War Wings is flying high on Google Play Store and for good reason

War Wings is the game you should be playing on your phone right now. It's a unique experience compared to any other mobile game you can download at the moment and there's a reason it's currently sitting at position 2 in the most popular titles on the Google Play Store.

In Appetite for Distraction we often highlight some of the worst apps available, but this week we had to take the opportunity to hammer home just how good War Wings is.

Its gameplay involves player versus player air battles in a World War 2 setting.  Airborne fighting is a hard mechanic to get right even on consoles and PC so considering this is a mobile title we were impressed throughout our time playing it. 

In War Wings, you and three teammates control and shoot WW2 fighter planes in a battle against four other players.

If you're a fan of flight and fight simulators from the 2000's, you'll love that War Wings is able to bring something from them to the more convenient platform of your smartphone. 

When you boot up War Wings, you're greeted by the woman below. She has a bold dress sense considering the game is set in wartime 1940's, but we decided she's maybe just dropped by after attending a 2017 fancy dress party.

We've been playing with the Hawk II, which seems to be based on the Curtiss F11C Goshawk fighter plane, but there are lots of other planes to fly in the game. There are also plenty of customization options so you can ensure you have the top plane out there.

Once you've settled on the plane that puts the wind beneath your wings, you can change how it works by improving the fuselage or installing an entirely new engine. These changes require money, so winning battles will ensure you earn enough to make your plane one of the best out there. Or you know, you could just buy some coins through microtransactions to get ahead.

For all its good points, one annoying element is the lack of a single player mode within War Wings. 

It means you're restricted to not being able to play while you're without internet (particularly annoying if you regularly play when riding the London Underground) and it's not a good idea to play on the move if you have a limited data allowance. This is a game that will eat through it quickly.

Connection seemed solid throughout our time with the game and there was barely any lag which is impressive considering this is a game likely being played by everyone in the four vs four matches over a wireless internet connection.

Appetite for Distraction

Would I play this on the toilet? As long as you have a stable internet connection this is the best game to play right now while you're sat on the toilet.

Ad'o'meter? Surprisingly, nothing. It's all just adverts for the game itself... beware there are a lot of micropayments in here.

Who in the world would play this? History enthusiasts and just about everyone who enjoys gaming on their Android phone.

Did my phone get hacked after installing it? Nope - you can even play as a guest so it won't have access to your Facebook.

Should you download it? Would 100% recommend.

Appetite for Distraction is a new column where we highlight the weird and wonderful apps and games you can download to your phone or tablet. Want to submit an app? Hit James up on Twitter – @JamesRWP.

James Peckham

James is the Editor-in-Chief at Android Police. Previously, he was Senior Phones Editor for TechRadar, and he has covered smartphones and the mobile space for the best part of a decade bringing you news on all the big announcements from top manufacturers making mobile phones and other portable gadgets. James is often testing out and reviewing the latest and greatest mobile phones, smartwatches, tablets, virtual reality headsets, fitness trackers and more. He once fell over.

Latest in Phones
Product shots for the Xiaomi Poco X7 Ultra review
I spent a month testing the Xiaomi Poco F7 Ultra, a top-end mid-ranger that masquerades as a flagship
iPhone 13 mini
The iPhone mini won't be returning, according to rumors – and you think that's a mistake
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge on display the January 22, 2025 Galaxy Unpacked event.
All three rumored Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge colors shown off in ‘official’ images
Anker Zolor Power Bank 10,000mah
My favorite portable charger goes everywhere with me, and it's under $13 at Amazon right now
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Hands on
I'm actually glad the new Siri with Apple Intelligence is delayed, and here's why we've got Apple's AI problem backwards
The iPhone 16 Pro on a grey background
iPhone 17 Pro tipped to get 8K video recording – but I want these 3 video features instead
Latest in News
Lenovo | Thinkpad T14s Gen 6 Snapdragon
Windows 11’s latest patch declares war on BIOS updates for some Lenovo laptops, blocking them as a security risk in a bizarre turn of events
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream screenshot showing a Mii smelling some fresh flowers.
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream is a sequel to my favorite 3DS game, and I think it's already packing the charm that inZOI lacks
Google Pixel Watch 3 side dial and button
Google Gemini reportedly spotted on Wear OS – could a rollout be close at hand?
Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con up-close from app store
Nintendo's new app gave us another look at the Switch 2, and there's something different with the Joy-Con
cheap Nintendo Switch game deals sales
Nintendo didn't anticipate that Mario Kart 8 Deluxe was 'going to be the juggernaut' for the Nintendo Switch when it was ported to the console, according to former employees
Toni Collette in Hereditary
Everything leaving Netflix in April 2025 – from the scariest movie ever made to a beloved DreamWorks animation with 99% on Rotten Tomatoes