Over 2023, we reviewed and covered many of the biggest Android game releases, but when it came to choosing the best games of the year, we had our work cut out for us. From remasters of early 2000’s classics like Sid Meier’s Railroads and Hitman: Blood Money - Reprisal to quirky indie gems like Subpar Pool, there werefantastic new games for all genresthat showed that you can easily have a fantastic gaming experience from your Android phone, tablet, or Chromebook.
While there were many viable contenders for our favorite of the year, Pocket City 2 wonour award for the Best Gamethanks to its accessible mobile-friendly gameplay, minimal bloat, and enough city-building content to keep you occupied for months.
2023 also showed that Android gaming hardware is moving out of niche markets into the mainstream.Our favorite Android gaming consoles of 2023offer affordable ways to play not just Android games but also AAA titles and emulated classics.
So whether you want to try our favorite Android game of the year or want to see what other games made our headlines, grab your phone or Android console and read on.
1Pocket City 2
Starting off the roundup with a bang,Pocket City 2 won AP’s Best Game of the Year award, something the entire crew voted on. With so many great games released this year, the voting was tight, but in the end, everyone agreed Pocket City 2 offers tons of fun that is easily accessible to anyone and everyone.
Of course, the game is a sequel, improving on the first title with all-new graphics and a 3D avatar; this way, you can explore the very city you’re building to see how things look from the ground floor.Pocket City 2 is a premium release, so you’ll have to plunk down $5 to play, but honestly, that is a steal for the amount of hours you can spend in the game. After all, this release is basically a sandbox to build cities endlessly, exactly what you would expect from a premium city-building game. So get out of the way, Sim City; there’s a new kid in town that’s eating your lunch. Don’t miss out; Pocket City 2 is our Game of the Year for a reason.
2Sid Meier’s Railroads!
Sid Meier’s Railroads may seem old-fashioned in an age wherefantastic tycoon games are commonplace, but in 2006, this was one of the biggest names in the tycoon genre. Feral Interactive ported it to mobile in March alongside a host of quality-of-life improvements that showed that this classic still holds up.
We went hands-on with Sid Meier’s Railroads earlier this yearand were impressed. Touch controls are intuitive, and the UI is accessible even on smaller devices. That being said, the bigger the screen, the better. If nothing else, Sid Meier’s Railroads shows that these classic games are enjoyable, even nearly two decades later.
3TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge
When it comes to beat ‘em ups, few games get as close to the classics as TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge. This one is for all of you Double Dragon stans out there, and even though the game is a port, Netflix Games takes its platform seriously, so controller support is included alongside the game’s new touch controls designed for mobile. This way, you can easily play on the go or connect a controller for extended sessions to tackle tougher boss fights.
It’s rare that gamers get a competent brawler in the modern age; rest assured, Shredder’s Revenge delivers the nostalgia trip you’re looking for despite the fact it’s a modern game. You will need a Netflix subscription to play, but the good news is that once you sub, the library of games are all premium without any in-app purchases in sight.
4Laya’s Horizon
Alto’s Adventure and its sequel, Alto’s Odyssey, can be considered staples of mobile gaming. These titles were fresh, fun, and packed with charm. Laya’s Horizon might be a separate title, but it retains everything that made the Alto games great.
If Laya’s Horizon has one flaw, it’s that the gameplay is trickier to pick up than the Alto games. But as you swoop through the cell-shaded 3D landscapes, you’ll discover that you don’t need to reach high scores to have fun.
Laya’s Horizon is a stand-out game from 2023. Asnoted in our hands-on review, it feels like a clear step forward from developer Snowman.
5Perfect Grind
To be quite honest, few skateboarding games reach the heights of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series, even on consoles and PCs. By and large, mobile doesn’t get many skateboarding games of note. This allchanges with Perfect Grind. As the name would suggest, you’ll spend your time tooling around skateparks performing all manner of tricks, offering something similar to the first Pro Skater game thanks to its arcade feel. The game knows not to take itself too seriously, and this humor comes across without feeling forced.
This all adds up to what is a competent and fun arcade skateboarding game, and since the entire thing was designed around touch controls, the game controls smoothly. Best of all, you may try before you buy to see for yourself what Perfect Grind is all about.
6Harry Potter: Magic Awakened
Harry Potter games don’t have a stellar track record on mobile, and while Harry Potter: Magic Awakened didn’t dominate headlines like Hogwarts: Legacy, it is nevertheless the best Harry Potter game on the Play Store.
Despite some performance issues,Harry Potter: Magic Awakened drew us in with charming graphics and plenty of fan service. While the mixture of RTS, RPG, and CCG mechanics had us scratching our heads at times, it only took a few games before we were hooked on its unique gameplay.
While we were impressed with every part of Harry Potter: Magic Awakened, we were pleased to see that it catered to every type of player without sacrificing key elements. Whether you enjoy competitive PvP games or casual RPGs, you’ll find something to love in Magic Awakened.
7Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon
Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon isanother excellent port published by Netflix Games, which means you’ll need a subscription to play. But play it you should, as this is one of the best falling-block puzzlers to land on Android in some time. Unlike simple match-3 games monetized to the hilt, Shovel Knight Pocket Dungeon was actually built around having fun instead of sucking up money. The goal is simple: clear the board, but of course, this is easier said than done. So there is a challenge here, but that’s why the game is so addictive; when you clear a level, you feel accomplished.
So, if you’re hungry for a competent falling block puzzle game that offers great pixel graphics starring everyone’s favorite Shovel Knight, don’t miss out on Pocket Dungeon.
8OXENFREE II: Lost Signals
Oxenfree 2: Lost Signals doesn’t stray far from what made Oxenfree one ofthe best horror games on Android. We would have liked to see Night School make bolder decisions with the sequel, but it is nevertheless one of the best games of 2023.
Oxenfree 2’s focus on story and atmosphere stays consistent throughout the game. The sensation of something just about to happen keeps you glued to your phone; completing the game in one or two sittings is easy. We highly recommend giving it a go if you’re a fan of narrative-driven horror games.As we discovered in our review, there’s still room for new compelling, narrative-driven games as we head into 2024.
9Roto Force
Many of Android’s best games are proven ports, which is great for everyone who wants a console experience in their hands. But when it comes to original games for mobile, most devs opt for easy money rather than solid gameplay. Roto Force bucks this trend with an original game that launched on mobile and PC simultaneously. At its core, this is an arcade game that plays a lot like a bullet hell. In other words, you’ll spend your time shooting and dodging, but in the confines of a spinning room. It’s this unique spinning mechanic that sets the game apart, making for an excellent challenge seasoned gamers will enjoy.
Roto Force may be simple in design, but that’s its advantage: it plays a lot like old-school games you’d find on the Game Boy, perfect for short bursts of gameplay on the go. You can try before you buy, and if you like what you see (how could you not, just look at the awesome pixel graphics), then you can unlock the full game for $5.
10Hitman: Blood Money — Reprisal
Like Sid Meier’s Railroads, Feral Interactive ported Hitman: Blood Money — Reprisal to mobile. While Feral Interactive made minor changes to Railroads to make it suitable for mobile devices, Hitman: Blood Money received a substantial overhaul, making it a fantastic remaster and a port.
The original 2006 release of Hitman: Blood Money is lauded as one of the best games ever, but Feral Interactive made it even better. The addition of features introduced in later Hitman games, like Instinct Mode and a minimap, bring the game into the modern age. Still, these don’t significantly change the feel of the original gameplay (Purists can turn off these extra features at any time).
Whether you are a fan of the original or looking for a new stealth game,we think Hitman: Blood Money is well worth your time.
