2024 has been a great year for smartphone gaming and some of the best Android games we’ve seen have been released in the last month or two. We’re halfway through the year so we can’t be sure that all of these will feature in our end-of-the-year lineup of the top Android games, but we’ve had a blast experiencing all of these recently. Across genres, there has been something new for everyone to try and enjoy, and while many of the games that came in the years before have still taken up a lot of our time, we’d like to give you some new Android games to try.
Image: Solo leveling: Arise
Recommending the Best Android Games to Try in 2024
Smartphone games are popular, no doubt, but they rarely get the attention and hype a Switch or PlayStation 5 release receives. Despite the lack of advertising, these games have somehow managed to hold their own and create a community around them.
A large majority of smartphone games are free-to-play which makes them easier for a wider audience to access, and there’s always something for everyone. Mobile gaming gives players access to more games by smaller developers compared to any other console or PC releases, which makes them all the more appealing.
If you’re not much of a smartphone gamer and prefer other consoles, now might be a great time to give some of the latest Android games a shot.
Solo Leveling: Arise
Publisher: Netmarble
Platforms: Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows
Release Date: March 18, 2024
The Webtoon to K-drama pipeline might be fun but the Webtoon to anime to video game pipeline is even better. Solo Leveling: Arise is an action fantasy game that is based on a mahua by Jang Sung-rak which was created based on a web novel by Chugong. There is a history of content behind the game. If you’ve read or watched the story already, this game was designed for you, but even without having experienced the associated media, you should have a fun time with this dungeon adventure.
Dungeons have appeared across the city and citizens empowered with powers that turn them into “hunters” are charged with going in to get rid of all the monsters that reside within.
Our protagonist Sung Jinwoo, who was once one of the weakest hunters in the game, massively levels up after the “Double Dungeon” incident, and you get to accompany him on his adventure to grow even further. The game has a gacha system which we would have preferred this particular game to come without, but Jinwoo does stay relevant for the majority of the game and you can continue to test out some of the coolest weapons with him. If you’re looking for a fun dungeon adventure, this is one of the top Android games to try.
Zenless Zone Zero
Publisher: HoYoverse
Platforms: Android, iOS, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5
Release Date: July 4, 2024
Another gacha game on the list might feel like overkill but bear with us, this one is a slightly different urban fantasy. It follows the story of a brother-sister team that helps Hollow Raiders do what they do best—raid Hollows. Helping your team defeat the “Eternals” that live in these hollows, there are a lot of interesting combat styles and team combos to explore.
The graphics and the comic book-style narration are the main attractions of the game, so this is one of the top Android games for those who like the games dunked in the plot.
If you’re just a fan of the action, you can skip some of the story to go straight to the next section of the game, but the combat rounds end very quickly and you have another wait before you can find another fight. The game has only just been released so there is considerable scope for expansion, which means if you want to get a head start to get closer to the late-game content, you should probably go queue up the download right now. It’s going to take a while.
LUNA The Shadow Dust
Publisher: Wemade Connect
Platforms: Android, iOS
Release Date: June 17, 2024
One of the best indie experiences from 2022 just released for Android devices and we couldn’t be more excited. The game follows two playable companions as they solve puzzles and overcome challenges to restore the balance between light and shadow. The point-and-click adventure is entirely hand-animated, and its artfully crafted graphics shift from being haunting to comforting very beautifully.
The entire story is conveyed via illustrations without the support of dialogues which is normally hard to pull off, but this game does a good job of it. As you move from location to location, you get to tap around your environment and strategize the best way to deal with the obstacles standing in your way.
You do have to buy the game to play it which is unfortunate, but it is well worth the money. You can alternatively buy the game for your Switch if you prefer, but we’re here to promote the latest Android games so we recommend giving it a go on your smartphone.
The Mystery Of Eigengrau
Publisher: Rigor Mortis Interactive
Platforms: Android, iOS
Release Date: March 31, 2024
Horror enthusiasts have a lot of great options for PC and console gaming, like the Resident Evil series or Silent Hill. Mobile gamers have some good options too, but they’re not as easy to come by. That’s why we had to jump at the chance to feature a horror escape room game that was released recently, the Mystery of Eigengrau. Designed entirely by a single developer, the game is extremely eerie and immersive and presents you with different puzzles to solve as you try to search for your kidnapped brother and keep the mysterious horrors of the night at bay.
The game has some ways to go in terms of touch control sensitivity and its overly long description on the Google Play Store, but don’t let the little things stop you from ensuring you’re unsettled in the best way.
Cozy Grove: Camp Spirit
Publisher: Spry Fox, Netflix, Inc.
Platforms: Android, iOS
Release Date: June 25, 2024
The original Cozy Grove game has a huge fan following and the latest version of the game is just as heartwarming and designed with love. Unfortunately for many of us, it is now owned by Netflix. Even though no one asked, the company has been acquiring games and their developers and locking them under a Netflix subscription so those without an account cannot enjoy the game. If you’re among those paying their prices already, you may as well make the most of it and enjoy the games available to you. One of the best Android games to try if you’re an enjoyer of cozy passive gaming experiences, Cozy Grove has a lot to offer.
Stranded on a mysterious island after a crash, you find yourself surrounded by adorable ghostly bear spirits who only want to find some peace. You’re set with the task of crafting items and designing a beautiful campsite from scratch, harvesting food and mining resources to complete quests as you help the world around you thrive. If you’re an Animal Crossing enjoyer, then consider this mobile game designed for you.
If we had more time, we could go on and on about the new Android games you could try, but we’ll stop here. There are obviously other popular titles you might be interested in such as the MMORPG Tarisland and the much-awaited Star Wars: Hunters which feels very much like Overwatch. If you’re a premium Crunchyroll subscriber, then the Dawn of the Monsters is another fun game to try out. There are a lot of options to choose from so stop hating on mobile gaming and give these games a try.
