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Android Authority
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Android Authority
These are the 15 best open source Android games you need to download
Andy Walker / Android Authority I've previously detailed a list of open source Android apps I always install on my phones, old or new. While all those apps add utility to my handsets, few of them provide pure entertainment. That's where open source Android games come into play. Open source games might seem counterintuitive, but their transparency and alterability are part of their allure. They allow users to view their source code up and down or enjoy it as they are. Some have even spawned mods of their own, or started as remixed versions of older titles. Each of the games on this list stands tall in its own right. They're all genuinely great games, and I've enjoyed spending time with each. Without further ado, below are my favorite open source Android games that you can download right now. Forkyz Let's start right at the top. Forkyz isn't necessarily a game in the purest sense, but it does support one healthy habit of mine: doing crosswords. I've been on a mission to exercise my brain a little more each day, and completing these interlaced word puzzles is the perfect way to do just that. Forkyz can download puzzles from a myriad sources, including Newsday, the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and The Guardian. You can select exactly how many crosswords you want to download daily, from which source, and select various settings to help you along your way. Andor's Trail It's difficult to imagine just how large-scale a game like Andor's Trail really is, but it encompasses over 600 maps and offers players more than 80 different quests. As RPGs go, that's extensive, even for desktop OSes. The game embraces typical RPG mechanics, including turn-based battles, branching dialog choices, skill trees, items you can equip to aid you on your journey, and treasure. There's also the story goal of finding your missing brother, but… look there! A shiny thing! Despite its free and open source tag, Andor's Trail receives regular updates and rebalancing. The amount of love that has gone into this title over the years is impressive. And, if you're so inclined, you can mod the title yourself. Breakout 71 When I got my first computer back in the late 2000s, there was a block-breaking game that I got worryingly addicted to. Thankfully, this was eventually eclipsed by F1 Challenge, but I ultimately rekindled my love for it on Android. Breakout 71 isn't that exact game, but it comes very close. You control a paddle that ricochets balls into destructible blocks. Your goal is to destroy all the blocks and catch falling coins. Once all the blocks are gone, you move on to the next level. The gameplay is simple on paper but a little more complex in practice, and the higher levels demand better finger-eye coordination and forethought. 2048 Open Fun Game If you prefer math-heavy games over those that rely on physics, consider grabbing 2048 Open Fun Game. The title is a mouthful, but it's a free and open source version of the popular 2048 puzzle game. The goal is to shuffle tiles around to create the largest number possible. Only tiles that display the same number can be joined into a single tile. Sounds simple, doesn't it? Well, the direction of your slide will move all the tiles across, making this more of a physical puzzle game than one that relies on math. It took me a long time to embrace this game, but once I got the hang of it, it's now one of my favorite games to play on short flights or grocery shop queues. Simon Tatham's Puzzles I'm cheating a little here, because Simon Tatham's Puzzles isn't just one game — it's 40. This huge selection of puzzle games is playable offline once the app's downloaded, contains no ads, and is open source. It's even available on Windows if you want a proper mouse and keyboard setup. Whatever game you select, the playboard will be generated automatically, ensuring you won't repeatedly encounter the same game board. Some games on offer include a Minesweeper dupe, a Solitaire alternative, Same Game, and Fifteen. Xeonjia I only recently discovered Xeonjia and lament every minute I didn't know it existed. It's an adventure game that melds RPG and puzzle elements set in a frigid world. Your goal is to defeat the King of Evil without accidentally sliding yourself into a dangerous position. The game includes various maps, treasure, XP opportunities for skill and gear upgrades, and adorable pixel art that'll take you right back to Pokémon's golden era (especially Emerald and its ice puzzle levels). Trivia App There was a time when trivia apps were more popular than Wordle, and you can still find a swarm of them on the Play Store. However, I'd suggest Trivia App for a clean, ad-free experience. That name makes it pretty difficult to market anywhere beyond F-Droid, but it's an excellent trivia game for those who value the facts over flash. It leverages questions from OpenTriviaDB, offers plenty of categories, and has user-definable difficulty settings. It's a great way to keep your gray matter fresh. SuperTuxKart Andy Walker / Android Authority Open source Android games encompass more than just cards and puzzles, and SuperTuxKart proves it. This free arcade racing game sees colorful characters haul go-karts through a myriad maps, including those set within spaceships and around temples. The game reminds me of Crash Team Racing and exhibits much of that low-polygon charm. Once you get over the game's weird steering controls, you'll draw hours of enjoyment from this open source racing title. Block Puzzle Stone Wars Imagine Tetris, but instead of skinny shapes slowly falling into place, you freely move those onto a board yourself. That's Block Puzzle. Complete a row to score points, but leave enough space for the upcoming items. The Stone Wars element is actually a separate multiplayer version of the game that includes loose story elements of an intergalactic crew traveling through space. It's quirky and adds another dimension to the relatively simple gameplay. The game is surprisingly calming and far less stressful than similar titles. It still requires plenty of forethought and planning, though. Luanti Andy Walker / Android Authority Luanti isn't a single game but a hub hosting multiple sandbox voxel experiences. While it invites comparisons to Minecraft that doesn't really do this open source Android platform justice. It's over a decade old, available on multiple operating systems, and openly invites modding. Additionally, you'll need to download one of the subgames before you can play anything. Minetest — the original Luanti experience — is the one I recommend, while Voxelibre and Mineclonia seem popular among fans of the similar but premium Microsoft title. To that end, it's not quite a session game. Before you know it, you'll play this thing from breakfast to breakfast. But that probably speaks to how great an experience it is, no? Mindustry Andy Walker / Android Authority When it comes to truly heavyweight open source Android games, you'll find fewer titles more impressive than Mindustry. It's essentially a tower defense game encompassing sandbox, RTS, and factory management elements to create an intricate strategy-heavy title. You'll need to solve problems creatively, like delivering supplies to your defense lines using various contraptions or keeping the war machine's raw material requirements sated. Mindustry is a game that rewards time and patience, but there is a lot to like even for casual players. Zoysii You thought I was done with the open source puzzle game recommendations? Think again. Zoysii is difficult to pronounce and trickier to master. The game consists of various numbers placed on a virtual board. As the red-numbered tile, you aim to eliminate other tiles while accumulating points. I'll let you read the game's rules on the Play Store to get a true sense of what's required, but it's a surprisingly great way to keep your brain in shape. Fun trivia: The game was also made by the developer of Xeonjia. Shattered Pixel Dungeon Shattered Pixel Dungeon is already known as one of the best free Android games, but did you know it's open source too? The game started as a fork of Pixel Dungeon, but has been going steadily since its debut in 2014. Notably, the game itself has been forked several times itself. True to its name, the title is a dungeon crawler with roguelike and RPG elements. It includes half a dozen heroes, each with strengths, weaknesses, and mechanics to suit particular challenges. The game awards users skill points they can put towards various skill trees, offering further customization. As for the world, the game includes procedurally generated environments, ensuring that no two worlds you encounter are the same. This is another heavy time investment game, but definitely one of the highlights of the open source Android game world. Unciv Andy Walker / Android Authority If dank dungeons aren't your thing, this turn-based strategy game could be more your speed. Heavily inspired by Civilization V, Unciv lets you oversee the rise of your own nation state while squashing the challenge of others, changing the course of history with technology and political muscle. An RTS title on Unciv's scale may sound too much for the small screen, but the developer has carefully considered the UI, making it super simple to view objectives and the world at large. AAAAXY Finally, let's have one more quirky platform to end us off, shall we? AAAAXY is a free-roam 2D platformer game in which you control a character navigating a vertical world full of obscure references and hidden dangers. The developer suggests new players complete the game in no more than six hours, while options exist to ace it in 15 minutes. That's enticing enough for those who love speed-running titles. Is there an open source Android game that you'd like to recommend? Drop a comment down below. I'm always eager to add new titles to my list.
Daily Mail
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Tony Christie reveals the very common dementia symptom he dismissed before wife dragged him to doctor - and makes defiant vow
Tony Christine has revealed the very common dementia symptom he dismissed before his wife dragged him to the doctor. The 82-year-old appeared on Thursday's episode of Good Morning Britain to chat to presenters Kate Garraway, 58, and Ed Balls, 58. Back in January 2023, Tony revealed that he had been diagnosed with dementia and was taking medication to slow it down. Since then the singer has been very honest and open about his diagnosis with fans. 'Dementia is a syndrome (a group of related symptoms) associated with an ongoing decline of brain functioning. There are many different causes of dementia, and many different types,' according to the NHS. Speaking on GMB, Tony said: 'I think it was about three years ago. All my life, I've been a crossword fanatic. Cryptic crosswords, that was my big hobby. 'Suddenly, I was having problems doing them, and my wife said "Let's go and see a doctor".' Tony met his wife Sue in 1968 and the pair have been married for 56 years. He added: 'They gave me tests and found things on my skull and all this kind of thing. 'They said, "You've got the beginnings of dementia, we can put you onto tablets to stop it getting any worse". 'Which they have.' Speaking about how he deals with the condition, he confessed: 'I've just carried on and I actually just push it to one side. I forget it's there, I don't think about it. 'I just carry on with my life and get on with it.' WHAT IS DEMENTIA? Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders, that is, conditions affecting the brain. There are many different types of dementia, of which Alzheimer's disease is the most common. Some people may have a combination of types of dementia. Regardless of which type is diagnosed, each person will experience their dementia in their own unique way. Dementia is a global concern but it is most often seen in wealthier countries, where people are likely to live into very old age. HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED? The Alzheimer's Society reports there are more than 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK today, of which more than 500,000 have Alzheimer's. It is estimated that the number of people living with dementia in the UK by 2025 will rise to over 1 million. In the US, it's estimated there are 5.5 million Alzheimer's sufferers. A similar percentage rise is expected in the coming years. As a person's age increases, so does the risk of them developing dementia. Rates of diagnosis are improving but many people with dementia are thought to still be undiagnosed. IS THERE A CURE? Currently there is no cure for dementia. But new drugs can slow down its progression and the earlier it is spotted the more effective treatments are. Source: Dementia UK Back in March it was revealed that music legend Tony Christie continues to perform despite his dementia diagnosis, with his wife Sue praising his determination as he tours and records new music. The singer, 81, best known for (Is This the Way to) Amarillo, has released a new album titled A New Life, and is now embarking on a packed touring schedule across the UK and Europe. Sue, who met Tony when she watched him perform at a social club in Yorkshire back in 1967, has now spoken out on her admiration for her husband's resilience. She told The Mirror: 'I am so proud of him. In fact, I am totally in awe. He has the condition and he deals with it really bravely. She added: 'He is just the same person, just a little forgetful.' Despite his diagnosis and the extra help, Tony has maintained his humour and joked to the publication: 'It's just short-term memory that's the problem, like paying the bills.' His son and manager, Sean, added: 'That's how we cope - we use humour, and Dad loves a joke.' It comes after Tony revealed he tries to 'ignore' his dementia diagnosis after vowing to carry on performing despite his health battle. Speaking on Good Morning Britain last year Tony said: 'I actually ignore it. I just carry on and do my thing. 'Obviously, I've got to use my autocue, but I've used an autocue for donkey's years. I'm doing stuff from albums and I can't remember all these lyrics from 40 or 50 years ago so I do use an autocue to help me. 'Otherwise, if I make a mess of a song, the audience lose, not me.' Tony added that he believes performing has helped him during his fight with the condition, saying: 'The doctor said "You're in the music business so you're very lucky, because that's one of the things that helps dementia people." 'The music takes your mind off the things, you don't forget music. You forget people's names and things and lyrics but as soon as music starts you're back. It's memory, you never forget it.' Tony previously detailed the moment his wife Sue spotted the early signs that he had dementia ahead of his diagnosis. The Amarillo hitmaker appeared on Loose Women alongside his wife Sue where they discussed his condition. And the couple told how it was Tony's love of crossword puzzles that brought to their attention that something could be seriously wrong. Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders (those affecting the brain) which impact memory, thinking and behaviour. As host Coleen Nolan asked: 'What were the signs initially?', Tony responded: 'I've been a crossword addict for all my life, basically cryptic [crosswords] and I suddenly started having problems solving and forgetting names. 'And it was my wife Sue that said, 'I think we should go and see a specialist.'' Sue then went on to say how she had spotted changes in her husband before they then sought help. She explained: 'He'd get anxious and cross with himself when he couldn't do the puzzles and I said, 'Look, I think it's time we get you checked out' because he kept saying, 'I'm losing it. I'm losing it!'' Tony then described how he'd undergone a series of tests and scans before being told he had the beginnings of dementia. The performer went on to say that 'lot of people are embarrassed' about dementia, adding that he decided to speak publicly about his condition to show there was nothing to be ashamed of. Meanwhile, Sue told of the moment Tony realised he needed to speak out about his dementia. She explained: 'We went to an Age UK Christmas carol concert and there was a lot of people with dementia and Tony said, 'You know I've got to start talking about this because it's like I'm keeping a guilty secret. And, we go to lots of these events and they're going to think I'm ashamed if I don't come out.'' The couple, who've been married for 55 years, told how they were ''relieved' to get his diagnosis, with Tony adding that he's staying 'positive'.
The Herald
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald
Lover of words has been Herald fan for more than 80 years
What is a lollapalooza? Well, many a reader of The Herald would not have known until Pat Titterington discovered the word and used it to help win herself a prize in the newspaper ' s Word Game Competition which used to run more than 30 years ago. Ninety-year-old Pat Titterington, whose husband used to write motoring articles for The Herald, has been an avid fan of The Herald since she was old enough to read, and her love of words especially unusual ones, was inspired by her father who encouraged her to do the crosswords from a very young age. This means the nonagenarian has been a fan of The Herald for almost half of its 180-year existence. Her submission of 894 words for that particular competition, which involved formulating words from a selection of published alphabetical letters, was a record at the time — 532 more than her closest rival. It took her just six hours over a weekend to compile her list of zany, weird and not-so-oft-used words and 'lollapalooza' was among them. By the way, before you check Google (which was not an option for Titterington at the time) it means, loosely, 'a real knockout' — appropriate enough since the word, and all the others she managed to compile for her entry, knocked out any competition she had from other participants. 'To be more precise, according to the dictionary, it means a person or a thing that is exceptional or extraordinary.' The word is actually an Americanism which was in use in the early 1900s. 'Somebody — I can't remember who it was — actually phoned me up from The Herald and said we're querying this one word — we've never heard of it,' Titterington chuckled. A friend for many years of former deputy editor Bob Nixon, who also wrote a gardening column for The Herald, Titterington was 58 when she won the word challenge in the early 1990s and a prize of a R500 shopping voucher. 'When I was a little girl of about four years old, our house in Sunridge Park had a glass front door and I could see the silhouette of anybody who was there. 'My dad used to pay for his Herald on a monthly basis. And there was a lady [newspaper subscription collection agent] who used to come every month and she would collect the money. 'And she would ring the bell and I could see the silhouette and I used to yell to my father: 'It's the paper lady, daddy, it's the paper lady!' Titterington remains a loyal reader of The Herald to this day after well over 80 years. Safe to say then — a real lollapalooza of a reader. The Herald
