Our top 10 Windows Phone games of August

Ready, set, game! It’s time to reveal the 10 best Windows Phone games of August.

This summer has been great for mobile gamers, hasn’t it? There have been so many fantastic new games that we’ve had the pleasure of playing, with everything from highly-anticipated big name games to beautiful little indie games finding their way to our Lumias. Naturally, August was no exception. So which Windows Phone games made our list? Grab your Lumia and read on to find out.

Lara Croft Go ($4.99)

If you’re anything like us, you can’t get enough of the iconic Lara Croft. Happily, Square Enix has released Lara Croft Go, a fantastic turn-based puzzle-adventure. The new game has tons of ancient secrets to discover and puzzles to solve, with impressive visuals and tough challenges guaranteed to keep you glued to your Lumia. The price may seem a bit steep, but if you’re a fan of all things Tomb Raider or games that involve a bit of thinking, be sure to give it a go. It’s absolutely worth it.

Twins Minigame (free)

Twins Minigame is a minimalistic arcade game from Gametroopers that is the perfect way to pass some time. The goal is to keep the ball bouncing upwards, avoiding obstacles and spikes, as you switch between the light and dark split-screen. It may sound simple, but Twins is challenging enough to keep even the most skilled mobile gamers entertained. If challenging entertainment isn’t enough for you, Twins also offers a handful of Xbox Achievements for you to earn as you play.

Dark Lands Smasher (free)

Fans of Mingle Games’ beautiful Dark Lands will be happy to hear about this spin-off that hit the Windows Phone Store recently. Dark Lands Smasher is a follow-up to the popular side scroller that has you swinging your axe against an onslaught of evil. The gameplay is quite different, opting for timed tapping against oncoming enemies, so those of you hoping for the action-packed combat of the original game may be somewhat disappointed. However, fans of moody atmospheres, silhouette-style graphics, and calculated gameplay are sure to love it.

March of Empires (free)

March of Empires from Gameloft is a strategy game that takes the “art of war” to the next level. You’ll need some serious cunning and tactical skills in your quest to take over the world. Claim your title, fortify your castle, conquer territories, and more in this huge multiplayer set in the Middle Ages. Keep in mind that conquering the world takes more than brute strength — a little finesse goes a long way in March of Empires. If you want to succeed, you’ll need to chat with other players, form alliances, and time your battles well.

Running Circles (free)

Running Circles is a one-touch multiplayer arcade game from BoomBit Games that you can enjoy solo or with friends. The goal is simple: move through a series of visually-appealing minimalistic circles without dying, collecting gold gems as you whirl around the screen. You’ll need excellent timing and quick reflexes to do so, because it’s much more difficult than you might expect. Running Circles offers two difficulty modes and the option to play against friends or strangers.

Dynamite Fishing World Games (free)

Fishing often gets a bad rap as a “boring” sport, but not anymore. Dynamite Fishing World Games makes sure of that. In this game from HandyGames, fishing has never been more action-packed. Your tackle box is filled with everything from TNT to nuclear weapons, ready to take the place of your boring old fishing rod. The goal? Blow the most fish out of the water, of course! The game is fun and creative, with interesting fishing tools, funny characters, and plenty of locations to explore in your customized boat.

Arcane Quest Adventures (free)

Arcane Quest Adventures is the latest spin-off in Nex Game Studios’ Arcane Quest series that fans of tabletop RPGs are sure to love. The rogue-like adventure/fantasy game offers a choice between classic tabletop or action combat modes, and has plenty of areas and dungeons to explore and enemies to defeat. Choose from 11 classes, level up your character, gain equipment and spells, and of course, save the world. If you want a good dose of fantasy gaming or would love to relive your D&D days on your Windows Phone, this is the game for you.

Exonauts (free)

Exonauts was released by Regulus Interactive earlier this summer, but we had so much fun with it that we thought it deserved a spot on our list. In this fast-paced game, you’re an exonaut who drills deep into exoplanets to discover treasure. Needless to say, it’s a dangerous job and you’ll need to make a hasty escape from the deep tunnel, collecting treasures as you make your way up the screen. There are 6 power-ups to equip to help your escape — will you survive?

Spider Square (free)

Spider Square is another great release from BoomBit Games that makes for a fun (and frustrating) way to spend some time. In this minimalistic but colorful game, you and your “Squarelicious” character need to swing your way across the screen Spiderman-style, avoiding obstacles and collecting gems. Don’t let the one touch controls fool you, it’s harder than it looks. Once you’ve got it down, challenge friends to a battle of the reflexes and see who makes it the furthest.

On the Run (free)

Looking for an adrenaline-fueled endless racing game? Look no further than On the Run, the latest release from Miniclip. This game is filled to the brim with fast cars and explosions, and is sure to get your heart pumping and palms sweating as you make your getaway through busy highways. Power ups, combos, and a wide selection of vehicles to choose from turn this addictive racing game into an exciting way to show off your driving skills.

Which of these Windows Phone games is your kind of game? Let us know in the comments below which one has been taking up the most of your free time.