Looking for a super simple iPhone game
November 8, 2020 7:55 PM   Subscribe

I need a new super simple, uncomplicated iPhone game that I can basically just play with my brain on idle. Just something to keep my hands busy while watching tv or listening to a podcast. Some progression like progressively more difficult challenges is a plus. Previous faves in this vein: Solitaire, Dots (not Two Dots), Sling Drift, Alto’s Adventure/Odyssey, Doodle Jump, Desert Golf, Temple Runner. Paid or paying to remove ads is fine.
posted by supercres to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (32 answers total) 25 users marked this as a favorite
 
BubbleMags
posted by calgirl at 8:01 PM on November 8, 2020


Maybe this requires too much brain power, but Good Sudoku has been my go-to when I need some relaxing brain-on-autopilot time.
posted by ejs at 8:03 PM on November 8, 2020 [1 favorite]


Shanghai MahJong requires enough brain power yet can put me into a relaxed state.
posted by computech_apolloniajames at 8:06 PM on November 8, 2020


100 Balls
posted by JoeZydeco at 8:07 PM on November 8, 2020


Flow free
posted by freethefeet at 8:12 PM on November 8, 2020 [1 favorite]


Flow Free.
Jinx.
posted by Thorzdad at 8:17 PM on November 8, 2020 [2 favorites]


Tiny Wings
posted by diamondsky at 8:19 PM on November 8, 2020 [1 favorite]


Fishdom.
posted by Melismata at 8:20 PM on November 8, 2020 [1 favorite]


2048 Bricks I have the ad-free version and love it.
posted by popoosh at 8:46 PM on November 8, 2020 [2 favorites]


Ball Sort Puzzle
posted by Juniper Toast at 9:07 PM on November 8, 2020


Best answer: Hue and the ancient, Fruit Ninja.
posted by jadepearl at 9:18 PM on November 8, 2020 [1 favorite]


Bejeweled is what I keep coming back to.
posted by The otter lady at 9:21 PM on November 8, 2020


Threes! Warning: very addictive, but scratches the itch you describe for me.
posted by goodnight at 10:16 PM on November 8, 2020 [3 favorites]


Piffle fits the bill exactly. It's brickbreaker pinball with cats (occasionally pigeons or sabre tooth tigers or donuts), and is ad free if you cough up $2.99.
posted by batter_my_heart at 12:53 AM on November 9, 2020


Oh, and how could I forget -- Animal Hot Springs is even more mindless than Piffle. (previously)
posted by batter_my_heart at 12:55 AM on November 9, 2020


Twenty—Zen Mode
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 1:24 AM on November 9, 2020 [2 favorites]


Best Fiends
posted by ruddlehead at 2:26 AM on November 9, 2020


I like the 'match three or more' crossed with 'match this kind of tiles to have your hero progress' of eighty-eight games's 10000000 and You Must Build A Boat. Both work well for playing while not really paying attention.

(Disclosure: I know the author socially.)
posted by k3ninho at 2:38 AM on November 9, 2020


Strategery
posted by fairmettle at 3:38 AM on November 9, 2020


Best answer: 0h h1 and 0h n0
posted by penguinicity at 3:54 AM on November 9, 2020 [2 favorites]


Did you try Two Dots and not like it? Because that’s been my go-to for years.
posted by lyssabee at 4:47 AM on November 9, 2020 [1 favorite]


Polytopia
posted by dazedandconfused at 4:53 AM on November 9, 2020 [3 favorites]


Seconding Good Sudoku - eternal mode is very restful, and the difficulty levels offer a nice broad range so that you can find something satisfying but not hard when you want a mindless game. I like the daily challenges too.
posted by carbide at 6:25 AM on November 9, 2020


This thread might be useful. It's where I found out about I Love Hue and I Love Hue Too, which have been my go-to lately.
posted by Sweetie Darling at 7:27 AM on November 9, 2020 [1 favorite]


Ballz
posted by snarfois at 7:57 AM on November 9, 2020 [1 favorite]


dazedandconfused: "Polytopia"

I heart polytopia so so much. Hard recommend.
posted by crazy with stars at 10:52 AM on November 9, 2020


Hex FRVR is the one game I've had on my phone for many years. No timers or moving bits or demands on your attention.
posted by Miss Matheson at 11:21 AM on November 9, 2020 [1 favorite]


holedown, which I thought I'd learned about through a comment here at some point.
posted by hanov3r at 11:40 AM on November 9, 2020


Response by poster: Thanks all! Definitely trying a few of these.

I was trying to avoid a [more inside] but if anyone is still pondering, some additional unstated criteria:

- I love the minimalist visuals of something like Desert Golfing or Dots (or I Love Hue, thought about mentioning that but it takes a little more concentration), highly preferred to something with a ton of visual noise
- I have Sudoku COVERED. My favorite atm is Miracle Sudoku from the Cracking the Cryptic dudes, but Good Sudoku is good too. I'm really picky about Sudoku and tend to like complicated ones that need more brain power than I'm talking about here.
- Lack of timers and immediate demands on attention is great
- I played Two Dots for a while years ago but I found that the increasingly complicated mechanics just got tiresome. Dots is one step above twiddling my thumbs which is really closer to what I'm after here.
posted by supercres at 12:02 PM on November 9, 2020


Response by poster: 0h h1 is really scratching this itch-- pretty, bite-sized, no timers, simple rules.
posted by supercres at 1:43 PM on November 9, 2020


Best answer: Mini Metro! Very soothing, simple, long-playing game where you connect dots into a minimalist subway system.
posted by forkisbetter at 2:52 PM on November 9, 2020 [2 favorites]


Best answer: Golf on Mars is the sequel to the aforementioned Desert Golf, and also a second from me for Hole Down.
posted by Dag Maggot at 6:57 PM on November 9, 2020 [1 favorite]


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