dimanche 1 mars 2020

These are the best games for your Android phone

We're rounding up the best Android games you can play.

If you're looking for the best new games available in the Google Play Store, you've come to the right place. We update this list whenever a new game comes out that's worthy of being added to this list, so you'll always know about the latest and greatest games.

Whether you're new to Android and need some fresh, new games to start building out your Google Play library or simply looking for the latest trendy games that are worthy of your time and attention, these are the best Android games you can find right now.

Call of Duty Mobile

There was a ton of hype surrounding Call of Duty Mobile throughout the beta and ahead of it's global launch, and to the credit of Activision and TiMi Studios (a subsidiary of Tencent Games) the game is phenomenal and was rightfully selected as one of the best mobile games released in 2019 — and it just continues to get better in 2020. In the latest update, it's now offering an outstanding new 20 vs. 20 Battle Royale mode called Warfare.

A huge reason why the game plays so well can be credited to Tencent Games. It owns the mobile shooter space with PUBG Mobile, another game that's featured on this list, and fans of that game will recognize the familiar user interface and surprising gameplay performance that's been perfectly optimized for mobile. CoD Mobile makes use of the many iconic multiplayer maps from the Call of Duty franchise and really does a great job translating the fast-paced action that makes the game so fun to play on other platforms.

Call of Duty Mobile features the core team deathmatch modes that Call of Duty is known for along with the Battle Royale mode that was introduced in the main franchise with CoD: Black Ops 4. They could have easily just stuck with the team deathmatch and still had a great game on their hands, but the inclusion of a 100-player battle royale (along with the fan-favorite zombie mode) just adds more value to the total package.

I've been playing CoD Mobile since the beta and it has been one of my go-to games whenever I've got a couple of minutes to kill. Because the game is so damn popular, it's super quick to jump into a match, whether you want to play with casuals or go up against more veteran players in a ranked match.

Because it's a free-to-play game, ther are the usual trappings including in-app purchases for buying in-game currency, which can then be spent on battle crates filled with random rewards, and a tiered progression path with premium subscriptions available to net more rewards. Considering the console or PC versions of Call of Duty will set you back at least $60 upfront, along with all the eventual paid DLC and inevitable microtransactions for cosmetic upgrades, the mobile version ends up feels superior in terms of up-front value. You don't need to bust out your credit card to thoroughly enjoy this game — which is a big reason why Call of Duty Mobile demands the top spot on our list.

Call of Duty Mobile

Free w/IAPs at Google Play Store

Call of Duty has won Game of the Year awards for 2019 for good reason. It's a surprisingly complete version of Call of Duty for phones that's entirely free to play.

Vectronom

I love finding the quirky indie titles that always manage to fall into the cracks of the Google Play Store, not receiving the promotion and attention that they rightfully deserve. Vectronom falls into that category, delivering a captivating experience that merges level design and music together to create a puzzle platformer that you play as much with your ears as you do with your fingertips.

Vectronom is, at times, a psychedelic experience given the flashing colors and thumping electronic soundtrack designed to entrance you as you play. Each level changes to the beat of the music, and the game grades you on how well your cube's movement follows the rhythm. The game was previously released on Steam and for the Nintendo Switch, and while the game no doubt controls way better with a keyboard or controller D-pad I've had no issues with the touch screen controls that rely on swipes and taps.

As straight forward as the concept is here, you will be challenged by the complexity of the levels as you progress through the game. There are currently 31 levels available to play through, each with their own theme introducing new traps to dodge and level mechanics to master. The indie developers behind the game hope to continue to build out the game's content by taking music submitted by users and designing new levels around those tracks. While the game does incentivize you to revisit levels and try and beat them clean in one try or better sync your moves to the beat of the music, I'd absolutely love to see a community build around Vectronom that delivers more puzzles which are perfect for mobile play.

Vectronom

$5.49 at Google Play Store

Vectronom is a psychedelic puzzle platformer where you'll need to stick with the beat if you want to succeed and solve each colorful level.

Stardew Valley

If you've never heard of or played Stardew Valley before, it's basically a farming simulator built atop a robust 16-bit open-ended RPG that lets you play and develop your character and farm as you choose. The story begins with your character's arrival in Pelican Town, where you have decided to take over your grandfather's simple family farm.

What makes Stardew Valley such a joy to play is the freedom granted to the player to make the game your own. If you focus on building up your farm, the game is mostly about crop and resource management, which will certainly scratch a certain itch for mobile gamers given how popular that genre of RPG is on mobile — but with Stardew Valley, there's so much more for the player to explore.

Between planting and harvesting your fields, you can work to level up your character's skills with different tools by going fishing or foraging in the woods, head to town to socialize and build relationships with the townsfolk (and even get married, if you choose), or go off on a more traditional combat-based RPG adventure complete with quests to complete and monster-infested mines to explore.

Stardew Valley

$8 at Google Play Store

One of the most celebrated RPGs of the last decade has been optimized for mobile and is a must-play for gamers of all ages.

Mindustry

Tower defense games are a dime a dozen in the Play Store, but few offer the depth and strategy that is on display with Mindustry. It's a sandbox-style game that is straight-up intimidating when you first start out since it gives you all the tools you need for success but makes it entirely up to you to use them in the most efficient and strategic way.

Not only do you need to concern yourself with mining resources to build up your defenses, but you also need to maintain and protect your supply lines — conveyor belts that deliver your mined resources from the drill to your core base and defense turrets. It took me the entire tutorial to get a handle on the build controls and core game mechanics, and another hour of playing the game before I started unlocking new technologies on the tech tree. It wasn't long until I started developing some rudimentary strategies that worked for a while, but soon the AI enemies figured my tactics, managed to bypass my defenses, and absolutely wrecked my base.

The solo mode only scratches the surface of everything that Mindustry has to offer. You can set up a multiplayer game with custom servers or over local area network, create your own map with the included map editor, or create a custom game with the player given full control over pretty much every aspect of the game. Best of all, you get this in a free-to-play game with no ads.

Mindustry

Free at Google Play Store

Mindustry is an incredible open-ended sandbox tower defense game that will blow you away with the level of depth and customization available to the player. Better still, it's free-to-play with no ads or in-app purchases.

The best Android games page 2

Graveyard Keeper

Graveyard Keeper is a cemetery management sim that you can easily sink hours into while enjoying the dark humor of the rather grim subject matter. You may think a game that has you play the role of a town's gravedigger would be depressing and drab, but Graveyard Keeper's bright and colorful art style coupled with the open world and deep crafting mechanics keep things really interesting. You're also rewarded for cutting corners and getting creative. For example, you can start selling ground-up dead bodies to the local butcher, host witch-burning parties, or try and poison some of the local townsfolk to drive in more business.

That's the difference between a premium mobile title like Graveyard Keeper and most other free-to-play mobile sim games — collecting resources isn't time-restricted for hours and you're able to craft anything you need in the game just by foraging, completing quests, and maintaining your graveyard. You'll enjoy the extended play of exploring dungeons and completing quests to find rare supplies and other treasures.

As you can see from the trailer, this game is absolutely gorgeous with a concise and detailed art style and beautiful animations. Because this is a direct port of a PC/console game, you should prepare to sink many many hours into this game, which may include just figuring out the different menus and controls as you work out how to be the best Graveyard Keeper you can be!

Graveyard Keeper

$10 at Google Play Store

Graveyard Keeper is a gravedigger simulator with a dark sense of humor where you've got to come up with creative ways to drum up new business.

PUBG Mobile

It's incredible how well PUBG Mobile plays on Android. What started out as a massive 100-player battle royale game has continued to grow and evolve into the all-time best action shooter game for mobile. Drop into massive maps loaded with weapons, ammo, tactical gear, and vehicles in classic battle royale modes. You drop in as a solo player or as part of a team and must use all your best skills to take down your opponents until you're the last man standing.

It's not unheard of for a popular PC or console release to find its way to Android, but you'll be surprised at how well PUBG plays on a smartphone. It's the best game available for Android despite some of the more frustrating aspects of the way the coolest loot is hidden in exploitive loot boxes that are simply should not exist. Nonetheless, the game is free-to-play and accessible for so many gamers.

I like to play with maxed-out graphics, but the game also lets you scale back the graphical detail so you can enjoy smooth gameplay even playing on an older device. If you've got a newer device, crank those settings to the max and enjoy one of the best looking mobile games I've played in a long while. Got an older phone with limited specs, but still want to get in the game? Check out PUBG Mobile Lite which is specifically designed to take up less space on your phone and run smoothly on phones with less RAM.

PUBG Mobile somehow delivers all the epic moments you'd expect the PC game scaled down perfectly for mobile devices, and they've truly embraced the success by continuing to add new EvoGround game modes including a dedicated zombie Battle Royale mode, multiple team deathmatch modes, explosive new vehicular assault RageGear modes, and Payload mode, which introduced helicopters, miniguns, and a rocket launcher. Get your squad together and I'll see you on the battleground!

PUBG Mobile

Free w/IAPs at Google Play Store

PUBG Mobile is a free-to-play battle royale shooter that pits you against up to 99 other players. With an ever-growing list of maps and game modes to choose from, it's one of the best games available to play on Android.

NBA 2K20

Sports games on mobile tend to be trash these days. Granted, that didn't used to be the case, but ever since microtransactions and "ultimate team" modes became the prevailing source of income it's felt like gameplay development has taken a back seat to developing exciting new card pack reveal animations. Seriously, look up any YouTube gamers who make sports videos and the majority of the videos are just card pack reveals. It's deplorable.

That's why I was so pleasantly surprised by NBA 2K20, a premium sports title that just lets you play the damn game. There are five complete game modes available for you to play, including:

  • My Career gives you a compete story mode where you try to rise from the rookie ranks to the top echelon of the NBA.
  • The Association is a full-featured GM mode that lets you manage the team roster, scout and draft rookies from college, and handle the team finances as you guide your franchise to championships.
  • NBA Story Mode challenges you to reenact iconic team and personal performances from throughout NBA history.
  • Run The Streets is a 3-on-3 street ball mode with a dedicated story mode that introduces new mechanics and PvP, Tournament, and Ranked matches available.
  • Play Now lets you dive right into a match. Not only can you play online or against a friend on your local area network, but you can also choose between a quick match between any two NBA teams, or take it to the NBA Blacktop for a custom streetball match — from 1-on-1 up to a full 5-on-5.

The graphics and in-game presentation echos what you'd expect from the full console version of the game, and the licenced soundtrack features some real bangers. Best of all is the support for Bluetooth controllers, which is absolutely the best way to play. The touchscreen controls are quite servicable, but there's just no better way to control a sports game than with a proper controller in hand.

Whether you're a huge basketball fan or just a sports fan in general looking for a great product to sink some spare time in, NBA 2K20 absolutely lives up to the hype.

NBA 2K20

$6 at Google Play Store

NBA 2K20 is a rare premium sports title for Android that doesn't rely on micro-transactions and loot crates, which automatically makes it a great game in my humble opinion. The graphics are top-notch, and there are multiple game modes including online multiplayer and the game also fully supports Bluetooth controllers.

Brawl Stars

Developed by Supercell, Brawl Stars is a fast-paced arena brawler that is unlike most other games on the Play Store. It's a departure from the Clash of Clans universe that has made Supercell a household name and instead lets players team up in a MOBA game that differentiates itself from others in the genre with its colorful and cartoony look that's backed by great gameplay variety.

There are multiple game modes available, which rotate every couple of hours so there's always something new to play whenever you log into the app. These modes include:

  • Gem Grab: teams collect gems which spawn at the center of the map, and the first team to collect and hold 10 or more gems for 15 seconds win
  • Heist: teams must defend their safe of gems while strategically attacking the other team's safe.
  • Showdown: a Battle Royale mode with up to 10 players that's available for solo players or duos.
  • Bounty: teams battle to collect stars that are earned by kill opponents. The more kills you get without dying the bigger the star bounty on your own head.
  • Brawl Ball: a soccer match featuring the Brawl Stars cast. The first team to score two goals wins.
  • Seige: similar to Heist, except teams battle to collect the most screws which unleash a siege robot that attacks the enemy turret.
  • Robo Rumble: a time-based special event where teams of three take on wave after wave of robot enemies that include boss robots with very high hitpoints and damage.

Individually, each game mode is fun in its own unique way and could easily be its own standalone app, but by including all six modes on a rotating basis Supercell has elevated Brawl Stars to the next level. This is a really well-made game that just recently got a major update that overhauled the graphics with a fresh 3D-style design that looks even better. The only downside is the crate unlocking and card collecting aspects of the game, but at least it's all performance-based rewards and doesn't require you to arbitrarily wait hours to unlock each crate.

Brawl Stars

Free w/IAPs at Google Play Store

Developed by Supercell, Brawl Stars is a fast-paced arena brawler that is unlike most other games on the Play Store. There are multiple game modes available, which rotate every couple of hours, so there's always something new to play whenever you log into the app.

Oddmar

Of all the games I've played in 2019, Oddmar stands out as one of my absolute favorites in part because it's absolutely gorgeous from its opening sequence through its beautifully animated levels that show a depth of detail you rarely see in a mobile game. I'm also somewhat biased because I absolutely adore well-crafted indie platformers but Oddmar still stands out for having a great protagonist and excellent story to tell.

You play as Oddmar, an exiled Viking who never quite lived up to his warrior ancestor who is granted special powers by a magical fairy. The timing is just right, as Oddmar has an opportunity to redeem himself by going on a journey of redemption.

Overall, the level design is pretty linear but never feels stale thanks to the good variety of enemies to bounce off of and the unique obstacles and some quick puzzles to solve to progress. On top of all that, Oddmar also comes across these hallucination-like Valhalla challenges that are mixed into most levels. These challenge you with a quick scrolling bonus level that add some really nice gameplay variety.

Touchscreen controls for platforming games are notoriously difficult to get right on mobile, but then a game like Oddmar comes along and shows the industry just how it's done. Everything feels just right with the left side of the screen controlling your horizontal movement and the right side dedicated to jumping, attacking, ground-pounding, and dash attacks.

You're able to play the first section of the game for free with the rest of the game unlocked with a one-time in-app payment of $5 — well worth it for one of the best games you'll play on your phone.

Oddmar

Free, $5 to unlock full game at Google Play Store

Oddmar is a beautiful game that plays like a living comic book. You can play through the first chapter for free and then, once you've fallen in love with it, unlock the rest of the game for $5.

The best Android games, page 3

Holedown

It's hard to find a fun puzzle game that doesn't try to sell you on power-ups or extra lives or something.

That's just one of the reasons why Holedown is a standout game in 2018. Holedown will have you strategically blasting through to the core of celestial bodies — starting with asteroids and working your way up to the Sun — using the classic gaming formula of bouncing balls off blocks. Each brick has a number that represents the number of hits needed to destroy it, or you can destroying a supporting block clear out everything above it.

This is a pick-up-and-play game that's an easy concept to grasp but you quickly learn there's an amount of strategy and skill involved. All the bricks are curved, allowing you to set up tricky bank shots to clear out massive sections of blocks in one go. This will become quite important as the screen move up one row after every shot. If the blocks reach the top of the screen, it's game over.

Along the way, you will collect crystals which you spend on upgrades that give you more balls per shot, and more shots per round. These upgrades are crucial to completing the later planets but also let the earlier levels become more of a mindless distraction for your subway commute. All told, it won't take you too long to max out all your stats in Holedown, but that's mostly because it's so hard to stop playing this game once you start.

If you're a fan of physics-based puzzle games and are looking for a new obsession, Holedown is well worth your money!

Holedown

$4 at Google Play Store

Holedown is a clever take on the ball and brick genre where you launch balls to excavate down to the core of asteroids, planets and stars. It offers simple gameplay while delivering an endless challenge mode.

BattleChasers: NightWar

BattleChasers: NightWar is an award-winning JRPG that offers one of the most complete mobile RPG experiences you'll play in 2019 — and that's complete in the sense that there's no in-app purchases or paid DLC to worry about. Hallelujah!

Everything about this game is polished and complete, and it starts with a robust overworld that's filled with hidden dungeons to explore, epic bosses to take down, and other surprises along the way.

The turn-based combat is inspired by all the favorites you remember from the JRPG genre and is a real treat even for a casual fan like myself. Along with the dense and sprawling world to explore that's teeming with enemies to do battle with, there's also deep crafting elements as well for upgrading your team's weapons, armors, and magical jewelry. An RPG is only as good as its story and characters and given that this game is based on a graphic novel of the same name we're given fully developed characters and a compelling story.

The narrative focuses on the story of a young girl, Gully, as she takes up the quest of finding her long lost father, Aramus. He was a hero to the local village who never returned after setting off into the Grey Line, a near-impenetrable wall of mist that borders their homeland of which nothing has returned from once entering. Aramus had left behind a set of magical gauntlets rumored to grant untold powers to the wearer. Gully must learn to wield her father's gauntlets as she embarks on her own epic adventure past the Grey Line to uncover the truth behind her father's final mission.

Gully is joined by a supporting cast that includes Knowlan the wise old mage who always travels with Calibretto, an ancient war golem built for battle that developed his own sentience and emotions but who can still kick ass to defend his friends.

There's Garrison, a paladin who was friends with Aramus and feels compelled to protect Gully along her journey and lastly Red Monika, a rogue outlaw who manages to toe the line between good and evil. This game is definitely worth checking out if you're a fan of either BattleChasers or simply looking for a new JRPG to dive into.

Battle Chasers: Nightwar

$10 at Google Play Store

Battle Chasers: Nightwar is a game specifically designed to appeal to fans of turn-based role-playing title, with a JRPG influence in all the aspects of the game. Best of all, there are no microtransactions of any kind - buy the game and you're all set.

Chameleon Run

Published by the fine folks at Noodlecake Games, Chameleon Run is an auto-runner that tests your reaction time in ways that may hurt your brain a bit.

The name of the game is speed as you jump and dash across colored platforms. You have special jump skills and the ability to change color, and you've got to make it through each course but you're only allowed to touch objects that match your color. Seem easy enough? Well, think again!

As pretty as the game looks when it's running at full frame rate the real joy comes from the precise input on the two-touch controls. If you time a color switch just when you touch the platform you get a quick dash boost. Jump controls are equally precise and allow you to nail tricky double jumps with ease. Each level is designed to be non-linear, meaning there are multiple paths to take to make it to the finish, however, there are also three special objectives to complete for each level which will keep you coming back for more.

Overall, the game is pretty short, but it's designed to be one of those games that's ideal for speedrunning — although there's already some stiff competition out there. I feel like the game is missing one knock out feature — a course editor that allows players to upload their own levels. Or simply more levels perhaps with platforms of even more different colors to swap between. Still, for $2 it's one hell of a fun game.

Chameleon Run

$2 at Google Play Store

Chameleon Run is a colorful endless runner that challenges you with precise jumps and quick reflexes to be sure you don't touch the wrong platform and blow yourself up.

The Room: Old Sins

The Room: Old Sins is the latest epic puzzle game from Fireproof Games and the 4th in the award-winning 'The Room' puzzle game series. You are exploring the home of an ambitious engineer who has gone missing when you find a rather peculiar dollhouse in the attic.

Using a sophisticated eyepiece you're able to explore different rooms in the dollhouse that are filled with incredibly sophisticated puzzle boxes and contraptions. There's something really weird going on here, so maybe if you can solve all the puzzles you'll figure out what happened to the missing engineer and his wife.

If you've never played a game from "The Room" series before, just get ready for one of the more engrossing games you'll ever play on a mobile phone. The graphics and audio come together to create a wonderfully creepy vibe as you carefully inspect intricate objects and unlock secrets to help you on your journey.

If you want to catch up with the other games, you can snag The Room, The Room Two, and The Room 3 at discounted prices.

The Room: Old Sins

$5 at Google Play Store

The Room series offers some of the most beautiful gaming experiences on mobile. Solve intricate puzzles and unlock the secrets hidden within these mysterious contraptions.

The best Android games, page 4

Pokémon Go

Back when Pokémon Go first launched in 2016, I jumped right on the bandwagon along with millions of others. Since then, we've seen the format copied by other brands hoping to cash in on the mobile AR gaming craze that Niantic has perfected, but nothing has come close to matching Pokémon Go's cultural impact or staying power. To this day, I still frequently come across Pokémon Go players out in the wild catching and grinding to level up and evolve their Pokémon, and that's impressive.

Even though I've personally stopped playing the game, the community appears as strong as ever with the game developers constantly adding new content, and gameplay features supported by in-game and real-life events for players to participate in.

For example, last December Niantic finally added a PvP battling system that added the ability to battle against friends, which they teased in the early trailers for the game. The latest in-game event this summer involved Team Rocket Grunts popping up all over the place and challenging you to battle against their Shadow Pokémon — which can also be caught using Raid Balls.

It's just nice to see this phenomenal game continue to grow and expand and that's why we've re-added it to our list of the best games for Android. Pokémon Go is still one of those rare games that is entirely free to play as long as you're willing to put in the physical work, with in-app purchases if you need a little boost along the way. Despite challengers from other brands trying to cash in on this unique mobile gaming genre, it feels the most authentic to its source material and continues to outpace the competition in terms of gameplay variety, scope, and popularity.

For the best Pokémon Go coverage on the internet hit up or friends over at iMore for the latest news, tips, tricks, and other great guides to help you out on your Pokémon Go journey.

Download: Pokémon Go (Free w/IAPs)

Pokémon GO

Free w/IAPs at Google Play Store

Pokémon Go was the first game to truly usher in location-based augmented reality games to the mainstream. It remains the most fleshed out and fun-to-play game from the genre 3+ years on.

JYDGE

JYDGE is a gritty and violent top-down twin-stick shooter that is an absolute blast to play. You are the JYDGE, a cybernetic enforcement officer who uses his Gavel (see: BIG freaking gun) to dole out RoboCop-style justice.

Each level features different challenges that are required to progress but never feel like a slogging chore. Confiscating illegal cash along the way, you're able to upgrade JYDGE and his gavel with a deep selection of accessories. In that way, JYDGE retains the rogue-like element from its predecessor Neon Chrome by encouraging you to replay levels with different upgrade combinations until you complete all the challenges.

With a game that has you replay levels over and over again, it's imperative for a game to find that mix of great gameplay with an interesting soundtrack that isn't super annoying or repetitive — and JYDGE absolutely delivers.

Check out my full review if you need more convincing.

JYDGE

$6 at Google Play Store

JYDGE is straight-up one of the most badass shooter games you'll find in the Google Play Store. This is a twin-stick top-down shooter that features a ton of ways to upgrade your weapons as you dole out justice with your Gavel.

Tesla vs Lovecraft

Tesla vs Lovecraft is the latest game from Finnish developers 10tons Ltd and it's a real treat. The game pits Nikola Tesla and his hi-tech inventions against a vengeful H.P. Lovecraft who has unleashed endless waves of nightmarish monsters that will quickly swarm around you unless you fight back.

This is an incredibly polished game that twin-stick controls for moving and shooting. The campaign gradually increases in difficulty with well over 200 enemies spawning on screen at one time if you aren't fast with your trigger finger. Fortunately, there are power-ups and perks aplenty which are accessible in rogue-like fashion. You collect XP as you slay monsters and get a new perk every time you level up. Power-ups and weapons randomly spawn on the map and you'll also want to collect the six pieces required to build Tesla's mech which can cut down any horde in short order.

The touchscreen controls feel comfortable and the game also offers great support for Bluetooth controllers which is always fantastic to see in a premium game. There's a ton of content built into the base game, along with some DLC available that offers new monsters, weapons and much more. Don't be worry, the game feels polished without needing to shell out more money, but once you've finally made it through everything that Tesla vs Lovecraft has to offer you might be glad there's a little bit more to explore.

Tesla vs Lovecraft

$10 at Google Play Store

Tesla vs Lovecraft is the latest game from Finnish developers 10tons Ltd and it's a real treat. The game pits Nikola Tesla and his hi-tech inventions against a vengeful H.P. Lovecraft who has unleashed endless waves of nightmarish monsters.

The best Android games, page 5

Death Road to Canada

Death Road to Canada is a $10 game — I want to open with that just to get the sticker shock out of the way before I talk about how awesome this freaking game is.

Facing a zombie apocalypse, you must lead a scrappy squad of somewhat interesting characters on a deadly mission to the relative safety of Canada. Along the way, you'll need to explore and loot places for supplies, while also managing your team's health and morale.

Everything in Death Road to Canada is randomly generated, making every play-through a unique experience in this dynamic road trip action-RPG. You can randomly generate your character and buddy or custom design your starting characters with different attributes to help them stay alive, but you probably don't want to get too attached unless you're a really good shot.

The controls admittedly take some getting used to, and there's a pretty steep learning curve as you learn which weapons are most effective and which times it's better to fight or run. And you will die, early and often, although that's part of the fun of a zombie apocalypse, right?

There's a ridiculous amount of depth in this game, including 10 different game modes to unlock. The price might seem a little steep, but if you're a fan of rogue-like zombie games, it's well worth the investment!

Death Road to Canada

$10 at Google Play Store

Everything in Death Road to Canada is randomly generated, making every play-through a unique experience in this road trip action-RPG.

Stranger Things: The Game

Stranger Things: The Game is the tie-in mobile game that other companies wish they could churn out. It's a full-fledged action-adventure game with a full cast of playable characters, tons of collectibles, and a retro graphical style that fits into the show theme and setting.

The game presents the entire town of Hawkins, Indiana along with the adjacent Mirkwood Forest to be explored. It plays like a classic Zelda-style adventure game, with the ability to switch between characters lending itself to creating complex puzzles. Credit Netflix's marketing team for spending the time to make sure the developers at BonusXP Inc. delivered something truly special for fans of the series. They've created a genuinely great game that will even appeal to folks like me who are not huge Stranger Things fans.

The controls are optimized for mobile and the game design on display here. The overworld is vast and filled with secret areas to explore and familiar items from the show scattered throughout as collectibles.

There's just so much to appreciate here. Not only is it a faithful adaptation of the show, but it's also available for free with no in-app purchases or ads — although you can certainly count the game itself as being an ad for the second season of Stranger Things. Here's hoping it ushers in a new trend of substantial mobile games based on TV shows and movies.

Download: Stranger Things: The Game (Free)

Stranger Things: The Game

Free at Google Play Store

Stranger Things: The Game is a surprisingly great game for what was mainly a marketing tool for the Netflix show's second season. There's a surprising amount of depth to this game and everything feels complete for a free game.

Reigns: Her Majesty

Reigns was one of the best games of 2016 and actually won the first ever Google Play Indie Games contest. So needless to say we were pumped to check out the sequel.

In Reigns, you play as the monarch of the land and make decisions that affect four aspects of the kingdom: the church, the people, the army, and the royal wealth. Your goal is to keep all four in balance — if any meter fills to the max or is entirely depleted your reign is over… and a new reign begins!

The sequel plays nearly identically to the first game, except this time you play as the Queen instead of the King, complete with new characters to interact with and multiple branching storylines to discover. The gameplay is as easy as swiping left or right on cards and if it's anything like the first game there's a ton of great easter eggs to find along the way!

I would hate to spoil anything for this new game, but if you played the first one and are afraid that it's going to be too similar, I can assure you there are plenty of new mechanics to make this still one of the best games on Google Play.

Reigns: Her Majesty

$3 at Google Play Store

Step into the role of regal leader of your own and parlay with your advisors and send out royal decrees just by swiping left or right. Just be sure not to let things get out of hand or it's your head on the chopping block.

Updated January 2020: Added NBA 2K20 to our list of best games for Android!



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Make the perfect play with these PlayStation 4 sports games

Sports games have wide appeal, letting you live your fantasy of crafting the perfect team and leading your favorite players to victory. They give you a way to enjoy your favorite sport during the off-season or try games that would be impossible, or at least illegal, in the real world. Whether your a hardcore fan or a casual competitor, the PlayStation 4 has a wide selection of titles to choose from.

Featured favorite

Rocket League

Why play soccer with people when you can do it with customized Battle-Cars? Face your friends in the arena through local multiplayer and online play that lets you also share games with people playing on PC. The impressive physics engine is easy to pick up while adding realism to the fantasy sport.

$25 at Amazon

Pop a wheelie

FutureGrind

Staff Pick

A sci-fi version of freestyle BMX, FutureGrind challenges you to master tricks and speed while avoiding electrocuting yourself by riding on the wrong rail. Each model of bike handles differently, encouraging you to adapt your style as you try to keep your sponsors happy.

$10 at PlayStation

Punch up

BOXVR

Your fingers don't have to be the only thing getting exercise when you play a sports game. BOXVR lets you get in a quick warmup or a full hour-long cardio boxing workout designed by fitness instructors and accompanied by your choice of music.

$15 at Amazon

Goal!!!

eFootball Pro Evolution Soccer 2020

The series specializes in providing the most realistic soccer experience possible, letting you play teams from around the world. This edition added eFootball to the title to reflect the focus on competitive esports with thousands of dollars in prizes on the line.

$13 at Amazon

Hit the links

Everybody's Golf

Customize your avatar and show off your swing during daily tournaments or through local multiplayer for up to four people. Between challenges, you can cruise around the course in a golf cart, go fishing, and search for collectibles.

$15 at Amazon

Sci-fi sports

Laser League

The team behind OlliOlli imagines what sports might be like in 2150, developing a game requiring quick reflexes and strategy. Learn how to navigate different laser patterns as you fight for control of the arena and vaporize your opponents.

$15 at PlayStation

Touchdown celebration

Madden NFL 2020

The latest entry in the football game series adds a campaign mode where you can guide the career of a college quarterback. Of course, you can also still play with the real stars of the game, drafting a team to compete against friends while sports broadcasters call your plays.

$37 at Amazon

Slam dunk

NBA 2K20

Idris Elba and Rosario Dawson star in the series' latest MyCareer single-player experience, where you'll guide your character's path to basketball stardom. Build your own competitive team and log in daily for rewards to improve your roster.

$29 at Amazon

Ice ice baby

NHL 20

Build a team from more than 400 players programmed to use their signature moves and styles. You can also design your own player, choosing from a wide variety of character classes and gear as you become master of the ice by completing challenges.

$38 at Amazon

Skate by

OlliOlli: Epic Combo Edition

The sidescrolling skateboarding games OlliOlli and OlliOlli2: Welcome to Olliwood let you test your moves across dozens of levels and modes of play, including daily challenges. Grind with friends through local multiplayer for up to four people.

$15 at Amazon

Batter up

Super Mega Baseball 2

You're fully in control of your team, picking out the name, logo, and looks of your players. Customize to your heart's content or jump in and take advantage of controls that are easy for newbies but provide realistic simulations to satisfy serious fans.

$20 at PlayStation

Be a good sport

Sports games are about as different as sports themselves, with some like eFootball Pro Evolution Soccer 2020 focusing on hyperrealism and strategic team building while others like Rocket League are about bringing the joy of competition to your living room with a more whimsical touch. But hopefully, this list will cover all the bases, including the best way to run the bases.

Many of these games like NBA 2K20 include microtransactions, so consider not just the list price but how much money you're interested in putting into the game while you're playing. Casual players shouldn't have to spend anything but time to put together a working and fun team. Still, these games can get really competitive as the line between eports and physical sports continues to blur through big league deals and tournaments.

If you're worried about restraint, stick with something like FutureGrind where you're just pushing yourself to the limits.



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Samsung is shipping Galaxy S20 units as much as five days early

Good news for early adopters.

What you need to know

  • Galaxy S20 units appear to be arriving as much as five days early.
  • Phone officially goes on sale Friday, March 6.
  • Early buyers should expect a camera patch shortly after release.

Samsung made Galaxy S20 buyers wait almost a month between announcement and release, but the wait is going to be slightly less interminable for some users. Some buyers, including Android Central's own video editor, Hayato Huseman, appear to be getting their devices as early as Tuesday, March 3, instead of the actual Friday, March 6 release date.

Another friend of the site, XDA Developer COO, Brandon Miniman, is set to receive his Galaxy S20 tomorrow, March 2, after paying for expedited shipping.

Samsung has been stockpiling Galaxy S20 inventory for at least three months now, as judging by the mid-December manufacturing date of some of the early review units received around the industry. And while reviews of the most expensive Galaxy S20 Ultra indicate that there's still work to be done optimizing the camera, early buyers can expect a patch shortly after the release date.

Has your Galaxy S20 unit shipped earlier than its actual release date? Let us know in the comments below!

Samsung's latest

Galaxy S20

$1,000 at Samsung

Samsung's latest flagships have it all

Hoping to dominate the smartphone market in 2020, Samsung is doing so with three phones — the Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra. Each one is packed with impressive specs, such as a 120Hz display, upgraded cameras, and expandable storage across the board. If you want a top-notch Android phone this year, these are worthy of your attention.



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Here's how to watch the Aston Villa vs. Man City Carabao Cup final online

Can Pep Guardiola's men make it five League Cup triumphs in seven seasons?

Having won four out of the last six League Cup finals, it almost feels strange when Manchester City aren't involved in the Carabao Cup Final. Pep Guardiola's Sky Blues this time face an Aston Villa side that has cast aside its struggles at the foot of the Premier League to put themselves in contention of winning their first silverware since lifting the League Cup back in 1996.

If the task in front of Villa wasn't daunting enough, they'll be heading into Sunday's showdown at Wembley against a side that will be bristling with confidence following their stunning midweek Champions League victory over Real Madrid at the Bernabéu.

Man City have previously lifted the League Cup trophy six times, while the Villans, who were the tournament's inaugural winners back in 1960, have won the Cup on five occasions. Should any of City star's Fernandinho, David Silva or Sergio Agüero take to the field on Sunday, they will set a new record for most appearances in the competition, having each already appeared in four previous League Cup finals.

A City win at Wembley would also see those three players join an exclusive set of players in Ryan Giggs, Emile Heskey and Petr Cech, who have lifted the trophy on three occasions.

Read on for full details on how to get a live stream of the 2020 Carabao Cup Final no matter where you are in the world with our guide below.

Aston Villa vs. Man City: Where and when?

The 2020 Carabao Cup Final takes place at the 90,000-capacity Wembley Stadium on Sunday, March 1.

Kick-off is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. GMT local time so that's an 11:30 a.m. ET, 8:30 a.m. PT, start for folks tuning in from the U.S., and a 3:30 a.m. AEDT kick-off for folks tuning in from Australia.

Watch the 2020 Carabao Cup final online from outside your country

We have details of all the US, UK, Australian and Canadian broadcasters of 2020 League Cup further down in this guide. If you're intent on watching Aston Villa vs Man City, but find yourself away from home then you'll run into problems when trying to stream your domestic coverage online from abroad as its likely to be geo-blocked.

That's where a VPN (Virtual Private Network) can be a lifesaver. They allows you to virtually change the ISP of your laptop, tablet or mobile to one that's back in your home country, letting you watch as if you were back there.

VPN's are incredibly easy to use and have the added benefit of giving you a further layer of security when surfing the web. There are lots of options, and we recommend ExpressVPN as our #1 pick due to its speed, security and ease of use. It can be used on a vast array of operating systems and devices (e.g. iOS, Android, Smart TVs, Fire TV Stick, Roku, games consoles, etc). Sign up for ExpressVPN now now and enjoy a 49% discount and 3 months FREE with an annual subscription. Or give it a try with its 30-day money back guarantee. Looking for other options? Here are some alternatives that are on sale right now.

ExpressVPN

See latest price at ExpressVPN

No matter where in the world you may be, a VPN is one of the easiest ways to watch the Carabao Cup Final. Get in on this deal now!

How to watch Aston Villa vs. Man City online in the U.S. exclusively on ESPN

In the U.S., ESPN+ has exclusive broadcasting rights for the Aston Villa vs. Manchester City matchup. You can sign up for just a month of service at $4.99, or go all-in on a year for just $49.99. You can also bundle ESPN+ with Hulu and Disney+ for $12.99 a month. All of these provide the same level of access to content from ESPN, it just depends how much other stuff you want.

Once signed up, you'll be able to stream ESPN+ on your TV, phone, PC, and more. It works with popular streaming hardware like Roku and Fire TV, as well as Xbox, Playstation, Android TV, and more.

ESPN+

See pricing options at ESPN

It's the best (and your only) option to stream the big match up in the U.S. Sign up now for a monthly or annual plan so you don't miss any of the action.

How to stream the League Cup Final 2020 live in the UK

You'll need to be a Sky Sports customers to watch all the action from Wembley live in the UK.

Coverage starts on Sky Sports Football from 3:30 p.m. GMT on Sunday afternoon.

If you don't want to sign up for Sky just to watch this game, you can always watch it on Now TV with a Sky Sports day pass for £9.99.

Live stream the 2020 League Cup Final live in Australia

If you're planning on watching the Carabao Cup Final Down Under, then you'll need to be a beIN Sports subscriber as the network holds exclusive live broadcast rights to the tournament for Australia.

Today, you'll need to be ready to tune in at 3:30 a.m. AEDT.

Live stream the Aston Villa vs. Man City live in Canada

Canadian soccer fans will be able to watch Sunday's showpiece game on streaming service DAZN, with kick off set for 3:30 a.m. in the early hours of Monday morning. For folks new to the service, you can watch Sunday's game for free as DAZN offers a 30-day money back option. You'll have to sign up for the service but if you don't like it you can get your money back within a month of you signing up.



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Is Mint Mobile a better value than Google Fi?

Data savings

Mint Mobile

From $15/month at Mint Mobile

Pros

  • Bulk savings
  • Cheaper data
  • No overages
  • Compatible with most phones

Cons

  • International roaming is extra
  • Minimum of three months
  • No unlimited option

Mint Mobile can save you money on data with three months of service and can save even more with six and 12-month plans. With enough data for most people and no risk of overage fees, data can be cheaper than ever. You also get T-Mobile's large LTE network behind you.

Worldwide coverage

Google Fi

From $20/month at Google Fi

Pros

  • Free roaming data in 200+ countries
  • Data is free over 6GB
  • Unlimited plan available
  • Multiple networks

Cons

  • Expensive data
  • Few phones support full network
  • Data slowed at 15GB on the Flexible plan

Google Fi is a great premium option with no contracts. You get the benefit of more than one network with a supported phone that keeps speeds and coverage higher than many other carriers. You can also take that data with you internationally for no extra fee in more than 200 countries.

For people that spend most of their time in the U.S. in an area with T-Mobile coverage, Mint Mobile can save you some serious money. Google Fi will have better coverage, especially in rural areas thanks to its combined network consisting of T-Mobile, Sprint, and US Cellular towers. Google Fi also makes a lot of sense for people that travel internationally with no change in data cost in more than 200 countries around the world. Still, with Google Fi charging $10 per gigabyte of data, the costs can still add up quickly.

Cutting corners

Mint Mobile keeps its costs low by trimming the fat in several areas where Google Fi excels. One thing you'll notice is that Mint Mobile wants you to commit to up to a year for maximum savings. Mint Mobile also doesn't have a lot of plan flexibility. You can choose between three different data amounts that should fit most people but won't adapt to changes in usage well, especially if you buy 12 months of service.

Finally, even in the U.S., only having access to one network means that you'll see your service drop to zero more often than Fi, though it's worth mentioning that T-Mobile's LTE network, which Mint Mobile uses, covers the majority of people.

Mint Mobile Google Fi
Network T-Mobile T-Mobile
Sprint
US Cellular
Family savings None up to 6 lines
Data throttling At data cap Flexible plan: 15GB
Unlimited plan: 22GB
Minimum term 3 months 1 month
Maximum term 12 months 1 month
5G none All T-Mobile low-band 5G capable devices

Mint Mobile is designed around what most people need in a phone service. Most people are covered by the T-Mobile network and most people will fit into one of its 3GB, 8GB, or 12GB data tiers. Google Fi is aimed more at potentially heavy users and travelers that may need more flexibility in their phone plan. While you may pay more for it in the end, Google Fi makes sure you will have coverage almost anywhere you go and you'll have plenty of data if you need it.

Mint Mobile Plans

Mint Mobile has nine different options for its customer but you only need to decide on how much data you need and how many months you are willing to pay for. Your price per month is lower if you commit to a full year of service but you will have to pay the full amount upfront. If you are interested in Mint, it makes sense to try out three months at the introductory rate before opting for the full year.

To find out how much data you need, you can look at your previous phone bill or check your usage in the settings menu on your phone. It's also possible to reduce your usage if you take advantage of Wi-Fi for downloading music and videos to your phone. If you find you still need more data than the plan you chose, you can either upgrade to a bigger plan or add data by the gigabyte.

Talk and text are included and unlimited with Mint Mobile so you only need to think about how much data you need. You can also use your data as a hotspot if you want to get another device connected like a laptop or tablet.

3GB 8GB 12GB
3 months $15 per month ($45 total)
$25 per month renewal ($75 total)
$20 per month ($60 total)
$35 per month renewal ($105 total)
$25 per month ($75)
$45 per month renewal ($135 total)
6 months $20 per month ($120) $25 per month ($150) $35 per month ($210)
12 months $15 per month ($180) $20 per month ($240) $25 per month ($300)

You can add more high-speed data at a rate of $10 for 1GB or $20 for 3GB if you run out. Even if you don't, your data won't get cut off, just slowed down.

Google Fi plans

Google Fi offers an Unlimited plan and a Flexible plan. Both plans come with unlimited calling and texting to numbers in the United States. Both plans also keep data prices and amounts when roaming internationally. You can save money by bringing additional lines, with the cost per line coming down per line with up to four lines.

Unlimited comes with data up to unlimited data, though your data speed will be slashed if you use more than 22GB in a period. This is more than most people will use but worth keeping in mind if you are a heavy user. This plan also comes with free international calling to 50 countries and 100GB of Google One cloud storage. This plan starts at $70 per month for one line but that price will come down with more lines.

The Flexible plan grows with you and will make more sense for most people unless you know that you will use more than 6GB per month. This plan starts at $20 per month with one line and data costs $10 for 1GB. Google Fi actually only charges you for the data you use so no rounding to the nearest gigabyte here. At 6GB of usage, Google stops charging for additional data used thought, if you use more than 15GB, your speeds will be throttled.

Phones

Mint Mobile operates on T-Mobile's network and works with any phone compatible with that network including most GSM phones. You can check your phone on Mint Mobile's website to be sure. You can also check with the Mint Mobile app. If you're ready for something new, you can purchase or finance a phone directly from Mint Mobile online. The online store sells a wide variety of phones including both Android devices and iPhones.

Google Fi's phone compatibility is a bit more complex. Nearly any unlocked device can utilize the T-Mobile portion of Google Fi's service, but if you want to take full advantage of the service you'll need one of the Designed for Fi approved devices. These phones will be able to dynamically switch between all available towers to ensure the best possible coverage.

Google's own Pixel series of phones is one of the best ways to get the most out of Google Fi, although there are a few other options. You can buy an unlocked Google Pixel phone like the mid-range Pixel 3a and it will activate with Google Fi's full capabilities. You can also buy or finance phones directly from Google's store.

Coverage

Mint Mobile is based on T-Mobile's 4G LTE network and it covers most Americans. It's always important to check your coverage before signing up for a new phone service. If you live in an urban or suburban area, Mint Mobile more than likely has you covered but will have a few more dead spots away from cities if you travel often.

Google Fi merges towers from T-Mobile, Sprint, and US Cellular to form its coverage area. If you have a phone that's fully compatible with this network, you should have service in most of the United States, though you still might see 3G speeds between cities. Check out Google Fi's coverage map to make sure you'll have good coverage where you live and work.

International support

Mint Mobile users get free calls to Mexico and Canada and have variable rates for other countries. Mint Mobile's international data must be paid for individually at different rates depending on the country. Mint Mobile's rates are $0.05 per text, $0.25 per minute, and $0.20 per MB of data in the countries with service. Mexico and Canada have reduced rates at $0.02 per text, $0.06 per minute, and $0.05 per MB of data.

Google Fi is well-known for its robust roaming options and if you travel outside the U.S. regularly, Google Fi can keep you connected without forcing you to change SIM cards or worry about absurd costs. Calling will cost $0.20 per minute but your data rates will stay the same. Google Fi's international roaming is available in more than 200 countries

If you are just looking to make calls to other countries, Google Fi's Unlimited plan has free calling to 50 locations. If you're on the Flexible plan, calls vary by country, though Canada is notably free. These rates also apply to the Unlimited plan for countries that aren't included.

Which is better for you?

Google Fi is a great phone service for many people, especially if you use a Pixel phone and travel outside the country frequently. It also offers more data than Mint Mobile though the prices are quite a bit higher. However, for most people, Mint Mobile has more than enough coverage and data for most people. Mint Mobile also has great device compatibility and doesn't require a special device to use its entire network. If you can work within one of Mint's plans, you will be able to save a lot of money.

Data Savings

Mint Mobile

Buy data in bulk to save

From $15/month at Mint Mobile

Mint Mobile saves money in the long run by selling data several months at a time with T-Mobile's great network and unlimited calling and texting.

Worldwide Coverage

Google Fi

A plan that grows and travels with you

From $20/month at Google Fi

Legendary roaming paired with a strong network that works with a lot of devices makes Google Fi great for someone that needs plenty of data.



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Four reasons why the VAVA 4K projector belongs in your living room

Do you ever look at your living room and think "this is really dull"? There's an easy fix: replace your old TV with the VAVA Ultra Short Throw projector. Here's what it adds to your home.

Private theater experience at home

TVs keep getting bigger, but they are far away from offering a real theater experience. The biggest TVs are ridiculously expensive and not at all friendly to regular homes. For example, an 86'' TV easily costs you more than $5,000. With VAVA's 4K UST projector, you can project up to 150 inches on your wall for just $2,799. The projector also comes with 4K quality and a built-in Harman Kardon stereo soundbar. No more driving to the cinema and sitting with strangers who can't stop talking. Instead, grab a drink and enjoy a nice and peaceful movie night with your loved ones.

Lightweight and easy to set up

Unlike a 100-pound TV, VAVA's projector only weighs 24 lbs - lighter than most puppies. You can easily move it around the house as often as you want. Carrying it to a friend's place to watch the Superbowl? No problem. All you need is a box smaller than a carry-on luggage. Setup is intuitive and takes less than 10 mins. The projector has plenty of HDMI ports, a USB port and AV port, so you can plug in any streaming products you have available, like Apple TV or Chromecast.

Ultra short throw

Over the years, projectors have improved hugely, starting with the fact that they don't necessarily have to sit on the other side of the room to make a big projection. VAVA's ultra short throw means the projector only needs to sit 7 inches away from the wall to project a 100-inch image. This means people are free to walk around the room without having to dodge the light projectory anymore.

High color precision and brightness

One common misunderstanding with projectors is that you have to have a dark room for it. That's not the case anymore. Using lasers as its light source, the projector is capable of beaming 6,000 lumens to achieve perfect projection quality. The VAVA 4K UST projector can be used anytime of the day without shutting the drapes. Of course you can dim the lights for better experience, but there are no added steps to use the projector like your regular TV.

Short throw, big picture

VAVA 4K UST Projector

$100 off at Amazon

The upgrade your living room needs

Snap this VAVA 4K UST Projector for an exclusive $100 off with BASMRVKH, available now to 03/03/2020. You may have missed the NBA All-Star Game, but your friends will be impressed watching the Finals with the VAVA 4K UST Projector, and many more fun party nights.



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