If you’re not an essential worker actively keeping our society afloat, you have likely been asked to stay home. Simple! Wash your hands, do no harm, and stay home. If you’re getting bored, or need a new way to distract your brain from screaming into the void, I’m happy to suggest the following mobile games that won’t break the bank. Each game is available on both iOS or Android—sorry Windows phone users!—and have provided me with many happy hours of distraction.
And listen. I know gaming gets a bad wrap for being expensive. Sure, like any other hobby, you can spend a lot of money on it, but at the end of the day, it’s less about a bank draining and more about, you know, playing games.
Happy gaming!
Florence – Story Driven
Available on: iOS, Android
Back when we used to gather in groups to celebrate accomplishments, I would inevitably end up in a corner with someone, showing them this game on my phone- my apologies to the hosts. So, I’ll treat this as another stop on my lifelong world tour: PLAY THIS GAME! It’s usually available for less than $5 and will make you weep from both sadness and happiness within two hours. An incredible cornucopia of mobile mini games embedded into a beautifully designed story. I suggest playing with headphones—the music knocks this short experience out of the park. Bring tissues.
Hidden Folks – Hidden Object
Available on: iOS, Android
A hidden-object game of cute little landscapes with impossibly tiny objects to find. The objects are well hidden with clever hints, so each level can take some time. As you progress, the scenes become larger and more dense. Sometimes I’ll hop on just to watch the little lives play out. A sweet little slice of quiet bliss that will take the edge off.
Reigns – Strategy
Available on: iOS, Android
Play as a noble King, cursed to be reborn forever. Ruling, failing, dying and being reborn as your own successor. All of your mistakes in one run, passed on to the next. The game mechanics are Tinder inspired—swipe right to agree, swipe left to disagree. A damn near impossible balancing act—keep your military, constituents, and treasury happy, but not too happy. I’ve never won, so I feel more inclined to understand why Megan Markle said no thank you to the crown.
Mini Metro – Puzzler
Available on: iOS, Android
At the risk of pulling back the curtain too much—I love a well designed public transportation system. If you too love logistics, and the dizzying highs of mass transit, this game is for you. In Mini Metro, your only goal is to design a subway system for a growing city. With beautiful minimalist art and mechanics, it’s a quiet, simple game that’s nice to play before bed.
Old Man’s Journey – Adventure
Available on: iOS, Android
Play as a retired old man, set out on an epic journey without knowing why. A nice stroll down another’s memory lane, with beautiful, well-animated art. Solve low-pressure logic puzzles to advance along the path by road and sea! Experience an entire story for the love of the journey, before realizing that it was, in fact, all about the destination instead. Take that, Emerson!
Plague INC. – Strategy, Disease Simulation
Available on: iOS, Android
I might be a masochist. For example, I love playing this game on long flights, up to the point—and this always happens—when I remember we’re all flying through the air in a tightly sealed can of germs. Oh, the hubris of man!
In this game, you play as a disease—your only goal: to wipe out humanity. Yeah, it cuts a bit close to the bone right now. Understanding that, the creators of Plague Inc. donated $250,000 to fight COVID-19, and are working on a free update that lets players stop an outbreak.
I can’t wait for that update, but I’ll say that taking a break from reading the news to then play it out in Plague Inc. has helped me bring the horror into focus a little better. Sure, a global pandemic is horrifying, but this game made me appreciate the ingenuity of humanity in a new way.
Well, there you go—inexpensive, yet entertaining gaming is possible! At the time of this article, you could purchase all of these games for about $20 USD. $20 for endless hours of entertainment! What a world!
We’re currently undergoing a catastrophe so large, we can’t even completely grasp the edges through the clouds. If you’re an essential worker—thank you. If you’re not an essential worker- please stay home. It’s the very least we can do to help those going out every day to fight this invisible war. I hope any of these games are able to bring you some low cost respite over the following months.
Wash your hands, play games, and stay home. Happy gaming!
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