When people think of computer games, what they usually think of are the popular first-person shooters like Call of Duty or others of its ilk. Action games are the big sellers in the market, mostly because of their simple, straightforward controls and easy-to-understand backstories. The Android OS may not exactly be the ideal gaming platform, but it does have its share of these games. Here’s a look at ten of the best action games available for Android devices, sure to get players’ hearts pounding and adrenaline pulsing
The game that brought open-world gaming into the mainstream and launched Rockstar Games into the stratosphere, Grand Theft Auto III on Android is a treat. The 10th Anniversary edition delivers all the punch of the original, while updating it all for modern sensibilities. None of that low-polygon count stuff going on here – updated graphics, both of character and vehicle models have been included. It even has HD quality resolution. Combine that with a great storyline and open-ended interaction with the denizens of Liberty City and the result is game that will tempt you to punch out people on the street and jack their cars whenever you’re late for a meeting.
2) Age of Zombies
Zombies are the monster du jour. Name any gaming platform and it’s sure to have a zombie game or two. However, most of these are depressing survival fests that go for the horror side of the genre. Well, Age of Zombies is definitely not one of those games. Playing as Barry Steakfries, players step into a time-travelling commando’s shoes and kill zombies all across the space-time continuum in a laugh-out-loud storyline. Shooting zombies has never been so fun – shooting zombie dinosaurs being a hundred times fun than normal. Main downsides for this game are that it’s short and has trouble running on the Samsung Galaxy. Halfbrick has definitely delivered the goods with this follow-up to Monster Dash and Fruit Ninja.
The first impression that Sleepy Jack delivers is that the graphics are awesome. A tube shooter, the game propels its players into a tube and gives them a demented roller-coaster ride either aiming to shoot at things or to fulfill the level’s objectives. As explorers of Jack’s psychedelic 3D dreamscape, it can bea bit overwhelming at first. But the simple controls and frenetic gameplay help a lot in delivering a dreamlike experience. Forty levels and additional updates also prevent Sleepy Jack from getting really old – maintaining its replay value.
Alien invaders have been a setpiece enemy of video games for years now. How about switching that formula around? In Grabatron, players are in control of an UFO as it abducts things, people, and animals all over the landscape. Armed not with death rays but a single retractable claw, this will constitute quite a challenge. The claw can be used to pick up objects and toss them around as improvised weapons – weapons that will be needed because those dastardly humans will be out there with their guns and tanks. Packed with over 30 missions of alien-abducting fun, Grabatron is a definite treat for any gamer.
Running games are a pretty new genre. Essentially, players control a continually running character hoping to avoid their doom. There’s no going back, just going forward. Robot Invader’s Windup Knight is currently the pinnacle of running games. Ordinarily players only have a single button to think about in running games, but with jump, slash, roll, and other moves, this game takes the running game to the next level. Add to that fifty levels of challenging gameplay and challenges, this game is definitely something to waste your time on.
Platformers have been part of video games for a long time now, ever since the seminal Super Mario Bros. The simple gameplay mechanics are easy to understand and give a large variation. Currently one of the best platformers on the Android OS is INC. Developed by Orange Pixel, the game has an awesome retro-feel; pixel style graphics, authentic sound and challenging levels make this game a work of art. Very easy to get into, INC is an addictive pleasure for any fan of the genre.
Meteor Blitz is definitely one of the must-have games on the platform. Why is it this update to the venerable Asteroids a needed addition to any gamer’s collection? Mostly because this game delivers the complete package: smooth visuals, challenging gameplay, responsive controls and online play. The game’s replay value definitely also adds to these attributes – along with the very cheap price. The game is intense and players will find themselves sweating as the meteors keep coming. For pulse-pounding entertainment, that’s pretty hard to beat.
Sega’s posterboy, Sonic the Hedgehog may have lost a lot of his star power since his heyday in the ’90s, but don’t count him out yet. The fastest hedgehog ever has come to Android and he brings with him the solid gameplay of his earlier outings. Sonic CD was one of the best of blue-furred hero’s adventures and now player’s can relive the experience. Updated for the Android, it still has that early ’90s patina to its graphics but the fun shines through. Definitely a keeper for any fan of Sonic.
Minecraft, the indie phenomenon, comes to Android. Once shackled to desktop PCs, the sandbox construction game seems to have been translated to a portable edition by the folks over at Mojang. For anyone who is a fan of the construction/adventure gameplay that Minecraft champions, this is a way to bring the fun with them while they’re on the go. Optimized for tablets and phones, this version of the game is in its alpha stages – which means it will be a bit buggy. But for anyone who’s followed Minecraft on the PC, this is not a new experience. A new adventure indeed for anyone who loves this game.
A very beautiful looking game, the third-person shooter Shadowgun delivers Gears of War style gameplay and graphics to the Android platform. Matching visuals usually found on consoles, this game is gorgeous. But it isn’t just another pretty face – there’s a pretty solid action game underneath all that flash. Smart enemy AI also gives players a challenge that won’t just roll over and die. This is a definite step-up from the current crop and an original franchise for the Android platform itself. Hopefully, we’ll see more games like this soon.
1) Grand Theft Auto III
The game that brought open-world gaming into the mainstream and launched Rockstar Games into the stratosphere, Grand Theft Auto III on Android is a treat. The 10th Anniversary edition delivers all the punch of the original, while updating it all for modern sensibilities. None of that low-polygon count stuff going on here – updated graphics, both of character and vehicle models have been included. It even has HD quality resolution. Combine that with a great storyline and open-ended interaction with the denizens of Liberty City and the result is game that will tempt you to punch out people on the street and jack their cars whenever you’re late for a meeting.
2) Age of Zombies
Zombies are the monster du jour. Name any gaming platform and it’s sure to have a zombie game or two. However, most of these are depressing survival fests that go for the horror side of the genre. Well, Age of Zombies is definitely not one of those games. Playing as Barry Steakfries, players step into a time-travelling commando’s shoes and kill zombies all across the space-time continuum in a laugh-out-loud storyline. Shooting zombies has never been so fun – shooting zombie dinosaurs being a hundred times fun than normal. Main downsides for this game are that it’s short and has trouble running on the Samsung Galaxy. Halfbrick has definitely delivered the goods with this follow-up to Monster Dash and Fruit Ninja.3) Sleepy Jack
The first impression that Sleepy Jack delivers is that the graphics are awesome. A tube shooter, the game propels its players into a tube and gives them a demented roller-coaster ride either aiming to shoot at things or to fulfill the level’s objectives. As explorers of Jack’s psychedelic 3D dreamscape, it can bea bit overwhelming at first. But the simple controls and frenetic gameplay help a lot in delivering a dreamlike experience. Forty levels and additional updates also prevent Sleepy Jack from getting really old – maintaining its replay value.
4) Grabatron
Alien invaders have been a setpiece enemy of video games for years now. How about switching that formula around? In Grabatron, players are in control of an UFO as it abducts things, people, and animals all over the landscape. Armed not with death rays but a single retractable claw, this will constitute quite a challenge. The claw can be used to pick up objects and toss them around as improvised weapons – weapons that will be needed because those dastardly humans will be out there with their guns and tanks. Packed with over 30 missions of alien-abducting fun, Grabatron is a definite treat for any gamer.
5) Windup Knight
Running games are a pretty new genre. Essentially, players control a continually running character hoping to avoid their doom. There’s no going back, just going forward. Robot Invader’s Windup Knight is currently the pinnacle of running games. Ordinarily players only have a single button to think about in running games, but with jump, slash, roll, and other moves, this game takes the running game to the next level. Add to that fifty levels of challenging gameplay and challenges, this game is definitely something to waste your time on.
6) INC
Platformers have been part of video games for a long time now, ever since the seminal Super Mario Bros. The simple gameplay mechanics are easy to understand and give a large variation. Currently one of the best platformers on the Android OS is INC. Developed by Orange Pixel, the game has an awesome retro-feel; pixel style graphics, authentic sound and challenging levels make this game a work of art. Very easy to get into, INC is an addictive pleasure for any fan of the genre.
7) Meteor Blitz
Meteor Blitz is definitely one of the must-have games on the platform. Why is it this update to the venerable Asteroids a needed addition to any gamer’s collection? Mostly because this game delivers the complete package: smooth visuals, challenging gameplay, responsive controls and online play. The game’s replay value definitely also adds to these attributes – along with the very cheap price. The game is intense and players will find themselves sweating as the meteors keep coming. For pulse-pounding entertainment, that’s pretty hard to beat.
8) Sonic CD
Sega’s posterboy, Sonic the Hedgehog may have lost a lot of his star power since his heyday in the ’90s, but don’t count him out yet. The fastest hedgehog ever has come to Android and he brings with him the solid gameplay of his earlier outings. Sonic CD was one of the best of blue-furred hero’s adventures and now player’s can relive the experience. Updated for the Android, it still has that early ’90s patina to its graphics but the fun shines through. Definitely a keeper for any fan of Sonic.
9) Minecraft
Minecraft, the indie phenomenon, comes to Android. Once shackled to desktop PCs, the sandbox construction game seems to have been translated to a portable edition by the folks over at Mojang. For anyone who is a fan of the construction/adventure gameplay that Minecraft champions, this is a way to bring the fun with them while they’re on the go. Optimized for tablets and phones, this version of the game is in its alpha stages – which means it will be a bit buggy. But for anyone who’s followed Minecraft on the PC, this is not a new experience. A new adventure indeed for anyone who loves this game.
10) Shadowgun
A very beautiful looking game, the third-person shooter Shadowgun delivers Gears of War style gameplay and graphics to the Android platform. Matching visuals usually found on consoles, this game is gorgeous. But it isn’t just another pretty face – there’s a pretty solid action game underneath all that flash. Smart enemy AI also gives players a challenge that won’t just roll over and die. This is a definite step-up from the current crop and an original franchise for the Android platform itself. Hopefully, we’ll see more games like this soon.
