Looking back at 2011, there were some ups (Nvidia) there were some downs (LG) but when it comes to the Android Market — business is booming. 2011 was perhaps the best year yet in Android gaming (thanks mostly in part to iOS ports) and I just wanted to take a brief moment and go over a few of the best Android games from throughout the year. This is in now way acomprehensive list, in fact, you’ll notice I left out a few “big name” titles like Angry Birds, Shadowgun, Modern Combat and GTA 3. Those are not only well known but also, very easy to find in the Android Market’s “top free” and “top paid” lists.
The games featured in this post are just a few of my personal top picks (in no particular order) that you may have overlooked. These games hold a special place in my robot heart and have depleted my battery on more than one occasion. I’m also hoping that you’ll share a few of your own faves from 2011 in the comments as well. Let’s get to it!
Sprinkle
We were the first site in the world to bring you news on Sprinkle and have been following it closely since we caught glimpse of it at E3 earlier this year. The game has come a long way since then, adding even more personality to genre that could always use more of it — puzzlers. And this isn’t your typical puzzler either. Sprinkle has the player use water based physics to complete missions and executes it wonderfully. Everything about this game is near perfect, from the sounds, animations, physics, design. It’s pretty much got it all. If there wasn’t so many other great Android games this year, this would have easily been my top pick.
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.
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.
Super Stickman Golf
Little known fact about me — I hate golf. Don’t hold it against me but it’s seriously one of the most boring sports in the history of… sportsdom. That’s why I was so surprised I actually LOVED Super Stickman Golf after spending some time with it. Okay — so SSG shares more in common with miniature golf than actual golf but that’s why it’s so fun. Adjust your angle, adjust your power and try to get the ball in the hole. Sounds so easy, right? Well, it’s not. Just play it and see for yourself.
Field Runners
Ah, the “tower defense” genre. It’s been done a million times before and 3x’s that in the Android Market. But where most TD’s fall into the mundane or been-there-done-that category, Fieldrunners shines thanks to amazing graphics with colorful character/weapon designs and the sheer amount of chaos that goes on during gameplay. If you so much as kinda like tower defense games, you’re going to go ape-crazy over Fieldrunners.
Great Little 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.
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.
Dragon Hunter
Dragon Hunter is another gem from the Market. The first thing that caught my eye was it’s unique art-style that was more than inspired by a PSP game called Patapon. And while Dragon Hunter is nowhere near as complex, there’s still a whole lotta fun to be had. Gameplay involves taking control of a cross bow and blotting out the sky with arrows as you attempt to take down the horde of dragons approaching. Best played in small, intense spurts (TWSS).
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