Battleheart
Battleheart is another gem in the Market featuring real-time RPG gameplay. While it looks great on my phone, I was almost floored at how amazing this game looked on a tablet. Colorful graphics, deep gameplay amazing character design. I can’t think of any other games in the Android Market that have been able to recreate this kind of gameplay and if they could, it wouldn’t look this good. There are few games I can honestly say I’ve played for hours on end, through all hours of the night but this is definitely one of them. If you even remotely like the RPG genre, don’t even think twice. Download immediately.
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Windup Knight
Wind-up Knight is actually pretty new to the Android Market. The game takes the “runner” style gameplay and mixes it up by mixing amazing — almost hand-painted — 3D graphics and adding a touch of RPG elements to give it some depth. It’s executed quite well and where I normally stay away from the “runner” genre, Wind-up Knight was a joy to play. Definitely for those who like a challenge with a difficulty that can be near frustrating at times.
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GreatLittle War Game
Great Little War Game really hits an itch I couldn’t scratch in Android — turn based strategy gameplay. While Great Little War Game definitely wont be for everyone, it does a top notch job of taking the essence of Nintendo’s Advanced Wars and spicing it up with gorgeous HD 3D graphics. I was actually surprised at how amazing this game looked. You will be too.
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Death Worm
DEATH WORM. How many games can you say you’ve played that allow you to take control of a huge…. no-eyed monster, hell bent on destruction? Exactly. And that’s what makes Death Worm so unique. Brings back memories of popping quarters in Rampage at my local arcade. Graphics look phenomenal (even on tablets). Music and sound effects add to the ambiance. Gameplay is simple and challenging at the same time. Death Worm has all the makings of a killer title. Oh yeah, and you get to destroy everything. Such a deviously good time.
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Blood and Glory (NR)
Blood and Glory? Should be called Blood and Gory. I keed, I keed… Blood and Glory is a graphically impressive hack n’ slash inspired by the iOS hit, Infinity Blade. Gameplay is largely similar, involving onscreen gestures to slash, parry and dodge enemy attacks. If you’re looking for a Infinity Blade on Android — this is about as good as it’s going to get. And that’s pretty good.
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Grabatron
Grabatron reminds me a lot of Death Worm. In fact, I’ve even pieced together the two stories in my own dark, twisted mind. Like Death Worm, the object of the game is destruction and to have a good time doin’ it. It’s the execution that’s a little bit different. Instead of moving underground, you’re in the air controlling a flying UFO using nothing but controls. The UFO’s only weapon is a giant claw that you use to rain terror on humanity by picking up cars, tossing them, snatchin’ yo people up, grabbing cows for food — whatever. Grabatron is out of this world.
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Jelly Defense
As someone who isn’t the biggest “tower defense” fan, you know something is up when another one makes my list for best of 2011. Jelly Defense takes the tired tower defense genre and adds a whole new spin on it by introducing…. jelly like creatures, replacing the typical turrets/missiles. And it looks great. I mean, really you have to see this game in action to really appreciate how clean and crisp these graphics are. Further adding to the unique look of the game is the colorful wacky little jelly creatures that stand out amidst a drab black and white background. I don’t know how but it just works.
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Muffin Knight
Muffin Knight is an action/shooter/platformer from Angry Mob Games. The fun “fairy tale” setting and colorful visuals make this easy on the eyes but where the game truly shines is in its cross platform gameplay. Muffin Knight if one of the few games in the Market that allow you to battle with a friend in multiplayer regardless of their device or OS. Have a friend with an iPhone? No problem! iPad? Show them who’s OS truly reigns supreme by destroying them, hardcore Muffin Knight style.
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Majesty: Fantasy Kingdom
Majesty is an interesting take on the RTS genre bringing almost fully automated characters normally controlled by the user — wizards, archers, knights — allowing the player manage the rest of the kingdom. This means you cannot simply select some knights to go out and do battle but must allow them to live their lives where at most, you can entice them to do your bidding through bribery. Somehow, it just all works and that’s the best part of Majesty. As a long time fan of 2D hand-drawn sprites, Majesty looks amazing on Android devices. There’s a free version in Market so no need to feel apprehensive about downloading. Oh — HeroCraft also released the Northern Expansion pack a few days ago so there’s more than enough Majesty to keep you playing for hours.
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Intertia
Inertia hit the Android Market not too long ago and after checking back with it today, was surprised at how few downloads it had. Part sci-fi platformer and part puzzler, Inertia’s tight controls and unique gameplay caught me off guard. Typically, I don’t fair too well with onscreen d-pads and buttons but Inertia makes you feel like a gaming god when you successfully complete a challenge. Inertia will challenge your wits, your reflexes, rack your brain and everything else in between. Inertia is even more accessible thanks to both Lite and paid version in the Market with a super HD version for all you tablet junkies as well.
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Alright, folks. So that just about wraps it up for my top gaming picks of 2011. Surprising to say, it’s actually been a pretty great year for Android gaming. We’re starting to see a shift into more powerful dual and quad-core devices which means not only better looking games but more full featured ones as well. Sony and Nintendo better watch out cuz Andy is coming! It’s only going to get better in 2012 and I’ll be there every step of the way bringing you as many gems as I can dig up from the Market until my phone is bursting at its seams. Happy New Year, everyone!
This is by far the best GoF experience to date! The game is anything but boring, there's countless hours of gameplay here, and it's always action packed. Even if you only follow the story missions, you've got at least a good 6 hours of gameplay, but if you decide to go out on your own and explore and take on side jobs or mine or trade, there's TONS of gameplay to be had. And trust me, it's worth poking around outside of the story missions, there's a few hidden systems to discover, as well as many craftable items in the form of blueprints to find. It's a big galaxy, and it really is a fantastic Easter egg hunt.
