Coursework deadlines are fast approaching and alongside doing your work, it’s definitely important to be rested and relaxed—and what better way to do so than by playing these six games that are perfect for winding down?
(I was not sponsored to write any of the following about any of these six games.)
1. I Love Hue
I Love Hue is like an oasis in the desert of overdone, ad-filled mobile games. A game about arranging colour swatches into a perfect gradient, it’s both relaxing and satisfying, and easy to pick up and put down whenever you want. While the premise is simple, there are plenty of levels to keep things challenging—or you can replay the easier ones however many times you like. Perfect if you need to take a few minutes to ease your mind.
2. Kind Words
Kind Words is a very wholesome game about writing letters to strangers who need a little advice —who doesn’t, sometimes? Letters are anonymous, and you can send out your own request if there’s something you’re worried about—and show your gratitude afterwards with a sticker! With a chilled-out lo-fi soundtrack to complement your virtual letter-writing, sticker-sticking, and room-decorating, it’s an easy game to lose yourself in for a while.
3. The Haunted Island, A Frog Detective Game
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “that’s a strange-sounding game, and actually sounds like it could be quite stressful”. Rest assured—it isn’t! The Haunted Island, A Frog Detective Game is, as you might have guessed, a game about investigating a strange noise on a desert island. You play as a cute frog, and there are plenty of other cute and funny-looking animals to discover (and question) while you’re on your travels. It’s short, silly and sweet—and even has a sequel, if you find yourself wanting more.
4. Monument Valley
Monument Valley is a mobile puzzle game about climbing to the top of—you guessed it—a series of monuments. The colours and landscapes are beautiful, and there’s no rush to finish each level, so you can delight in them for as long as you want.
5. Superflight
Superflight is a very simple game where you—an individual in a wingsuit—fly around and through procedurally-generated maps, with rock formations that come in unique and pretty colour combinations. You can rack up points by going through particularly tricky crevices in a formation, but it isn’t the main aim of the game—and if you get bored of one map and want to try another, all you have to do is crash into the rock face (which will probably happen without you having to try…) The sound effects of the air rushing past you as you fly make the experience especially atmospheric: you can almost feel the wind beneath your wings.
6. Abzû
Moving from above the clouds to under the sea, Abzû is a game about diving into a vibrant world of sea creatures, who you can interact with in unique and unexpected ways—for instance, a huge fish guides you to the next area by letting you climb onto its back! The underwater landscape is rendered in stunning detail, and makes for a fully immersive experience.
There you have it—even if it’s just for an hour or two, you can now transport yourself to a world where things like coursework don’t exist. Rest well!