It's the 'Appy Android roundup

It was suggested that paid apps would be appearing on the Android Market last week, and then we were promised them this week. So far, nothing.

But so what? There are tonnes of freebies shoehorned into the current Market anyway, so it’s not like there’s nothing to play on our Android handsets.

It is clear that paid games are bustling in the wings, however, as most every title is now a demo, or a Lite version, with cryptic suggestions that the full version should be/will be available now/soon or even eventually.

So in the meantime, let’s chill out with a few soothing freebies before the Android finally begins to plunder our trouser pockets.

3D Nine Hole Golf (OmniG Soft) Golf games have become a pre-requisite of all platforms, and although 3D Nine Hole Golf doesn’t exactly scorch the fairway, it’s still a decent jumping off point for this sporting sub-genre on the Android. An adaptation direct from the Java platform, the controls are very simple, but duly accurate and accessible. This trial version knocks off after a single hole, but it does demonstrate the casual accessibility of the full game. A little more attention to the Android conversion would have been nice (its Java ancestry is visible), but not bad for a few idle rounds.
Plox (Chicken Brick Studios) This game gets a bonus point simply because the developer has a totally wicked name. Plox is a fairly standard tower defence game, but counter-balances the inherently destructive nature of the genre with some cute and chirpy graphics and very refined gameplay. There aren’t many defences available, but the simplicity of play really suits the smaller touchscreen of the G1, and makes it a doddle to position and upgrade your armaments as the quite large variety of enemies storm the fortress. Quick, clean and moderately clever, there’s no reason not to try out Plox.
Aevum Obscurum (Noble Master Games) Generally you don’t see hardcore games on the handheld systems, but Aevum Obscurum is probably about as serious a strategy game as is currently available on the Android. It’s a Risk-like strategy-‘em-up based on a lengthy campaign to conquer medieval Europe. You can choose from over 50 different empires to begin a steady trek across the continent – slaughtering, conquering, plundering and repossessing. There’s currently only one map, but it’s pretty damn huge and there are promises of more to come as the Android gaming scene gets underway. Definitely one for the serious strategist, Aevum Obscurum looks great and plays smooth, so turn-based gaming fans should look out for this one as the game grows.
Retro Defense (Larva Labs) What’s better than one tower defence game? Two tower defence games! This week’s 'Appy Android sees a couple of very different games from the same limited genre, though Retro Defence easily wins out on style points. Adopting a similar graphical style to Geometry Wars Retro Evolved, Retro Defence creates something of a Tron-esque map through which all kinds of space invaders, bits, bobs and blitter mistakes attempt to dash. It is a little tricky to figure out which type of tower defence does what, but the unique maps with multiple points of entry and exit make for an excellent strategic challenge.
Color Changer (59Pixels) Puzzle games get better and more playable for every feature that’s removed from them – simple is most definitely better in this genre’s case. Which makes Color Cascade a success from the outset. This really is an austere game in every respect – the graphics, the gameplay, the objective – everything about it screams minimalism. But in a very addictive way, of course. Four channels are show running vertically along the screen, with four different coloured balls floating down them. At the bottom are four different colours, each matching one of the balls. Using the touchscreen you must rearrange the colours at the bottom of the screen to match the coloured ball floating down the channel. Remarkably simple, but insanely addictive, and it oozes that Muji-esque minimalist style from every pixel.