The Best Augmented Reality Games for Android Users

Lots of our customers come in and ask us for recommendations on our favourite Android games, so we thought we’d put together a list of the coolest (and most popular) augmented reality games that you can play on your Android phone.

What is Augmented Reality?

Augmented reality (or “AR”)  games work by blending the digital world with real life. The games overlap digital content on top of real things, and make use of your phone’s camera, geographic location, and the surrounding buildings and landmarks to create an extra “augmented” game layer around you.

Keep reading to see our picks for Best Augmented Reality Games for Android Users:

Pokémon GO

Though AR games have been around for a while, Pokémon GO is the game that has introduced millions of players to the world of augmented reality gaming.

The game, which is based on the 90’s Gameboy games and subsequent franchise of the same name, is a location-based game which requires you to walk around, capture, and train Pokémon. The game uses your phone’s camera and GPS location to determine which kinds of Pokémon are around you, and your relative distance to popular centres known as Gyms, where you can battle other Pokémon trainers, and Pokéstops, which are special locations where you can pick up useful items.

Ingress

If you like Pokémon GO, then you’ll love Ingress. The game employs a lot of the same game mechanics that Pokémon GO does (and actually started using them before it came out): you join a specific faction at the outset of the game, and fight other players for control over points of interest in your area.

Ingress is a science fiction story which is a lot deeper than Pokémon GO, so if you like the exercise and competition but are tired of throwing Pokéballs at Pidgeys, then this is a great alternative.

Zombies, Run!

If you love cardio but find running a tedious exercise (no pun intended) then check out the AR app Zombies, Run!

The game narrates a story of an undead apocalypse that unfolds around you as you run, and is constantly growing. Currently the game has over 200 missions which all rely on your ability to run (or sprint, if you’re looking to really get in shape) away from hoards of undead zombies. A storyline unfolds as you progress through the game, and you can pick up extra items to bring back to camp the father you run.

Clandestine: Anomaly

Clandestine: Anomaly is a game developed right here in Winnipeg by local company ZenFri, Inc. and is an augmented reality tower defense game where you defend your own “home base” while sending out units to take over other team’s bases. Unlike most of the games on this list, you can play Clandestine: Anomaly from home, but there are incentives to get off the couch in the form of powerful airstrike summons that can only be used outdoors.

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