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 have a unique roguelike, a zen garden game, two takes on Snake, a surprising military sim, a simple racer, and the sequel to The Sandbox. Without further ado:

Redungeon

Roguelikes are a dime a dozen on Android, and most of them use the same pixelated faux-retro aesthetic that's on display in Redungeon. But this game's slick presentation and its simple grid-based movement system make it notable - the predictable pacing means players don't have to manage finicky touchscreen controls and twitch timing at once. As usual money and loot get passed on after perma-death, and the game's in-app purchases (including an ad-free option) top out below four dollars.

The wall in front of me starts to shake and hurtles towards me….I’m dead. Spike holes are underfoot it’s already too late …I’m dead. I take my last breath as the slime creature engulfs me….I’m dead. Like always I’m brought back to try again….is someone helping me or do they just really want me to hurt?Enter the world of Redungeon.

• Endless, random, increasingly difficult dungeons.

• Dozens of complex traps carefully designed to stop you.

• Unlockable characters, each with unique game-changing skills.

• Great music by Dave Cowen, the composer behind Leap Day and Rust Bucket.

• Lots of angry, colourful pixels (and a few friendly ones).

• Swipe controls or on-screen buttons.

Redungeon Developer: Nitrome
Price: Free
4.3
Download

Viridi

If you don't have the skill or the patience to grow real indoor plants, this soothing little activity center can give you the vicarious experience on your phone. Though there are a variety of real plants players can grow in the simulated pots of Viridi, they don't require quite the same amount of attention as the real thing - the idea is to make a "zen" experience, not a stressful simulator. Plant seeds come free, but can also be purchased via IAP - they're permanent unlocks, so long as you take care of them.

Nurture a small pot of succulents that grow in real time. Viridi is a safe haven, a place you can return to for a moment of peace and quiet whenever, and wherever you need it. While not fully realistic (they're very forgiving), your succulents will require some maintenance and can die from over- or under-watering. Name your favorite plants, give them special care and attention, and they might even flower for you.

Viridi Developer: Ice Water Games / Badru
Price: Free
4.3
Download

Caterzillar

Noodlecake's latest Android game features a caterpillar protagonist. He'll stick to whatever platform he's currently running on, a la They Need To Be Fed. There are some basic Mario-style enemies hidden among the colorful stages, but the real aim of the game is to eat a bunch of stuff and add segments to the critter, Snake-style. Caterzillar features 32 levels for $3, and while the Play Store says it has IAP, none seems to be active at the moment.

Join Bob the caterpillar on a fun and action packed adventure to rescue the princess and defeat the evil insects who have shattered his world. Defy gravity and stick to surfaces.

  • 4 Gorgeously Designed Chapters
  • 32 Uniquely Crafted Levels
  • Epic Boss Fights
  • Pay Once and Play Forever
  • Beautiful Art and Character Designs

Marina Militare It Navy Sim

Most of the realistic military sim games on the Play Store seem to have a distinctly American flavor, but this one is reportedly officially licensed by the Italian Navy. It features semi-realistic depictions of aircraft and ships, everything from a simulated wooden sailing ship to Harrier jets. Graphics are impressive, and the dual focus on air and sea simulation gives the game a wide variety of mission types. The base game is free, but different campaigns are sold as IAP, up to $7.

Engage in winning missions faithfully reproduced with satellite technology; enter our most advanced simulator of AV-8B Harrier II Plus; prepare to command different vehicles of the Italian Navy. Maneuver the Guided missile destroyer Andrea Doria D553, land on the aircraft carrier Cavour with an F-35B Lightning II destroyer, salvage shipwrecks with the ship RHIB Hurricane 753, engage in FLIR (infrared) recognizance with a EH101 helicopter, sail with the famous training ship Amerigo Vespucci and much more.

Marina Militare It Navy Sim Developer: RORTOS
Price: Free
4.1
Download

Zombillie

Zombillie mixes elements of both Pac-Man and Snake, but without the auto-running of both those games. That allows players to slow down and focus on exploring about 100 maze-based levels in three environments, and the game throws in a few puzzles to make up for the lack of twitchy speed. I could do without the overdone "zombie" theme, but at least the $2 title has no in-app purchases.

The world has changed. Irrevocably and completely. Green parks have been replaced by grey ruins. Colourful meadows have become toxic swamps. Once vibrant lands are now littered with dust, rubble, concrete, and debris. Most creatures did not survive the Great Change. The survivors faired rather poorly in the immediate aftermath, becoming prey to all manner of predator. However, a lucky few managed to survive even then, to adapt, to thrive, to evolve. Zombillie was one such creature.

The Sandbox Evolution

The original Sandbox game was, well, a sandbox, allowing players to literally play God by mixing elements and other basic building blocks to create environments and pass simple physics challenges. The sequel adds more elements, better graphics, much bigger stages, and a host of new social tools, plus some new gods if the traditional white guy with a beard isn't your style. Unfortunately there's some hefty IAP (up to fifty bucks) and early players say the game is particularly prone to crashing.

Use your godly powers to craft amazing pixel worlds or destroy the universe. Welcome to The Sandbox Evolution, the #1 pixel art world creation game. Play with physics, over 170 elements and controllable heroes. Make your own games or levels, and then share your creations online. There are no limits to your creativity and imagination.

Memento Bay

Memento Bay is a simple little racer where you play as a tiny speedboat on a pastel ocean. The game's controls use just one finger and the only real objective is to avoid the obstacles long enough to reach the next checkpoint and continue advancing. The vector graphics are minimal but charming, and the branching levels periodically contain collectible artifacts. Memento Bay is free and the Play Store says it has IAP, but at the moment the awful auto-playing video ads are unskippable, so it's best to play on mute. (Also, it forces a Google Play Games signup dialogue after every interaction, even if you've denied it - I'm assuming that's a bug.)

Race your boat through the colorful waters of Memento Bay, to discover and collect ancient artifacts. Memento Bay combines the classic formula of arcade checkpoint racing with one touch controls and a minimalist art style.

  • Classic arcade style checkpoint racing. Time is your only opponent.
  • One touch control. Designed for mobile.
  • Vibrant and minimalist art style.
  • Guide your boat through branching paths and seamlessly changing seas.
  • Take alternative paths to discover and collect ancient artifacts.

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