This Week in Games, Android edition

The weekend is finally upon us and what better way to spend your time indoors away from the freezing temperatures of January than playing on your Android device. If you’re like me, there’s nothing better than checking out some new games to play while your significant other cooks chocolate dipped bacon pops in the other room. Ah, the sweet smells of love.

Here are three games I’d gladly recommend you pick up this weekend for your Android device:

Gameloft LIVE! (FREE Android Market Link)

I know this first app isn’t officially a game, but it’s still pretty important when you consider the Android OS doesn’t have its own dedicated gaming social network like iOS does with its Game Center. A number of companies have their own gaming social network, but one of the best that I’ve experienced is Gameloft LIVE! If you play as many Gameloft games as I do, you’ll certainly appreciate Gameloft releasing a dedicated Gameloft LIVE! app.

The Gameloft LIVE! app brings the gaming social network experience into a dedicated application, rather than having to launch a Gameloft game in order to check out what’s going on in Gameloft LIVE! The app allows users to create their own customizable avatars which can be further customized with items that can be rewarded from playing Gameloft games.

Users will also be able to connect with over seven million users through sending & receiving game invites, messages, or chatting with Gameloft LIVE! members in real-time. If you’ve been looking for a gaming social network for the Android OS, this certainly will quench your insatiable hunger.

Sonic 4: Episode I ($3.99 Android Market Link)

Sonic the Hedgehog has officially returned to the digital age when Sonic 4: Episode I was released in 2010. It was made available on console, PC, and iOS, and now, it’s been made available for the Android OS too.

Sonic 4: Episode I picks up directly after the events of Sonic & Knuckles and features the classic gameplay we all expect from a Sonic the Hedgehog game. You’ll make your way through 4 zones with 4 acts each for a total of 16 stages as well a 7 additional stages and 2 additional stages unique to the mobile version of Sonic 4.

Sonic 4: Episode I’s controls are easy to get the hang of as you tilt your Android device in order to move Sonic and tap on the screen to perform jumps, spin dashes, and other special moves. If you’re a traditionalist, you can also initiate on-screen controls to save you from tilting like a madman while you’re in the waiting room of your doctor’s office.

Anomaly Warzone Earth HD ($3.99 Android Market Link)

Tower defense games have been quite popular in the past, starting off as mods for popular strategy games. Now that touchscreen mobile smartphones have gained in popularity, we’ve seen a huge rise in tower defense games. Anomaly Warzone falls into the tower defense categroy of games, but it flips the traditional idea of a tower defense game and has you controlling units instead.

Anomaly Warzone Earth HD is a unique strategy game in that you control an attacking force and need to make your way to certain points in the map in order to collect sensitive information, destroy specific towers along with some other mission objectives to finally make your way through a level. As you work your way through the game’s campaign, you’ll be introduced to a number of new vehicles to control, all the while receiving a number of power-ups dropped into the battlefield.

Unlike most tower defense titles, Anomaly Warzone Earth HD is absolutely gorgeous and definitely pushes the envelope in regards to what is possible graphically on a mobile device. The sound is also great, especially if you play the game with headphones as you’ll hear every explosion and unit reaction during gameplay.