It's time for our weekly roundup of brand new and notable apps for Android smartphones and tablets.

It covers apps and games, with the prices referring to the initial download: so (Free) may mean (Freemium) in some cases. The equivalent iOS roundup will be published later in the day.

For now, read on for this week's Android selection (and when you've finished, check out previous Best Android apps posts). It's a heavy games week this week, hopefully there'll be a better balance with non-games releases next week.

Galaxy on Fire 2 HD (Free)

Fishlabs' sprawling Galaxy on Fire space epics have always been a reliable source of mobile entertainment, and the latest installation is no different. It sees you shooting and trading your way across the galaxy, with more than 10 hours in its main campaign mode, and additional quests unlocked through in-app purchases.

BOINC (Free)

BOINC is the work of the Space Sciences Laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley. It's an app that runs in the background when your Android is plugged in, charged and connected to a Wi-Fi network, and "harnesses the unused computing power of your Android device and runs jobs for scientific research projects". A bit like the same establishment's SETI@home project, but for a wider range of research.

Google Play Games (Free)

Google Play Games is essentially Android's version of Xbox Live or Apple's Game Center: a way to "discover new games, track achievements and scores, and play with friends around the world", integrated into developers' games, but also with this standalone app. It'll be interesting to see if Google puts more welly into its discovery aspects in the coming weeks and months, to help recommend games your habits suggest you'll like.

Todoist: To Do List, Task List (Free)

Productivity app Todoist has been out for a while on Android smartphones, but its latest update adds native tablet functionality. It's a to-do list and task-tracking app that synchronises with the Todoist website, with a premium account option to get text, email and push-notification reminders, among other features.

Ionage (Free)

Ionage is a real-time strategy (RTS) game set in space "where you use giant floating space platforms to do battle in a steampunk themed story of galactic conquest". Which sounds nice. It's also exclusive to Android, and while it plays nicest on tablets, developer Twice Circled promises it's been "resourcefully optimised" for smartphones too.

Wedding Dash (Free)

PlayFirst's "Dash" series of games are best known for Diner Dash, but this new game transfers the idea to wedding-planning. It sees you juggling tasks on the touchscreen to help heroine Quinn arrange cakes, flowers and grumpy brides, while fending off pigeons and fires. That's a helluva wedding. In-app purchases unlock extra levels and features.

Quad Drawer (£0.79)

"Your apps, quicker," promises the blurb for this launcher app, which styles itself as an on-device drawer that you can rummage through for apps by typing a few letters of whatever you're looking for. Apps can also be sorted alphabetically, by install date, or by most / last used to make them easier to find.

Pixel Defenders Puzzle (£0.65)

I fell hard for this when reviewing the iOS version last year: it sees you matching pixels and characters to make more-powerful characters, who then attack enemies at the top of the screen. If you've ever played the (also addictive) Triple Town, it's a bit like that but with extra fighting, and a fantasy-RPG theme. Well worth a try.

Mushihimesama Bug Panic (£4.99)

Good luck pronouncing the title to this shoot 'em up, although you'll need even more luck (and plenty of skill) to play it well. This is an old favourite from Japanese developer Cave, with bullets flying all over the shop, a punishing-yet-rewarding difficulty curve, and three control systems to suit your playing style.

Totally Pregnant (Free)

Talking of punishing-yet-rewarding difficulty curves... No, this is a very helpful-looking app designed for mothers-to-be, with 3D videos showing how babies develop in the womb, lots of advice, discounts on products and a database of questions and answers on all things pregnancy-related.

Battle Dragons (Free)

Dragons! If you're missing Game of Thrones, Battle Dragons may at least ease your fire-breathing giant-winged withdrawal symptoms. A bit. It sees you raising a dragon army then sending them off to battle other players, while building and defending your own fortress, and setting up "Dragon Tribes" with Facebook friends. If that reminds you of iOS game Clash of Clans, you're on the right lines – and with that game still not winging its way to Android, Battle Dragons could pick up plenty of fans.

Minecraft Skin Studio (£2.39)

Minecraft-maker Mojang likes this app for creating and sharing "skins" for Minecraft, and has provided an official endorsement. The app helps you browse more than 50k skins created by other players to modify Minecraft's desktop version – sorry, not the mobile or Xbox versions yet – and create your own.

Prince of Persia Shadow & Flame (£1.99)

Another famous gaming hero returns to Android with this new Prince of Persia game from Ubisoft. Fans will know what to expect: platform leaping and plenty of sword-slashing combat, with 14 levels, touchscreen-friendly controls and spiffing graphics.

Sparky Lock Screen (£1.31)

The Google Play reviews are very positive for this collection of lock-screen themes, for Android smartphones only for now. Besides a varied collection of themes, its key appeal is how simple they are to set up and swap between.

Riptide GP2 (£1.99)

Water-based racing game Riptide GP was highly popular on Android, but its sequel offers plenty of new features. You can race nine hydro jets through a range of courses in single-player career mode as well as online multiplayer races. It plays nice with the Google Play Game network, and the visuals really are impressive – especially on devices with Tegra processors inside.

Sugar Rush (Free)

Swiping on a screen to make matches from 'candy' sweets? WHY HAS NO ONE THOUGHT OF THIS BEFORE?! Oh, hang on... Yes, it's fair to say Sugar Rush shares some of its DNA with Candy Crush Saga, as you pop sweets three-at-a-time while looking for jackpots to boost your score.

DeathSmiles (£7.99)

If you've a.) finished Mushihimesama Bug Panic and b.) have plenty of disposable income, here's another of Cave's shoot 'em ups to try. This time, the theme is "gothic horror", which means more skulls, but about as many bullets flying in your direction.

The Smurfs 2 Keyboard (£0.79)

SwiftKey? SchmiftKey! Swype? Schmype! And so on. They may be scrapping for the title of best Android keyboard-replacement app, but now there's a new contender: The Smurfs. "Let The Smurfs assist you in all your typing needs, bringing joy and fun to all your texts!" And you may laugh, but wait until your child demands it...

Smart Layover (Free)

This is handy for frequent flyers: an app that aims to help you make the most of layovers in more than 140 airports/cities, with deals and discounts for in-terminal shopping and eating, suggestions for sightseeing, and flight alerts and notifications to ensure you don't miss a connecting flight.

Shake For Help (£0.66)

This app turns your Android device into a connected panic-alarm: you set it up with specific emergency contacts, then it contacts them with your location if it's triggered by shaking the device. It runs in the background, and yes, it's possible it may be set off by mistake – in which case, shaking the device turns it off.

That's this week's selection, but what do you think? Make your own recommendations, or give your views on the apps above, by posting a comment.