I recently purchased a Proline Smart AK888-13 9.7″ Dual-Core Tablet from Loot.co.za for the low price of R2,099, featuring a 1.6GHz Cortex A9 Dual-Core CPU, a 10 point multi-touch capacitive screen with a resolution of 1024×768 (4:3), 1GB memory backed up by a 16GB NAND memory capacity, and running the fantastic Android 4.1 Jellybean OS.
No 3G but obviously Wi-Fi and BlueTooth capable.
In other words, not a high-spec tablet like your Apple iPad or your Samsung Galaxy Tab, but a very serviceable, extremely well priced, Chinese manufactured (Proline simple imports and brands them) mid-range tablet with a nice solid and fashionable design, good handling and the surprising ability to play 3D games rather well.
An unexpected but rather nice bonus I might add.
So with the wonderous Google Play store at my finger tips, this is the list of games I find myself currently playing (and enjoying) on my new entertainment device:
Note that all of these follow the so-called ‘Free-mium’ model, i.e. they are free to download and play, but do feature advertising and do offer additional in-app purchases that allow you to progress through the game faster or gain access to better equipment or abilities. You get what you pay for in the end…
Temple Run 2 (2013): The follow-up to the original popular and successful Temple Run endless running game, and is basically a fun time waster which sees you running through an endless maze collecting coins and power-ups, all while dodging, jumping over gaps and sliding under obstacles, trying to stay one step ahead of a hairy bunch of ape monsters following just one step behind! Now I’m not a huge fan of endless running games so this didn’t hold my attention for all that long, but it is definitely worth a look thanks to great 3D graphics, presentation and implementation. Plus, it’s always nice to beat a buddy’s run distance…
Related Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.imangi.templerun2
Nun Attack (2013): A particularly enjoyable and creative game, Nun Attack puts you in control of a customizable squad of nuns who are attempting to bring down one of their own and need to navigate their way through a number of spooky levels featuring all manner of skeletons, goblins and werewolves, not to mention menacing and explosive portals. Each nun comes with a special attack ability and a number of customizable weapons, meaning it is up to you to come up with the combination that works best for you in progressing forward. Clever mixing between modes of play and a fun cartoon style makes for an entertaining romp that is certainly worth picking up if you have some time to waste or just like the idea of nuns with guns.
Related Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.frimastudio.NunAttack
Monster Shooter (2013): A dual-stick shooter that sees cutely animated monsters do battle as your heavily (and customizable) armed monster tackles wave after wave of octopus aliens and other alien creepies, all from an engaging top down view. Good graphics, fun gameplay and a surprising large amount of alien blood and gore makes for quite the entertaining mobile gaming time waster.
Related Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gamelion.MonsterShooter
League of Heroes (2013): A bit too on the cutesy side for me to be honest, but basically this is your run of the mill top down action RPG that sees you adventuring around and hitting cute monsters, foes and bosses, all while leveling up your stats, gear, and abilities. A polished package for sure, but like I said, a little bit too cutesy for my liking.
Related Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gamelion.loh
Jetpack Joyride (2012): An endless runner type game which sees you trying to constantly beat your distance covered with every run, the hook here being that you’re a guy piloting a machine gun jetpack, meaning that there is plenty of controlled jumping, flying and dodging of obstacles to have. To spice things up, special vehicle pickups are also thrown into the mix, as well as a lucky slots machine and some nifty gadgets to upgrade your abilities. A well put together package which is polished, implements its mechanics well and is fairly enjoyable to play. Oh, and the cartoony art is pretty fun too.
Related Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.halfbrick.jetpackjoyride
Guns ‘n Glory WW2 (2013): Basically a tower defense type game which sees you commanding either an Allied or a Axis force from a top down view, desperately defending your base from wave after wave of approaching enemy. It is a well implemented, good looking (if a little cartoony) game that feature a nice mix of units and is surprisingly enjoyable to play.
Related Link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.hg.gunsandglory2free
