Top 10 best Android games of June 2013
Classic RPGs, arena brawlers, and stylish puzzlers
It's the end of June, and the days are finally getting warmer here in good ol' Blighty. Things have been hotting up on the Android front of late, too.
This month, we've been witness to a couple of much-anticipated iOS conversions, as well as a fair few top-notch simultaneous launches. As a result, our top ten list for this month is all Gold and Silver.
(We meant in terms of PG Awards. You got that, didn't you? Good. Carry on.)
In case you're new to this feature, here's how it works: we take a look back at our own Android reviews section from the past month. We also take a peek at the Quality Index boards, and feed in any interesting titles that have caught our attention during the month.
Naturally, this list is far from definitive, so please do tell us what your own favourite Android games of the month were in the comments section below.
Without further ado, let's take a look at the top ten Android games of the past 30 days.
Fighting Fantasy: The Forest of DoomBy Tin Man Games - buy on Android
Tin Man Games must be applauded for its efforts to fill the Google Play Store with outstanding gamebook games. The Forest of Doom, as part of the peerless Fighting Fantasy series, is one of the best available.
It's a conversion of one of the earliest Fighting Fantasy 'Choose Your Own Adventure' romps, so it's packed to the rafters with tried-and-tested brilliance.
Ticket to RideBy Days of Wonder - buy on Android
Ticket to Ride doesn't look like much in screenshots, but that's because it's a conversion of a popular boardgame.
We're not talking Game of Life-level stuff, either. This is tense, strategic, and deep stuff for one to five players.
Building a railway across North America (or Europe via the expansion) is the aim, but you'll have to head off your rivals to do so.
Might & Magic: Clash of HeroesBy Tag Games - buy on Android
Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes has been ported to a few different platforms in the run-up to this Android version, which gives you some idea about its quality.
To call it a simple match-three puzzler would be to do it a great disservice, as there's a hefty RPG system at the game's heart.
Quadropus RampageBy Butterscotch Shennanigans - buy on Android
You're a four-legged octopus who must smack the living daylights out of a bunch of aquatic enemies with a tennis racquet.
How could that not be fun?
As you'd expect from the maker of Towelfight 2, Quadropus Rampage is colourful, frenetic, and just a little barmy.
Hero of ManyBy Trickster Arts - buy on Android
This is the latest in a growing line of arty puzzlers. In this beautifully understated game, you guide a bunch of tadpoles through a series of hazardous monochrome environments using a simple touch-and-drag control system.
As much a joy to play as it is to look at, Hero of Many is a worthy addition to your Android's Home screen. Or 'Games' folder. Wherever you keep your games, basically.
9th DawnBy Valorware - buy on Android
Old skool RPGs don't come much more old skool than 9th Dawn. It's a loving tribute to the unforgiving, basic-looking role players of the early '90s.
If you're after a stiff challenge or an open world to explore with a complete lack of hand-holding, give this a look.
Crush!By Radiangames - buy on Android
Radiangames produces a sense of style and urgency here that's relatively uncommon in the match-three genre.
With Crush! containing wrap-around levels and chic, modern visuals, Radiangames nails that tricky simultaneous feeling of familiarity and freshness.
The game is also rock hard.
Blip BlupBy ustwo - buy on Android
While we're on the subject of super-slick puzzlers, let's give a warm welcome to Blip Blup.
While it might look a bit like a match-three game, it's actually an abstract spatial puzzler.
The idea is to 'fill' each stage with as few radar-like pings as possible, using your environment to bounce waves into every nook and cranny.
Where's My Mickey?By Disney Mobile Studios - buy on Android
One of Disney's most successful gaming franchises of recent times has been Where's My Water?, so it's perhaps unsurprising to see the House of Mouse develop a variation on this theme starring its most beloved character.
With the very presence of the world's most famous mouse, Where's My Mickey? feels fresh and engaging. Furthermore, the game includes new elements like water-absorbent clouds to keep Where's My Water? veterans on their toes.
Final Fantasy IVBy Square Enix - buy on Android
At last, Final Fantasy IV wanders onto Android.
This FF instalment is based on the Nintendo DS conversion of the original SNES game, which means it's been given a snazzy 3D makeover.
It's a typically solid JRPG with hours of exploration and turn-based battles to enjoy. The game also marks the point at which the maker of the Final Fantasy series started handling slightly more mature themes in its stories.
Top 10 best Android games: May 2013
Top 10 best Android games: April 2013
Top 10 best Android games: March 2013
Top 10 best Android games: February 2013
Top 10 best Android games: January 2013
Top 10 best Android games: December 2012
