in one type of gameplay while ignoring the rest. The game is $3 with no in-app purchases, just like we like ’em.

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bit Dungeon II is fast action roguelike game with a giant overworld to explore. Inspired by some of my favorite games Zelda, Diablo, Dark Souls. You are a spirit in an undead world of demons. Your “loved one’s ” grave has been desecrated. Fight through these corrupted lands, and bring peace to her soul. The dungeons are randomly placed in the overworld, changing your experience each play through.

Scrolls

Android Police coverage: Scrolls, A Tower Defense-Tactical RPG-Card Game Mashup From The Makers Of Minecraft, Is Now Available For Tablets

Scrolls comes from Mojang, the developers of the ubiquitous Minecraft. But don’t look for Lego-style worldbuilding here: Scrolls mixes conventional collectable card games, board games, and RPGs in a unique system with just a whiff of tower defense in it as well. The game is free to download on Android and includes cross-platform play, but before you can open up the whole thing you’ll have to pay $5… which doesn’t include any of the in-app purchases for the two-tier currency system. Tablets only.

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The best bits of card and board games, combined on your tablet.Welcome to a world where the essence of conflict is stored on a parchment. You use the power of creatures, spells and ancient machines to gain the edge in battle, deploying your forces by using scrolls: some rare, some common, some brutal, some tactical. Over time, you’ll develop a unique army and the skills to manipulate it. Eventually, you’ll face off against other players, proving your might in battle.

Monster Dash

Android Police coverage: Monster Dash Hits The Play Store After Haunting The Amazon Appstore Last Week

The Triumphant return of Halfbrick’s de facto mascot Barry Steakfries sees him doing what he does best: shooting monsters. Monster Dash combines the shooting action from Age of Zombies with the endless running of Jetpack Joyride. It’s a pretty standard runner + shooter: different stages have different themes and monsters, various vehicles give you boosts and a bit of protection. A few modest in-app purchases get you some extra loot, but as with most Halfbrick games, they’re easily ignored.

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Welcome to the new evolution of Monster Dash, part of the legendary Barry Steakfries Trilogy along with Jetpack Joyride and Age of Zombies. Run like the wind, jump like a gazelle and shoot like mad. This is lightning-fast action you won’t soon forget as our hero chases down hordes of monsters across six incredible worlds, portal-hopping and guns blazing. Weapons like The Pacifier, Rocket Launcher and Mr. Zappy can dispatch your foes in short order.

Inferno 2

Android Police coverage: Inferno 2 Blasts Into The Play Store With Even More Radiant Explosions Than The Original

The original Inferno took a lot of inspiration from Geometry Wars and similar twin-stick shooters, mixing those core elements with an RPG leveling/upgrade system. The sequel dials things up to 11 with more explosions, more unique stages, more everything. Customized controls for both the touchscreen and hardware controllers make sure you can never blame mistakes on your phone, and an amped-up new Game+ mode lets you tackle the stages with even more difficulty once you’re finished.

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It’s HERE. The sequel to Inferno+, Radiangames’ critically-acclaimed twin-stick action-RPG. INFERNO 2 boasts even more devious levels, more weapons, more upgrades and powers, more enemies, and more customization, along with more insane explosions and particle effects. BIGGER, BETTER, BADDER. Inferno 2 is everything Inferno+ fans have been waiting for:

• Play through 80+ levels of atmospheric awesomeness
• * New Game+ mode adds even more replayability
• * Responsive and customizable touch controls
• * Customizable gamepad controls with support for many controller types (HID, Shield, and more)
• * 3 difficulty levels (change it up at any time)

Impossible Draw

Android Police coverage: Make Your Doodles Matter In Impossible Draw For Android

Give the developers of Impossible Draw points for originality, at least. In this game you draw a shape that you see further down the tunnel. Do it quickly, or you won’t have as much time the next round. Take too long and the first-person viewpoint smacks into the wall. It’s an interesting mechanic that rewards fast reflexes and twitchy response times, and the simple, colorful visuals are oddly appealing. In-app purchases can remove ads or boost your earnings, but are otherwise safely ignored.

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Mimic the signs of virtuality to progress through a world where colors, shapes and music forms an ecstatic atmosphere. Draw symbols, collect bytes and enjoy the hypnotic mix of audiovisual harmony. Test your drawing skills, while your mind will be carried to an ever-changing computer space made from relaxing elements. Impossible Draw was built upon the basic concept that even the world’s most trivial looking symbol can be challenging if you try to draw it accurately.

Pixel Boat Rush

Android Police coverage: Pixel Boat Rush, From The Makers Of Don’t Run With A Plasma Sword, Spices Up 2D Racing With Crazy Characters And Weapons

If the Dreamcast classic Hydro Thunder had been made for the Super Nintendo instead, it would probably look a lot like Pixel Boat Rush. In this simplified 2D racer you pilot your pixelated boat over exaggerated waves in a mad dash to the finish line, applying liberal amounts of bullets when pure speed won’t see you through. There’s also a story, though it’s got a pretty high concentration of 80s movie references. Pixel Boat Rush costs $2.49 with no ads or in-app purchases.

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Pixel Boat Rush is a frantic pixel art arcade combat boat racing game! The gameplay mixes a one-touch racing mechanic with 2 weapon/defensive buttons. The progression features an in-depth career mode and RPG-like humoristic conversations with parodic characters. An easy to learn, hard to master, fun arcade racing game with loads of content. This game is geared for a premium experience.

BEAST BUSTERS featuring KOF

Android Police coverage: In SNK’s Free-To-Play Beast Busters, the King Of Fighters Gang Moonlight As Lightgun Zombie Hunters

Beast Busters is essentially a lightgun game without the lightgun. You control the targeting reticule with your left thumb and shoot, reload, and activate power-ups with your right. The game does technically feature the cast of SNK’s King of Fighters franchise, but they’re really only special weapons – it’s not as if you get to punch the zombies in the face. The game is free with in-app purchases for currency and an energy system, but it’s good for anime-themed fun.

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“BEAST BUSTERS” and “THE KING OF FIGHTERS”, legendary SNK game series are both celebrating respectively their 25th and 20th anniversary this year, and return in an ultimate cross over experience. Play in this non-stop action gunshooting game as a member of the “Beast Busters” mercenary team or as a famous character from the “KOF” fighting game series, and shoot down the Beasts who came back to life until the last one.

SimCity BuildIt

Android Police coverage: SimCity BuildIt Is Now Available Internationally After A Limited Launch, Complete With Towering In-App Purchases From EA

Yes, this is an EA mobile game. Yes. it’s free to play. But don’t run for the hills just yet: SimCity BuildIt (argh, CamelCase EVERYWHERE) is actually a pretty bearable modern update to the SimCity formula. You still build and maintain your own city, you still have to deal with a fickle population and few disasters every now and then. And yes, the game is chock full of in-app purchases. But at least there are no ridiculous wait times or an energy system. Hey, it could be worse, and at least it works offline.

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WELCOME MAYOR. We’re glad to have you on board. Your first order of business – create your own gorgeous, unique city that has citizens vying to move in. But remember, the larger your city gets, the more needs your citizens have. This is an all-new SimCity game – re-imagined for mobile. With countless buildings and vivid, 3D-quality graphics, this is the most realistic city builder on mobile. Strategically place buildings to keep the taxes flowing and your city growing.

Brothers in Arms® 3

Android Police coverage: Gameloft’s Brother In Arms 3 Raids The Play Store With Guns Blazing And Fuel In The Tank

Gameloft is known for technically proficient and creatively bankrupt mobile games, and Brothers in Arms 3 qualifies for both descriptions. This third-person shooter relies on wall-hugging cover for most of the action and precision shooting, with a few run-and-gun segments and some heavy turret shooting to break it up. The primary campaign should last you a few mindless hours, and timed challenges are there if you want more. Just stay away from the mines… and the in-app purchases.

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The internationally acclaimed WW2 franchise returns with blood-pumping shooting action, spectacular killcams, and lots of amazing experimental weapons. Become Sergeant Wright and experience a dramatic, life-changing journey in the aftermath of the Normandy invasion. Lead your band of highly trained brothers on the frontline and use their special abilities in the heat of the battle. Upgrade your weapons, improve your soldiers’ skills and fight against the enemy army.

Marvel Contest of Champions

Android Police coverage: Marvel Contest Of Champions Mixes An Interesting 2D Battle System With The Same Old Free-To-Play Grind

It takes work to make a mobile fighting game that’s comfortable to play. The developers of Marvel Contest of Champions have done that work, and a bit more to make the game look really good… but not much else. This is essentially a 2D beat-em-up featuring mute and lifeless versions of Marvel’s comic-book lineup, offering a somewhat predictable single-player campaign or a multiplayer option that’s heavily tilted to favor those who load up on IAP to buy and upgrade the best fighters.

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An Elder of The Universe known as The Collector has summoned you to a contest of epic proportions against Marvel super villain Kang The Conqueror. Experience the ultimate free-to-play fighting game for your mobile device. Assemble a mighty team of heroes (and villains) as you go on quests to defeat Kang, face the challenge of a mysterious new super powerful cosmic competitor, and ultimately battle to prevent the total destruction of The Marvel Universe.

The Unmaking

In Amazon-exclusive The Unmaking, you play a Lord of the rings extra who uses a giant crossbow to defend against giant hordes of enemies and titanic monsters. The game’s graphics and scale are impressive, but unfortunately you’ll only be able to check it out if you have a new Kindle Fire. The gameplay essentially boils down to an extremely pretty, fantasy-based turret shooter.

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Humanity teeters on the edge of extinction after incurring the wrath of ancient gods. You must defend your castle walls by blasting, burning, and skewering waves of thousands of onrushing enemies—the Godhorde! Amazon Game Studios is pleased to offer an exclusive, limited-time preview of THE UNMAKING. Much of the game is rendered live on powerful servers in Amazon’s cloud and streamed to your tablet, so you need a fast and stable Internet connection to play.

  

  

The Unmaking – Amazon Appstore

Half-Life 2: Episode One

Android Police coverage: NVIDIA Publishes Half-Life 2 Episode One Exclusively For The SHIELD Tablet; SHIELD Tablet LTE Owners Get It Free

Half-Life 2 Episode 1 is the second Half-Life 2 game, and the third Half-Life game overall. Yeah, it doesn’t make any sense to us either. Just know that the events in the slightly smaller story-based shooter take place right after the ones in the original Half-Life 2. Unlike the android release of HL2 and Portal, you must have SHIELD Tablet to play this one. Sorry, original SHIELD owners. It’s ten bucks, unless you bought the LTE version, in which case you get it for free.

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Half-Life 2: Episode One advances one of the most critically acclaimed and best-selling action games of all time, Half-Life 2, with new story and action. In Episode One, the player will unveil new secrets of City 17, engage in award-winning physical gameplay, and interact with stunning creatures.

• A brand new episode for one of the best-selling and critically acclaimed action games of all time. Reveals new secrets.
• Incredibly advanced Artificial Intelligence powers the most sophisticated characters ever witnessed in a game.
• Physical Gameplay: Objects obey the laws of gravity, friction, and buoyancy. Explore new uses for the physics cannon.
• Powered by Source and featuring High Dynamic Range (HDR) lighting, Aftermath provides amazing gameplay settings.