Skip to main content

10 great Windows 8 games to try

The Windows Store is not exactly bursting at the seams with great games, but you should be able to find a few titles to satisfy that gaming urge. In this roundup we run through our picks for the best Windows 8 games in different genres. We already picked out the ten best mobile games on any platform (including Windows 8), so we’ll cover a different line-up here. You may also be interested in our guide to the best Windows 8 apps.

Skulls of the Shogun ($10)

Skulls_of_the_Shogun

You’ll find fast and focused turn-based strategy in a stylized Japanese afterlife packed with samurais, monks, and generals in Skulls of the Shogun. The thickly outlined, retro-anime art style is enticing, the touch screen controls are easy to master, and the distilled tactical gameplay runs deeper than you might imagine at first play. With an absorbing 20-level campaign to beat and a solid multiplayer mode for four, it’s very easy to recommend.

The Gunstringer (Free)

The_Gunstringer

Forget about Temple Run because The Gunstringer is free and it casts you as a skeleton cowboy instead of an Indiana Jones clone. It’s a typical endless runner game where you have to avoid deadly obstacles and collect as many coins and diamonds as possible in the process. It’s well-made and instantly accessible no matter what your tastes are like.

Halo: Spartan Assault ($7)

Halo_Spartan_Assault

This top-down action shooter is set in the Halo universe and features a unique story about the origin of the Spartan Ops program, which takes place just before the events of Halo 4. It challenges you to battle the Covenant over 30 levels with the usual array of weaponry and vehicles. The presence of in-app purchases in a game you already paid for is always irritating, but this is still a solid game, and a must-buy for Halo fans.

Game Dev Tycoon ($8)

Game_Dev_Tycoon
Image used with permission by copyright holder

If it were available on Windows 8 we’d point you at Game Dev Story, but alas you’ll have to make do with this. It’s still a fun sim that challenges you to start your own game development studio and grow it from your bedroom confines to multi-million dollar stardom. The gameplay is simple, but it has that addictive hook, and it’s educational, too. You’ll learn about the history of gaming as you play through.

Toy Story: Smash It! ($5)

Toy_Story_Smash_It
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Casual physics-based games dominate all the app stores and this one is squarely aimed at kids, although it’s fun no matter what your age. You play as Buzz Lightyear, and have to throw bouncy balls at various toy structures to bring them tumbling down. The fewer balls you need, the higher your score will be, and there’s some replay value in trying to get three stars on all 75 levels. The fact that it’s 3D and it features characters and tunes from the Toy Story universe helps it stand out from the crowd.

Royal Revolt! (Free)

Royal_Revolt
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Here’s a twist on the tower defense genre with an RPG veneer. In this game, you find out what it’s like to be on the other side and send invading forces in to destroy your opponents and reclaim your castle. Use your limited energy to recruit the right blend of troops for victory across 58 levels. It’s cute, accessible, and fun. As you’d expect with a free title, you can beat the grind with in-app purchases.

Doom and Destiny ($3)

Doom_and_Destiny
Image used with permission by copyright holder

There’s a wealth of old-school RPG fun to be had in Doom and Destiny. The top down view on super-cute 16-bit visuals induces nostalgia, but the witty script pokes fun respectfully at the genre. It’s turn-based and has a gentle learning curve. The sheer variety and scope of the content on offer makes it worth more than the $3 cost of admission.

WordGap (Free)

WordGap

This word game will put your vocabulary to the test, and it’s fun to battle it out against up to three of your friends. The basic premise is like a twist on Scrabble. Letters are all assigned a points value and you are given two that any word you come up with must start and end with. You also get two bonus letters that will boost your score if you can fit them in.

Ilomilo plus ($5)

ilomilo_plus
Image used with permission by copyright holder

It may bear more than a passing resemblance to Little Big Planet, but ilomilo is a worthy puzzle game that’s really challenging. The two, cute titular characters Ilo and Milo have to work together to beat each 3D block-filled level. This is actually a beefed up version of the original ilomilo release with some additional content. Try playing co-op with a friend if you really want to have some fun.

Hydro Thunder Hurricane ($10)

Hyrdo_Thunder_Hurricane

Does it matter if you remember the original arcade Hydro Thunder series? Of course not. All that matters is your desire to race boats at breakneck speeds around crazy environments. Think F-Zero on the water. This has loads of high-powered speedboats, courses with secret shortcuts, four game modes, and plenty of power-ups; what’s not to like? This Xbox 360 game works well on Windows 8.

That’s it for our best Windows 8 games roundup, but if you want to suggest a title then please post a comment and share it.

Simon Hill
Former Associate Mobile Editor
Simon Hill is an experienced technology journalist and editor who loves all things tech. He is currently the Associate Mobile…
We gave these products a 9 out 10, and they’re on sale for Labor Day
The Sony 65-inch Bravia XR A95L OLED 4K Google TV in a modern-styled living room.

Labor Day deals have largely ended, but there are still some fantastic deals available. In fact, there are fantastic deals on some of our favorite products of the past year. If you're having trouble deciding what to buy, we're here to help you. What's so special about this roundup of Labor Day deals? They've all received a rating of at least 9 out of 10 stars by our reviewers, who thoroughly tested them before giving their honest opinion. We put whole-hearted recommendations behind all of these products, so you won't regret purchasing any of the items that we've highlighted below.

If you're thinking about buying any of these high-scoring products, we highly recommend completing your transactions as soon as possible. That's because we're not the only ones who think highly of these devices: We expect a lot of shoppers to have them in their wish lists. Labor Day is over, so these deals could end at any second. If you don't want to miss out on the savings, push through with your purchase immediately.
Sennheiser Accentum wireless headphones (9 out of 10) -- $132, was $180

Read more
The 10 most important things to know about the Google Pixel 8a
Promo image for the Google Pixel 8a, showing renders of the phone in all four colors.

Google has just announced the next Pixel A-series device -- the new Google Pixel 8a. The A-series is the more budget-friendly Pixel option, and it comes out halfway in the cycle to the next mainline Pixel device.

This year, the Pixel 8a offers some big upgrades over its predecessor, the Google Pixel 7a. It’s also more similarly matched with the standard Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, both of which came out in October 2023.

Read more
I performed an intense gaming test with the OnePlus 12. Here’s what happened
Person holding green OnePlus 12 phone in hands while playing games.

OnePlus has traditionally appealed to a very demanding set of users. Its "Never Settle" ethos appealed to early adopters of OnePlus phones looking to accomplish more than they can on traditional flagship phones at a much lower price. After a few years off track, OnePlus' latest flagship phone -- the OnePlus 12 -- feels like an ideal representation of its founding principles.

From a radiant display to superfast wired and wireless charging, the OnePlus 12 has many compelling features. Areas that I feel deserves the most attention are its gaming performance and brilliant value, even compared to other $800 phones.

Read more