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Top 10 best Android games of December 2013

Winding down the year with a good game or 10

Top 10 best Android games of December 2013
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After a simply astonishing November for Android gamers, 2013 came to a close with a slightly less spectacular December line-up.

Given that we're talking about the festive holiday period here - a time when very little of anything is actually achieved aside from eating, drinking, and frantic shopping - we're willing to give those developers a bit of a break.

Especially when you consider that there were actually some mightily fine Android games released.

In fact, December stood as a neatly representative send-off for Android gaming in 2013.

I mean, there were iPhone conversions (both timely and not-so-timely), encouraging simultaneous releases, and oddball indie delights.

Blocky Roads
By Crescent Moon Games - buy on Android

Crescent Moon took us by surprise with the quality of this one. On the surface, Blocky Roads seems quite derivative, whether you're talking about its Minecraft-like visuals or its Trials-like throttle-feathering gameplay.

But it's been put together in such an accomplished, joyous manner that it somehow feels impossibly fresh.

Dokuro
By Game Arts - buy on Android

Dokuro is a conversion... but not of the usual iOS kind. This quirky platform-puzzler actually debuted on Sony's PS Vita, which means that it's a little tighter and more confidently executed than many other examples of the genre.

And guess what? The virtual controls don't completely blow.

Pretentious Game
By Keybol Games - buy on Android

As you might have guessed from the game's title, Keybol has its tongue firmly lodged in its cheek with this one.

With Pretentious Game, the Philippines-based dev strips the platform game back to its bare essentials - left, right, jump - and cleverly weaves this gameplay around a post-modern story.

Colossatron: Massive World Threat
By Halfbrick - buy on Android

In this rather odd game, you play a support role to a rampaging serpentine monster. You don't control its course, however; you simply upgrade its abilities by stringing together coloured cores.

Colossatron is a puzzler with a remarkably destructive edge, which makes it stand out from the usual match-three guff.

Fighting Fantasy: Island of The Lizard King
By Tin Man Games - buy on Android

'Thanks' to its late arrival, we couldn't add Tin Man Games's previous game Gary Chalk's Gun Dogs to last month's list. Which is a shame, because it's awesome.

That's not to say that Island of The Lizard King is included here by way of an apology. Nope, that's because it's another awesome dice-rolling gamebook.

Kami
By State of Play - buy on Android

Sometimes, you want to play a game but you simply can't bring yourself to boot up anything too intense. We understand. It's been a tough day, right?

Kami is one of those Zen-like puzzlers to which you turn in such times. Its paper-folding gameplay and Japanese-flavoured soundtrack are equally easy on the eyes, ears, and nerves.

Gemini Rue
By Wadjet Eye Games - buy on Android

This highly regarded point-and-click adventure game was converted to iOS way back in April, so it's certainly taken its time making its way over to Android.

But then, the original PC game went live back in 2011, so an extra eight months of gestation doesn't make much difference. It's still a fabulous mix of puzzles, tight plotting, and a compelling film noir sci-fi setting.

Savant - Ascent
By D-Pad Studio - buy on Android

This fast-paced shooter might be brief, but it definitely makes an impact while it's going.

With its 16-bit Castlevania visuals, 2D shmup sensibility, and dollops of dubstep to keep things ticking along at a fair old lick, it's certainly an acquired taste. But those who take to it will love it.

F1 Challenge
By Reliance Big Entertainment - buy on Android

This isn't the full 3D racer for which some F1 nuts might have been hoping, but we'd argue that this easy-going arcade game is much better suited to your Android phone than a full-blown racing sim.

Though you only control the steering and KERS button on your licensed F1 car, there's a deceptive amount of skill involved in taking each corner at the right angle.

No Brakes Valet
By Captain Games - buy on Android

Captain Games is steadily making a name for itself for producing deeply silly yet memorable indie games.

The latest effort from the developer behind Enviro-Bear 2010 is No Brakes Valet, an hilariously chaotic arcade game in which you try to park cars without setting off a catastrophic explosion.

Same-handset multiplayer is a welcome addition.


Top 10 best Android games: November 2013
Top 10 best Android games: October 2013
Top 10 best Android games: September 2013
Top 10 best Android games: August 2013
Top 10 best Android games: July 2013
Top 10 best Android games: June 2013
Jon Mundy
Jon Mundy
Jon is a consummate expert in adventure, action, and sports games. Which is just as well, as in real life he's timid, lazy, and unfit. It's amazing how these things even themselves out.