Out of just over one thousand Android games we tracked this year, here are the highest-rated based on critic and gamer reviews. Presenting the best Android Games of 2023.
10. Stone Story RPG
We open our list with a strange, unique game. Stone Story RPG is not the typical game we see everyday. It’s an AI powered quest where your character does the exploring and combat for you. Don’t mistake this for an idle game. You’re still actively involved with item management to help your little warrior.
With its ASCII art style, there’s a bunch of numbers involved, literally and figuratively. It’s a pretty interesting concept, but it might be too weird and can put off people. A playscore of 8.5.
9. Honkai: Star Rail
There’s more HoyoVerse material for Android devices this year. If you’re not a fan of Genshin Impact’s fast-paced combat, Honkai: Star Rail’s methodical turn-based gameplay will pull you in. It’s basically like Persona 5 with much more ANIME poured in.
This is a completely different adventure compared to Genshin’s. With a strong focus on science fiction, the characters are almost talking about technology, robots and the future.
Of course, it’s not a HoyoVerse game without its Gacha. Star Rail lures us to get the best (and cutest) characters with its tried and tested Gacha mechanics. How,ever, this is completely optional; so it’s up to you whether you want to try your luck using your wallet. It has a playscore of 8.5.
8. Ace Racer
The hottest racing game on the Google Play Store. Ace Racer is your pocket version of Need For Speed. It doesn’t share the same triple-A standards but offer a complete racing package for car enthusiasts.
Porsche, Volkswagen, BMW - it's a Candyland for fans of the racing genre. But to get the best wheels in the market, you might have to pray for the RNG gods and take a roll with its gacha elements. In Ace Racer, you’ll need as much luck as driving skills to make the most out of it. It gets a playscore of 8.7.
7. Merge War: Super Legion Masters
There’s a lot of merge games on the mobile, and we mean it when we say A LOT. From auto chess, merging slimes, dragons, and to training monster pets, Super Legion Masters is an odd, yet content packed game for Android devices.
Like all the games in this list, this is completely FREE but with one major takeaway: there’s microtransactions. The game is pretty grindy in later levels. So getting the best cards and items begs our wallet’s attention.
If you can’t get past this grind, you can always opt for offline mode and enjoy your Merge adventure solo. A playscore of 8.7.
6. Rumble Heroes : Adventure RPG
This will keep your fingers busy as you expand an empire from nothing. Rumble Heroes is a role-playing adventure that tasks you to save a Princess in distress. It’s not going to be an easy quest. Apart from building your lands, recruiting heroes is also essential for the cause.
With the power of RNG and a little bit of microtransactions, you can find the best heroes at your beck and call. It’s not the most innovative game in the market, but it’s certainly the strongest of the bunch this year. It has a playscore of 8.7.
5. Pickle Pete: Survivor
Brotato’s cousin has a lot going on for him this year. Pickle Pete’s survival against an evil swarm is a relentless shooter that doesn’t stop until you’re squished.
Equipped with an arsenal of heavy firepower and a dodge roll, brave through its gauntlet of powerful enemies and boss fights. The longer the run is, the better the rewards and abilities to unlock. The neat progression system lets you customize your own playstyle from its wide selection of power ups.
It is an addictive roguelite that’s perfect for Android devices and it receives a playscore of 8.7.
4. Orixo Hex
Orixo Hex is a tricky puzzle game that pokes at your brain. It improves upon the previous title with more complex challenges that will twist your synapses. The rules remain the same: fill all the cells in the correct order.
With over 100 levels to solve, there’s a lot of variety to its polygonal problems. Thankfully it’s a mobile game where you can just take a break whenever. This is a satisfying brain exercise with a playscore of 8.8.
3. Browndust2 - Adventure RPG
An extremely well-polished RPG from publisher Neowiz. Browndust2 takes inspiration from popular 2D titles like Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy, except there are more pretty girls to play as. It features a gorgeous art style and an easy to learn turn-based combat.
The major difference in Browndust2 is the gacha elements to get the best characters. There’s certainly a glaring pay-to-win aspect with PvP. If you have the patience, it is possible to improve your characters without spending money. A playscore of 8.8.
2. Lost In Play
Lost In Play is a feel-good adventure about two siblings discovering magic. The premise isn’t too unique if we think about it; where it does well is in presentation. It feels like you’re playing an episode of Gravity Falls or Over The Garden Wall with its familiar 2D art style.
It’s a point and click adventure so there’s no need to do snazzy combos or endlessly tap. Lost in Play is the kind that eases you into playing with vibrant colors and a wholesome story. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the adventure. You might really get lost while playing. It has a playscore of 8.8.
1. Reverse: 1999
The best Android game this year is Reverse: 1999, another roleplaying game with gacha elements. Yes, this combination of RPG and gacha is really common with mobile games.
Reverse: 1999 takes place in alternate 90s where magic has spread across the land… and there's a lot of cute anime characters to meet.
What sets it apart is that it’s a 2D turn-based game that uses cards for battles. You will need to test your luck with its gacha mechanics. This is the way to unlock and upgrade characters. It’s free-to-play friendly so players can relax as they hop in on their adventures without having to spend any money.