latest
LinkedIn wants you to work hard, play harder with its upcoming games
Brace for fun puzzle games like Wordle
When we think of popular social apps which could pivot towards gaming, names like Discord and Telegram are among the first that come to mind. However, Netflix recently proved us wrong with Netflix Games spawning a sea of titles playable on TV and your mobile devices. Now, it appears Microsoft has the same idea, but it plans to pivot a seemingly unrelated platform in this direction — LinkedIn.
Vampire Survivors developer explores the story so far and what comes next
Vampire Survivors is a breakout hit on Android, but how did this happen?
In late 2020, Luca Galante — an unknown and unemployed programmer — began work on a new game. This wasn’t the first game he had started work on, not even the first game he’d finished, but this one would be different from the rest. This game was Vampire Survivors. But before the surprise success and the awards and the money, he was a student in Italy, just trying to make games anyway he could.
New York Times pulls a Nintendo and starts cracking down on Wordle clones
The best way to please gamers is to threaten the developers of games they like
It was inevitable that The New York Times would actively start threatening the developers of Wordle clones, taking a clear page out of Nintendo's book fighting small-time devs. 404 Media recently revealed that The Times has filed hundreds of copyright notices against clones of the popular word game Wordle. The game found wild success back in 2021, developed by a single person, Josh Wardle, and it grew in popularity so fast the NYTimes bought it off Wardle for a seven-figure sum. Of course, with the game's popularity, clones came about pretty fast, and have assuredly been an issue for the last three years. So, while it makes sense that The New York Times would want to protect its investment from anyone infringing on its copyright, it's interesting to see such a stance when Wordle bears an extremely close resemblance to the game show Lingo that dates back to the 1980s.
Rainbow Six: Smol is the mobile version of Siege I didn't know I wanted
A mobile game spinoff done right
In 2022, Rainbow Six Mobile, a phone-friendly version of the popular squad-based FPS game, was announced for Android and iOS devices. Numerous delays later, and it still hasn't arrived (although things look promising for 2024). Instead, we've got something better: a quirky cartoon spinoff called Rainbow Six Smol.
12 best battle royale games on Android in 2024
From Apex Legends to Fortnite and beyond, we've rounded up the best battle royale games on Android
Battle royale has solidified itself among the best games on Android, along with being a popular genre for a decade. Dozens, potentially hundreds, of players vye for a single prize. But only one of them, usually, comes out victorious, which makes battle royale such a competitive high-stakes affair.
Potion Permit gives Stardew Valley a run for its money as Android's best life sim
Potion Permit's unique spin on the life simulation genre is definitely worth trying
Thanks to the immense popularity of Stardew Valley, the Play Store is filled with cute pixel-art farming sims where you'll grow crops, buy furniture, and romance NPCs. Potion Permit is a fresh indie port on Android that doesn't stray far enough from this formula to avoid feeling derivative at times, but it adds enough unique elements that make it a joy to play from start to finish, which is why it shouldn't be missed.
Terraria is one of the best sandbox games on Android, and modding can make it even better. Unlike the PC version, the Android version of the game isn't built with mods in mind, but there are some straightforward workarounds that allow you to adjust how the game works and add cheats.
You'll find a vast assortment of genres among the best games on Android, including hardcore roguelikes, and expansive open-world titles. There's something for everybody, whether you want to explore an immersive RPG or unwind with a straightforward beat-em-up.
Games on the Play Store have a great range in terms of genres, themes, and gameplay loops, providing users from all walks of life with a vast and colorful library of great games to choose from. While many games these days pride themselves on complexity and high production value, some of Android's older users benefit from more subdued experiences, games that can be picked up and calmly enjoyed without much preamble. We've gathered our top picks in this roundup of the best games designed for older folks, aging adults, seniors, or anyone looking for some laid-back, replayable, and accessible apps that anyone can jump right into.
The mobile market has done wonders for established board games, emulating their solid gameplay loops and lovable brands on the latest Android gaming phones with ease. The Play Store provides fertile ground for board game apps to thrive, with intuitive design choices and unique ideas, not to mention more reasonable price tags. The Play Store has mobile counterparts for tons of established board games that rival the best games on Android, in addition to some awesome original tabletop titles. AP loves to roll the dice, so we've compiled this roundup of the best board game apps to help you pick the best ones. Dive into these thrilling tests of strategy!
Choosing a party game from the Play Store is a quick and easy way to dive into some fun with friends. There's no need to wait for long board game setups here; all people need is their phone and sometimes just themselves. These games are all designed for local gaming; if you're playing online, you'll want to try one of the top Android multiplayer games instead.
17 best roguelike games on Android in 2024
Android games that will scratch your itch for roguelike gameplay
You may fret at the idea of roguelike games. Not everyone can stomach games based on randomly generated content and playthroughs that require a degree of luck (to complete). But involving high stakes can yield a greater sense of reward, which is why some roguelikes are king in their respective genre. Unsurprisingly, some of the most prestigious Android titles fall into this challenging category of roguelike games.
While the Play Store has its fair share of apps geared towards action and challenge, there is also a substantial portion devoted to relaxing experiences; mentally stimulating gameplay loops punctuated by calming atmospheres. You’ll find no fast-paced tests of skill here, just peaceful time-wasters that prioritize serenity and comfort. Perfect for the cold months. These cozy apps are often creative, replayable, and built to exploit the format of your bargain Android phone.
The Play Store has a vast selection of top-notch Android games, including some of the best horror games that guarantee goosebumps due to their haunting narratives or pulse-pounding jump scares. But to help you find the most suitable horror games that will send chills down your spine, we've compiled a list featuring some of the best horrors you can play on any trusty Android tablet or phone — from quality ports of old classics (like Alien: Isolation) to a few occultic entries — we have it all.
Netflix may ruin a good thing by adding monetization to its mobile games
The service simply isn't making any money
Netflix's gaming library has grown significantly since it launched in 2021 with a handful of games. Over two years later, the company's aggressive strategy of buying up publishing rights to popular titles like Grand Theft Auto, Oxenfree, and Hades has made the service one of the best ways to play Android games, as long as you're willing to put up with the monthly cost of a Netflix subscription.
17 best sports games on Android in 2024
Get in the game from just about anywhere with these fantastic mobile sports titles
Sports apps present an interesting dilemma for game developers, who must choose between skilled adaptation or faithful depictions of real-world games. Fortunately, this versatile genre of app can cater to a bunch of different gameplay loops, be it slow and contemplative experiences or fast-paced tests of reaction time. Whether you want something subdued and stylized or a thrill ride that puts your sleek Android gaming phone to the test, sports games don't disappoint.
Since the first Android devices, games on our phones have been crammed with in-app purchases, making the phrase "mobile games" almost a curse. But in 2024, the Play Store has plenty of fantastic games that require a single up-front payment or no payment at all. Unfortunately, there's no way to filter the Play Store by games without microtransactions.
While all our favorite Android games are playable on tablets and phones, some are better suited for one device than another. Some games, especially ports of desktop or console titles, are challenging to enjoy on a small screen but are much better experienced on a large screen like an Android tablet.
20 best strategy games on Android in 2024
Test your skills with these challenging mobile strategy games
The range of strategy games on Android is so extensive you can lose yourself for hours no matter what kind of games you enjoy. From the economic simulator Sid Meier's Railroads to the fast-paced action of Rusted Warfare, there really is something for everyone.
16 best tower defense games in 2024
Fight aliens, zombies, and other mythical creatures in the best tower defense games on Android
Tower defense is an oft colorful and hectic subgenre of strategy games. It favors fast-paced combat and decision-making over a methodical turn-based approach. Tower defense tends to put you in the driver's seat of protecting a point of interest, which could be a tower or some kind of a base, but it can also be a backyard, a specific item, or even a person.