Wi-Fi acting up again? Impatient while waiting for the bus? Or just on a quest to avoid awkward eye contact in public places? Don’t worry. We’ve found you some of the best stress-relieving mobile games to play to help you unleash the zen-gamer within.
Who’s got the brain power for unforgiving game rules, the will-power for dark character backstories or the bandwidth for the pressure of completing missions when we could be playing no-stress (but still exciting) games that promote happy feelings?
Games are supposed to be fun – that’s why we’ve rounded up the best stress-relief mobile games to play for when you need to relax. The ones that we switch on, to switch off. There will always be other action games, but when you want to mix things up, try these six of the best stress-relieving mobile games to play to prioritise calm over chaos.
Alto’s Odyssey
While Alto’s Odyssey is a follow-up to the critically acclaimed Alto’s Adventure, don’t worry about not having played the first to enjoy the second. In this world there are no scores, no coins, and no power-ups. It’s just you and the endless desert — bliss. Embark on a sand-boarding adventure across serene landscapes, soar above windswept dunes and be prepared to be dazzled by stunning visuals of sandstorms and shooting stars. Naturally, you’ll want to make a wish while you’re at it.
Three months free then Dhs19.99 per month. Android and iOS. play.google.com.
Design Home
If spending a weekend at IKEA sounds like a good time to you, let the hygge of home brighten your weekdays, too. Design Home invites the interior-minded to put their skills to task. In this game you’ll build yourself a 3D house, from the layout to the all-important accessories. You’ll even be able to select digital versions of real furniture from your favourite brands. So, before you build that first house, get brainstorming your blueprint. Now, which house plant will it be?
Free. Android, but similar iOS games available. play.google.com.
Eufloria
A real-time strategy game with none of the stress. Easy to learn and enjoyable to master, it’s a game for all. Embark on a journey of space exploration, otherworldly plants and evolution (minus the science, fret not). The best part? Never boring, the levels are different each time.
Dhs10.99 (regular), Dhs17.99 (HD). Android and iOS. apps.apple.com.
I Love Hue
Because it is the most colourful game to play, we love Hue, too. If you’re visually minded, these pretty mosaic tiles that need to be arranged into perfectly ordered spectrums are calling your name. Enjoy the satisfying feeling you get when the puzzles go from disorder to order at the tip of your fingers.
Android and iOS. apps.apple.com.
Prune
“Digital poetry. A little oasis of grace. Feels more like a dance than puzzle-solving,” said a satisfied reviewer. And there’s a lot more Prune-enthusiasts where that came from. Indeed, it won the a Game of the Year award in 2015. The game urges you to cultivate what matters and cut away the rest, which sees you growing an on-screen tree, and forgetting about your stress.
Though it might not be new, the game deserves a mention as it takes therapy-gaming to another level.
Dhs14.99. Android, iOS, Windows Store and Amazon. apps.apple.com.
Terrarium: Garden Idle
You’d have to be living under a rock to not have come across plant-growing games on social media; they’re almost as popular as the trend for sharing pics of real-life succulents. Who’d have thought it? This is why Terrarium: Garden Idle works, combining botany and technology, inviting you to take care of a virtual garden and watch your little plants grow. Tap away and feel your worries dissipate as that garden blooms. You just might have a green thumb after all.
Free. Android and iOS. apps.apple.com.
After something more upbeat to play with your friends? Click here for the best party games.
