Android Game of The Year 2012

And The Winners Is…Mass Effect Infiltrator

Mass Effect is known to all console gamers, with the popular series being one of the most successful on Xbox and PS3. It's a game that bursts with detail. When it appeared on iOS, then, it was with a certain

amount of trepidation. How would it play? Would it match up to the blockbuster releases that helped push home consoles to their limits? It appeared it could. Then it came to Android and it did it all over again. The sights and vistas which burst from the screen when playing Mass Effect Infiltrator on an Android device is enthralling and, yes, the control system is nowhere near as good as its big brother, but that can soon be rectified by using an external Bluetooth controller. 

The game puts you in the shoes of Commander Ezno, darting around, aiming, shooting, ducking for cover, being hit by the enemy and, on newer models, it works like a dream. The same gritty story that made the console version so popular is in full force here, and there's enough longevity to keep you coming back for more. If you look back to this time last year, the chances of this level of gaming would not have been imaginable, but Mass Effect is a true example of the power your smartphone can potentially handle.

The Most Addictive Game:

New Star Soccer is an engaging little football simulator, with a host of RPG elements thrown in for good measure. From the very start the sheer depth of the game becomes clear. You need to choose the country you're based within, and sift through the array of details you can customise. As well as playing football, you must also manage your character's lifestyle, with the ultimate aim to have him signed up by one of the biggest clubs in the country.

Best Android Graphics

Dead Trigger (free)

It is often said that games tend to fall into one of two camps: casual and hardcore, but when you play Dead Trigger you realize that gaming isn't such a dichotomy. Although the graphics of this app could have been taken straight from a console, the fact that it runs on an Android phone is unbelievable. At its heart, it is a straightforward zombie shooter where blasting the undead in the face earns satisfaction. It is well-polished, looks utterly amazing and the gameplay is fast and fluid.

Best Retro-Styled Game

Organ Trail: Director's Cut

Organ Trail is a Kickstarter-funded project that has already got a cult following in its thousands. The game itself boils down to a retro-styled zombie survival game, which sees you trek across America with a handful of friends. You have to keep said friends alive for as long as possible, and not feeding them or leaving them to be ravaged by zombies can lead to them dying. To succeed, you'll need to plan ahead, and the amount of strategy involved, alongside the brilliant graphics, means it's a must-have app for any Android user.

Best Multiplayer Game

Minecraft: Pocket Edition

Minecraft allows you to create anything you can imagine with a series of different blocks and accessories. The terrain on each _ game world can be customised, with the opportunity to dig in to the ground, and add water to a sandy beach. The possibilities are endless, and this is undoubtedly why the game has been so successful and grown such a strong following. Where Minecraft really shines, however, is with its various multiplayer aspects, which allow you to connect with several friends and play the game how you want to play it.