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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.

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

Featured App

Wonder Wood

Today's roundup is sponsored by Wonder Wood from Herocraft. This is a more friendly and kid-appropriate take on the city building and management genre, with no real combat or danger, just goals to meet. You oversee a group of gnomes building a tiny village for adorable woodland critters (who remind me of the Furlings characters in Once Upon A Forest). If you build the right infrastructure, the animals will "fall in love." Wonder Wood is a free download with in-app purchases.

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This game will spirit you away. The magical woodland glade is a mess and all of the cute creatures have disappeared. These little animals need your help.

• The uniquely magical atmosphere of a fairytale wood.

• A huge menagerie of cute birds and animals.

• Endless gameplay for all ages.

• Clear the mess and decorate the landscape.

• Unusual buildings and a deep ecosystem

• Even the evil critters are cute.

The creatures require a lot of care but you'll have great fun growing special food for all animals and building homes for them. So banish the critters, clear the weeds, and repopulate the glade with animals. Then decorate the area, collect resources, feed the animals, and make sure their homes stay clean and cozy. Some animals will only fall in love if other animals are present, or if they’ve been washed, so make sure everything they need is to hand. Thankfully, a few hardworking Gnomes can build you all sorts of wonderful devices and buildings.

Games

Hitman GO

Android Police review: Hitman GO Review: The Most Satisfyingly Violent Board Game You'll Ever Play

Square's Hitman series is all about a merciless and methodical killer creating unlikely and grizzly death for a variety of well-deserving criminals. So naturally its mobile debut is... a board game? The static, grid-based movements and detailed but artistically lifeless (in a good way) visuals of Hitman GO will be jarring to anyone expecting stealth and action, but the puzzles contained therein are surprisingly complex and satisfying. At $5 (with in-app purchases for hints and stage skips) it's also one of Square's more affordable games.

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Get your daily fix of Agent 47 with this elegant, strategy-based Hitman game. Hitman GO is a turn-based puzzle game with beautifully rendered diorama-style set pieces. You will strategically navigate fixed spaces on a grid to avoid enemies and take out your target or infiltrate well-guarded locations. You really have to think about each move and all the Hitman tools of the trade you would expect are included; disguises, distractions, sniper rifles and even 47’s iconic Silverballers.

DRAGON QUEST VIII

Android Police coverage: [New Game] Square Enix Releases JRPG Classic Dragon Quest VIII On Android, But It's Going To Run You $20

Dragon Quest is kind of a big deal in the realm of Japanese RPGs. And back in 2004 the eighth entry in the series was a big deal for Dragon Quest, since it was the first one to feature full 3D graphics everywhere. Now you can relive the classic turn-based combat, heroic story, and iconic art of Enix's classic... for twenty bucks. You could probably find a dusty PS2 and a copy of the original game for that much.

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The 8th installment in the legendary DRAGON QUEST series is now even easier to enjoy. The phenomenally popular DRAGON QUEST VIII has sold 4.9 million units worldwide, and now it's coming to the Android for the first time. This was the first title in the series to be presented in full 3D, and its exquisitely detailed world has to be seen to be believed. Set off on an unforgettable adventure with Yangus, the bandit with a heart of gold, Jessica, the high-born magical minx, and Angelo, knight and lothario, by your side.

Great Little War Game 2

Android Police coverage: [New Game] Great Little War Game 2 Brings More Little Wars To Android

The tiny war criminals of the GLWG franchise are back, and smaller than ever (or at least they're presumably smaller than they were in "Great Big War Game"). The straight sequel features the same basic turn-based gameplay, with better graphics, more diverse battlefields, destructible buildings, and a few new tricks for your soldiers. $3 gets you in, with no in-app purchases or advertising... but I'm going to have to demote Rubicon for including iTunes App Store language on the Play Store. "Optimised for iPhone, great on iPad" - drop and give me 20!

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The crazy troops return in this next and final installment of the franchise loved by millions. Command your troops wisely and try to prevail against the massive 60 mission campaign that says you can't. Great Little War Game 2 is a turn-based strategy game, following on from the success of the original Great Little War Game. Apart from the brand new 60 mission campaign, other enhancements from the original include:

Clearer displays with easier to use controls

Portrait mode for easier use on a phone

Faster mission starts and replayable objectives

Splash damage

Blowy uppy buildings

Lots of minor playability tweaks

Worms 3

Android Police coverage: [New Game] Worms 3 Wiggles Into The Play Store With Ballistic Gameplay Intact For $5

Why is this game called "Worms 3?" There have been 19 worms games before, including ones called Worms 4! Well whatever the reason, the latest mobile iteration gets some actual changes to the turn-based ballistic gameplay, thanks to a class system and collectible power-up cards (kinda like Castlevania: Circle of the Moon, or if you want something more current, Titanfall). Online multiplayer is built-in, and while Worms 3 is free to play, it only sells costumes and level skip tokens, no in-game currency.

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DEAL yourself the advantage with a new, game-changing enhancement. Turn on the card mode and alter the start and end of each turn by the playing of strategic cards. COLLECT in-game rewards that allow you to purchase bronze, silver and gold cards. Build your deck from 41 fiendishly designed cards. ENLIST your perfect battle combination as you choose your worms from a new ‘Class’ system - Heavy, Scientist, Scout and classic Soldier. Each has their own unique skill and ability. Which will fit in with your style of play?

Wordbase

Android Police coverage: [New Game] Wordbase Is A Strategic Game Of Vocabulary Vengeance

Imagine a game with the same competitive edge and literacy requirements as Scrabble, but based around word searches instead of crosswords. Placement is more important than word length, since you're trying to "move" across the board by finding words in the jumble. You'll need an excellent vocabulary to win, but also some decent strategy, since it's possible to cut off your opponent from your base with careful positioning.

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This player vs player word game is a brand-new experience that will push your vocabulary to its limits. Search the board and form words in this witty word game by tapping the letters. Protect your base while advancing toward your opponent’s by claiming as many letters on the board as possible. Don’t let your opponent get too close. One word spelled with one of the letters in your base, and you lose. Cut through their letter chains to stop them advancing. Use the power-ups on the board to gain an advantage, and find yourself one letter closer to the win.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gl7BcdTMNMw

Conquest of Elysium 3

Android Police coverage: [New Game] Conquest Of Elysium 3 Makes The Jump From Steam To Android, Keeps Its $10 Price Tag

Android isn't the only platform that's currently caught in a retro gaming fad. You can't swing a dead Koopa on Steam without hitting a dozen remakes or games "inspired by" classic titles from the 80s and 90s. Conquest of Elysium is one of them... and now the latest installment is available on Android. This is a turn-based strategy game that relies on guile and cunning to win. You play as one of 17 classes, each with their own unique abilities, stats, and units. Multiplayer is available in single-device "hot potato" form for this expensive title.

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Conquest of Elysium 3 is an old school turn based fantasy strategy game. You start by choosing one of 17 different characters, e.g. Necromancer, Demonologist, Dwarf Queen, Troll King or maybe a High Priestess of Ba'al. The different character classes vary wildly in what special abilities they have and what parts of the world they should focus on conquering. E.g. the Demonologist needs sacrifices that you gain from towns and villages, but the Druid want special herbs that are found in forests.

Watch_Dogs Companion: ctOS

Android Police coverage: [New Game] Watch Dogs Pits Console And Mobile Gamers Against Each Other With New Companion App

UbiSoft's open world opus Watch Dogs is finally here, and according to the preponderance of reviews... meh. But if you really enjoy the hacking, shooting, driving gameplay, you can extend your sense of immersion with the ctOS companion app, which mimics the fictional pervasive network in the game. You are trying to stop other real-world players as they move around Chicago. This plays best with the full game, but amazingly, you don't need it to join in public games in the mobile app.

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Connect and play LIVE with any Watch_Dogs player logged into their console or PC game. Control the city of Chicago from anywhere in the world with the Watch_Dogs Companion: ctOS Mobile app. As a ctOS Operative, you will have control of the Chicago Police and control of all ctOS devices across the city. The streets of the city become your ultimate battleground where your goal is to stop players and maintain order. Challenge and shut down other players with every tool available.

Racing Rivals

Android Police coverage: Popular iOS Racing Game 'Racing Rivals' Makes Its Way To Android, Available Now In Google Play

Racing Rivals is super-pretty, with a ton of customization, upgrading, and online racing action. Well, it says "racing" - this isn't a true racing game a la Gran Tursimo, it's another take on the mobile-friendly "drag racer," where two opponents drive in a straight line and the only real factors for winning are timing your NO2 boosts and choosing your upgrades. But it's pretty, right? If you hope to make it to the top of the leaderboards, you'll need to shell out some real cash for in-app purchases.

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NOW ON ANDROID the hit game from Cie Games – Racing Rivals. True real-time racing at your fingertips. Racing Rivals lets you experience multiplayer racing as it was meant to be: live, fierce, and risky. Back your bets with skill unless you're prepared to lose cash - or your car. The stakes are high and the risk is real. Can you handle it? Does your team have what it takes to dominate the Racing Rivals globe? Race in weekly competitions to control cities, earn gems, and bonuses for your team.

Romans In My Carpet!

Android Police coverage: [New Game] Romans In My Carpet! Rides Into The Play Store On A Spider-Drawn Chariot For $2.99

What would happen if your carpet was infested with tiny legionnaires that constantly fought each other for supremacy in between the fibers? It's a question that no one's asked before, and that seems to be answered in Romans In My Carpet. The pixelated strategy game pits microscopic warriors against each other in turn-based combat. The game offers a singleplayer campaign and online multiplayer, and according to the app description, the IAP on offer is cosmetic only. Check the video for a not-so-subtle dig at Call of Duty.

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Now for something completely different from the developers of the Ravenmark saga. We’ve got Romans In My Carpet. - an absurd MULTIPLAYER turn-based strategy game in vivid 16-bit pixel glory. Stare at a screenful of mite-sized Roman soldiers charge into battle on spider-powered chariots. This is lush 2D life, perfected to a retro-loving science. Engage in turn-based wargaming by way of Monty Python, and feel good about cutting up your foes while catching all of our smart, smart japes.

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

Defenders

Android Police coverage: [New Game] Prime World: Defenders Mixes Tower Defense With Collectable Cards

Trading cards seem to be a popular add-on element for games these days - you can even see it elsewhere in this list with Worms 3. Defenders is a slick little tower defense game that mixes the standard defense gameplay with a competitive collection mechanic, a la Magic: The Gathering and its legion of imitators. Defenders works with Android 4.0 and up, but it has extra graphical oomph on Tegra 3 and 4 devices. It's expensive at $5 plus in-app purchases for currency and card packs.

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Meet the sensational Tower Defense Game Prime World: Defenders on Android. Enter the Prime’s World Universe and destroy countless enemies with towers and magic. Make your own unique cards collection and fuse your towers to get them even more powerful. Enhance your hero, your spells and your skills, be strategic and don’t forget to try Heroic Mode to become the greatest Defender.

Jolt

Android Police coverage: [New Game] Jolt Brings Fast-Paced Futuristic Dodgeball To Two Players On One Device

If you mixed Pong or Breakout with the twitchy versus gameplay of something like Unreal Tournament, you'd get Jolt. You play as techno-punk avatars trying to off each other across a 2D plane on a 3D playing field (yes it's 3D - watch the trailer, the screenshots don't show it well). Careful use of walls and power-ups will aid you on this post-futuristic battlefield, and two human players can go at it with a single tablet.

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Two player competitive action on a single device – Welcome to Jolt, the cybersport of the future. In Jolt, two players battle for victory in several arenas, scoring points by hitting the other with the Icosahedron Omni-shot. However the sport will soon reveal that it has more tricks up its sleeve than simply throwing spheres at each other; make trick shots with the ricochet, activate force-fields and stay on the move. So grab your Android device, an opponent and get playing.

CYBERGON

Android Police coverage: [New Game] Cybergon Is A Dangerous Trip Through Cyberspace, From The Makers Of Wind-Up Knight

Cybergon is an "avoider" game. Think of it as a Tron-flavored take on Pac-Man, where there's only one food pellet at a time and the ghosts keep multiplying. The game comes from Robot Invader, developers of the popular Wind-Up Knight series of runners, and those folks know how to do a lot with a little in terms of graphics. Cybergon is a free download, but some Play Store reviews complain of annoying and unskippable ads.

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The Year is Cyberpunk. Vast Cyberspace networks are ruled by malevolent mega CyberCorporations. Humanity's only hope is a team of CyberHackers, a scrappy crew of anti-establishment net running punks. Nobody else is deft enough to navigate the megacorp's killer ICE: CyberViruses that can kill you meatspace dead. Can you hack it in the Cybernet, or will you get your brain CyberFried?

Small&Furious

Android Police coverage: [New Game] Small&Furious Is A Physics-Based Racing Game That Lets Adorable Crash Test Dummies Do What They Do Best

Crash test dummies make great video game characters, since we're not obliged to feel any empathy towards them. (Check out the video below.) Small&Furious is a Toy Town take on the basic Trials formula, tasking players to get as far as they can across the 2D racetrack and pulling off as many stunts as possible before inevitably dying. The game is free with in-app purchases.

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Join the race. The crash test dummies are Small&Furious. When they say they are doing the Crash Tests, they mean it. Race on the ground to see what’s under the chairs and how you can jump over the BBQ Grill to reach the pool.Remember: you can crash as hard as you want, you are made for that. Timed quest make the game fun and challenging, don’t forget to trigger Nitro to get to the checkpoints in time. Follow the challenges or test yourself in the endless mode.

Sky Force 2014

It never ceases to amaze me how good the old-school games can look when you give them a little modern polish. Sky Force isn't really that old, but its use of 3D graphics on the venerable 2D shoot-em-up gameplay is impressive. It's a pretty typical bullet hell game, but the execution and polish is undeniably eye-catching. There's no real multiplayer to speak of, but you do get to enter weekly tournaments, and you can see and rescue fallen pilots. IAP is offered to remove ads and upgrade your planes.

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The mobile blaster legend is back to celebrate its 10-year anniversary in super-destructive style. Harnessing the intensity of classic arcade shoot-’em-ups combined with the hottest smartphone technology, Sky Force 2014 offers a stunning scrolling shooter experience with an incredible new social gameplay element. This 10th anniversary edition adds incredible depth to the series through stunning 3D graphics, intuitive touchscreen controls and a powerful upgrade system that’ll keep you blasting for hours on end.

Record Run

Developer Harmonix has made a music game. That's probably not surprising, given their history, but they've also made an endless runner, which is. Record Run's levels are automatically generated from your local music collection, which runs in the background. You've got the music, now you need rhythm (there seems to be a severe lack of girls), and if you know it well, the two-lane system should be easy enough to navigate. Music might be free, and the game is too, but don't be surprised to find currency-based IAP inside.

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From the makers of ROCK BAND and DANCE CENTRAL…This is RECORD RUN. Record Run is a free rhythm-runner that puts you in the middle of your music, chasing records and dodging obstacles to the beat in a crazy musical world. With gameplay levels created to play along with your music, this is a whole new way to run. Choose your runner from a fun cast of characters and jump, duck and dodge through the city on your way to high-scores.

Toxic Bunny HD

Toxic Bunny is what would happen if... HEY! This developer Bogarted my signature pop culture gaming patois for the real app description! Cartoon metaphors and 90s references go above the double-dash, mister! ...ahem. When I was putting this roundup together, I thought Toxic Bunny was a new platformer using the aesthetics from 16-bit games like Earthworm Jim or Toejam and Earl. Nope: turns out it's a re-release of a little-known DOS game. Over-the-top radioactive platforming, lots of guns, and controller support are included.

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Semi Visible Chickens. Hamster launchers. triple strength espresso, Armoured sentient mucus. Just a day in the office for Toxic Bunny. Toxic Bunny is what would happen if the Looney Toons & Monty Python were heavily armed and thrown into a blender with the best (and worst) movies of the 90's and turned the results into a retro platform game. Find out what happens when an almost normal rabbit gets into a really bad mood. Follow Toxic as he tries to find the person responsible for interrupting his coffee break, brainwashing all his friends and covering the planet with decaffeinated goo.

MAGNETOID - Robo Runner

Do you like Day-Glo colors? Do you like unnecessarily pixelated game art? Do you like things moving incredibly fast in a single direction? Then Magnetoid is for you. More of an "endless riser" than a traditional running game, your tiny robo-ball avatar will continually speed up as he gets higher. There's not much point except to grab the shiny stuff and avoid everything else, but the game is free with no ads and no in-app purchases.

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Your evil robot rises to the top, while humanity is going the hell down. What's that? Regular runners are not cool enough for you? Well, this one got freaking magnetic powers. Tap your screen to switch polarity and avoid obstacles in an ever accelerating danger zone and see how fit you are for world domination.

Magnetic powers (Seriously. We could stop this list right here)

Endless runner

One­Tap control

One bro of the Magnet­O­Bros

Retro pixel graphics

Sound by Awww Design

Achievements (I know, right?)

Guaranteed YOLO­free zone

FREE APP

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