Best Android Games of 2021

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Best Android Games of 2021

We are two months into 2021 and the end of winter is approaching. My fellow hibernators might be wondering what they are going to do with the additional free time the longer days will bring. Though, if you are like most adults, you still won’t have much free time to speak of. So, let me rephrase my questions: are you wondering how to best delay completing your ever-growing to-do list? A good video game is an age-old procrastination technique and listed below are the best Android games of 2021.

10. GTA San Andreas

San Andreas is an installment in Rockstar North’s Grand Theft Auto franchise. For those of you raised in the Sahara, GTA is an open-world action-adventure game that combines the elements of third-person shooters and driving games to make for some intriguing and entertaining gameplay. The 90s setting gives this mobile game a unique vibe that is sure to muster nostalgic feelings. You are able to explore not just one city but a whole state, and the characters in the game are more characterizable than those of its predecessors. If you are looking for a throwback game that won’t make you cringe, San Andreas is the game for you.

9. Minecraft

Everyone has heard of Mojang’s Minecraft; hell, even my grandma has heard of it. However, she has no idea what it is about. So, for all you grandmas out there, here are the basics. There are two main modes of play: survival and creative. The survival mode is exactly how it sounds. You are dropped into a world and tasked with staying alive. You need to gather supplies to build a shelter, feed and protect yourself. The creative mode is more akin to a sandbox. You start out with supplies and are set loose to create whatever your innermost heart desires. Both are valid choices that lead to hours upon hours of enjoyable self-indulgent play.

8. Terraria

Combine the crafting and survival elements of Minecraft with a 2D retro platform adventure game and you get Terraria. Developed by Re-Logic, Terraria has sold over 30 million copies and is available on PC and mobile. What makes this game so popular? Well, Terraria appeals to humans’ most primal instinct: looting. Build shelter, weapons and more in your quest to survive and thrive. And, when you are ready, there are multitudes of bosses ready to battle you to the death. With both multiplayer and single-player options, prepare to spend centuries digging deep down into Terraria’s world because this is one fun and addicting game.

7. Civilization VI

Converting a game as groundbreaking as Civilization VI from PC to mobile must have been a daunting task, but Aspyr Media was unafraid of this challenge. As a result, we now have this turn-based strategy game available at our fingertips. This title has received almost universal praise.

The game begins similarly to how its PC predecessor did. You first choose one of 19 civilizations, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. Knowing the ins and outs of the various civilizations is essential if you are to achieve victory. Though building and exploring are important functions of this title, that is not all there is to it. You can win in a variety of ways, from conquering the world, making it to the moon or converting all of humanity to one faith.

Just as Aspyr Media didn’t step down from a challenge, neither should you. Civilization VI will hone your strategy skills and creative abilities, all while providing you with a stellar gaming experience.

6. Battle Chasers: Nightwar

This Android RPG is a continuation of the 90s comics created by Joe Madureira, who is also known for his work on Darksiders and Marvel Comics’ Uncanny X-Men. Battle Chasers: Nightwar contains gorgeous hand-drawn art that combines both comic book and JRPG styles. The story begins as an airship crash lands onto an island called the Lost Continent. Lead a party with characters such as a moody swordmaster and the classic old mage. In order to escape, you and your party will need to defeat an evil sorceress and thwart her diabolical plans. With engaging side quests to complement your gameplay, Airship Syndicate’s Battle Chasers: Nightwar is a detailed and rich world that players will get lost in for hours.

5. Slay the Spire

Mega Crit masterfully combines the roguelike and deckbuilding genres into one addictive mobile title. Slay the Spire first entered the market in 2017, but it wasn’t until this month that it could be downloaded onto Android devices. One of the main reasons Slay the Spire has become such a major hit is because of its versatility. The game will match the intensity in which you approach it. This combined with the inherent variety keeps each session fresh and exciting.

There are four characters to unlock, each one with different cards and abilities. During combat, you use your cards to obliterate your opponents. That’s the goal at least. You have a finite amount of energy and when that energy is used up, your turn is over. As you progress in the game, the cards you obtain become more and more complex, allowing for more precise strategizing. But no amount of planning can fully predict the element of chance that is thrown into the game. This randomness keeps Slay the Spire fresh and players on their toes.

4. The Banner Saga

The first thing you will notice about The Banner Saga is its unique art style, giving this dark fantasy adventure game a special appeal. Combine that with the haunting music, dour plot line and elegant turn-based tactical combat, and you are in for a treat. Influenced heavily by Norse mythology, follow two playable characters who only have one goal: to survive. This mobile game somehow mixes elements from the Final Fantasy series and The Oregon Trail to make for a fresh gaming experience. There are currently three installments in The Banner Saga, only two of which have made it to Google Play. Hopefully Stoic Studio is working to release The Banner Saga 3 on Android because once you start playing you won’t want to stop.

3. Beamdog’s RPGs: Baldur’s Gate 1 & 2, Icewind Dale, Planescape: Torment, Neverwinter Nights

If you are a fan of Dungeons & Dragons, then you are probably already familiar with Beamdog. The Canadian video game studio is most known for releasing enhanced versions of popular Dungeons & Dragons games for PC and mobile.

To give you an idea of how amazing Beamdog’s RPGs are, let’s look at Planescape: Torment. Originally released for the PC by Bioware in 1999, Planescape: Torment was met with widespread admiration. This popularity led to the treasure hunters at Beamdog releasing the Enhanced Edition for PC, Mac OS and mobile back in 2017. The enhanced version includes gameplay updates and bug fixes, as well as quality-of-life improvements not found in the original release. Keeping true to its foundations, this fantasy RPG remains a classic.

Play as a memoryless immortal man called The Nameless One. Travel the world to discover how you became immortal as you try to regain your lost memories. Planescape: Torment is praised for having one of the best videogame storylines of all time and has been credited as an inspiration for a bevy of other popular RPG games. Download and play today to see what all the hype is about.

2. Genshin Impact

Genshin Impact is an open-world action RPG with gacha elements developed by miHoYo. There are plenty of reasons to get excited by this game, one of them being that it has an estimated 39.3 million players across all gaming platforms. Additionally, miHoYo releases regular updates, meaning that the game gets constant improvements and exciting new content.

Genshin Impact is based on a manga series that came out in 2018. It is a single-player game with multiplayer elements in which you take on the role of a traveler from another world. First, the game presents you with a set of twins and tasks you with choosing which one you will play as. I should advise you, however, that the twin you do not choose will soon fall upon misfortune, leaving your character stranded on a foreign world alone.

Exploring the world of Teyvat becomes an immersive experience as the stellar graphics, remarkable soundtrack and impressive details pull you in. Even using the lowest quality options, the graphics are still crisp and smooth. Overall, Genshin Impact is a dream come true. If that sounds appealing to you, I highly suggest you give it a try.

1. XCOM: Enemy Within

XCOM: Enemy Within tops the best Android games of 2021 list. This strategy franchise throws you into the middle of an arms race with aliens invading your planet. It mixes turn-based play with base and resource management, making each player pull out all their skills in order to succeed. With great intuitive touchscreen controls and well-aged graphics, Firaxis Games’ XCOM: Enemy Within is the absolute last word in turn-based tactical combat.