Topic: Android tablet game recommendations

Hi there,

I picked up a nice Samsung S7 tablet recently. I bought it mainly for work and productivity purposes, but I wouldn't mind using it for a game or two. I already picked up Civilization VI and I'm loving it on that particular platform. The game is very well suited for touchscreen and specifically for the larger screen of a tab.

• I'm not looking for cheap f2p/p2w games, but for proper 'meaty' games (of course they don't have to cost money )
• Game is preferably built up from the ground or at least properly optimized for touchscreen, thereby d-pad 'emulation' is a no go. I will not connect a controller - I have my Switch and PS4 for that
• I'm in for most genres (strategy, RPG, adventure, puzzle, sim or anything I'm overlooking), as long as it is relaxing. Action games I'd rather play on my consoles

Any recommendations? Thanks in advance!

I really like the mobile port of Stardew Valley. It has many control schemes you can try to find something that suits you, I personally use the invisible joystick + 2 invisible buttons configuration, although the basic tap-and-go configuration is good too.

I also quite like the final fantasy games, harvest moon, ace attorney, plants vs zombies (the first one), minecraft, farming simulator, etc.

@Eel great, thanks! Stardew valley was already on my radar. That sounds like the perfect game indeed. I'll check out the other games as well.

@toiletduck Even though you mentioned "no f2p", I'd still recommend Fallout Shelter and Gems of War, and besides that, here's a couple of top 20/25/best tablet games videos from 2016, 2019 and 2020 respectively, to give you a couple more ideas of what to buy/download:

And if several top 20/25 videos aren't enough for you, then here's a "best 103 games" list of 2020:
https://www.slant.co/topics/2049/~best-android-tablet-games

@ThanosReXXX thanks, I'll check them out. Reason I'm asking here is that from that I typically have a hard time filtering the right games out. I'll definitely check out f2p's you're mentioning.

@toiletduck
I would recommend XCom Enemy Within with XCom 2 coming out next year aswell, Monument Valley 1 & 2, the Banner Saga games and Machinarium

@toiletduck Look no further than one of the best games EVER created.

Heroes of Might and Magic 3 HD!!!

https://www.ubisoft.com/en-gb/game/heroes-of-might-and-magic-...

It is true that is does not contain the expansions and Horn of the Abyss but still it is a PC quality game on Tablet.

@toiletduck You're welcome. By the way: I definitely agree with the recommendations for XCom Enemy Within and Heroes of Might and Magic 3 HD as well.

@toiletduck My wife bought me a tablet for my birthday last year to use for gaming. I downloaded a ton of games to try... and then she totally usurped it to stream TV shows and I barely ever get to use it, haha.

I'm trying to remember anything good that I did try. The Alto games are fun (though not super deep). I played a bit of Hearthstone and had a good time. I'll post more if/when stuff comes back to me.

One possible suggestion is to subscribe to Google Play Pass (if you're a subscription-type person). Last I checked, it's $5 per month or $30 for a year, and the selection of games is quite good now. From memory, it includes games like Stardew Valley, both Monument Valley games, Limbo, Terraria, Mini Metro, etc. There's a good variety, from quick puzzle-type games to full-on meaty games. You also get full access to a bunch of productivity apps too, so it's not just games. To me, it's a good value. I'm still subscribed despite not using the tablet a ton. Anyway, something to consider.

@Magonigal @ThanosReXXX @Zuljaras thanks, I'll check those out as well.

@klingki hehe that's bad luck! Hopefully that leaves you with more screen time for the consoles then? I don't think the subscription service you mentioned is for me. I'd rather pick up 3 or 4 quality games than pay a monthly fee. I don't usually have time to play multiple games at the same time anyway. But thanks for pointing it out!

Edit: I can't find Heroes of Might and Magic 3 in the Play store?

@toiletduck Yeah, it would seem that it has been removed from the store, sadly enough. I couldn't even find it on Ubisoft's own website anymore.

There's only the game's own page left, strangely enough, but if you click on the store link, it can't find the game on Ubisoft's main site:
https://www.ubisoft.com/en-us/game/heroes-of-might-and-magic-...

Well, that leaves only one option: install the game yourself. I don't know how handy you are with that, but in general, it's pretty easy to do, the only thing is that there's always dozens of versions of install files, and not every file is compatible with every Android device, so it might take a couple of tries.

Either way, there's a couple of options here, here and here.
(be sure to carefully read the instructions before installing)

They did a mobile sequel to Heroes of Might and Magic III called Era of Chaos. It's a direct sequel to HoMM III and is on the play store. I play it quite often on both my tablet and phone and it does remind me alot of HoMM3.

I've tried a few but no winner yet.

@eel about Stardew Valley: from what I've read so far, big parts of the game kinda rely on the hidden joystick control scheme. That's a no go area for me, because most of my tablet gaming time will be with the stylus and one hand control. Can you share your view on that?

@ThanosReXXX thanks, I stumbled upon some of those alternatives. For now I will stick with 'officially supported' files and games. I do work stuff on my tab too, so I don't want to risk installing anything that may open the back door, even though the risk may be small.

@Tasuki thanks I'll check it out.

@toiletduck there’s many control schemes, the default one is just tapping/holding to do everything, and it’s got a special function where the game will contextually know what to do without you needing o equip the tool for most basic actions. So for example, tap on a tree and your character will automatically use the axe even if you were currently holding the watering can.

In that mode, for combat, you need to equip a weapon and your character will automatically spam it when enemies are near.

You can also have a quick toggle button that switches you between your preferred controller option and that default mode. So even if you prefer to have deeper control of your character during certain activities (for example, combat), the tap-and-go mode is always one button tap away.

I can’t really think of anything that can’t be done with the default mode though.

@toiletduck Ah, I see, in that case I can understand. Although I do have to say that over the years, I've used various apk packages on all of my smart phones, and I've never run into any security or other issues, other than the aforementioned one of having to find the right version with my device, because of the sometimes android version-dependent installers.

But anyway, you can always store the links for later, or go for other games, that offer similar gameplay, such as Tasuki's suggestion.

@toiletduck Also even if you don't own an Xbox I suggest getting a subscription to Xbox Game Pass. Alot of games like Streets of Rage 4 have touch controls to play on a tablet or if you really want you can sync a controller to your tablet.