The Globe and Mail

Shadowgun ($4.99)
The year is 2350. Shadowgun is an advanced shooter that combines intense tactical combat with 3rd person action. You won't believe you're playing on a tablet -- this looks and feels more like a PC game. The sound a graphics are impressive. Advanced lighting effects, beautifully rendered environments, and pro voices set this game apart from most in the Android market.
Check the system requirements before downloading for your Android device. The game description notes that some phones and tablets won't be able to handle Shadowgun.

Sprinkle ($1.99)
The inhabitants of Titan lived out their days peacefully in their straw hut homes until tourists from Earth crashed through Saturn's rings, bringing a storm of flaming asteroids crashing down on their homes. Adjust the height and angle of a massive water cannon to fight fires, move obstacles, spin wheels and activate traps. You have to squirt carefully, since the water supply is limited. The less water you use, the more points you get! Sprinkle is a challenging brain teaser with nice graphics and realistic water physics.

Wind-Up Knight ($variable)
This is not your average phone game. It's not meant to be played when you're bored and have five minutes to kill. There are plenty of games for that. The developers of Wind-up Knight have done something new. Checkpoints and power-ups are for wimps. This game features “diabolically difficult levels” that will push your limits. The game has an in-game currency called Notes. If you play well, you'll get enough Notes on each level to buy the equipment and upgrades you need to proceed. If not, well, you either have to buy some Notes or do the level again until you're awesome.
Wind-up Knight features 50 challenging levels. Run, jump, and roll to rescue the Princess and defeat the evil Black Knight.

Great Little War Game ($2.99)
Great Little War Game is a turn-based strategy game that lives up to its name, with solid gameplay, lush graphics, and a great sense of humour. The story begins when your commanding officer hears about some troop movements across the border. Naturally, he doesn't wait for accurate information or diplomacy. He sends you and your troops into battle, and the war begins.
Take command of your army and battle on land, sea and air. Plan your attack then deploy your soldiers to take full advantage of higher terrain, ambush spots, and defensive walls.
A good strategy game is hard to find. If you're looking for a game that contains absolutely no birds or zombies, this is the one for you!

Big Fat Goalie ($0.99)
This is a great, kid-friendly version of table-top hockey. Each player controls one side of the ice. There's no net, just a goal line, and the puck bounces off everything. Move your players to block the puck and send it back to the other side.
Don't tell the kids but Big Fat Goalie is basically Pong with organ music, great sound effects, and big, chunky graphics. It's big fun for a buck.

Burn the City ($0.99)
You: an adorable fire-breathing monster. Them: the humans who took away your family. Can you guess what happens next?
Burn the City is all about destruction and explosions. In your quest to destroy mankind you hurl boulders and fire and TNT into the cities. Any bits of people that survive get eaten. That just the kind of baby monster you are.
Burn the City is a lot like Angry Birds, but with humans instead of green pigs, and explosions instead of chirping. Put on some big boots for stomping, find your inner Godzilla, then play a few rounds of Burn the City.

Clouds & Sheep ($free with ads)
Clouds & Sheep redefines the idea of casual gameplay. There's no enemy to defeat, no badges to collect, no best time to beat. The object of the game is to care for a bunch of sheep and enjoy yourself. If you keep them well-fed, healthy, and entertained, they'll reward you with Happy Points and more sheep will come along to join the fun. Use Happy Points to buy toys and other items that will make your sheep (and you) even happier.
Unfortunately, the sheep are not very smart. They will stand in the blazing sun or the pouring rain until they get sick. That's why they need you -- to keep them safe from harm and to play with them whenever you can. You can download it completely free from the Android Market. Clouds & Sheep is free, supported by in-app advertising.

Reckless Getaway ($2.99)
Robbing the bank was the easy part. Now you have to escape. You're the driver of a getaway car loaded with cash. Police are in hot pursuit as you weave in and out of traffic. The object of the game is to outrun or ram pursuing police vehicles without wrecking your car or crashing into anything bigger than you. The graphics are excellent and the controls are responsive. There are 16 levels to complete, with scoring based on coins collected and the amount of destruction caused to vehicles and property. If you like this game, check out Raging Thunder II and Reckless Racing, also from Polarbit.

Fruit Ninja ($0.99)
The watermelon comes at you suddenly, without warning. You cut it in half neatly, with one firm swipe of your finger. That's how the game is played. Fruit Ninja is a simple game of skill. When the fruit appears on the screen, you slice it with your sword. You get points for each one you hit. Miss three and you're done.
It's easy at first, but soon the fruit appears in groups of two and three and four. Just when you think you know what you're doing, sizzling cherry bombs are added to the mix. If you slice one of those open, it's game over. Fruit Ninja may look like a kid's game, but it's fun for all ages.

Cut the Rope ($0.99)
A mysterious package arrives at your door. The little monster inside is cute but hungry, and he only wants one thing: candy! Swipe your finger across the screen to cut the rope and release the sweet treats he so desires.
Cut the Rope is 200 levels of fun and challenging puzzles. Cut the rope in the right place at the right time to release the candy. Each stage has three gold stars to collect and obstacles to avoid, including jagged spikes, electrical fields, sneaky spiders, and more. Cut the Rope is fun, charming, challenging, and addictive.