There are many big-budget, all-encompassing games to play. But we don’t always have infinite free time in a day. You may be in a rush and just want something simple that you can finish quickly without having to commit too much time or energy.
It might be a game that lasts just long enough to pass the time on a quick trip or something you can play mindlessly while the TV is on in the background.
While there are plenty of popular games on every platform, developers continue to produce new experiences for the time-strapped player.
Here’s a list of the most fascinating casual activities released so far in 2022, as well as those due out later this year.
Defend The Bits TD (PC)
Defend The Bits TD is a bit like Tower Defense games, but with a twist: the user must defend tiles instead of cities. Defend the Bits TD has a vibrant voxel color palette that resembles those found in Minecraft and Crossy Road, but it offers over 100 tasks, upgradeable characters, and 20 classes to choose from.
The cuddly, chilled defender is now available on Steam. It’s kid-friendly and, if you’re searching for the finest games to stream through Valve’s Remote Play platforms (either to your phone, TV, or another device), Defend The Bits TD performs well there as well.
My Time at Sandrock (PC)
My Time at Sandrock is a sandbox adventure game that takes place in an arid area, similar to Stardew Valley and No Place Like Home. You’ll assume the position of an architect named Richard who has inherited a rundown mansion on which he must rebuild his life.
It’s a follow-up to My Time at Portia, which sold more than 1.7 million copies in 2019. Sandrock, like Portia, is set during a post-apocalyptic era when a calamity has destroyed the majority of human technology.
Gunfire Reborn Mobile (iOS, Android)
Gunfire Reborn Mobile is a fun game to play on your phone or other portable device. It is also easy to play while relaxing on the couch.
As with its PC-based counterpart, Gunfire Reborn is a roguelike first-person shooter in which you continually build up your abilities each time through. There are no unique or complex movement mechanisms to learn, so the experience is much easier to manage on smartphones.
You’ll acquire elemental powers for your weapons as you go through the biomes, as well as random enhancements and procedurally generated modifiers.
Gunfire Reborn’s voxel-art style looks great on mobile devices, especially iPads and iPad Pros. The game is also balanced well for solo adventurers, but you can also play through it with a friend.
Monument Valley: Panoramic Edition (PC)
Monument Valley: Panoramic Edition is the re-release of ustwo’s mobile classic, Monument Valley.
Not to mention mouse and keyboard support. The game’s Steam version has been updated to support higher resolutions and ultrawide monitors, as well as input with a mouse and keyboard. All of the DLC and levels introduced throughout the years will be accessible immediately for owners of the Panoramic Edition.
Monument Valley is one of the must-play casual games. Its accessible gameplay, fantastic soundtrack, and beautiful, minimalistic 3D designs make it a must-play classic. If you haven’t yet played Monument Valley, its re-release on Steam is well worth your time.
Raven (iOS, Android)
Poker, in particular, is a fantastic match for low-commitment, easy-to-pick-up and put-down activities. Raven is an excellent illustration of this in action. It’s based on the same set of rules as Rook, but it has a succession of gorgeous, minimalist vistas that shift throughout the game.
Raven is ideal for those times when you don’t know if you’ll have a consistent internet connection. It’s extremely inexpensive to use on the go, and the soothing qualities are a fantastic way to unwind.
Raven is available for download on the App Store and Google Play in over 170 countries.
Naiad (PC, Consoles)
Naiad is an aquatic meditation that was first introduced during the 2022 Day of the Devs broadcast. You take on the role of a water nymph swimming through a river in this tranquil experience.
The goal of the game is to simply float around, interacting with the local vegetation and animals, in order to discover the secrets of the world around you. On your journey to reaching the sea, you’ll encounter various creatures that need assistance, overcoming light challenges along the way.
Naiad’s visual aesthetic is unlike anything else on the market right now. It’ll release for PC and consoles in the third quarter of 2022.
Conclusion
Richard is an architect who has inherited a rundown mansion. He must rebuild his life in Sandrock, an arid area similar to Stardew Valley and No Place Like Home.
Gunfire Reborn Mobile is a fun game to play on your phone or other portable device. Monument Valley: Panoramic Edition is the re-release of ustwo’s mobile classic, Monument Valley. Raven is an excellent illustration of poker in action.
Naiad is an aquatic meditation that was first introduced during the 2022 Day of the Devs broadcast. You take on the role of a water nymph swimming through a river in this tranquil experience.
