Welcome to the weekly roundup of the best new Android applications, games, and live wallpapers that went live in the Market or were spotted by us in the previous 3 weeks or so.

This edition focuses only on new games. The app roundup is coming up soon, and you can find the tablet app roundup here.

Holy crap, there were a lot of quality games released in the last few weeks. This is probably the best collection I've seen in a really long time. Who says there aren't any good games on Android?

If you enjoy this post, feel free to upvote it on Reddit.

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.

Featured App

Photo Locker

Today's ginormous roundup is sponsored by Handy Apps and their newest app Photo Locker. If the developer's name sounds familiar, it's because they made other popular apps, like EasyMoney and Tasks N Todos.

As you might have already guessed, Photo Locker is a secure photo vault. Whether it's sensitive document scans or precious photos of your junk, you probably don't want anyone to see them without your permission. In order to view the photos you locked (encrypted using a 128bit AES algorithm), you'd need to enter a PIN code - otherwise they're as good as garbage. The app supports bulk hiding, folder-level locking, and even hides itself from the recent apps menu.

The base app is totally free to use but for $2.99 you can get rid of ads and hide the icon from the app drawer. Use Photo Locker, or else your grandma will find photos of your junk, and that would give DirecTV enough material to make a whole new commercial.

Games

DEAD TRIGGER by MadFinger Games

Android Police coverage: Dead Trigger Finally Available In The Play Store, Temporarily On Sale For $0.99

Dead Trigger is one of the most awaited games of this year, and it doesn't disappoint. Mad Finger, the creator of Shadowgun and Samurai II, are gods of Android games and always push the graphics and gameplay to their respective limits. Compared to Shadowgun, however, this one contains in-app purchases. But then again, it's also way cheaper to get started ($0.99), and most people who played Dead Trigger agree that IAPs don't spoil it.

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The world has collapsed. In 2012 modern civilisation is coming to an end. Global economics have been disrupted, money has lost its value. People have risen against the ignorant politicians who were just lining their pockets – and they didn't spare any of them. However, those who really ruled the world were prepared - and escaped. Suddenly billions of people died from a strange virus, while others turned into butcherly beasts with just one thought: TO KILL. Only a few people on the planet have survived, at least until they run out of ammo... or learn how to stop them...

- Stunning graphics with advanced lighting and post-process effects

- Full 3D characters and environments with an unprecedented level of detail

- High quality 3D audio and a lively music soundtrack

- Character animations recorded using high-end motion capture

- Intuitive controls

- Spectacular ragdoll effects (Tegra 3 only)

- Water simulation (Tegra 3 only)

Max Payne by Rockstar

Android Police review: Max Payne For Android Review: Probably The Most Nostalgia $3 Can Buy

Android Police coverage: Max Payne (Finally) Hits The Play Store, Bringing Gameplay That "Redefined The Action-Shooter Genre" To Android

A fugitive undercover cop framed for murder, hunted by cops and the mob, Max is a man with his back against the wall, fighting a battle he cannot hope to win. Max Payne is a relentless story-driven game about a man on the edge, fighting to clear his name while struggling to uncover the truth about his slain family amongst a myriad of plot-twists. The groundbreaking original cinematic action-shooter, Max Payne introduced the concept of Bullet Time® in videogames. Through its stylish slow-motion gunplay combined with a dark and twisted story, Max Payne redefined the action-shooter genre. Max Payne Mobile for Android has been fully optimized for the NVIDIA® Tegra® 3 quad-core mobile processor with additional antistrophic texture filtering and enhanced lighting effects providing one of the most visually immersive Max Payne Mobile experiences available.

Features:

• Max Payne's signature slow motion gunplay, Bullet Time®

• Stunningly sharp, HD quality resolution and textures

• Gameplay tailored for touch screen devices

• Highly customizable controls

• Multiple aiming modes

• Compatible with the GameStop Wireless Game Controller and select USB gamepads

• Integrated with Immersion Haptic Vibration Feedback

• Tailor your visual experience with adjustable graphic settings

• Unlock cheats, track your stats and more with full Rockstar Games Social Club integration

Temple Run: Brave

Android Police coverage: Temple Run: Brave Puts The Red-Haired Heroine From Pixar's Latest In Imangi's Gauntlet

From Imangi, the makers of Temple Run, and Disney comes a new take on the most exhilarating app. Join Merida from Disney/Pixar Brave as you run, slide, jump, turn and shoot your way across the wilds of Scotland on an endless running adventure.

New features just for Temple Run: Brave

• Introducing ARCHERY – tap targets to shoot a bullseye and earn extra coins

• New, amazing visuals. It looks better than ever!

• All new environments inspired by Disney/Pixar Brave and the wilds of Scotland

• Play as Merida from Disney/Pixar Brave

• Outrun Mordu, the demon bear, to earn running glory

Strikefleet Omega

Join the Armada and take your place as the Admiral of Strikefleet Omega. Earth’s finest fleet, Humanity’s final hour. Earth has been destroyed by the Hive Queen and her Brood and you command Humanity's last defender, Strikefleet Omega. As Omega's Admiral, you are charged with a desperate mission--find the Queen and stop her before she obliterates our remaining colonies. Warping from star system to star system in your search, Strikefleet Omega struggles to survive an onslaught of enemy attacks while mining precious crystals which allow you to warp in reinforcements from the last remaining shipyard in the Armada.

Critical Strike Portable

Android Police coverage: Critical Strike Portable Is Basically Counter Strike For Android, And It's Surprisingly Awesome

Critical Strike Portable (CS Portable) delivers the nostalgic Counter-Strike style gaming experience on your Android smartphone and tablet! Enjoy the smooth and customizable touch controls and play the exciting cross-platform first-person shooter against other players on the web and on other mobile platforms. PLEASE NOTE! Critical Strike Portable has no connection to Valve Corporation. Critical Strike Portable tributes original Counter Strike v1.6 but is an independent game developed from the scratch using self-made code and resources.

- Cross-platform 3D Multiplayer FPS MMO game (Local/Online) between web, iOS and Android!

- Single player mode: Player vs. Bots

- Smooth and responsive customizable touch controls

- All popular Game Types (Classic, zombie survival, Team Death Match, ect.)

- Customizable server settings: Player HP, player speed, zombie difficulty, modes: matrix mode, night mode, space mode, ect.)

- Free to Play (F2P)

- Dozens of unique maps (and more added continuously)

- Build and upload your own maps with Unity 3D

- And most of all, dedicated and passionate development team to listen your feedback!

Faction Wars 3D MMORPG

Full 3D MMORPG: huge open world & dungeons, 6 races, 5 classes, PvE and PvP servers. Faction Wars is a mobile full 3D MMORPG game offering for the very first time on mobile device not only rich and amazing full 3D fantasy world but full support for factions conflict, factions battleground, non-heard-of-on-mobile-devices 10-man raiding system and more. Game also offers a very unique 5-man dungeon leveling system in addition to many quests waiting for players who want to immerse themselves into Norse mythology inspired Faction Wars. Faction Wars is prequel to World of Midgard.

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

Heroes Call THD

Android Police coverage: Heroes Call THD Lands In Play Store, Lets You Loot Dungeons And Fight Monsters For Free

Free to play Action RPG. Answer the call. Fight your way through more than 30 lush dungeons, collect gear, learn new skills and uncover the secrets of Brineside. Featuring incredible graphics and deep RPG levelling and gear, Heroes Call brings dungeon crawling action and adventure to the mobile and tablet as it's never been seen before. Brineside is a city under siege, beset with dangers from outside, within and below. The Adventurers Guild is in dire need of new Heroes. Are you ready to answer the call?

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

Project 83113 by NCsoft

Android Police coverage: [New Game] Project 83113 Is An Action Platformer With Killer Visuals And Slick Controls

Special unit 83113: Bring an end to the reign of the Machine. The ultimate battle has begun. Special unit 83113 (Belle) evolved for one purpose: bring an end to the reign of the machine. Project 83113 is an action-packed platformer title with intuitive swipe control and stunning graphics. Jump, slide, and blaze through mind-numbingly thrilling stages, as you take control over mankind’s last hope, Belle. Blast your way to the very core of Machine’s safe haven, Ground Zero, where the ultimate battle of Man vs. Machine takes place.

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

Draw Race 2

Android Police coverage: Draw Race 2 Lets You Feel All The Thrill Of Racing In Your Finger Tip

Note: Grab this version if you live outside of North America.

A unique, touch-based racing game developed by RedLynx, the creators of Trials HD, DrawRace 2: Racing Evolved is the groundbreaking sequel to the critically acclaimed DrawRace and improves on its predecessor in every way, from the inclusion of a new turbo button, a host of online options, and new, highly detailed 3D tracks.

• Huge single player campaign with over 180 challenges, a gymkhana skill game and tons of content to unlock.

• Realistic car physics, learn how each one handles and find the perfect racing line.

• Gorgeous, highly detailed 3D tracks featuring ramps, slopes and tilts to test your driving skills.

• Drive everything from Arctic Rally cars, to V12 Supercars in your quest to become the champion.

• Race against your friends with hot seat or online through the all-new Friend Challenge mode.

• Use the Turbo Button wisely to gain the edge over your opponents.

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

FINAL FANTASY III by Square Enix

Android Police coverage: Final Fantasy III Now Fighting Dragons On Android - For $16

Final Fantasy III -- now on Android. First released in 1990, Final Fantasy III was the first title in the Final Fantasy series to become a million-seller, establishing once and for all that Square Enix's classic RPG saga was here to stay. The full 3D remake released in 2006 duplicated the original's success, selling over a million copies worldwide. Final Fantasy III was a hallmark of innovation for the entire series, from the job system that lets characters change classes at any time to the ability to summon powerful creatures such as Shiva and Bahamut. When darkness falls and the land is robbed of light, four youths are chosen by the crystals to set forth on a journey to save the world.

New and improved 3D visuals and story sequences only for Android

Smooth, intuitive touch-panel controls specifically tailored to Square Enix's smartphone RPGs

Quicker browsing through the monster bestiary and other game records

New visual designs for the Job Mastery Cards

Atmo

Welcome to Atmo. Jump in to real time multiplayer space combat and earn your mettle. If you are sick of easy games, then you have found your challenge: Atmo requires skill to win. Prepare yourself for a constantly evolving experience, starting with Capture the Flag. View your stats on Facebook and show off your skills. Soon you will be exploring space. This is only the beginning. Prepare for Atmo.

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

The Amazing Spider-Man by Gameloft

Android Police coverage: The Amazing Spider-Man From Gameloft Lands In The Play Store, Lets You Swing From Rooftops For $7

Clean out the thugs and super-villains from NYC in this Super Hero journey. Get ready for intense web-slinging action with The Amazing Spider-Man! Join Spidey in the official game app of this highly anticipated 2012 blockbuster. Play through the movie storyline as Spider-Man faces off against the Lizard and rampaging gangs. Web-sling and crawl your way through an open, fully 3D New York while using your amazing skills to save the city.

Ski Safari by Defiant Development

Ride penguins, yetis and more in an endless downhill avalanche escape. Ski Safari is where Animals, Avalanches and Action come together to create a new casual gameplay experience. Our deep sleeping hero has to stay ahead of a relentless avalanche that threatens the local mountainsides. Sven, as we like to call him, can use animals to aid his escape from an icey end. Each of the hillside animals have different attributes to make a speedier escape. Penguins glide further, Yetis are tougher, Eagles soar to great heights, each of these can provide useful advantage for Sven. Sometimes on the slopes Sven can find fast Snowmobiles which can ferry multiple animals a maintain a very high top speed.

Speedball 2 Evolution

Android Police coverage: [New Game] Speedball 2: Evolution Is A Futuristic Throwback That Combines American Football, Hockey, And Awesome

Speedball 2, The Bitmap Brothers’ smash hit, multi-million selling classic futuristic sports game now brings all of its adrenaline pumping thrills to Android for the first time. Set in the near future, Speedball 2 Evolution is a fast paced, brutal fusion of handball and ice hockey where only the fittest and most cunning survive. Plan your strategy, hand pick your team from a roster of hundreds, then power your way down the field, using every trick in the book to take your opponents down and drive your way to glorious victory through a mix of blood, sweat, fists and elbows. Speedball 2 Evolution is packed with a huge variety of game modes and features to keep players coming back for more including in-match power-ups, single player tournaments, one-on-one multiplayer and a full career mode. Outside of the matches, gamers can also develop a world beating team by upgrading their players, earning cash and then trading them on the transfer market. Speedball 2 Evolution brings together its unbeatable heritage with high octane, in-depth gameplay to give Android gamers an experience like never before.

- Choose from 336 unique players and 28 Teams across 4 Planets

- Over 20 power-ups available

- Multiple game modes including 10 Season Career Mode and 10 Single Player Game Modes

- Full Player transfer market and upgrades

- Choice of intuitive tilt and virtual joystick controls

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

Chrono&Cash by OrangePixel

Android Police coverage: [New Game] OrangePixel's Chrono & Cash Offers Players Another Perfectly Crafted Slice Of Retro Arcade Action

Run, Jump, Rob, and avoid those locals in this time killer arcade game. Retro coin-operated gameplay is back - from the guys behind Meganoid, Stardash and INC. You play as Cash, a talented thief who, accompanied by his trusty Chrono robot CR2, travels through time to rob from the bad and well.. let’s just keep it in the middle what he does with the things he robs. Every level is a single screen with a collection of platforms and treasure, grab it, and advance to the next level! just avoid contact with the locals.

Flow Free

Flow Free is a simple yet addictive puzzle game. Connect matching colors with pipe to create a flow. Pair all colors, and cover the entire board to solve each puzzle in Flow Free. But watch out, pipes will break if they cross or overlap. Free play through hundreds of levels, or race against the clock in Time Trial mode. Flow Free gameplay ranges from simple and relaxed, to challenging and frenetic, and everywhere in between. How you play is up to you. So, give Flow Free a try, and experience "mind like water".

★ 300 free puzzles

★ Free Play and Time Trial modes

★ Clean, colorful graphics

★ Fun sound effects

Frisbee Rush

Android Police coverage: Frisbee Rush For Android Lets You Play Frisbee With Aliens - On Your TV

Stop the Alien Invasion by flickin' Frisbees from your phone into the browser game. It’s Time Crisis, with a Frisbee. This app turns your phone into a Frisbee. Enter the City invaded by Aliens, train to become a SuperHero by flicking Frisbees and wipe ’m out. Download the App, go to frisbeerush.com on your Desktop, sync your device by entering the connection code and flick Frisbees from your mobile. Battle it out with your Friends. Have a finger flickin’ awesome time with up to 3 PLAYERS.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4blV2lG3e8E

SpaceChem Mobile Demo

SpaceChem is an obscenely addictive, design-based puzzle game about building machines and fake science. Take on the role of a Reactor Engineer working for SpaceChem, the leading chemical synthesizer for frontier colonies. Construct elaborate factories to transform raw materials into valuable chemical products! Streamline your designs to meet production quotas and outperform other engineers. SpaceChem Mobile is a faithful adaptation of the award winning PC game SpaceChem, and includes the full selection of player-created “ResearchNet” puzzles and a modified campaign tailored for the iPad.

Lightopus

Android Police coverage: [New Game] Lightopus Arrives On Android, Brings Glowing Octopi Along For The Ride

A featured iOS game, Lightopus is now available for free on Android. Go, Lightopus! You are the last of our kind. Go into the Abyss, save the Bulbies and bring back the Light. All the Lightopuses in the Abyss were killed and their remaining young captured by the monsters of the Abyss. You are the only Lightopus alive, a species on the brink of extinction. Your mission is to rescue the young Lightopus and free them from the Abyss monsters' sealzones.

• Unique and intuitive control: Optional touch control or virtual joypad

• Fun and addictive gameplay

• Attractive graphics

• Lifely character movements with AI

• Face various monster bosses with special powers

• Checkpoint System

• Original and attractive music

Oscura

Evade scary creatures in the shadows to restore the light in this adventure game. A ray of light is cast to keep the Dark Creatures at bay. When the lighthouse's power crystal explodes, its shards scatter across the island and darkness takes over. It will now take all YOUR finesse to overcome the obstacles in this strange land, retrieve the shards and restore the light.