26 votes

Mindless games, preferably mobile

I'm looking for something to keep me busy / focused on with minimal actual concentration, planning or learning required. Things that you can't look away from while playing or you lose what you're doing. Nothing that involves interaction with other people.

Things that have worked for me for this in the past are Bejeweled 3 lightening mode, Insaniquarium, driving around mindlessly in Forza Horizons.

I'm kind of terrible at anything that requires twitch reflexes, so anything that punishes you for slowness isn't great. Bejeweled it's not a problem because the game is basically identical no matter how you score.

32 comments

  1. [6]
    knocklessmonster
    Link
    Vampire Survivors. It's basically "dodge and get items until you can kill God"

    Vampire Survivors. It's basically "dodge and get items until you can kill God"

    27 votes
    1. [3]
      PraiseTheSoup
      Link Parent
      I own this game on PC, Xbox, and mobile. It's that good. That said, touchscreen controls on mobile is the absolute worst. Borderline unplayable imo. Therefore I would suggest to OP that a...

      I own this game on PC, Xbox, and mobile. It's that good. That said, touchscreen controls on mobile is the absolute worst. Borderline unplayable imo. Therefore I would suggest to OP that a controller is required.

      3 votes
      1. joshtransient
        Link Parent
        Thank you for calling out the touchscreen problems. I spent 10 minutes with the Apple Arcade version, deleted it, and couldn't understand how it got so much acclaim. I'll give this another fair...

        Thank you for calling out the touchscreen problems. I spent 10 minutes with the Apple Arcade version, deleted it, and couldn't understand how it got so much acclaim. I'll give this another fair shake with a controller.

        2 votes
      2. Sapholia
        Link Parent
        I'm the same, love the game on PC and Switch, can't stand touchscreen controls on mobile.

        I'm the same, love the game on PC and Switch, can't stand touchscreen controls on mobile.

    2. NoblePath
      Link Parent
      Oooh it’s on apple arcade!

      Oooh it’s on apple arcade!

      1 vote
  2. [2]
    Sapholia
    Link
    Simon Tatham's Puzzles is a good collection for me, and it's free with no ads. I find Net to be the best one for mindless. Bridges, Slant, Pearl, Map, and Untangle are all pretty good too. There...

    Simon Tatham's Puzzles is a good collection for me, and it's free with no ads. I find Net to be the best one for mindless. Bridges, Slant, Pearl, Map, and Untangle are all pretty good too. There are no time limits, so I guess looking away has no penalty, although losing your focus can mean forgetting what you were doing depending how your brain works.

    If you're willing to spend a buck or two up front, my brain-shut-off games are Burger Shop 2, Papa's Freezeria To Go, and Papa's Pizzeria To Go. They're busy enough to keep you from thinking about anything else while not making you plan too hard. I don't recommend any of the other Papa's games though, because they keep adding bloat like minigames and forced lobby decoration that detract from the simple mindless momentum for me.

    If you like Insaniquarium, you might like the original Plants vs. Zombies (same creator). I'm not sure what the state of the mobile app is right now because I prefer to play on PC (I have over 500 hours Steam playtime in it, because I kept using it as a mindless escape some years ago). According to reviews you can pay to go ad-free or just turn off wifi to stop the ads.

    20 votes
    1. Inanimate
      Link Parent
      Also recommend Simon Tatham's Puzzles, it's a great collection! Yes, you often get into a 'flow state' while solving a puzzle, so it can be tough to look away and come back to it without losing...

      Also recommend Simon Tatham's Puzzles, it's a great collection! Yes, you often get into a 'flow state' while solving a puzzle, so it can be tough to look away and come back to it without losing where you were.

      5 votes
  3. [5]
    feanne
    (edited )
    Link
    I made Pocket Kitten, it's a virtual pet sim where you just take care of kittens and decorate the space. The game is playable online for free on browser on mobile or desktop (no ads) /...

    I made Pocket Kitten, it's a virtual pet sim where you just take care of kittens and decorate the space. The game is playable online for free on browser on mobile or desktop (no ads) / downloadable for desktop ($2). You just collect hearts (the in-game currency) to get more kittens and items (mostly decorative). No need for twitch reflexes. Nothing bad happens if you don't interact with the kittens, they'll just be hanging out on the screen.

    I'd also recommend Cloud Gardens, a very peaceful game where you turn abandoned ruins into overgrown gardens. You just click to grow plants at your own pace.

    12 votes
    1. [2]
      DefinitelyNotAFae
      Link Parent
      Pocket kitten was really fun even just in the browser, thank you! I'll have to check out the download version

      Pocket kitten was really fun even just in the browser, thank you! I'll have to check out the download version

      4 votes
      1. feanne
        Link Parent
        Thanks so much, happy you enjoyed it!

        Thanks so much, happy you enjoyed it!

        2 votes
  4. Jerutix
    Link
    I just got back into Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp since they announced the F2P version is ending on 11/28 and relaunching as a paid app with one additional year of some new content on 12/3 for...

    I just got back into Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp since they announced the F2P version is ending on 11/28 and relaunching as a paid app with one additional year of some new content on 12/3 for $10. I like having it around all the time.

    Sliding Seas is one of my favorites (merging match-3), but you can look away.

    I'm basically a shill for King Rabbit - Puzzle and King Rabbit - Race. Both are a lot of fun.

    7 votes
  5. [7]
    aetherious
    Link
    You can try Burrito Bison, quick rounds and does require some quick tapping occasionally but not too punishing if you miss one because you multiple tries that keep replinishing before you're done....

    You can try Burrito Bison, quick rounds and does require some quick tapping occasionally but not too punishing if you miss one because you multiple tries that keep replinishing before you're done. You play a 'launchador' and the goal is to fling yourself as far as possible smashing evil gummy bears.

    6 votes
    1. [6]
      Jerutix
      Link Parent
      That's such a good one. I think I've played all the way through one of the versions twice. Also reminds me of holedown (another game I've played through a couple times), if you're willing to spend...

      That's such a good one. I think I've played all the way through one of the versions twice.

      Also reminds me of holedown (another game I've played through a couple times), if you're willing to spend a couple bucks.

      2 votes
      1. [5]
        rahmad
        Link Parent
        My rule of thumb is, unless you have to spend a couple bucks, it's probably best to avoid that game... I've met my fair share of F2Ps, and never met one I liked.

        My rule of thumb is, unless you have to spend a couple bucks, it's probably best to avoid that game... I've met my fair share of F2Ps, and never met one I liked.

        3 votes
        1. [4]
          Sapholia
          Link Parent
          My tiny list of free mobile games (also ad-free and microtransaction-free) that are worth playing: Simon Tatham's Puzzles, as I mentioned elsewhere. Shattered Pixel Dungeon, shockingly robust...

          My tiny list of free mobile games (also ad-free and microtransaction-free) that are worth playing:

          • Simon Tatham's Puzzles, as I mentioned elsewhere.
          • Shattered Pixel Dungeon, shockingly robust roguelike (this is the only roguelike I've played that somehow captures the feeling of original Rogue while making many modern quality-of-life improvements). I liked this one so much I bought it on PC when it was ported, and though it has been a full game for years, all versions are still receiving major content updates.
          • Seedship, menu-driven text game about finding a new planet for humanity to colonize. (This one is also a browser game).
          • Forgetful Dictator, reasonably fun & funny edutainment that teaches you (most of) the world's countries, their capitals, and their flags. I saw someone recommend this on Tildes and I've forgotten who, so sadly I can't thank them.

          The other three didn't fit OP's criteria, so I didn't recommend them in my initial comment, but if you or anyone else is interested, there they are. :-)

          3 votes
          1. [3]
            rahmad
            (edited )
            Link Parent
            The first three are great. The last is new to me. Thanks! Exit: Yes, I completely love this. It is very much like Travle which, despite being a fairly regular habit, has failed to teach me a...

            The first three are great. The last is new to me. Thanks!

            Exit: Yes, I completely love this. It is very much like Travle which, despite being a fairly regular habit, has failed to teach me a comprehensive map of Africa.

            1 vote
            1. [2]
              Sapholia
              Link Parent
              Ooh, I like that site. Thanks! And it seems my playing of Forgetful Dictator has really prepared me for it -- I didn't get a perfect score, but I wouldn't have had any clue how to get from France...

              Ooh, I like that site. Thanks! And it seems my playing of Forgetful Dictator has really prepared me for it -- I didn't get a perfect score, but I wouldn't have had any clue how to get from France to Greece before. I'm wishing it weren't a daily puzzle, but perhaps it's good for habits like you said.

              1. rahmad
                Link Parent
                I find there are worse daily habits than those that take a few minutes and maybe teach me a thing or two.

                I find there are worse daily habits than those that take a few minutes and maybe teach me a thing or two.

                1 vote
  6. mild_takes
    Link
    Universal Paperclips

    Universal Paperclips

    6 votes
  7. [2]
    rahmad
    Link
    Consider boomshine, holedown, suika, minimetro, railbound. It's not entirely clear which game will scratch your itch, but there are 'forgiving about being locked into screen', 'focus' but no...

    Consider boomshine, holedown, suika, minimetro, railbound.

    It's not entirely clear which game will scratch your itch, but there are 'forgiving about being locked into screen', 'focus' but no 'twitch' in the above.

    4 votes
    1. bl4kers
      Link Parent
      There's a free variant of this on F-Droid. Looks like a Flash game but is still quite enjoyable and addicting

      suika

      There's a free variant of this on F-Droid. Looks like a Flash game but is still quite enjoyable and addicting

      1 vote
  8. Eji1700
    Link
    Sticking to mobile suggestions: Pinball in general on the phone might be your thing. I like the more arcadey stuff, so Zen pinball, Pinout, and Pinball CC2 are my go to. I also have Pinball Arcade...

    Sticking to mobile suggestions:

    Pinball in general on the phone might be your thing. I like the more arcadey stuff, so Zen pinball, Pinout, and Pinball CC2 are my go to. I also have Pinball Arcade and Williams but I touch those less.

    Super Hexagon is replayable and also VERY attention focused.
    Downwell is a decent enough mobile game. Might be up your alley.

    Puyo Puyo and tetris have mobile apps.

    Think that's the majority of it as I tend to play turn based things on my phone so I can stop if I need to.

    3 votes
  9. Mountain-View5322
    Link
    I'll second the vote for Plants vs Zombies, as well as the sequel, PvZ2. The first can be a bit slow at times; PvZ2 picks up the pace, while also picking up micro transactions along the way. Super...

    I'll second the vote for Plants vs Zombies, as well as the sequel, PvZ2. The first can be a bit slow at times; PvZ2 picks up the pace, while also picking up micro transactions along the way. Super fun game even so.

    2 votes
  10. chewonbananas
    Link
    On mobile Alto's Adventure, Cube Escape by Rusty Lake, Father and Son, Mars: Mars, Badland. Those are some old games I used to play when I was younger.

    On mobile Alto's Adventure, Cube Escape by Rusty Lake, Father and Son, Mars: Mars, Badland. Those are some old games I used to play when I was younger.

    2 votes
  11. tauon
    Link
    Oh boy, this post reminded me of two games I had installed probably a decade ago… and somehow, after just checking, they’re still available for me right now (iOS App Store)! Need for Speed – Most...

    Oh boy, this post reminded me of two games I had installed probably a decade ago… and somehow, after just checking, they’re still available for me right now (iOS App Store)!

    2 votes
  12. [3]
    fefellama
    Link
    Bloons Pop! (ios / android) You shoot monkeys down on a bunch of bloons (balloons) to pop 'em. Each monkey has a different ability and different bloons have different weaknesses, so it requires a...

    Bloons Pop! (ios / android)

    You shoot monkeys down on a bunch of bloons (balloons) to pop 'em. Each monkey has a different ability and different bloons have different weaknesses, so it requires a little bit of thought and aiming, but nothing twitchy or too complex.

    Pros:

    • Surprising amount of variety/strategy for such a simple game
    • Fun, easy, lighthearted, not overly tedious, repetitive, or grindy
    • You can pause or stop playing at any moment and it will not affect the game in the slightest
    • Doesn't require any reflexes or non-stop attention. Just aim your monkey, release, and the game does the rest
    • Single player
    • No ads! (all the ads are selective, meaning you can click on them if you want to like double your score or get extra lives or whatever, but I've never found the need to, so I haven't seen a single ad after hundreds of levels)
    • Vertical orientation which means it's playable with only one hand! Seriously all you do is aim and release.

    Cons:

    • The only flaw I can find with the game is that there are lots of micro-transactions available, but they don't really bother me because I just ignore them and keep playing for free without any issues. Like lots of dumb mobile games, there are a few different currencies (that you can completely ignore) and limited lives (that should not be a problem at all, I literally had to open the app to double check whether or not there were lives because I couldn't remember, since it basically never comes up). But you can literally just ignore all that and click on the next level button and just keep shooting bloons, which is pretty much what I do.
    1 vote
    1. [2]
      balooga
      Link Parent
      I enjoy Bloons TD 6! It’s a really full-featured tower defense game. It’s part of the Netflix games package, so I guess it’s included for free with a subscription if you have one. There may be...

      I enjoy Bloons TD 6! It’s a really full-featured tower defense game. It’s part of the Netflix games package, so I guess it’s included for free with a subscription if you have one. There may be other ways to acquire it, I haven’t looked. Really fun and addictive though.

      1 vote
      1. fefellama
        Link Parent
        I enjoy it too, but prefer playing it on a larger screen like a tablet or monitor. IMO there's too much going on for a smaller phone screen.

        I enjoy it too, but prefer playing it on a larger screen like a tablet or monitor. IMO there's too much going on for a smaller phone screen.

  13. mat
    Link
    I keep going back to a game Deimos suggested many years ago, Holedown. It was a few $currency to buy but it's very satisfying to play and has near limitless replay value. I must have sunk hundreds...

    I keep going back to a game Deimos suggested many years ago, Holedown. It was a few $currency to buy but it's very satisfying to play and has near limitless replay value. I must have sunk hundreds of hours into this when my kid was a baby and I was getting them to sleep. It's playable one handed and requires attention but not much concentration or thought. It's learnable in seconds. I still play to this day.

    1 vote