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PG's top 10 best Android games of the year - 2013 edition

Gaming for the masses

PG's top 10 best Android games of the year - 2013 edition
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Pocket Gamer Android Game of the Year
If 2012 was the year in which Android became a legitimate contender in the mobile gaming race - still trailing iOS, but with the gap closing at an accelerated rate - then 2013 may have just 'crowned' a new winner.

You see, when I proposed the following list of top-drawer Android games to deputy editor Mark Brown - along with a healthy secondary list of potential replacements - he voiced his concern at the amount of possible duplication with his own iOS list.

Now, THAT is progress.

Yep, as we head into 2014, Android is now a major gaming platform - aided by the addition of its own Game Center-like service.

What's more, with impressive-yet-affordable handsets like the Nexus 5 and Moto G out there, it's possible to get the best of mobile gaming for half or even a quarter of the price of an iPhone 5S.

Convinced? Then, the next step is to download the best Android games of 2013.

Ridiculous Fishing
By Vlambeer - buy on Android

2013 was a bit of a bounce-back year for the talented chaps over at Vlambeer. Having seen their Radical Fishing Flash game cloned and released to some acclaim on Android and iOS, they struck back with Ridiculous Fishing. It was the perfect response.

It's a tremendous game any way you cast it, with its hooky three-stage casual gameplay proving an irresistible lure. That's it for fishing puns, other than to say that it's the reel deal. Ahem.

The Room
By Fireproof Games - buy on Android

The best thing about The Room appearing on Android in a different calendar year from the iPad original is that we get to talk about it again. We like talking about The Room.

We like playing it even more. It's a game of intricate, ingenious clockwork delights. You tug, prod, and explore a series of mysterious boxes in a bid to discover the mysteries within.

Kingdom Rush
By Ironhide Game Studio - buy on Android

The sequel to Kingdom Rush also appeared on Android in 2013, very close indeed to its initial iOS launch. In one sense, that's worthy of more praise than the slightly tardy debut of the original. Ultimately, though, we have to doff our caps to the first in the series.

It is, after all, nothing less than the finest tower defence game around. The unit balance, art style, and learning curve are simply perfect. And Kingdom Rush: Frontiers? That's more of the same perfect, so buy that, too.

Rayman Fiesta Run
By Pastagames - buy on Android

Rayman Jungle Run made it into our 2012 list of top Android games. Wouldn't you know it? This funky sequel has repeated the trick.

No fear of over-familiarity creeping in here, as you guide Rayman carefully through a range of fiendishly twisting, morphing levels. The colours are bolder, the scenery more elaborate, but Rayman Fiesta Run is the same quirky wonder we fell in love with last year.

Punch Quest
By Madgarden - buy on Android

At first glance, Punch Quest appears to feature similar auto-running gameplay to Rayman's adventure. In truth, though, it's really a very different beast.

Madgarden has bolted on a chunky combat system here that's clearly inspired by the side-scrolling beat-'em-ups of yore - as are those gaudy retro graphics, which suit the twisted gameplay down to a tee.

Blackbar
By Neven Mrgan - buy on Android

By mixing a simple word game with an involving story, Neven Mrgan has crafted one of the most refreshing and thought-provoking experiences on this list.

You must fill in the missing words in censored correspondence from a fictional friend living and working in a dystopian sci-fi society. Needless to say, things get sinister.

Ending
By Aaron Steed - buy on Android

One of the buzzwords in gaming in 2013 has been 'roguelike', in reference to the classic adventure game Rogue. Ending is one of the more interesting roguelikes to surface on Google Play, though its levels aren't procedurally generated.

Rather, it's a tightly constructed turn-based puzzler in which you move through sparsely drawn dungeons, outmanoeuvring a bunch of enemies, each with its own movement and attack patterns.

Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes
By Tag Games - buy on Android

We've seen multiple games with RPG AND match-three puzzler elements over recent years, but none has been quite as fresh or involving as Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes.

Here, Tag Games incorporates some seriously tactical battles into this adventure-puzzler experience, as well as a beautifully imaginative JRPG-like roster of enemy and allied forces.

Royal Revolt!
By Keen Games - buy on Android

Along with the Anomaly series (which was also in with a shout for this list), Royal Revolt! marks a revolution in the tower defence genre. Here, you're playing the part of the attacking force, mounting an offensive against a static opponent.

It's up to you to win the day by throwing your army of knights, archers, and magicians against the enemy. It looks great; features stellar gameplay; and contains a spirit of generosity and fairness throughout.

Ikaruga
By GMO - buy on Android

We've left Ikaruga until last because it's a bit special. Here's a Grade A classic console conversion that has made its way to Android but not to iOS.

The original is a near-legendary 2.5D shoot-'em-up with an oft-copied dual-colour dynamic. This Android conversion represents a fine effort to translate it to a touchscreen platform.

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.