The best Android games from April 2015
Time travellers, pirates, stuntmen, and spelunkers
Okay, so maybe we were a little premature with our bright outlook last time around.
After a remarkably sunny start, April turned into a bit of a chilly wash-out.
It didn't matter too much, as it turned out. Not if you had an Android phone with you, at least.
Check out some of the best Android games we've been playing in April.
Sorcery! 3By Inkle - buy on Android
More gamebook magic from the Inkle peeps. You'd think we'd be growing tired of well told stories with multiple choices and compelling battles, wouldn't you?
Sorcery! 3 keeps things fresh by introducing more of an open world feel to proceedings - no mean feat in a narrative-led game.
It's also got some clever time travelling elements that let you manipulate events like some fantasy Marty McFly.
Does not CommuteBy Mediocre - download on Android
Rarely has a mobile developer's name been so inappropriate a label for the quality of its output as Mediocre's. Which reminds me, you should check out the latest from Really Crap Games. It's ace.
Does not Commute is a really fresh puzzle game that plays about with time. You must sketch out the routes of a series of commuters during a single portion of time, watching out for your previous efforts along the way.
It's like Groundhog Day, only with cars, and without Bill Murray. Which is admittedly a major blow. I'm pretty sure that's why we didn't give it a Gold Award.
Plunder PiratesBy Midoki - download on Android
Yar, Jim-lad, I be buckling my swashes... look, do you mind if I skip the pirate talk schtick? Thanks.
Let's talk instead about Plunder Pirates, and how it's a lovely, polished Clash of Clans-a-like with ace strategy mechanics - but with a colourful pirate theme.
If you're tiring of Supercell's blockbuster, or Boom Beach for that matter, give this a whirl.
Joe DangerBy Hello Games - buy on Android
We've had to wait a fair old while, but one of the best action platformers on iOS has finally made its way to Android.
Joe Danger might be based on the stunt-bike racer console game, but the developer has cleverly adapted it to touchscreen controls so that it plays quite differently.
The result is a completely new game that's more Rayman Fiesta Run than Trials Frontier.
The Adventures of Poco EcoBy Possible Games - buy on Android
The Adventures of Poco Eco is one of those rare 'experience' games where not much actually happens, but in which it's all about the journey.
It can loosely be described as a puzzle game, but it's all about navigating a beautiful cartoon world where every interaction is accompanied by a beautiful sound that ties into the soundtrack.
It's not for those who thrive on heavy action or a relentless pace, but Poco Eco definitely dances to a different beat.
Caves n' ChasmsBy Chronicle Games - buy on Android
There are a few games about digging down into the earth out there, and Caves n' Chasms is another to add to the list.
It's pretty good, though. It has you drilling down to uncover loot, avoiding or nailing enemies along the way.
There's also a surprising amount of depth in here (oh, we went there), as you set up traps to bury tougher enemies and carefully ponder your next step.
Skullduggery!By ClutchPlay Games - buy on Android
Developers figured out how to make platformers work on mobile a while ago now, but Skullduggery! presents another approach.
You're still bounding around 2D levels, collecting stuff and bashing enemies, but the control system is more Angry Birds than Mario.
It's this tactile pinging element that marks Skullduggery! out as a bit special, as well as tight level design and a lovely cartoon art style.
The FirmBy Sunnyside Games - buy on Android
It's taken 22 years for the game of the Tom Cruise legal thriller to see release, but here it is.
Not really. The Firm is actually a fast paced twitch action game with a grimly amusing stock trader theme. You swipe incoming stocks to the appropriate pile in a bid to make your investors a profit.
Fail and your trader takes a dive out the window to be replaced by another schmoe.
Football Manager Classic 2015By SI Games - buy on Android
Sports Interactive has finally given us what we wanted - a full fat Football Manager game for our tablets. Hooray!
Forget the ugly facsimiles of proper FM from previous years - FMC is the real deal, with nuanced tactical options, a full transfer negotiation system, and a full 3D match engine.
It's not quite as water tight or touchscreen-friendly as it should be, but this is still a must have for any tablet-owning footy fan.
Attack the LightBy Cartoon Network - buy on Android
It doesn't really matter if you haven't seen an episode of Cartoon Network's Steven Universe before - Attack the Light is a very slick RPG in its own right.
Guide your group of four heroes through a surprisingly involved role playing adventure, indulging in scraps and picking up loot.
Given its comic pedigree, there's also a rich seam of humour running through Attack the Light that balances things out nicely.
Top 10 best Android games: March 2015
Top 10 best Android games: February 2015
Top 10 best Android games: January 2015
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Top 10 best Android games: September 2014
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