Welcome to the roundup of the best new Android applications, games, and live wallpapers that went live in the Play Store or were spotted by us in the previous week or so.
This edition focuses only on new games. The app roundup is coming up soon.
Featured App
CritiCall Free
Today's roundup is sponsored by CritiCall from Simply Applied. CritiCall solved one of the most obvious problems with modern smartphones: the lack of a selective silent feature. Say you're in a meeting with your regional manager, and don't want to be disturbed. So you put your phone on silent... which works great, right up to the point when the vice president calls, only to get your voicemail. CritiCall works around this by assigning a list of critical contacts, which will make your phone ring when they call or text. The trial app is free, and the $1 pro version adds repeating reminders and an emergency call override.
CritiCall allows you to easily set “critical” contacts so your phone will ring when those contacts call or text, even when your phone is on silent. Do you turn your phone to silent when you go to bed? Worried about missing important calls while the volume is turned down? CritiCall is the answer. Calls and texts from important contacts will still ring, even when your phone is turned to silent.
FEATURES
- Phone rings when critical contacts call you – even when phone is set to silent!
- Works for texts
- Set as many “critical” contacts as you want
- Scheduler - Set custom times for each Critical Contact
- Unlimited number of groups (friends, family, work, clients, etc)
- Unlimited number of contacts within each group
- Customizable ringtones/notifications
- Adjustable Auto-resume feature lets you turn CritiCall off for an adjustable period of time
Games
Dream House Days
Android Police coverage: [New Game] Kairosoft's Dream House Days Mixes Apartment Management With Matchmaking
In Kairosoft's latest pixelated masterpiece, you're tasked with managing and maintaining an apartment complex. But that's only the shell of the game. The real objective is to lure unsuspecting single people into your love den and get them to hook up. You're like an incredibly creepy cupid in a pantsuit. Like Kairosoft's other recent releases, Dream House Days is a free download, with a single $4 in-app purchase to remove ads and enable landscape play.
The house of your dreams is a dream no more. You play both architect and landlord in this fanciful new sim, and it's up to you to furnish your ideal abode with anything from arcade games to saunas to convenience stores. Certain combinations can power up your rooms...and their rent. Rise up the rankings of real estate fame and you might reel in some celebrity tenants, ranging from hit singers to soccer stars. But there's more than just business at stake. Tenants will look to you for guidance on everything from romance to career choices. With your help, they just might tie the knot or land that dream job.
Aralon: Sword and Shadow
Android Police coverage: Epic Action RPG Aralon: Sword And Shadow Is Now Out On The Play Store
Aralon is probably as close as we're going to get to The Elder Scrolls on Android (at least until NVIDIA's Shield comes out.) There's an RPG framework, gorgeous graphics, environments that change around you, and plenty of weapons, skills, and items to dig through. The game has been available for some time on Amazon, where players were impressed with the scope and mechanics, but somewhat let down by technical bugs.
That which is done cannot be undone, but it can be avenged. From the Creators of the award winning Ravensword: The Fallen King,The Elder Scrolls Artist Mark Jones, and Developer Galoobeth Games, comes ARALON: SWORD AND SHADOW, an Epic 3d Role-Playing Adventure. An iPhone 3d RPG inspired by that classic vein that focuses on a compelling story, a unique hero, and an open 3D world ready for exploration. Journey through the Kingdom of Aralon and unravel its mysteries.
Cubes vs. Spheres
Android Police coverage: [New Game] Cubes Vs. Spheres Brings A Grand Geometric Struggle To Your Android Device
When physics and tower defense combine with super-simple 3D graphics, you get Cubes vs. Spheres. The game gained a lot of applause on iOS, and if the initial reviews are anything to go by, it will do well on Android. Shoot various spheres at the advancing army of cubes to blast, freeze, smash, or otherwise halt their progress.
The insanely awesome and critically acclaimed Cubes vs. Spheres is now available on Android. Step into the stylized geometric world of Cubes vs. Spheres, a 3D physics action game where you defend against waves of advancing Cubes by flicking powerful Spheres at them. Use 6 unique Spheres to explode, freeze, squash and confuse the Cubes. Can you survive the Cubocalypse?
Shapes & Sound:TheShapeShooter
Android Police coverage: [New Game] Shapes & Sound Brings Style And Surprising Depth To Asteroids-Type Shooters
Don't let the simple graphics fool you: this is no zen game. Shapes & Sound takes the old Asteroids concept and adds the ability to absorb similar enemies, then shift your form to absorb more. It's a concept similar to the beloved shooter Ikaruga, albeit in a more toned-down form. The funky music and appealing visuals don't hurt, either.
Shapes & Sound: The Shape Shooter is a 2D mobile game all about putting your hand-eye coordination, mental reflexes and periphery vision to the ultimate test. It is, at its core, an Ode to "old school-arcade box in old Mr. Joe's shop down the street-gaming; Think Rock-Paper-Scissors meets Asteroids. The game's minimalistic design and soothing sounds makes it both highly relaxing and highly addicting.You have been warned.
Guns 4 Hire
Android Police coverage: [New Game] Rebellion's 'Guns 4 Hire' Brings The Pain... And Guns, Tanks, And Bombs, Too
Ever felt like living out your mercenary fantasies in an over-the-top, testosterone-fueled shooter? Sure you have - that's what 60% of the console market is built on. The latest gung-ho military shooter for Android takes the top-down approach, but mixes it with surprisingly good graphics and (sigh) a free-to-play remuneration model. Strategy and tactics are at least as necessary as firepower if you want to win.
There are an estimated SEVEN BILLION people on Earth, a HUNDRED MILLION black market weapons, TEN MILLION bad guys, and against it all... FOUR ass-kicking, money-hungry mercs. Command the toughest squad in the world while taking on crime lords and corrupt dictators in this ruthless bullet-fest! When no one else can help, it's time to call in... GUNS 4 HIRE.
Epic Citadel
Android Police coverage: Epic Games Brings 'Epic Citadel' To Android, Could Signify Future Epic Releases
Epic Citadel is not a game. It's a technical demo, developed by Epic Games (the guys behind the Infinity Blade iOS series) to show off the Unreal 3 engine running on mobile platforms. It also represents a pretty decent hope that the formerly iOS-exclusive developer will make it to Android sometime in the future. The demo itself is interesting, but only really good for showing off the capabilities of your cutting-edge hardware.
Enter Epic Citadel, the dynamic fantasy setting of the award-winning Infinity Blade. From the circus bazaar to the sweeping cathedral in the center of town, Epic Citadel dazzles with a visual parade of special effects, as only imagined by Epic Games and powered by the critically acclaimed Unreal Engine 3. Are you ready to explore the realm of the Epic Citadel and all the beautiful secrets it holds? Epic Citadel was created using the same tools and technology used to develop high-end console games, now delivered for Android devices.
The Simpsons™: Tapped Out
Android Police coverage: [New Game] EA Releases The Simpsons: Tapped Out, AKA Sim City Springfield, Everywhere Except The US [Update]
If Sim City took place in Springfield, it would look a lot like this. After Homer destroys the town by playing free IAP games on the job, it's your job to reassemble it and find the beloved Simpsons characters (voiced by their genuine voice actors!). Unfortunately, EA hasn't released the game in North America, and would-be players seem to be having trouble downloading the game everywhere else, too.
THIS GAME IS LIFE-RUININGLY FUN. Homer accidently caused a meltdown that wiped out Springfield. D’OH. Now, it’s up to you to rebuild it. From the writers of The Simpsons, tap into a city building game that lets you create your own living, breathing Springfield... for FREE. With HD graphics – you’ll get an eyeful of greener greens, yellower yellows, and more. IS THAT ALL? Of course not. Did you know that you can even play this game in French, Italian, German, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, and Korean?
Catch The Candy
Good God, this thing is so cute it makes me sick. Catch the Candy is Herocraft's latest game, assigning you to guide a little purple... thing through physics-based stages towards sweet, sweet candy. The swinging and grabbing mechanic is similar to the various Spider-man clones you've seen hanging around the Play Store, with much better level design.
We all love candy right? So does this cute little creature, but it's always tantalisingly out of reach for him. You'll need to use his extendible grappling tail to catch the candy, but it's not always as easy as it looks. Push and pull obstacles, balance on unsteady logs, climb flag poles and grip onto almost anything to work your way across the level and grab that candy.
Zombie Road Trip
And the string of game roundups featuring zombies continues. This one's an interesting take on the endless runner genre, which forces you to pull off stunts in your rickety Apocalypse-mobile in order to outrun the zombie hoard. You'll need to use weapons to take out zombies in front, with frequent runs through safe zones to catch your breath. Zombie Road Trip is free, but depressingly heavy on the in-app purchases. You won't be able to do much at all without spending real money.
In Zombie Road Trip the rules are simple - escape the zombie horde or have your brain eaten. Are you up for the challenge? From the creators of the Tiki Totems saga comes a game that blends the boundaries of runner and racer trick games. Race against the unrelenting Zombie Horde across the great wastelands in the never-ending game of survival. Shoot the zombies ahead with your impressive arsenal of weapons and witness true ragdoll-packed gore galore. Earn zombie coins to upgrade your ride and weapons to lay waste to the undead and show them just how much you hate them.
Cypress Inheritance
This kind of full-sized game is still pretty rare on Android. Cypress Inheritance is a mix of basic dungeon-crawling and story-driven adventure, with Victorian cyberpunk overtones. Utilizing the Unreal 3 engine, it tells the story of a bloodthirsty AI trying to kill an intruder in a mansion... who just happens to be the sole inheritor of the priceless paintings inside. Early reviews are mixed, citing a lot of crashes.
“Hello and welcome. My name is Vonya. My scans recognize you as being of the Cypress bloodline. These paintings belong here and that is where they shall stay. You may get the inheritance from this mansion, but I won’t make it easy. You are not going to succeed.” Cypress Inheritance is the first game of the Cypress Inheritance saga and one of the best Action/Adventure games to hit Android. Lorna, Alfred Cypress’s granddaughter is informed she has received a vast inheritance. Her first quest starts in the Cypress Estate, where her mission is to collect and safely extract the Seven Priceless Paintings hidden within.
Galactic Run
Classic space shooter gameplay with modern graphics is the order of the day with Galactic Run. While the visuals are full 3D, the plane of play is two-dimensional, giving a nice visual refresh to the genre. While the action doesn't seem fast enough to truly challenge veterans, it should be a nice diversion for those who want a little action in bite-sized chunks. You can try the free demo here.
Galactic Run will take you to depths of space, surrounded by enemies how long will you last? Be prepared to embark on an all out battle for your life as you dodge, and shoot your way to the top of the leader boards.
- 3 Ships to choose from each with its own set of bonuses.
- 7 Pilots to choose from each with unique traits.
- Optimized for tablets and phones.
- Countless enemies to destroy in battle.
Goblins Rush
There's only one thing to do when goblins attack: Gandalf up and blow those green suckers right back into their holes. This modified tower defense game allows you to upgrade your weapons and equipment to keep the ever-advancing goblins at bay and protect your crystal tower. The goofy humor and combination-based special attacks should keep it interesting.
Goblins Rush is a free horizontal defense game where the action comes thick and fast. Just like a tower defense game, use a combination of action and strategy to repel the goblin invaders. Unleash a flurry of spells and wipe out the goblin hordes with fireballs and ice rays, and use your creative magic to place towers. Wipe out goblins in a wide variety of ways thanks to the game mechanics. Explore the different methods of stamping out the goblin vermin, such as hurling them against the ground, burning them, freezing them, crushing them, and much more.
Pocket Fleet Multiplayer
In this massive online battlefield, you pilot a single tiny starship among dozens of others, trying to spur your side to victory. There's a surprising amount of game modes to try out, including classics like deathmatch and capture the flag, as well as the unconventional Aerie Invasion mode. Different races, ships and equipment should appeal to the tinkerers that like a little customization in their online games.
Pocketfleet is a MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) released for mobile. It is a multiplayer space dogfight game where users can match up with thousands of other players online in this fast paced space shooter. The game takes place in an intergalactic battle over the absolute control of the universe. Pick your side, unlock different weapons and ships to unleash hell to your enemies.
Synergy Blade
Everyone's had a boss they've hated. If you haven't, I envy your uninteresting life, and encourage you to shut the hell up. For the rest of us, Synergy Blade (get it?) offers a little stress release via workplace hyper-violence. Slice up your Pointy-Haired Boss Fruit Ninja-style and watch the blood flow like a Tarantino movie.
Hack your way through endless waves of middle management. It's just you, your boss, your boss's boss and your sharp-edged ergonomic keyboard. Slice 'em repeatedly with our multi-slice technology. It's an office massacre. Slice hoards of bosses; cut off their heads in 3D. Try it on your phone today.
The Moleys
This one would be hard to describe, even in the absence of ninja-themed rodents. The Moleys plays like a mix of Whack-a-mole and Battleship: you hide your various moles in hidden spots, and your social network buddies have to find and dispatch them as quickly as possible. Moles in different outfits, including pirates and Vikings, mix up the action.
What are all these moles doing in my garden?. It seems they want to play hide-and-seek Let’s find them. Explorers, ninjas, pirates, sportsmoles, magicians Choose your moles, hide them in your friends’ gardens and challenge your list of contacts in fast and exciting matches. Every mole has got a specific function that will make each match unique. Get to know the funniest moles of Google Play, play with them and challenge your friends in The Moleys, the new Pyro Mobile game for Android devices.
Jail Run Puzzle
Nope, this one isn't another endless runner, it's a Western-themed puzzle game... that just happens to feature a main character who likes to run a lot. Your objective is to make it through the levels under the time limit while grabbing as much loot as possible. I'll be honest, the IAP in this game is a bit of a rip - you've got a limited amount of steps you can take in the "free" version. $2.99 gets you an unlimited amount, and that really should be the actual price of the game.
You’re kept captive in a remote dungeon where you learn about a secret treasure and a possible way out. You head off to find your way out of the labyrinth – but on the way grab as much loot as you can. Combining colourful design with intuitive controls, Jail Run is an action-puzzle game you won’t want to escape. Each of the 63 levels introduces new threats, as you follow the route out. Grab stars, avoid the traps, detonate bombs, and avoid getting recaptured.
Tiny Story
It's the oldest story in the book. You're a male ladybug who just wants to get his six-legged freak on with the cutest girl on the block. But the little jerk won't give you the time of day without gifts to show your affection. In this well-animated adventure game, you solve various puzzles to feed your intended the food she wants.
It's a small mind game which will consist of several chapters. This is the first chapter titled In love. This part is about a small bug, which is trying to win his girlfriend's heart. Game has simple point & click control. This means, that you have just click and sometimes drag objects to solve the puzzle. Click and drag on any place to find arrow buttons which let you move between different places.
7x7
If you took Connect Four and added some Bejeweled play mechanics and a dash of minimalist style, you'd get 7x7. Move the colored blocks around to form vertical, horizontal and diagonal lines of four or more. Make bigger combos to earn points that will allow you to move anywhere, and get out of a tight spot.
7x7 is a new puzzle game inspired by classic 5 or more. It’s easy to grasp and very addictive. Make horizontal, vertical or diagonal rows of the same color by dragging pieces across the board and get points and power ups. Try it out and you won’t be able to stop playing it.
Shift It
Shift It is an interesting take on the block puzzle genre. You group like-colored blocks together, but they don't disappear - instead, the objective is to get all the same colored blocks touching each other. Every once in a while a multi-colored rotating block will appear, forcing your brain to contort into new geometric formations. If you loved the sliding puzzle pictures as a kid, this one's for you.
Shift It, the sliding puzzle game like none other on Android. Originally designed, a two dimensional Rubik's Cube (Magic Cube) with 300 challenges. A contemplative and thoughtful shape shifting puzzle game with the perfect combination of eye-candy visuals and serene sounds. Radiant multicolored tiles rests on an infinite loop; aim of the game is to group same colored blocks together by simply dragging your finger across the screen.
Mine Cart Mishap
Remember the on-rails vehicle levels from Donkey Kong Country? Well, this is just like those, without the underdressed gorillas running around.
Simply tap to jump and avoid anything that can send you plummeting into the abyss. This journey deep into an abandoned mine is easy to pick up, but challenging to master. Can you make it out alive?
Ball Of Woe
Ball of Woe is your basic marble game... with a big dollop of weird. Your player character is a god of melancholy, sent down to Earth (or something) to move all the sadness away from town and defeat the bad guys. Maybe. It's honestly pretty hard to tell, but it's a free game, so nothing lost if you decide to try it out. Check the video for your daily dose of creepy.
The citizens of Nicetown are sad. And cute. And whiny. But they've taken uncharacteristic initiative and rolled their sadness up into a ball. Oh God - oh You - employ your salty finger, employ the magic of physics - and liberate them from their tribulations. Over a lush soundtrack, over deliciously-painted landscapes, roll the ball away from Nicetown, interrogate the Woeful, liberate the Zus, engage in a little light mail tampering... and roll.
Know A Worthy New App? Let Us Know!
If you have an application in mind for the next issue of the roundup, feel free to send us an email and let us know.
Important: there are 2 requirements in order for the app to be considered, listed below.
- the app's launch date has to be no longer than 2 weeks ago
- it has to be original, ground-breaking, well-reviewed, interesting, fun, etc - the cream of the crop
Now, if and only if the above requirements have been satisfied, fire up an email to this address: oh.no.its.the@androidpolice.com.
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