casual gaming
My Family Is Trapped in the Metaverse
Virtual reality isn’t great, but it’s a lot better than dealing with everything else out there.
Tetris Helps My Stress and Anxiety Fall Away
When I revisited my preferred childhood pastime, I wondered if the game would still serve as a mental reset. Turns out, it did.
Why You Gravitate to Puzzles When You’re Depressed
Puzzle games keep our minds occupied, even in our darkest moments. Here’s why they make you feel better, more capable, and more optimistic about life.
Worn Down by Covid Anxiety? Keep a Handheld Game With You
It’s important to take a breather when you’re exhausted by the world.
Cozy Management Games Remind Us How to Care
Sometimes a gentle nudge is all we need to start looking after ourselves, and others.
Last Stop Is a Playable Love Letter to London
The title’s three codirectors discuss bringing their TV-show-meets-adventure-game project to life.
The Joy of Walking in Games
Here's what you need to know about walking simulators and the psychological benefits of how games can offer a much-needed escape.
Pac-Man 99 Is a Battle Royale Game That's Actually Accessible
Cool fact: The ghosts' hunting algorithm, which is the key to the original game and to Ms. Pac-Man, is apparently also present in 99.
These Games Taught Me to Love the Freemium Grind
Free-to-play games get a bad rep, but the good ones can keep you hooked in all the right ways—especially when you have a lot more time on your hands.
Emily Is Away Re-Creates Social Media's Awkward, Early Days
The newest game in the trilogy immerses you in the nostalgia of poke wars and Nyan Cat.
I Treated My Unhealthy Gaming Obsession ... With More Games
The root issue had less to do with the hobby and more to do with me.
From Tamagotchi to Nintendogs: Why People Love Digital Pets
Electronic companions keep drawing us back—and it's not just because they don't have fleas.
Pokémon Cards Are Surging. So Is Hate Toward Graders
The business of grading Pokémon cards can be lucrative, time-consuming, and rife with furious, virulent abuse.
How Fantasy Soccer Keeps My Kids Connected and Happy
When soccer practice was practically grounded by the pandemic, my kids turned an analog pastime into a fresh way to keep up with friends around the world.
What You Need to Know About Roblox—and Why Kids Are Obsessed
The video game was just valued at a staggering $45 billion. It's also been a lifeline for my children since the start of lockdown.
The Sims Made Me Realize I'm Ready for More In Life
I'm ready for a partner and kids—and if you're a little more mindful while playing, you just might realize something about yourself, too.
Coffee Talk Has Become a Quiet Success in a Turbulent Year
It’s the one-year anniversary of players creating custom drinks and having conversations with vampires, werewolves, and more in this narrative-driven game.
The Longing Is a Video Game of Transcendent Slowness
Set in a virtual cave, this Tamagotchi-like waiting simulator is a riff on a German folktale that captures 2020’s sad and surreal lockdown energy.
Among Us and a Resurgence of Narrative-Free Games
In the midst of a pandemic, we're all suffering from narrative exhaustion right now.
The Adorable, Against-All-Odds Charm of Zoo Tycoon
A thriving community of fans swap stories, strategies, and their own zoos every day—and keep this 2001 game alive in the most heartwarming way.
It's OK to Play One Game Forever
If you ignore new releases or your massive backlog to return to that one comfort game after a long day, don't feel bad about it. You're not alone.
Mobile Games Can Offer a Pocket-Sized Path to Healing
When I was bedridden, video games kept my mind off the pain and anxiety—and kept me going.
The Surprisingly Social Legacy of the Nintendo 3DS
Nintendo just discontinued the iconic portable game console, but the real 3DS was the friends we made along the way.
Facebook Gaming Is Here—but Who Is It For?
The social giant's latest standalone app doesn't offer enough for either casual gamers or esports steaming fans.