The 10 Best Mobile Games of July 2015

Overwhelmed by the App Store? Think Google Play’s too clunky? With so many mobile games being released every month, finding the ones that are worth downloading can be daunting. Sure, you could just stick to the top-grossing charts, but you miss out on some great stuff if you don’t dig deeper.

Alphabear

The minds behind the adorable puzzler Triple Town pick up where they left off with this equally awesome word game. Use Scrabble-like tiles to spell words, score points, and collect an assortment of ability-boosting bears. Alphabear is mellow with the in-app purchases, too. Wildly addictive and totally cute, it’s a beast. (Free | iOS, Android)

Prune

Released out of the blue at the tail end of July, Prune turns the Zen-like act of tree-trimming into a gorgeous puzzle game. This isn’t a boring bonsai, however: You’ll need to selectively slice off branches to help your quickly growing tree negotiate high winds, dangerous suns, and more. Prune’s understated visuals and simple but challenging gameplay makes it a natural fit for both iPhone and iPad. ($3.99 | iOS)

Angry Birds 2

If you can get past the fact that it should probably be called Angry Birds 16 instead of Angry Birds 2, you’ll find a really pretty update on Rovio’s piggy-smashing blockbuster. There are plenty of new features here, such as multi-staged levels, powerful spells, and the ability to choose which bird you want to toss. And this time it’s free—though you should be prepared for a flock of in-app purchase requests. Rovio wants to wet its beak. (Free | iOS, Android)

Mountain Goat Mountain

Crossy Road meets Q*Bert in this quirky endless hopping game. Up the mountain you go, avoiding pits, dangerous objects, and your own greed (that gold coin is so close) as you try to climb as high as possible. There are over 20 different goats to unlock, each of which actually changes the look and feel of the mountain: The stealth goat, for example, yields a green night-vision mode. Just wait until you find the unicorn. (Free | iOS, Android)

This War of Mine

War isn’t cheap, and neither is this pricey tablet game. But the award-winning This War of Mine is easily worth its weight in mobile game bucks. Rather than focusing on the fighters, this introspective game tells the tale of the civilians trying to survive in a war zone. Scavenge for food and supplies, sneak past hostile snipers, and do whatever it takes to keep your struggling group alive. Moving and unique, it’s a can’t-miss for tablet owners. ($14.99 | iOS, Android)

Five Nights at Freddy’s 4

The animatronic abominations are back, and this time, they’re in your closet. Seriously. DON’T GO IN THERE. The final game in the Five Night’s at Freddy’s series (why they’re not making five games is a mystery) is just as creepy as the others, though instead of a security guard, you’re now a little kid with a flashlight in a house filled with killer robots. Though it’s currently out only on the PC and Android, an iOS version should be along shortly. ($2.99 | Android)

Atomas

While it’s been out for iOS for a few months now, this scientific puzzler finally hit Android devices in July. That’s worth celebrating, because it’s smart and challenging. You don’t have to be a scientist to combine atoms into elements and free up the big circle, but who knows? Maybe Atomas will inspire you to break open your old chemistry set. (Free | iOS, Android)

Red Game Without A Great Name

Teleporty Bird? Mechanical Mail? They gave up on the name, but the developers of this odd, stylish gem should be applauded for their weird creation. You control a mechanical bird trying to deliver mail, but all sorts of obstacles stand in your way. Good thing you can teleport, though that’s easier said than done. RGWAGN is difficult, but its catchy music, slick graphics, and cool gameplay will keep you coming back—stupid name notwithstanding. ($2.99 | iOS)

The Executive

The employees of Silver Mining Co. have turned into werewolves (and worse) What’s a corporate executive to do? Punch and kick them into oblivion, of course. You do that through simple taps and swipes, and the money you earn on each level can be funneled back into the business to better bankroll the fisticuffs. Sound ridiculous? It is, and it’s tons of fun, too. ($4.99 | iOS)

Agar.io

This popular browser game chomped its way to mobile devices in July. You’re a blob. There are other blobs. They are probably bigger than you. That’s bad. You can change that by eating little dots, eventually growing large enough to eat some of the other blobs. Did I mention the other blobs are controlled by other players? Fun, simple, and smooth, Agar.io works well on touchscreen devices. Just be careful: It’s a blob eat blob world out there. (Free | iOS, Android)

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