Google names 20 best indie games for Android ahead of Play Store contest

It’s no secret that the Google Play Store is a bit of a minefield when you’re looking for a new mobile game to sink your teeth into. The charts are usually filled with throwaway freebies riddled with in-app purchases and the “trending” section is always fairly hit and miss in terms of quality.

Of course, the best way to keep up with new additions is Android Authority’s very own Android Apps Weekly series. But what if you’re after a hidden gem that’s nestled underneath all the fresh releases and the same-old Play Store suggestions?

If that’s you then you’re in luck as Google has announced the twenty finalists for this year’s Google Play Indie Games Contest.

The award show, set to be held in the UK on February 13th, celebrates the best games from indie developers and glancing over the yearly shortlist is always a great to discover creative, innovative titles.

Take last year’s winner, Reigns, for example. The medieval swipe-em-up by Nerial was a devilishly addictive game which enjoyed an even better sequel, Reigns: Her Majesty. Thankfully, this year’s list is full of equally great games.

Below is the full list complete with Play Store download links:

• A Planet of Mine
• Bridge Constructor Portal
• Bury Me, My Love
• Captain Tom Galactic Traveler
• Core
• Fern Flower
• Flat Pack
• I Love Hue
• Jodeo
• KAMI 2
• Kensho
• No More Buttons
• New Man’s Journey
• Radium 2
• The Big Journey
• The House of Da Vinci
• The Office Quest
• Unbalance
• Undervault
• Yellow

I can personally vouch for text-message adventure Bury Me, My Love and puzzler I Love Hue, both of which are well worth your time and, in the former’s case, money. It’s also nice to see Bridge Constructor Portal getting a nod after the spin-off from Valve’s beloved puzzle-FPS game came out of nowhere in late 2017.

Each of the finalists have already won a paid trip to the contest in London, a Google Pixel 2 phone, and a dedicated slot in the Indie Games Contest collection on the Play Store for a month.

The eventual winner, which will be decided by judges from within Google and the mobile gaming industry, will net tickets to Google I/O 2018 (including paid travel) and GDC 2018, vouchers worth up to €150,000 for digital marketing and social media campaigns, and a free Google Home Mini.

Have any of the finalists piqued your interest? Let us know in the comments. If you game on consoles, too, check out our list of the best indie games for Xbox.