Page 26
Call Sign March 2012
For those Dial-a-Cab drivers who say I never review Android
Five Great Android
games, complain no more!
Games
If you read my column regularly, you'll know
GAMING:
that when it comes to gaming, my platforms of
choice are PC and iPad/iPhone. I'm not really a
console gamer and for me there is no better
mobile device for gaming than those built on
What's worth playing?
Apple's iOS iPad and iPhone. However, I'm
aware that the Android market, although frac-
tured, is beginning to catch up with the App
defences and survive to the other side, destroy-
Store in the gaming arena. This is partly due to
ing alien technology along the way.
faster technology available in devices such as
Sporting addictive gameplay, top-notch visu-
the Samsung Galaxy tab, but also because
als and audio, this game brings hours of enter-
more game developers are targeting both iOS
tainment. Originally, I played the game to com-
and Android platforms.
pletion (and replayed all the levels on hard
So, although I'm neither an Android fan or
core to get the top awards!) on my iPad. Playing
an owner of an Android device, I borrowed
this on an Android phone was exactly the same
one and tried out some of the games that are
experience (bar the smaller screen), so I rec-
available so I could give those of you who
ommend it. Even if you don't like the tower
play games on Android a list of what I consid-
defence style of games, it's worth trying out
er to be the top five. You can find all these
this game as I'm sure you won't be disappoint-
games on the Android Market at
ed.
https://market.android.com.
If you're an iPhone or iPad user, fear not
#1 Carcassonne (£3.49): You may recall a
because all of these are also available on the
few months ago when I listed the top 5 iPhone
background music to each level. The music is
App Store at http://itunes.apple.com/
games, my number one choice was
so well composed and clearly picked for each
gb/genre/ios-games/.
Carcassonne. Now it is available on Android
level that the game becomes very immersive,
which is great news because it's such an excel-
#5 Inertia: Escape Velocity (£2.54):
resulting in the sudden realisation that you've
lent game. Carcassonne is based on the
Gravity is Going Down! You are Hermes, a
been playing for an hour without noticing it.
German-style strategy board game of the same
high-tech scavenger who can turn his personal
For a casual game, that's quite an achievement;
name. 2-5 players build a medieval landscape,
gravity on and off at will. Utilize your power to
the average casual gamer will spend no more
tile by tile and claim landmarks with your fol-
control Inertia to leap, hover, bounce, float and
than 15-20 minutes on one game in one sitting.
lowers to score points. I have the original board
zoom through intriguing challenges and deadly
#2 Anomaly Warzone Earth HD (£2.49):
game and it's very addictive and I also enjoy
obstacles in this beautiful 3D platform game.
There are many tower defence games available
playing the iPad version against friends and
This is an interesting little game, which looked
on all platforms, which makes it nearly impos-
family. Its replay value, beautiful graphics and
really nice on Android and was surprisingly
sible for any new games in the same genre to
multiplayer capabilities is what you'd expect in
comfortable to play. Have a look at the videos
stand out. However, the makers of Anomaly
a game within the higher price range and it's
on the Android Market and see what you think.
Warzone Earth (originally for PC), managed to
suitable for kids as well as adults. Having tried
#4 Sonic CD (£3.23): If you're an old school
reinvent the genre by changing the way we
the Android version out, I'm pleased to see that
gamer who remembers when Sonic the
play tower defence games.The classic format of
it is of the same high quality as the iPhone/iPad
Hedgehog was the biggest game going, you'll
the genre involves you building towers of
editions. So if you have an Android device, get
probably remember Sonic CD. Your kids likely
increasing strength to hold back a relentless
this game now!
won't, but they should know of Sonic from the
horde of marching enemies. This game turns
Well, that's the best of all the games I've tried
more recent Nintendo games. Either way, the
the genre on its head by making you the horde
out on Android and I hope that with the variety
speedy blue hedgehog is one of the most
(more accurately, the British Special Services).
of genres I've mentioned, there's something
famous gaming characters and this rendition of
Aliens have invaded earth and have set up a
there for everyone.
the game is brought back to life in full retro
number of towers and defence systems in vari-
magnificence for both iOS and Android. Both
ous cities. You are the commander of an elite
Jon Winterburn
platforms look identical, so playing Sonic CD
squad and you have to find a way through these
DaC Network Administrator
on your Android or iPhone will no doubt bring
back memories of the glory days of gaming. I
Visiting Gordon Poluck...
must admit I enjoyed playing it again and my
son (9 years old) actually enjoyed the gameplay
more than the modern Sonic games. The 80s
Long term Dial-a-Cab subscribers will remember
and 90s really were the golden age of console
Gordon Poluck (ex-R 34) from his years as a DaC
gaming, so it's nice to be able to enjoy this clas-
driver, Board member and by the many that over
sic again with a whole new generation.
the years attended social functions where Gordon
#3 EDGE Extended (£1.92): This is a great
was the red-jacketed Master of Ceremonies, a role
little indie game I originally played on iPad,
for which he was well known and respected.
after completing its prequel, EDGE on PC.
Gordon also served for many years as a councillor
EDGE Extended is an improvement on the orig-
for the borough of Croydon.
inal. Essentially, it is a slightly old-school 3D iso-
He is now in a Jewish Care residential home.
metric platform game where you control a
Speaking to Call Sign, Gordon's wife Shirley told
cube through numerous levels. You have to
complete the puzzles to get to the end of each
us that he would be delighted to see his Dial-a-
level (and there are tons of levels and bonus
Cab friends.
Gordon was
levels), with each one becoming increasingly
an excellent
Gordon is at Rubens House, 184 Ballards
toastmaster
more difficult. I tried this out on Android and
in addition
Lane, Finchley N3 2NB Tel: 0208 349 9879... to d
riving a taxi
found it to be exactly the same quality and fun.
What's unexpected about this game is the
