Our top 10 new Windows Phone games of April

Attention, gamers! April was an outstanding month for those of us who love finding fun and challenging games to play on our Windows Phones.

When we say outstanding, we mean it. The Windows Phone Store had so many fantastic new games this month that choosing our top 10 favorites was a monumental task — which we thoroughly enjoyed investigating. There were plenty of epic big name games, anticipated releases, and gorgeous indie gems to keep us busy all month long as we fired up our Lumias and immersed ourselves in captivating gameplay and top-notch graphics. So which games did we finally choose as our favorites? Read on to find out!

Monument Valley 

If you love puzzle games with superb graphics, Monument Valley from developer US Two is the perfect game for you. In this beautifully surreal 3D puzzler, you need to guide Princess Ida through a colorful world filled with intriguing architecture and hidden paths, manipulating the environment to help Ida make her way safely. The game currently costs $3.99 and the experience is absolutely worth it for those who love to become immersed in dreamy design and soundscapes. Monument Valley has racked up a long list of awards, and it’s easy to see why: it’s art.

DuckTales: Remastered

Kids of the 90s will appreciate this remastered version of the original 8-bit game, in which you join Scrooge in a global treasure hunt filled with adventure. The side-scrolling platformer features great gameplay and controls, as well as beautiful hand-drawn graphics. Bonus features such as the original voice actors from the television show and a variety of difficulty levels make DuckTales: Remastered a lovely trip down memory lane, adapted for the gaming conventions of today. The game currently costs $9.99, and is playable across Windows devices.

Halo: Spartan Strike

Our list would not be complete without the big follow-up to Halo: Spartan Assault. If you’ve ever dreamed of becoming a Spartan super soldier, pick up this game and start crushing a few Prometheans. With an all-new story and 30 challenging levels, Halo: Spartan Strike is an exhilarating experience for old and new fans alike. For $5.99, you get shared progress between Windows and Windows Phone.

Threes! 

Your elementary school teachers were right — math can be fun! Threes, the newly-released free puzzle game by indie developer Sirvo, is the proof. The premise of this critically-acclaimed game is simple: you slide numbered tiles on a grid, forming multiples of threes and aiming for the highest possible number. The game is over when the grid is full. The numbers have their own characteristics (for example, 384 is a pirate) adding a touch of charm to the game. If math games aren’t your thing, you should still give Threes a chance, as the gameplay is more about spatial reasoning than addition.

Hitman GO

The latest release in the Hitman series comes from developer Square Enix and just might be one of the best examples of adapting gameplay to suit mobile gaming. In this turn-based puzzle game, you’ll hone your stealth skills as you strategically sneak your way through the game as Agent 47, avoiding enemies and taking out your targets. The puzzles are challenging and a ton of fun, especially with the inclusion of disguises and weapons that help you get your job done. Hitman GO currently costs $4.99 and is a great choice for fans of more strategic, slower-paced action.

Crossy Road

Crossy Road, the viral hit from Hipster Whale that asks the age-old question of “why did the chicken cross the road?,” is now available on Windows Phone via publishers Yodo1. This free Frogger-esque game will have you tapping to hop across dangerous streets and train tracks, dodging traffic as you make your way on an endless journey. There are tons of retro-styled characters to unlock and coins to be collected as you hop along through the endless arcade-style game, so download it today and get moving (carefully, though).

Cut the Rope 2

Cut the Rope 2 is one of those games that is pure fun. Developed by Zeptolab, Cut the Rope 2 is the follow-up to the original Cut the Rope and just might be even better. With new characters, levels, and gameplay, this physics-based puzzler is sure to hit the sweet spot for anyone looking for a new addictive treat. To solve the puzzles, you need to swipe to cut the ropes that are dangling delicious candy out of hungry Om Nom’s reach, delivering the candy to his mouth. It sounds simple, but the puzzles get more difficult as you progress. Cut the Rope 2 is free, and a perfect choice for an entertaining time-killer.

Dead Trigger 2 

One of the best zombie apocalypse FPS games arrived on Windows Phone in the beginning of the month: Dead Trigger 2. Developed by Madfinger Games, the game offer hours of entertainment as you battle your way through hordes of terrifying zombies. There are 33 unique environments to explore, 600 gameplay scenarios, and constant updates. The gameplay itself is extremely intuitive and smooth, and the visuals are pretty spectacular and work to create a creepy atmosphere that will get your hands sweating just the right amount. Dead Trigger 2 is free to play, but keep an eye out for in-app purchases.

The Bridge 

Looking for a challenging puzzle game with beautiful hand-drawn artwork? Look no further. The Bridge offers fun gameplay that will have you scratching your head, with black and white artwork that might remind you of the art of M.C. Escher. To play, you need to solve puzzles by rotating the map in order to collect a key and open a door, while also battling gravity. The puzzles can be surprisingly tough, but are interesting enough to keep you trying. The Bridge has been available on Xbox and Windows in the past, and just might be even more fun on mobile. It currently costs $5.99 for 4 chapters with 6 levels each, so it may not be everyone’s cup of tea — but puzzle fans will certainly get their money’s worth.

Crimsonland 

Crimsonland was technically released at the very end of March, but it’s a great game that we think you might enjoy and deserves to be recognized. The popular top-down arena shooter is a revamped version of the older PC game from developer 10tons, with new features and of course, tons of action. Fight off waves of enemies, try out new weapons, and gain experience as you last as long as you can against hordes of monsters. Quest mode offers 60 missions and 5 survival modes, with lots of perks, weapons, and achievements. Crimsonland currently costs $9.99, and is universal between Windows devices. If you’re unsure whether you’re willing to part with that much of your hard-earned cash, there is an option to try it before you buy it.