Nowadays, the digital world makes it easy to play all manner of the most expressive, creative, and innovative gaming experiences that we are ever likely to experience. It is not an exaggeration to say that it’s easy to get into a state of overstimulation, to be so well-catered to with all manner of gaming experiences that you can start to get a little numb from it, and get burnt out on gaming in general.
If you feel like that’s starting to happen to you, then it might be time to dial it back and look into some classic games, instead. Here, we’re going to look at some that still stand the test of time, whether they get down to the spirit of competitive gaming in its most simple forms, or allow you to zen out for a bit.
Brain teasers
If you’re looking for something to keep you sharp as you go through your day, then those logic-based puzzles can offer a way to busy you, while making sure that you don’t slip off into too mindless a use of your time. There are plenty of great digital brain teasers and puzzle games that you can play, but out of them all, Sudoku is one of the most enduring for a reason.
The concept of Sudoku is simple, you are given a grid made up of boxes, rows, and columns. Each box, row, and column must have the numbers running from 1-to-9 in them (in a standard game), and these numbers cannot repeat in any sequence. There are plenty of variations of online Sudoku, as well, so if one game feels too complex or easy, initially, it’s not difficult to switch it up.
Word games
If you’re not someone who enjoys using the logical side of their brain to relax, but you do enjoy the idea of keeping your mind a little sharper and more active, then switching to the other side of the brain, the language and creative part of the brain, might be just what you need. There are all kinds of word puzzles that you can play digitally, whether you want to enjoy a simple word search, test your knowledge of your vocabulary with a festive Christmas crossword, or play the ever-popular Wordle. There are all kinds of word games that can easily be found on the net.
One of the benefits of these games is that they allow you to play in your own time, as well. If you’re looking for a game that you can play slowly, even throughout the day, the word games might just be the thing for you.
Casino games
Of course, for some people, relaxation and mental stimulation are not the name of the game. If you’re instead looking for fast excitement and competitive edge, as well as quick turnaround on both victories and defeats, then there is no shortage of casino games that you can find to keep you busy. Of course, if you’re not looking to play with real stakes, there are a lot of online casino games that can be played entirely for free.
Whether you want to simulate the feeling of beating opponents in games by reading their patterns and knowing when to hold ‘em or fold ‘em with poker, or you enjoy the simple spin of the slot machine to see how lucky you can get, casino games offer easily repeated instant fun.
The Microsoft classics
There are two games that have, traditionally, been associated with Microsoft, due to the fact that they have come for free with just about every operating system they have released. The first is the classic card game, Solitaire, a test of pattern recognition and decision-making that sees you trying to complete each suit from ace to King while holding cards in columns of alternating colors.
The other is Minesweeper, which has plenty of online versions. IN this game, you’re given a grid, and your job is to avoid clicking any of the mines hidden behind the squares, while each square you reveal will give you numbers, telling you how many mines are surrounding it. One of the most endlessly replayable free games you’ll find.
If you feel like you’ve been gaming a lot lately and don’t want to run the risk of being burnt out, or even if you’re someone who likes to think critically about games and you want some time to reflect on something you’ve beaten recently, spending time with the kind of classic games mentioned above can be an excellent way to do just that.
