Top 10 free Android games of 2016

Android gaming is getting bigger and better every month. Whether you're a casual gamer or you want something with a beat more meat on its bones, there's usually a game coming out to suit everyone's taste. Let's take a look at the top 10 free Android games of 2016.

1. Auralux: Constellations

Auralux: Constellations is a minimal real-time strategy game that puts you in the middle of a big space fight. You'll control planets and then send your attacks over to other planets to conquer them.

2. Critical Ops

Critical Ops is among the newer generation of first person shooters and it's one of the best. In this game, you'll battle terrorists in a variety of urban-oriented levels or you can play as the terrorists if you want to. It has a strong online multiplayer community where you can play with your friends as well.

3. Cut the Rope: Magic

The series has evolved in a positive fashion and Cut the Rope: Magic is the latest iteration. The core mechanics involve you solving puzzles in unique ways to help Om Nom the monster eat the candy. There are a ton of levels, power ups, transformations, and tactics that will be required and you can complete each level without the use of in-app purchases.

4. Particular

Particular is a platform runner where your goal will be to escape prison. It features minimal graphics, obstacles, and various other puzzles inside of each level to try to hinder your progress.

5. Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft

Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft is a card dueling game where you unlock cards, build decks, and then duel other players using the deck you built. You can build multiple decks and Blizzard has been pretty good with putting out regular updates to add more cards and content.

6. Pokemon Go

Pokemon Go was a massive hit in 2016. Even though its popularity has tapered off a bit, the game is still a very solid free option. Players can explore the real world around them all while catching Pokemon, taking down gyms, and finding Pokestops. New features have been added on a regular basis that have helped improve the game play.

7. Plague, Inc

Plague, Inc is a strategy game where you must mutate diseases and use them to destroy the world. The basic idea is that this pathogen you made has infested someone and now you can get to see it in action.

8. Clash Royale

Clash Royale is one of the most popular card games out there. Players are allowed to build decks from a large cache of available cards and then they duel it out against other people online. You'll earn chests that provide you with various resources along with new cards.

9. Vainglory

Vainglory is perhaps the best MOBA currently available on Android. It boasts high frame rates. You'll be able to team up with people and go head to head against other teams much like you see in all MOBAs.

10. MonsterCrafter

MonsterCrafter is one of the more unique games like Pokemon. Instead of giving you a ton of monsters to catch, this game lets you make your own. It uses a similar graphical style as games like Minecraft which allows for a very modular and customizable experience.