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Today I’ve updated my best-of-the-year game roundup to add in some of my favorite releases from 2020, which brings the total from 30 titles to 45. So if you’re starting to feel a little antsy sitting at home, then why not dig through today’s roundup for few games to play during self-quarantine. This is a hand-selected list, and whether you prefer premium releases or free-to-play titles, you should be able to find more than a few games to suit your needs. I’ve also included an honorable mentions list at the bottom of the page for the titles that didn’t quite make the cut, and I even have a best-of WTF listing to really round things out. So without further ado, here are the 45 of the best Android games that were released in the last year.
Bad North: Jotunn Edition
Bad North: Jotunn Edition is a premium RTS roguelike that contains striking art and exceptional strategic gameplay. This gameplay revolves around real-time mechanics, where survival is often the best victory condition you can hope for. The game offers a unique setup where each stage is procedurally generated, which means each playthrough should offer a unique experience. Amazingly the gameplay is very deep despite the minimal design, which is probably why Bad North was one of the more notable indie games released in the last two years, and thankfully it finally arrived on Android in 2019.
Monetization: $2.49 / no ads / no IAPs
Flashback Mobile
Flashback Mobile is a classic platformer that plays very similarly to games like Prince of Persia and Another World. You can expect updated graphics in this particular mobile release as well as an option for the classic graphics too. Touchscreen and physical controller support are both supported, and while the touchscreen controls can take some getting used to, the controller supports works wonderfully over a USB connection.
Monetization: $2.49 / no ads / no IAPs
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Konami’s classic Metroidvania title Castlevania: Symphony of the Night was recently released on the Play Store to everyone’s surprise, especially since it’s available for $2.99, which is a great deal. If you’ve yet to play SotN, it’s a beautiful 2D platformer that offers non-linear gameplay, so exploration is definitely encouraged. The primary campaign should take about eight or nine hours to beat, so it will take much more than one sitting to work your way through this release, which is why this is the perfect title to pick up if you’re looking to waste more than a few hours in a quality Metroidvania title.
Monetization: $2.99 / no ads / no IAPs
Door Kickers: Action Squad
Door Kickers: Action Squad is a quality side-scrolling shooter that made its way to Android recently, and so is perfect for today’s roundup. The game has been available on Steam since 2018, and it’s positively reviewed, and since it was ported to Android competently, it retains all of the fun of the PC version. Really, the only downside appears to be the lack of multiplayer in the Android release, but if you’re looking for an enjoyable run-and-gun single-player experience, then Door Kickers: Action Squad has you covered.
Monetization: $2.99 / no ads / no IAPs
Summer Catchers
Summer Catchers is a gorgeous auto-runner from Noodlecake Studios, and its a port of the PC game that was released on Steam last year. The Android version found its way to Android this past February, but should be on everyone’s radar since this is a gorgeous title that plays similarly to Alto’s Adventure, and it’s a premium release, unlike its inspiration. So if you’d like to kill some time by endlessly running through a colorful world that mixes racing, story, rhythm and puzzle elements into a unique but familiar package, Summer Catchers is an excellent choice that looks great in action.
Monetization: $3.99 / no ads / no IAPs
Space Grunts 2
OrangePixel’s Space Grunts 2 takes the tried and true fun of the original title and turns it on its head by adding a delightful card-based mechanic to the roguelike. So instead of collecting weapons, you’ll collect and utilize cards that often offer a much more robust way to take down your foes. So really, Space Grunts 2 serves as a polished sequel that also brings something entirely new to the table, and let me tell you it’s a blast to play. Hands-down, Space Grunts 2 is my favorite roguelike to land on the platform in the last year, and since it’s a roguelike, you can pretty much play it endlessly.
Monetization: $3.99 / no ads / no IAPs
GRIS
GRIS is a console and PC port that made its way to Android recently, and as you can see in the trailer and screenshots below, it’s a beautiful game. Luckily the title’s puzzle-based platforming offers a ton of fun on top of the quality visuals, which rounds out this title as an exceptionally polished release. Better yet, the music is totally on point, and really, the only downside is that this is a short game that can be beaten in a single sitting. Still, it’s a quality port that’s definitely worth the asking price, so don’t miss out.
Monetization: $4.99 / no ads / no IAPs
DOOM
DOOM was a surprise release from Bethesda that arrived earlier this year, and it was published on the Play Store in celebration of DOOM’s 25th anniversary. Up until 2019, the only official version of DOOM available to Android gamers was DOOM 3 for the Nvidia Shield. Now that the first DOOM is officially available, you may be wondering what you’ll receive for the $4.99 asking price. Well, you get the complete game, including the fourth expansion Thy Flesh Consumed, which is about as good as it gets. Oh, and if you’d like to pick up the sequel DOOM II, it’s also available on the Play Store.
Monetization: $4.99 / no ads / no IAPs
Thumper: Pocket Edition
Drool’s auto-running rhythm game Thumper finally made its way to Android this year. At its core, it’s a psychedelic auto-runner that heavily relies on rhythm-based mechanics for progression. Simple taps and swipes on the screen are your controls, and you’ll have to time these interactions to the beat of the music if you want to be successful. Of course, if you prefer, the game also supports physical controllers, which helps with precision since a controller is much more tactile than a glass screen. There’s a total of nine levels that will take about seven and a half hours to beat. So for the asking price, there’s actually a good bit of content included.
Monetization: $4.99 / no ads / no IAPs
Human: Fall Flat
Human: Fall Flat is a quirky physics-based puzzler that was ported to Android this year. The game features imprecise controls, and that’s by design. Each puzzle in the game has multiple solutions, so it’s up to the player to explore the bounds of this title. There’s a solo mode for those that prefer to play alone, and there’s also a co-op multiplayer mode where you can team up with up to three friends. The title is rather short, though there is a lot of fun to be had if you plan on playing with your friends online.
Monetization: $4.99 / no ads / no IAPs
The House of Da Vinci 2
The House of Da Vinci 2 is the followup to the original The House of Da Vinci, an escape room game in the same vein as The Room series. This means you’ll spend your time solving puzzles to progress the story, and this time around, the story offers a fanciful time-traveling experience where you’ll witness a series of mysterious events that lead to the greatest discovery in human history. So if you’d like to find out what that discovery is, you’ll have to play through this excellent puzzle-filled sequel.
Monetization: $4.99 / no ads / no IAPs
Animus – Harbinger Unpacked
Animus – Harbinger Unpacked is the premium version of Animus – Harbinger, a 2018 release often compared to the Dark Souls series. This time around, you won’t have to worry about any in-app purchases as you hack and slash your way through an assortment of bad guys. So if you were waiting for a more premium adaptation of the game, now’s your chance to pick it up at a single price point.
Monetization: $4.99 / no ads / no IAPs
SimpleRockets 2
After a brief pre-registration period, SimpleRockets 2 arrived on the Play Store this past September, and it’s indeed a premium release, the same as the first game in the series. Much like Kerbal Space Program, SimpleRockets 2 is primarily a rocket-launching sim. Still, you’ll also get to build airplanes, rovers, satellites, and robotic mechs too, and then you can take each craft for a ride in a realistic setting, which is rather enjoyable.
Monetization: $4.99 / no ads / no IAPs
The Swords of Ditto
The Swords of Ditto is one of the more recent releases from Devolver Digital, but it’s also a port of a quality PC and console game, which means it’s indeed a premium release. The cartoon graphics are superb, and the music is very pleasing, though the touch controls were pretty rough upon release. Luckily the devs added in a digital analog-stick for character movement, which really improves upon the original design. So while reviews weren’t all that great back in October, the game is now in an excellent state as far as the iffy launch controls are concerned.
Monetization: $5.99 / no ads / no IAPs
Bomb Chicken
Bomb Chicken comes from Nitrome, one of my favorite mobile developers, thanks to their exquisite use of pixel-based graphics. The animations in this release are definitely a sight to behold, and since the platforming-based gameplay revolves around the use of bombs, the game plays like a 2D version of Bomberman. You’ll use your bombs to access secret corridors, and you’ll also use them to access out of reach platforms by stacking them on top of one another. Of course, if you’re still near any of these bombs before they go off, it’s game over, so careful placement is the key to success.
Monetization: $6.49 / no ads / no IAPs
The Escapists 2: Pocket Breakout
The Escapists 2 is the latest mobile release from Team 17, and it’s a pixel-based strategy game where you get to devise all sorts of plans to then put them into action to see if you can escape from prison. This sequel comes with a few new features over the original title in the series, which means you can expect to find a local multiplayer mode as well as five new prisons to escape from. It’s also clear that The Escapists 2 is a solid port that runs well, though you’ll probably want to play on a tablet or Chromebook since this is a game with a lot of small text and buttons that were originally designed for bigger screens.
Monetization: $6.99 / no ads / no IAPs
Cultist Simulator
Weather Factory’s narrative-based roguelike card game Cultist Simulator was ported over to Android this year, and despite its card-game roots, this is a title you have to play to figure out. That’s right, there’s no tutorial included, so it’s up to the player to figure out all of the game’s mechanics, and it is a pretty complex game, so if you’re looking for a casual release, this isn’t it. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a challenge that contains zero hand-holding, Cultist Simulator is the game you’re looking for.
Monetization: $6.99 / no ads / no IAPs
Stardew Valley
At this point, I would imagine the majority of our readers are familiar with the farming simulation game Stardew Valley. It has existed for years on many platforms, and the Android release is easily one of the better offerings. Currently, the main criticisms regarding this title are focused around the touchscreen controls. Things like fishing of battling can be difficult, but luckily physical controllers are supported, which significantly helps in these two areas. Hands-down, this is the best farming sim on the Play Store, so if you’ve yet to play, you should really think about picking up the title soon, because it’s a blast.
Monetization: $7.99 / no ads / no IAPs
Beholder 2
Monetization: $7.99 / no ads / no IAPs
This Is the Police 2
This Is the Police 2 is an indie simulation adventure game, and the sequel to This Is the Police. In this sequel, you’ll play the part of a sheriff tasked with keeping order at his station and in town. This means some tough decisions lay ahead, just like in real life, so expect a gritty game where corruption and lies may be the key to success.
Monetization: $7.99 / no ads / no IAPs
Lock’s Quest
Lock’s Quest was originally a tower defense game for the Nintendo DS, but it eventually made its way to consoles and PC. As of this year, the title arrived on the Play Store as a premium release, which means there are no in-app purchases or advertisements included. The art design offers a pixel-based look, which is pleasant enough, and the gameplay is solid. What you see is what you get, and what you get is an enjoyable pixel-based tower defense game that was recently optimized for touch screen devices, and it’s just as great as ever.
Monetization: $7.99 / no ads / no IAPs
GRID™ Autosport
GRID Autosport is a console-quality racer that recently arrived on Android in November. The full game can be had for $10, and there are no IAPs or ads, which makes this a premium release. If you’ve yet to play this racer, it mixes many styles of racing, from dirt tracks to city streets, and of course, there are tons of different cars to choose from. In comparison, most racers on Android are F2P, and so often contain many questionable monetization systems. So if you’ve been searching for a premium mobile racer that won’t break the bank, GRID Autosport is currently the best option available.
Monetization: $9.99 / no ads / no IAPs