Often when playing games, it can be frustrating to deal with things that are out of our control. As a player, you have no control over a level’s difficulty, mechanics, or behavior. Being a level creator turns this around, putting you in charge of the gameplay, and opening a world of creative possibilities.
Here are our picks of the best Android games that you can play that have a built-in level editor.
1. Geometry Dash
Geometry Dash is a popular rhythm-based platformer where you must navigate through several intricate levels as a cube, ship, ball, and various other game modes to reach an end goal. As the levels progress, they increase in difficulty and introduce more game mechanics, creating lots of creative space for the mobile editor.
The level editor in Geometry Dash is one of the most in-depth of its kind. You can explore a selection of blocks, slopes, portals, monsters, and animated objects to create unique and challenging levels.
Triggers are one detailed component showcasing the complexity of the editor. You can use them to change the physics components of moving blocks alongside other attributes. There’s also great depth in setting colors for your levels, which are useful for creating themed levels.
The creative potential of the editor is easily seen in the Featured section. This is a hub of the best recent user-made levels where you can follow your favorite creators and leave comments.
Download: Geometry Dash ($1.99)
2. Mekorama
Mekorama is a logical puzzle game where you guide a robot through mechanical puzzles to collect hidden stars and reach the end goal. Navigating the robot around different worlds is made simple with intuitive touch controls, though the challenge increases with some real-world mechanics involving movable, rotating platforms and falling boulders.
If you do find yourself stuck, there’s no need to worry—each level offers hints to guide you along the way, and the story mode always provides three new levels for you to attempt at any given time.
The editor mode provides a sandbox of all the materials and mechanical components in the game. This includes the basics, like bricks, slopes, and stairs, and the more technical features including sliders and electric components. Using the extensive range of materials, you can construct clever mechanical designs in one of the best physics-based editors we’ve seen for mobile.
Sharing levels with other creators is simple. Every level you create generates a level card along with a QR code to share online, and the card collector page enables you to scan any image saved on your device.
Download: Mekorama (Free, in-app purchases available)
3. Gladiabots
Gladiabots is a unique strategy game where you can modify and program robots before sending them into battle. The game utilizes a code-based editor which makes it a great game to build your programming skills.
The advanced editor lets you customize your bots before sending them out, providing limitless outcomes for every match. You don’t need to be a coding genius to play the game—the tutorial will take you through all the basic block elements you need to know that control your robots’ behaviors.
You can optimize your team of robots to their best performance using Actions and Conditions (the two essential components in the editor) then see how they perform against other AI or real people in the Multiplayer mode.
This experimental combat game gives all control to the player. With its impressive editor, you can use trial and error to discover the best strategies, all while gaining some programming experience.
Download: Gladiabots (Free, in-app purchases available)
4. KAMI 2
KAMI 2 combines origami and beautiful designs with challenging puzzles to put your brain to the test. The aim of the game is to fill the screen in one color in a target number of moves. Each design consists solely of triangular shapes, which allows plenty of room for sophisticated geometric designs.
The Journey game mode takes you through a series of level packs, each with a unique theme. The best theming and designs can be seen in user-made levels, thanks to the puzzle builder.
You can design your own puzzles or see the creativity of others in the explore tab. There’s also the daily mode which selects some worthy designs from creators for a new challenge every day. This mode also lists the percentage of people who have beaten an online level so you can be aware of what you’re getting into (if this isn’t evident from the design).
KAMI 2’s level builder holds great artistic potential so you can create beautiful and challenging geometric designs all while enjoying the authentic gameplay experience.
Download: KAMI 2 (Free, in-app purchases available)
5. Hocus
If you’re familiar with impossible shapes, this game will ignite your mathematical interest. In Hocus, you must traverse as a cube across seemingly impossible shapes. Every move you make takes you across one edge of the 3D model, and the goal is to pass the cube into the hole at the end of the shape.
The Editor space gives you a blank canvas where you can create and extend shapes in the six directions available. Creating a shape is as simple as tapping on any of the red arrows to extend an edge in any direction.
The editor mode guides you through a structured process where you can design your shape, set a start and destination point, and play and test your level before publishing it. Upon completing your level, you’ll receive a special code that you can share with others.
The best thing is, you don’t need to be a mathematical genius to make levels in the editor—you can design shapes as simple or as complex as you want. Hocus provides a great level-editing experience where you can make the seemingly impossible possible.
Download: Hocus (Free, in-app purchases available)
6. Fancade
Fancade plays up to its name as a fan-based, widespread puzzle game, giving a full creative license to its players. You can explore a world of pixel-based mini-games, or create your own innovative games in the level editor.
While the graphics and design may be linear, there’s unlimited potential in the variety of games available. You can enjoy driving games, simple platformers, shooters, and more in the Quest option. There’s also the Battle mode, where you can try to beat other players’ high scores to earn crowns.
The level editor is the most creative element of the game and is responsible for its growing community. This has the sophistication of a game engine, which explains the ongoing release of new games. If you find making a game from scratch daunting, there are level kits available to give you a template for a specific style of game.
Download: Fancade (Free, in-app purchases available)
Build Your Own Levels With These Innovative Mobile Games
Creating your own levels adds another dimension to games that puts you in charge of the gameplay experience. With this list of varied games, you can explore your creativity in whatever format you choose, whether it be puzzle-based, physics-based, or relying on a strategy to unlock a new way of playing games.