Best action games
From classic FPS titles like DOOM to platform fighting games like Brawhalla, there’s a wide variety of action games available on your Android device. While you’ll probably want to pair the online action games with anAndroid controllerfor that competitive edge, all these games are playable whether you’re using an Android phone or tablet.
We’ve rounded up our favorite action games on the Play Store. There’s a lot to choose from here, so download a few at a time to find your favorite. When you’ve finished a few rounds of Call of Duty, wind down with a relaxing casual game.
Unwind with these creative casual games
13Goat Simulator 3
Goat Simulator 3 is a chaotic action game where you’ll cause mayhem in an open world filled with unsuspecting civilians and unlocked cars. It’s a sandbox game, so you have the freedom to play how you want, but it’s hard to complete the game without causing a certain level of chaos.
Goat Simulator 3’s gameplay is loosely strung together with quests and challenges to complete. While the overall narrative won’t win any storytelling awards, it’s just enough to keep the destruction interesting. Best of all, it’s multiplayer, so you can get a friend to join your game.
12Dust & Neon
A top-down roguelike shooter, Dust & Neon has plenty of unique quirks that help it stand out among similar games. For example, loading each bullet manually means you’ll need to be constantly aware of your ammunition status, and the open world encourages extensive exploration.
There is one catch with Dust & Neon; you must use a controller. While the game is technically playable with the touch-screen controls, as a twin-stick shooter, the game is nearly unplayable. Fortunately, our roundup of thebest Android controllersis here to help.
There’s little need to introduce DOOM. This classic game was rebuilt with Unity for modern devices. You can even play using a keyboard, and the game even supports 60FPS gameplay for smooth operation.
You can play the Android version just about anywhere you like, using the control methods you prefer, whether you’re on the go with an Android phone or want to sit down for a long session on your Chromebook. So if you’re looking for some sweet classic shooter action, DOOM is a great choice.
10Rhythm Fighter
Sure, there are plenty of classic action games on Android, but what if you’re looking for something modern? If you’re a fan of rhythm games, then Rhythm Fighter should be on your radar. This title combines rhythm gameplay with side-scrolling beat ‘em-up gameplay, and it’s a hoot. All the moves expected from a brawling game are here, so you’ll kick and punch your way to victory, all to the beat of some fantastic music.
Best of all, Rhythm Fighter is a premium release, which means you could get the whole game with a one-time purchase. So, if you have $3 to spare and are looking to dive into a unique title that is relatively new and offers skill-based gameplay, this one’s for you.
9Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Metroidvania fans should recognize this one. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is the game where the term Metroidvania originated. In this 2D platforming game, you’ll work your way through the world, defeating foes as you uncover valuable tools that help you progress while also coming in clutch when taking down bosses.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is considered a classic for a reason, and you can pick up the Android port for $3, which is about as cheap as this game gets. If you’ve yet to play the classic or are simply looking for an enjoyable revisit, we can certainly vouch that this is one of the best action games on the platform. Don’t miss out!
8Brawlhalla
This competitive game plays a lot like Super Smash Bros. Players fight it out in stages that contain platforms, hopping around in an attempt to be the last one standing. While I’m sure Smash Bros. fans would scoff at calling Brawlhalla a clone, that’s essentially what it is. Even though it’s free to play, it’s balanced, making for an enjoyable platform-based fighter.
Sure, free-to-play means the game is heavily monetized, but luckily it’s all cosmetics, which means nobody can pay for an advantage. Plus, the game supports cross-platform play, which means you can jump on your phone to play with friends across consoles and PC.
7Dead Cells
Over the years, we’ve seen manygreat indie roguelikeson Android, but Dead Cells stands above the rest. It plays like a Metroidvania title while also offering roguelike mechanics, and yes, you’ll die often, but that’s part of the fun.
The controls are tight, and even if you’re not a fan of touch controls, there’s controller support. Plus, the game supports high framerates and can hold them stable with a beefy device, which means this is a game it’s possible to play at blazing-fast framerates, which pairs well with a corded controller for minimum latency. Best of all, the game is still seeing updates with new content, which is pretty crazy for a title originally released in 2017.
6Five Nights at Freddy’s
The Five Nights at Freddy’s is pretty popular with kids, but it’s a solid game for anyone into jump-scare-filled horror games. The series is growing long in the tooth, with this title landing on Android in 2014, but it holds up and is still actively updated. As for the gameplay, it’s your job to run security at a pizza parlor containing many animatronics (much like Chuck E. Cheese). Of course, these animatronics come to life, looking to murder, so you’ll have to utilize your office’s camera system to stay abreast of the killer robots. Can you survive the night?
If you’re not sure how to start with this series, we have ahandy guideto prep you for your adventure. The best place to start is, of course, with this game, and you can pick it up for $3.
5Radiation Island
From Minecraft to Terraria, there are plenty of survival games on Android, and if you’re not interested in ports, Radiation Island is a great place to start. This is an open-world game where you’ll explore as you gather materials necessary for survival. Your goal is to escape the island to return to the outside world, but you won’t be able to rush to the end.
This is a premium release; you can snag a copy for $3 without worrying about in-app purchases or annoying ads. Plus, the game supports controllers, making it a perfect title for tablets and Chromebooks.
4ScourgeBringer
A fusion ofclassic Metroidvania gamesand rogue-lite design, ScourgeBringer has you blasting through ancient ruins via punishing hack-and-slash combat. Purchase upgrades and take on the formidable pixel art enemies and bosses, never missing a beat with the intuitive controls and smooth frame rate. A game that would feel at home on thebest souls-like roundup, ScourgeBringer doesn’t hold anything back.
The note-taking app I should have used all along
Broader branding hints at wider paid-tier ambitions
This article is sponsored by Total Wireless.
It’s never been cheaper
New tablets coming September 4
Perfect for all types of devices
