Welcome to the latest entry in our Bonus Round series, wherein we tell you all about the new Android games of the day that we couldn't get to during our regular news rounds. Consider this a quick update for the dedicated gamers who can't wait for our bi-weekly roundups, and don't want to wade through a whole day's worth of news just to get their pixelated fix. Today we've got a charming space shooter, a unique endless runner, a morbid platformer, and another themed version of Puzzle Quest. Without further ado:

DOT - Space Hero

DOT is the name of the game's hero - the Department of Transportation isn't branching into mobile games. But if they were, DOT - Space Hero would be a pretty good place to start. This is a charming little mix of side-scrolling space shooter and level-based runner, with a two-button setup that lets you operate the jetpack with one thumb and a laser pistol with the other. Optional in-app purchases for currency are present, but they don't seem to affect gameplay.

In a far away galaxy lives DOT, a space traveller whom loves to play videogames and eat super delicious stardust. But one day, while he is asleep, somebody steals his beloved and shiny delight. When Dot realizes that he was robbed, he decides to go out and find the thief. Join DOT in this exciting adventure across the galaxy and discover beautiful and amazing worlds where you will encounter terrible enemies and challenges. You will be able to fight them all with your jetpack and special weapons.

Vault!

Vault adds an interesting twist to endless runners with its pole vault jump mechanic. Tap to engage the pole, hold to rise up, and release to finish your jump. It requires some forethought and timing to get the motion just right - too soon or too late before a gap and you're toast. The only point is to collect coins and unlock new characters a la Crossy Road. Ads are included, but a single IAP will remove them.

Pole vaulting has never been so fun. Cascading cliffs, huge bouncy springs and those infuriating red balls. How far can you go? How long will you last? Can you get the highest score? Classic intuitive physics arcade action with easy to use, hard to master tap and hold controls, mean that things aren't as simple as they seem.

  • Intuitive single touch pole vaulting gameplay.
  • Simple concept that anyone can grasp.
  • Collect coins to unlock unique characters
  • Full game centre support to compete with friends and foes

Sometimes You Die

The only point of this game is to kill yourself. It's incredibly morbid and also kinda fun. You control a little square whose only mission is to find a way to use the environment of each stage to die. It's more or less the opposite of every platformer ever. There's a bit of variety in the physics-based puzzles, and the $1.79 game (in USD, anyway) has no ads or in-app purchases.

This one is different. In this game, you have to die. What is your motivation? What do you expect from this game? Do you want to beat it? How do you know it can be beaten? This game plays with expectation, illusion, and reality. Think before you act. Who knows what it means to die behind the screen? Is it only a number that goes up? Pixels that change their intensity? Solve disturbing, surprising, and malicious puzzles.

Sometimes You Die Developer: Philipp Stollenmayer
Price: 1.79
4.4
Download

Adventure Time Puzzle Quest

The appeal of Cartoon Network's surreal series Adventure Time continues to elude me, but the RPG-puzzle mix that is Puzzle Quest is much easier to understand. This game is basically the same as it's always been with an Adventure Time skin. Unfortunately, the Google Play reviews say that it's having slowdown and compatibility issues on a lot of hardware - it's a good thing it's free.

The original match-3 RPG™ comes to the Land of Ooo in Adventure Time Puzzle Quest. Join Finn, Jake, and their friends for epic puzzle battles. Match gems to attack your enemies and earn piles of loot. The Ice King's got a rat problem. Princess Bubblegum needs saving. And Flame Princess is ready to declare war. Go on rad quests and help the residents of Ooo by teaming up with your Adventure Time friends.

Be sure to check out our gaming coverage from earlier this week: