Welcome to the roundup of the best new Android applications, games, and live wallpapers that went live in the Play Store or were spotted by us in the previous 2 weeks or so.

This edition focuses only on new games. The app roundup is coming up soon.

Please wait for this page to load in full in order to see the Please wait for this page to load in full in order to see the AppBrain widgets, which include ratings and pricing info. Looking for the previous roundup editions? Find them here.

Games

Star Command

Android Police coverage: [New Game] Star Command Spaceship Adventure Sim Enters The Play Store Following Humble Mobile Bundle Debut

Two years. That's the amount of time between Star Command's target release date and its release on Android. And no, War Balloon, it does not help that it's been out on iOS for five months. All that said, the goal of making a Star Trek-themed game with all the mechanics you love from Kairosoft's pixelated titles is skillfully reached. Late. Very, very late, and missing a lot of the gameplay that was promised in the original Kickstarter campaign. But at least now we can wait for the PC game that the developers wanted to make all along, optimistically predicted for 2028. Still, I'll give them extra points for no in-app purchases.

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Star Command let's you build your own ship, hire your crew, explore the universe and battle alien civilizations across the galaxy. Brought to you in beautiful HD pixelated glory, Star Command brings to life the challenges and joys of managing a starship. Upgrade your ship, get out into the unknown and watch your crew die grizzly deaths all at your command. Strange and annoying alien civilizations await you at every turn. Manage each of your ships roles, focusing on science skills, tactical combat and ship engineering. Prevent alien invaders from taking over your ship and causing massive amounts of damage with sentry guns.

Pinball Rocks HD

Android Police coverage: [New Game] Sony Music Entertainment Bumps Pinball Rocks HD Into The Play Store, Jams A Jukebox Into Your Pinball Machine

Smash together a jukebox, a pinball machine, and a probably lethal dose of various elicit substances, and you might get something that looks a lot like Pinball Rocks. This Rock & Roll themed pinball game features tables based on Alice In Chains, Bullet For My Valentine, AC/DC, and Slayer. Interestingly, the IAP scheme is selling you on actual music files compatible with your library (how novel!) and some cheat code-style powerups. Graphics look pretty good, if somewhat derivative.

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You asked for more ROCK, and we're giving it to you. Pinball Rocks HD is now available on Android for the first time. Featuring hits from Three Days Grace, Red, The Sword, Queensryche, The Virginmarys, Filter, Norma Jean, For Today, Anvil, Krokus, Lordi and Richie Kotzen. Pinball Rocks HD is the loudest pinball game ever, brought to you by Sony Music Entertainment and Gameprom. Pinball Rocks HD is a five table compilation featuring a free game loaded with new songs from today's top rock artists and four custom tables for Alice in Chains, Bullet For My Valentine, AC/DC and Slayer

The app was not found in the store. :-( Go to store Google websearch

Gravity Guy 2

Android Police coverage: [New Game] Gravity Guy 2 Picks Up Where The Original Left Off, Enters The Play Store With Seven New Playable Characters

The original Gravity Guy was a surprisingly great 2D platformer with some new ideas, a rare treasure to be hoarded in the sea of monotony that is modern gaming. The devs are back for another go-round, this time with improved graphics, more characters, and a few more gravity-themed bells and whistles. The usual trappings of free-to-play apply: it's certainly possible to get everything with in-game cash, but sooner or later you're going to have to either grind the night away or shell out some real money.

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In a world where gravity laws were broken, a brave guy was held captive for rebelling and defying the rules. Being the first one ever to rise against the system, he found himself in danger, and in need to run for his life. However, after being relentlessly chased down by the Gravity Troops, our hero was finally captured and beamed up to a space ship, only to find a terrifying truth: they were going to clone him. As an evil plan to organize dangerous races across Gravity Guy's once free world, his DNA was collected and the cloning process began.

Clash of Clans

Android Police coverage: [New Game] Popular Multiplayer Strategy Game Clash Of Clans Invades The Play Store In Search Of More Players

Real-time strategy games are getting more and more popular on mobile platforms. Case in point: Clash of Clans, which has already gathered quite a following on iOS and now expands to the verdant pastures of Android. It's got the usual trappings of base-building, army-raising, and resource gathering, but the hook for Clash of Clans is the strong multiplayer element. Keep an eye out for IAPs, which are never a good add-on for multiplayer games.

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Lead your clan to victory. Clash of Clans is an epic combat strategy game. Build your village, train your troops and battle with thousands of other players online. You asked, we delivered: The long-awaited, hit strategy game Clash of Clans is officially storming the Android realm, pillaging and raiding your tablets and phones. The time has come to unleash your inner barbarian. Get the game, join the fun - it's free.

Transport Tycoon

Android Police coverage: [New Game] Transport Tycoon Pulls Into The Google Play Station Right On Time

The original Transport Tycoon came out on the PC nearly two decades ago, and this re-release is decidedly for fans of that storied title. No kid-friendly graphics, no in-app purchases, just incredibly detailed micro-managing to expand your transportation empire like a tiny, pixelated John D. Rockefeller. If your favorite part of Sim City is the spreadsheets, then this is the game for you... provided you've got seven bucks for your entry ticket.

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Build the ultimate transport empire. Take control of your own fledgling transport company, and use your engineering skill and business acumen to keep cargo and passengers moving - and keep the money rolling in. Transport Tycoon contains everything that made the original PC game an all-time classic, plus a whole host of brilliant new features - bigger, richer worlds, deeper simulation and a huge variety of land, sea and air vehicles. The intuitive new touch screen interface makes it easier than ever to build and maintain your transport network.

Hero Academy

Android Police coverage: [New Game] Hero Academy Calls On You And Your Friends To Face Off In Addictive Turn-Based Combat

Already a considerable hit on both iOS and Steam, Hero Academy is here to show the Google Play Store how turn-based combat is done. Equal parts JRPG and chess, the game lets you get your feet wet against the AI before duking it out in online battles. The graphics are colorful and the violence is barely there, so kids are welcome to join the party, so long as they stay away from the pricey in-app purchases.

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Test your skills in this lighthearted battle between friends -- from the makers of Age of Empires and Halo Wars. Heroic teams have gathered to engage in friendly contests on the Academy playfields. Will your team emerge triumphant? Enter a world of swords and magic, and challenge friends old and new to a contest of tactics and skill. From the human Council to the mysterious Dark Elves, every team needs a fearless captain to lead them to victory.

The app was not found in the store. :-( Go to store Google websearch

Where's My Water? 2

Android Police coverage: [New Game] Where's My Water? 2 Drifts Into Google Play A Little Late And Weighed Down By In-App Purchases

If something's worth doing, it's worth doing again. That's a concept that Disney is well-acquainted with (thanks so much for Cars 2, guys), so they're applying the philosophy to their original mobile titles as well. The same physics/gravity gameplay that you know and possibly love from Where's My Water and its various spinoffs is back, but this time there are a few more tools mixed in with some bath time-themed minigames. And, of course, a few in-app purchases for good measure.

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Get ready to join Swampy, Allie, and Cranky on their NEXT exciting adventure. The sequel to the most addicting physics-based puzzler from Disney has finally arrived. Where’s My Water? 2 launches with three brand new locations including the Sewer, the Soap Factory, the Beach. Best of all, the puzzles are all free. Cut through dirt, and guide fresh water, purple water, and steam to help Swampy and his friends.

Sir! I'd Like To Report a Bug!

Android Police coverage: [New Game] Sir! I'd Like To Report A Bug! Is A Challenging 2D Platformer Free Of Ads And IAPs That Is Bound To Make You Curse

What happens when a game character notices his environment bugging out on him? He does what any good citizen would: he submits a bug report. Unfortunately for the 2D protagonist, his world is basically made of bugs, and he has to run through it like Neo trying to get through the Matrix after the servers have melted down. The delightfully-named Sir! I'd Like To Report a Bug! is one of those insanely difficult masochist-platformers, but the unique humor might be enough to make it worth your while.

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After some new prototype tech goes screwy and causes bugs to escape into the world only one man can save the day. That man is a Reggie. An average, couch potato QA Tester with no talents what so ever. Help our new saviour venture to and from work while the world around he slowly glitches out and breaks. Overcome obstacles such as killer cars, lava floors and men in bodysuits. Tackle the horrors of the daily commute but with more fire and serial killers.

Blackbar

Android Police coverage: [New Game] Blackbar Is A Fascinating Word Puzzle Set In A Dystopian Future Fraught With Censorship

Blackbar is a game about a dystopian government spying on everything that you do with no justification or remorse. Since that alone would make it too much like our own government (howdy, NSA guys, glad to see you're still getting paid while CDC researchers go hungry), this version also blacks out some of the crucial text in the story. It's unique, to be sure, but those with short attention spans need not apply. The core mechanic consists of deciphering blacked-out text in a simple word game.

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Written and designed by Neven Mrgan, Blackbar is a text game: a sci-fi story of a dystopian future told through the medium of word puzzles. Reminiscent of text adventures and interactive fiction, it has a unique mechanic centered around the concept of censorship. Censorship is frustrating, but the human spirit can beat that frustration by turning it into a game.

PinWar

Android Police coverage: [New Game] PinWar Turns A Friendly Game Of Pinball Into Full-On Multiplayer Warfare

If you covered Zen Pinball in Tron-style glowy bits and crammed in a multiplayer aspect a la air hockey, it might look like PinWar. Seriously, it's a lot like air hockey, right down to the two players using the opposite side of a device for local bouts. But it's gorgeous, and includes a few multiplayer and single player modes, so check it out anyway. If that's not enough, there's a table editor feature that lets you build your own battlefields.

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Immerse yourself - and the people around you - into the cyber world of PinWar. Enter the BATTLE MODE to challenge your friends (or the computer) in a never-before-seen way: by mashing two pinball tables into one. Your objective: get the ball through the opponent's side, and protect your own end at all cost. Collect power-ups on the way and fight your way to victory. Conquer the MISSION MODE by accomplishing special objectives, all built on top of special tables.

Headless

Android Police coverage: [New Game] Headless Is An Endless Runner Starring A Decapitated Chicken With An Unexpected Will To Survive

Farmyard lore says that chickens will run around for a while after you decapitate them. This is true: nervous muscular spasms can continue for quite a while after a bird is killed. Whether or not said chicken could actually survive an endless runner gauntlet is another question entirely. Headless seems to take its inspiration from the famous case of Mike the Headless Chicken, and though its folksy atmosphere is friendly, its gruesome subject is not. Keep this one away from the kiddies.

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Lose your head in Headless as you take control of a headless chicken trying to stay alive. Headless, the new endless runner by Double Smith, now available on Android. How far can a headless chicken run? Download Headless to find out now. What are you, chicken? Inspired by the story of Miracle Mike, the chicken that lived without a head for 18 months, Headless challenges players to see how far they can run as a headless chicken. Tap to fly and tilt to speed up. Grab bags of blood to live longer and get ahead of the competition. Keep a cool head while dodging deadly blades and other obstacles.

The Blockheads

Android Police coverage: [New Game] Noodlecake Chops One Dimension Off Of Minecraft And Calls It The Blockheads

If Minecraft was a 2D side-scroller, it would be The Blockheads. Seriously, that's the beginning and end of this game. While this title displays a staggering lack of creativity, it does manage to ape Minecraft's most compelling feature: persistent multiplayer servers. You can download the free server software and run it from your PC, or hop onto any of the public servers from Android and collaborate for digital masterpieces. Or tear down other players' hard work like a six-year-old. Your call.

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Night is falling and your blockhead is freezing. You haven't yet made shelter and your campfire has gone out. All you have is a spade, some wood and a few sticks. You have only minutes before exhaustion hits. Do you create a bed, dig a cave or refuel your fire? What will you do? Explore, mine, craft and build in this giant and detailed sandbox game. Navigate huge simulated worlds thousands of blocks wide with a full temperature and climate system, seasons, an equator, and frozen poles.

Wordament®

Android Police coverage: [New Game] Microsoft Releases Wordament Online Word Puzzle Game On Android

Wordament is basically Boggle with a massively multiplayer element. What's more interesting than the game itself is that it's published by Microsoft, and I think it's the first Android game to come out of Redmond. The graphics are decidedly flat, as if to show you what you're missing by using the same operating system as 70% of smartphone owners, but the wordy gameplay should keep Boggle addicts happy and provide a little thrill when they reach the top of the leaderboard.

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"Why play against one person in a turn when you can play against thousands at once? Wordament® is a real-time continuous word tournament. Players compete on the same board with everyone at once. Rounds offer challenges such as two- and three-letter tiles, themed words, speed rounds and more. You can be a champion in many ways: find the most words possible, earn the best score, find the longest words, best your Frenemies, or beat your top score. How you win is up to you.

Grand Theft Auto V: The Manual

Android Police coverage: Rockstar Games Releases Grand Theft Auto V: The Manual, iFruit Nowhere To Be Found

Remember when games came with paper manuals? Pepperidge Farm remembers, and so does Rockstar... but that doesn't mean they're about to spend money printing them. This digital version of the gigantic game manual is a happy medium, letting Grand Theft Auto players dive deep into the minutiae of the console opus. There's no actual game in here, but if you're struggling to remember how to control the pitch and yaw on the Dodo, it's invaluable.

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GTAV: The Manual is the official manual app for Grand Theft Auto V. Contains over 100 pages covering everything from Game Controls, and Features to a tour through the local neighborhoods and activities across Los Santos and Blaine County - plus a special interactive version of the game map to zoom in and explore.

Type:Rider

If you want a whirlwind tour through the history of typefaces (don't call them fonts or the nearest graphic designer will beat you with his Macbook Air) then Type:Rider is happy to oblige. It's a pretty basic puzzle-platformer that goes the indie route of silhouetted characters and environments, but instead of some vague background, it's a museum-style slideshow of the history of typesetting. If you don't care about the subject, then the fact that you get to play as an umlaut will have to be enough.

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Immerse yourself in this fascinating and unique experience to uncover the history and secrets of Fonts & Characters! Play as 2 dots and travel through the ages of typographic styles and techniques. From the rock paintings of prehistoric times to Pixel art of the 2000’s, solve all the riddles by riding the most popular fonts and characters (Garamond, Helvetica, Times New Roman, Pixel, Comic Sans...) in a very captivating musical and visual environment. Type:Rider is an adventure puzzle game that brings gaming experience to a whole new daring level.

LEVEL 22

Imagine, if you will, that someone mixed the gameplay from the original Metal Gear and the setting from Office Space. That's Level 22, complete with exclamation points, copiers, and cardboard boxes. Your mission (should you choose to accept it) is to infiltrate your place of business without alerting any of your tattle-tailing co-workers, who will get your pixelated butt fired for being late one more time. Equal parts sneaky and snarky, this one should be great for anyone who likes to wear a stealth suit under their khakis.

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THE FIRST STEALTH GAME SET IN THE MERCILESS AND FRENETIC WORLD OF WORK! Are you late for work? Start panicking! Gary is an office worker who oversleeps after a drunken night out on the town. Here’s where it gets tricky, because this isn’t the first time Gary’s been late for work, and he could be fired if he’s spotted arriving at his desk after everyone else yet again. So he’ll have to prove he’s smart and sneaky enough to make his way up all the 22 floors between him and his office without being seen.

The app was not found in the store. :-( Go to store Google websearch

Gangster Granny

Don't tell John Law, but my grandmother keeps a double-barreled sawed-off shotgun underneath her bed. I get the feeling she would get along with Gangster Granny like a house on fire. Very much like a house on fire, in fact, with lots of screaming people and property damage. This game is a pretty basic third-person shooter playing on the premise for laughs (and some pricey IAP), but the graphics and humor should be enough to win it a few fans. I love how Granny manages to hold her purse and a rocket launcher at the same time.

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"Someone once told me, that some time ago in some place far away, there was this Old Granny. For some reason she was called Gangster Granny. Not so much for her connection with mafia families, but for her terrible deeds. Bank robberies, stealing gold, buying the most powerful weapons and getting into conflicts with the law all described her personality perfectly. The moment came when there was one last job to do - to rob biggest bank of the city. Granny did her best, but unfortunately she got caught and was sent to prison for a long time. You may think this was the end of it... But one day she got a package delivered to her cell from a secret sender, and there was a gun in it... Looks like it's time for her to finish the job she had once started!"

The app was not found in the store. :-( Go to store Google websearch

Chainsaw Warrior

Most of our readers won't remember the days when pen-and-paper games were more popular than video games, but Games Workshop does. This is an animated re-release of the original Chainsaw Warrior single-player RPG, now a full 26 years old. (If you're not sure what to expect, check out any of Tin Man's game-books.) The story is basically Judge Dredd meets Half-Life, but if you're itching for a literal roll of the dice, it's well worth the $5 price tag.

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Chainsaw Warrior from Games Workshop is the classic nail-biting game for one strong-nerved player: It's the year 2032 and spatial warping has opened a hole into another dimension in the midst of the old municipal buildings at the heart of Manhattan. Bizarre and dangerous creatures are flooding into our dimension, intent on destruction. Behind their actions is a controlling intelligence known as 'Darkness', who intends to drag New York back into the warp – destroying it utterly!

Forgotten Spell

Once more, with feeling. Tin Man's RPG-slash-Choose Your Own Adventure titles keep rolling out, and their fans keep buying them. The latest is a pretty standard swords and sorcery affair with a focus on European folklore. This one also has full-color illustrations and a few new twists and turns centered around a casting system. Forgotten Spell is cheaper than some of Tin Man's previous entries at just four bucks.

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Spellcaster: The Forgotten Spell is an interactive fantasy novel set in Suidemor, where danger lurks around every corner. Solve puzzles and cast magic as you seek the Forgotten Spell, a curse cast over the King of the Elder Fey. Journey to the city of the Faeries populated by magical fey who trade in mystical crafts and weave magical spells. Encounter strange and weird creatures - trolls, leprechauns, goblins, imps and hags. Use your elven heritage to wield powerful spells as well as your wits to solve fiendish riddles and puzzles. Will you survive in this strange world?

Marvel Puzzle Quest Dark Reign

Way back in the good old days of, um, 2007, Puzzle Quest created a resurgence in the fusion genre by mixing and matching Bejeweled-style puzzles with RPG elements. This is more or less the same Puzzle Quest you possibly know and also possibly love, with Marvel Comics elements (and a free-to-play model) bolted on. There's also a bit of collectible card game style in how you create your super-powered team. Online matchmaking is random, so beware the pay-to-win curse.

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Assemble a team of Marvel’s biggest super heroes and villains and battle with Puzzle Quest’s trademark match-3 and story-telling gameplay in a game that combines favorite Marvel characters with a deep RPG leveling, player vs. player, character upgrades, and more. In the wake of the Iso-8 Outbreak, the super hero community struggles to recover. Taking advantage of the chaos, super villains take control of National Security. Dark Reign follows these events that twist the destinies of both the heroes and villains of the Marvel Universe forever.

Deprofundis: Requiem

Do you like Diablo? Do you wish you could play Diablo on Android? The Deprofundis is for you. The original game mixed the standard dungeon crawler "hit things until they die, then hit other things" style of gameplay with some really impressive production values. The sequel adds a new story and even better graphics. If you've already purchased Deprofundis you get full access to the new game, but if you haven't, the full version is available with a single in-app purchase.

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The land of Quelram, deep in the foothills of Oz, is facing a new threat. Someone has unlocked Pandora's Box from the labyrinths deep beneath the center of Oz, unleashing demons, zombies, and nightmares into the dungeons under Quelram. You are the captain of the guard and last line of defense for the city. You must discover what happened to the King you swore your service to before Pandora's Box unveils an entity that could destroy OZ altogether.

Drift Mania: Street Outlaws

If you don't know what drifting is by now, feel free to skip the rest of this section. If you do, and you're in the mood for a racing game with some flashy graphics, in-app purchases, and a very loose approach to the laws of physics, then read on. The usual upgrades and multiple racing modes are present, plus online multiplayer and Xperia Play/MOGA controller support (yes!). The cars aren't licensed, but they're good enough copies that you'd have to look closely to tell.

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Drift Mania: Street Outlaws takes the heat to the streets allowing players to battle and compete in underground drift events based on various world locations. From Japan where it all began, to the Swiss Alps, Desert Canyons and the steep hills of San Francisco, Street Outlaws will take you to the edge of your seat while drifting around some of the most hazardous roads. Delivering the same addictive gameplay as the other titles of the Drift Mania series, Street Outlaws features high end 3D graphics, more realistic controls and a new improved multiplayer mode.

Battle Bears Zero

We've featured Battle Bears before: it's a pretty basic class-based shooter with some respectable online action. The latest installment in the series puts a bigger focus on single player with a full-on campaign mode, plus co-op missions for when you feel like a little tag team action. Unfortunately some early users are citing compatibility and control issues, so you might want to let this one get an update or two before downloading.

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Award winning 3D Multiplayer Shooter! WIL'S FINEST HOUR continues the story of BATTLE BEARS across both single-player campaign and multiplayer arcade shooter gameplay with over 22 minutes of brand NEW BATTLE BEARS cutscenes. It's Wil's finest hour! Join Wil and his computer companion aBBi on an adventure across 12 challenging levels with over 10 new types of weapons. Then, TAKE THE FIGHT ONLINE as you and a friend battle hordes of Huggable's in 3D MULTIPLAYER shootouts!

Racing Glider

Yeah, this is Pilotwings. If you're too young to remember Pilotwings, it's a physics-based game where you fly your bike-glider around obstacles and past objectives.This incarnation includes a time attack mode and a bit of target practice, because dangling from a few ponds of aluminum several hundred feet in the air isn't dangerous enough. Interestingly, Racing Glider includes a fully-functional record mode with replays that can be shared.

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Racing Glider is a game of acrobatics flight whose subject is a strange kind of hang glider with pedals, the same kind of glider that all flying enthusiasts have dreamed of being able to ride in their childhood. Piloting the glider requires no special skills. The instrumentation is reduced to a minimum, as well as controls, in order to give the pilot the pleasure of free flight. The scenarios in which Racing Glider takes place are crafted with attention to details and colors, making the game very immersive and providing the player with the impression of a fantastic yet very realistic landscape.

Scribble Hero

This here is the second game published by Nickelodeon (or technically by MTV Networks), and the first that's not based on an existing property. Scribble Hero is your typical top-down shoot-em-up, but the addition of some hand-drawn graphics that are more than a little reminiscent of Doodle Jump makes it visually interesting. Extra points for a ghost mode in a shooter, Nickelodeon, but I'll have to dock you for including IAP in a $3 game.

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Get drawn into an action-packed world when you join the heroic doodle, Sketch, in a battle to save your notebook from an army of sinister scribbles and evil doodles! Scribble Hero charges real money for additional in-app content. You may lock out the ability to purchase in-app content by adjusting your device’s settings. Face off against diabolical bosses like the fire-breathing Dracopede and the alien overlord Triblorb on your way to uncovering the ultimate boss of Scribble Hero!

Disney's Ghosts of Mistwood

Ghosts of Mistwood got its start as a Facebook game, and strangely it's not based on any existing Disney property. It seems to be a mix between a standard adventure title with a bit of Sim City and Farmville thrown in. The production values are impressive - you won't see this caliber of 2D art on many games. The title is brand new on Android, so prepare for a few kinks... and in-app payments, if the game follows its Facebook progenitor.

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Your Aunt has been kidnapped and is hidden somewhere on your haunted family estate. Help the ghosts and discover clues to find her!

The app was not found in the store. :-( Go to store Google websearch

Grandpa's Table

Grandpa's Table is your basic sliding box puzzle game with some surprisingly high production values. It's played on a 2D plane with 3D graphics and no small amount of ambience, unfolding a story about a grandson learning about his grandfather's life. With soothing music and "no pressure" game mechanics it fits broadly into the zen subgenre. The $1 HD version gets rid of the advertising and bumps up the graphics a bit.

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There is a room with an old table. You don’t remember who designed it and with what purpose, but you know that it hides a game, game that hides a secret. A game that must be played to save memories from fading out… Grab your device and discover the mysterious world of the grandpa and his memories - solve relaxing puzzles, collect mementos and explore the history of the grandpa’s life.

The app was not found in the store. :-( Go to store Google websearch

The Mansion: A Puzzle of Rooms

This Com2Us game is a Nintendo DS port, a series of locked room puzzles set in a world that combines magic and a few steampunk sensibilities. The Mansion has gained quite a few fans in the adventure and puzzle niches since its original release, but the escape story seems like it's primarily window dressing to the gameplay. Mulitplayer is limited to leaderboards.

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After receiving top honors at Indiecade and IGF, the legendary Nintendo DS game is back for mobile and better than ever. Puzzle your way through each room and lead the curious Anne to find the secret at the center of a toymaker's beautiful but mysterious mansion. Magic is around every corner, and she can't escape without your help. This game is singleplayer only. If you wish to delete or reinstall, you can use the Com2us Hub data backup/restoration services in Options to save your data.

Proto Thunder: Zero Hour

It is entirely possible to design a game that plays like an old-school title without making it look like one. Want proof? Check out the video for Proto Thunder below. It's a pretty standard shoot-em-up with a 2.5D visual design. There's a bit of tongue-in-cheek story development as well, but you'll stick around for the twitchy gameplay. Unfortunately it looks like Proto Thunder uses IAP despite the $2 price tag.

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Proto Thunder: Zero Hour is a side-scrolling arcade shooter that features a plethora of enemy ships to shoot down, tight spaces to navigate, and upgrades to acquire. Featuring an endless stage with creative design, a fast paced soundtrack, and outstanding action, this game is a true wonder when it comes to mobile space shooters! No hidden in-app purchases, no pay-to-win: the way mobile games should be.

The Impossible Line

The Impossible Line is an interesting diversion: you guide an arrow through a maze not unlike the ones featured on so many kid's activity books, finding stars along the way for a better score. The trick is that you only see the maze for a second or two before it disappears. The rest of the time you'll have to carefully make your way through the now-invisible maze, with only a few subtle contextual clues to help you along. International readers, here's your link.

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Can you beat the chalkboard challenge? Drawing a line with your finger is about as simple as it gets, but when you include disappearing obstacles, moving objects and keys to collect you get one seriously tricky puzzle game. Take on the Impossible Line and put your skills to the test. Use your finger to draw a line on the chalkboard and reach the goal while avoiding the obstacles that vanish as soon as you touch the screen.

The app was not found in the store. :-( Go to store Google websearch

Flux: Flow Puzzle

Flux is your basic sliding box puzzler with a twist: there's no sliding, and it's also kind of low on blocks. The best thing that I can compare it to is probably a zen version of Chu Chu Rocket: your goal is to spin the tiles around to create an unbroken line between the start and the finish, avoiding the various obstacles and gathering stars in between points. Check the video for a better demonstration.

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Flux is a minimalistic and simple, but highly addictive puzzle game that will keep you busy for hours. A unique concept that has never been seen before... Complete the flow to finish the level. But be aware. Every block you turn will cost you 1 step. Don't waste too many steps, because you will lose those precious stars you've been working so hard for. There is an almost mind-staggering amount of levels in the game, so get in the flow and start puzzling.

Orris HD

Masochistic platformer fans, rejoice: here's one more wall to slam your head against. Orris takes the oh-so-indie approach of silhouetted characters and environments and it's only got three control buttons, but it should provide plenty of challenge for those who want it. $1.21 gets you 51 levels and Google Play Games support with achievements.

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Orris is a challenging platformer like in the old days.

The Facts:

51 Level

Challenging Gameplay

2 Game Modes

Movable Controls

Google Play Games support (Leaderboards & Achievements)

Minimalistic Style

Direct Movement

The levels are hard to master. Orris is a fast game which can be played in a little break.

The app was not found in the store. :-( Go to store Google websearch

B.O.B.'s Super Freaky Job

What is it lately with licensed games that are years late to the party? This Dreamworks title has you spinning Seth Rogen B.O.B. of Monsters vs Aliens fame around a stage, trying to... well it's not exactly clear what you're trying to do. But the gameplay is similar to ye olde marble maze games with some humorous, kid-friendly content thrown in.

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Join Team Monster! Help B.O.B. on a gravity-defying quest around Area Fifty-Something by spinning and controlling the world around the indestructible gelatinous hero! Embark on classified missions under the command of General W. R. Monger to achieve WACKY and FREAKY MONSTER objectives and work your way up the ranks! But WATCH OUT for Coverton who's only goal is to FREEZE you and sabotage your mission! Remember, failure is not an option!!!

Tiny Thief Lite

We featured (and reviewed!) the original release of Tiny Thief, Rovio's first game released as a publisher. It's a charming little 2D adventure game with some of the best raster art around, and the open-ended stages and puzzles should keep you occupied for quite a while. The free version includes advertising in lieu of payment.

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In a world of greed, corruption and injustice, one little guy decides to stand up for the little guy! Say hello to Tiny Thief, an unconventional hero who uses cunning and trickery to out-smart his opponents. Tiny Thief brings back the magic from the point-and-click games of old, charming you with its very own visual style and offbeat sense of humor. Get a taste of the game with Tiny Thief Lite, and then upgrade to the full version to enjoy six big adventures filled with mind-boggling puzzles, fearsome foes and tons of unexpected surprises!

The app was not found in the store. :-( Go to store Google websearch

Suspect In Sight! FREE

We covered Suspect In Sight before: it's a highly-stylized helicopter game in which you chase and apprehend various bad guys in a pseudo-noir world. Now there's a free version for you to try out one of the three available cities and save a few bucks.

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Live the life of Rob, the ultimate badass police officer, who gets things done. Fly his police chopper and use its spotlight to catch criminals on the loose. Bring law and order back to three great American cities – Miami, New York and Los Angeles*. Unveil comic frames drawn by one of the world’s best comic artists and help Rob succeed in his quest to deliver justice.

Bladeslinger FREE

Man, the free pre-releases are flowing like wine this week. Here's Bladeslinger, the graphically intensive, western-themed Infinity Blade-style fighter from a while back, now repackaged in a wallet friendly free version. Enjoy the fantasy western vibe, at least if you've got the hardware to run it.

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Bladeslinger introduces graphics features never seen before on mobile devices. Multiple mind-blowing 3D environments and characters, dynamic lighting and shadows with no detail spared. As mobile games approach console quality, Bladeslinger pushes the bar further than ever before. You play as William Glaston, a native of Hammer’s Peak returning home from war to find his once peaceful town deserted and overrun with hostile creatures he’s never seen before. Follow William’s quest for truth and the salvation of Hammer’s Peak.

NBA 2K14

There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of new content in 2K's yearly basketball romp, but it does feature approximately 500% more LeBron James than any other b-ball game. With cover art, menus, and even music "DJ'd" by the inescapable celebrity, it's amazing he doesn't get executive producer credit. The rest of the game seems like the typical retread of last year's version, with an even higher price tag and annoying Amazon Appstore/Kindle Fire exclusivity.

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NBA 2K14 is the latest installment of the world's biggest and best NBA video game franchise. With more than 38 Sports Game of the Year and "Best Of" mentions last year on console, 2K14 is set to rule the virtual hardwood on Amazon Kindle. This year, we've joined forces with the league's most dominant force: LeBron James. NBA 2K14 will raise the bar, yet again.

NBA 2K14 - Amazon Appstore

Trouserheart

Trouserheart seems like your basic dungeon-crawling fantasy staring the typically burly, bearded warrior... without pants. Yes, our hero's sole motivation to slice through waves of monsters and huge bosses is to recover his stolen legwear. (He's got a lot in common with the protagonist of Ghosts 'n' Goblins.) Featuring bright graphics and some roguelike elements, Trouserheart is only available on the Amazon Appstore for the moment.

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Unsheathe your sword and journey through realm filled with monsters, traps, and treasures. Defeat monster mobs, slay bosses, hoard treasure, and upgrade your sword, shield and armor. Follow the trousers to the world's end and claim what is rightfully yours! Trouserheart is all about fun, instantly accessible, pick up and play hack’n’slash gameplay with playful art style and humorous tone. Super fluid controls with options for both fixed and floating modes make the game a joy to play for beginners and veteran gamers alike.

Trouserheart - Amazon Appstore

Know A Worthy New App? Let Us Know!

If you have an application in mind for the next issue of the roundup, feel free to send us an email and let us know.

Important: there are 2 requirements in order for the app to be considered, listed below.

the app's launch date has to be no longer than 2 weeks ago

it has to be original, ground-breaking, well-reviewed, interesting, fun, etc - the cream of the crop

Now, if and only if the above requirements have been satisfied, fire up an email to this address: [email protected].

1 sponsored placement per week is available (your app would be featured at the top and marked as sponsored) - please contact us for details.