Best Android Games of the Month – April 2021
April showers bring May flowers. So will great games in April bring even cooler games in May? Does that make any sense? Anyway, let’s dive into the best Android games of April 2021 before I completely lose the plot.
5. Doctor Who: The Lonely Assassins
Whovians rejoice. A newly found phone mystery title based in the Dr. Who universe has dropped on mobile. Doctor Who: The Lonely Assassins has you work with Petronella Osgood to solve the mystery surrounding Lawrence Nightingale’s disappearance. Use Lawrence’s phone to help uncover clues about his potential whereabouts. Search through his web history, texts and photos to get a sense of Lawrence’s life. However, it quickly becomes apparent that the sinister Weeping Angels seem to be involved in Lawrence’s disappearance.
Players text their clues to Osgood as they unravel the mystery and help combat the terrifying Angels. Why was Lawrence targeted? What do the Angels really want? All this and more will be answered in Doctor Who: The Lonely Assassins by Maze Theory. If mystery and horror in the Dr. Who universe sounds like your kind of game, definitely check this one out.
Available on Google Play
4. Divinity’s Rise
I know what you’re thinking: Another mobile RPG? But fear not, Divinity’s Rise by developer Outstanding Game offers a refreshing take on the genre. The characters are all refreshingly unique takes on genre staples, while the art style is colorful, vibrant and cartoony. Players guide their champion through the story and collect gear of different rarities, all with varying set bonuses and stats. These sets allow for a range of playstyles and replayability as you find new ways to take on your foes.
Perhaps most intriguing of all is the monetization system. Other games in the genre are more than happy to dip into players’ wallets at every possible turn. However, Divinity’s Rise seems content to buck that trend. There is still monetization: the battle pass, premium summons and new character events all require in-game currency. Again, Divinity’s Rise bests its competition by readily giving players more than enough premium currency through free in-game quests. All told, Divinity’s Rise takes the tried and true mobile RPG genre and improves upon it artistically, mechanically and ethically. Even fans who have been lukewarm towards the genre in the past should give it a try. It’s not often that such a standout in a genre comes along for all the right reasons.
Available on Google Play
3. Slashy Camp – Endless Runner
Looking for a fun, mindless, murderous romp through a 1980s campground? Look no further than Slashy Camp. In the game, you take control of SkullFace, a typical 80s slasher movie psycho. As is tradition, he is on a mission to murder all the teens at his local camp. This is accomplished by simply swiping on the screen and telling SkullFace where to go. The killer can also terrify the teens into falling into a lake, bottomless holes or fire to accomplish his task. Beware of pesky hunters and police trying to thwart SkullFace at every turn.
Gameplay is simple, fun and offers players tons of classic 80s villains to unlock. The cartoony art style also contrasts beautifully with its core, gory premise. The only real setback is the monetization. Every time players finish a level they are forced to watch an ad or buy the ad-less version of the game. While by no means a deal-breaker, it does slightly dampen the otherwise carefree vibe the games is going for. If that isn’t an obstacle for you, then live out your villainous fantasies in Blue Wizard Digital’s Slashy Camp.
Available on Google Play
2. Royal Match
Continuing the trend of consumer-friendly monetization practices is developer Dream Game’s debut title, Royal Match. Players are tasked with building and decorating rooms for a King’s castle. The story is not the main draw here though. While on the surface Royal Match may seem like any other mobile puzzler, underneath is a true beauty of a game. While it does stay true to traditional tile-matching titles, it also adds fun new features.
Pulling off combos will trigger fun power-ups like disco balls and TNT barrels that clear large portions of the board. Additional power-ups are found in each of the castle’s rooms, giving players the option to tackle each puzzle as they see fit. The game boasts a stellar soundtrack, clean art design and great attention to detail. Royal Match also has a surprising difficulty spike after level 20, ensuring players aren’t lulled to sleep by the experience. This coupled with the fact that there are no in-game ads (yes, really) elevates this title above its competition.
Available on Google Play
1. League of Legends Wild Rift
Of course we would be remiss if we didn’t mention this title. One of the most beloved and reviled games in existence. A MOBA that garners international spectacle each year and millions of dollars in revenue. League has finally come to mobile with League of Legends Wild Rift. The game is quite the endeavor. The task of translating such diverse gameplay to mobile seemed insurmountable. However, Riot Games has (mostly) pulled it off here. And it only took limiting the champion pool, adjusting Summoner’s Rift, reworking champion abilities and overhauling their tutorial system. While this may seem like a completely different game to some, it is impressive how Wild Rift has transitioned to mobile. The level of effort here certainly shows a commitment to the mobile format moving forward.
However Wild Rift suffers from monetization issues. It seems that developer Riot Games is also dedicated to nickel and diming their players as much as possible. While unfortunate, the gameplay itself is quite satisfying. Additionally, the new speed at which Wild Rift is played is certainly a welcome update to the classic League formula. Regardless if you’re a die-hard League fan or a newcomer to the franchise, Wild Rift is worth the download.
Available on Google Play
And that’s a wrap! Those were our picks for the best Android games of April 2021. What did you think? Love it? Hate it? Anything we missed? Be sure to leave your suggestions for Games of the Month below, and check out our Best Games of March and Best Games of February.
