Kick the Buddy－Fun Action Game

The game needs Android 7.0 or newer, and the current version is 2.21.0. It is free to download, though it contains ads and in-app purchases. Google Play is where it is distributed, and the content rating there is Teen.

Once it opens, there is no strategy to learn. You pick up the dummy, Buddy, and start hitting, stretching or throwing him. Because the game works offline, you can try it straight away without a Wi-Fi connection, which suits travel or waiting rooms.

Expect to see ads along the way. Decide early whether you want to spend on in-app items, since the game does not require it to start playing.

The core idea is a sandbox built around one character. Buddy is a ragdoll dummy, and the game frames the violence as harmless: it is not meant as a killing game, and the aim is to make you laugh and let off steam. Hit, punch and toss are the basic moves.

The weapons are the main variety. They range from heavy guns to odd gadgets, so you can try different ways of wrecking the room. You can also change Buddy's look with accessories, which adds a light cosmetic layer to the chaos.

Players who like ragdoll simulators or stickman dismounting games will recognise the physics-driven approach. Google Play shows a 4.1 rating from about 3.6 million ratings, which points to a broadly positive reception across a very large audience.

Kick the Buddy has no challenges or strategy by design. If you want a goal, a score to chase or other players, it will feel thin after a while. The game is built for short, relaxed sessions rather than progress.

For competitive or multiplayer play, Stumble Guys is a more fitting pick. For runner-style games with clear objectives, look at Subway Surfers City or Temple Run 2. If you want quick arcade play with a challenge, Level Devil, Aquapark.io and Snake.io are other options.

Parents should also note the Teen rating before handing the game to younger children.

Kick the Buddy comes from Playgendary Limited and is distributed through Google Play, where it has over 500 million installs. It is free but includes ads and in-app purchases, so watch spending on shared devices. The Teen content rating applies. Install it from the official store listing only.