As we approach the end of this year, now is a good time to predict which Android games will likely be hot over the course of the next year. In 2017, we have seen many indie and AAA game developers alike bring previously PC- and console-only games to the Play Store, and we expect this trend to continue in 2018.

The Talos Principle

The Talos Principle is an award-winning puzzle game that only works on Nvidia K1 and X1 devices. If you have the Google Nexus 9, Nvidia Shield Tablet, or the Shield TV, we highly recommend you grab a controller and give The Talos Principle a try. The game takes a lot of inspiration from traditional science fiction movies and books, placing you in the shoes of a robot who was tasked by its creator to solve a series of increasingly complex puzzles. As you play the game, you overcome over 120 mind-bending puzzles, explore an eerily strange yet utterly beautiful world, and choose your own path through this non-linier experience.

Monument Valley 2

Monument Valley is back with a brand-new adventure set in yet another dreamy world. This time, you help Ro teach her child about the mysteries of the valley by solving intriguing puzzles and journeying through wonderfully imaginative architecture. Compared to the original game, Monument Valley 2 slightly increases the complexity of its gameplay mechanics without making the game any less fun than it was. Just like before, it’s highly recommended to play with headphones to fully experience the game’s uniquely melodic interactive soundscapes that are tailored perfectly to make every step you take in Monument Valley 2 to be even more immersive.

Super Mario Run

Mario has finally arrived on Android devices! This side-scrolling, endless runner video game developed and published by Nintendo lets you play as what’s likely the most recognizable video game character in the world in four different modes: World Tour, Toad Rally, Remix 10, and Kingdom Builder. Every mode offers unique enemies, challenges, and collectibles. As you progress, you unlock new characters to play as and open new types of courses. The game costs $10, but you can try most of it for free. Super Mario Run is a must for every fan of Nintendo games, but it’s also an immensely enjoyable game that should appeal even to those four to six people who have never played a Mario game before.

Riptide GP: Renegade

The latest installment in the Riptide series of hydro jet racing games is faster than ever before, visually stunning, and packed with challenging tracks filled with a variety of different obstacles and secrets. This time, you can play alone, with up to 8 opponents from around the world, or locally in split-screen races with up to 4 players. Master each track in career mode to memorize its layout and then take your skills online and place your name at the top of the global leaderboard. Riptide GP: Renegade costs only $2.99, and it’s one of the best game there are to test the performance of a new smartphone or tablet with.

This War of Mine

This War of Mine is about war, its tragedies, and the innocent people who are forced to make life-and-death decisions to save their lives. Instead of being just another game that lets you play as a nearly invincible soldier carrying a huge arsenal of deadly weapons, This War of Mine puts you in the shoes of civilians trying to survive in a besieged city. The game provides an experience of war seen from an entirely new angle as you struggle to find food, medicine, and safety from snipers and hostile scavengers. You can also purchase the expansion “The Little Ones” via the in-app purchases to experience war from the perspective of a small child.