5 smart games to stimulate the brain | MovieZine

Exploring intellectually stimulating games is the perfect journey into strategy, problem solving and analytical thinking. Often times when we consume this type of entertainment, we don't realize how beneficial it is for our mind.

So, below we're highlighting a list of five games, some perhaps less well-known than others, that will challenge your mind while keeping you entertained. Perfect now that fall is right around the corner, and fast-paced action games need to be punctuated with something a little smarter.

Thomas Was Alone (2010/2012)

Originally released as a Flash-based browser game, “Thomas Was Alone” is over a decade old but is still going strong today. “Thomas Was Alone” is more than just a puzzle and problem-solving game, it's a game that rises with its powerful story and beautiful depiction of friendship. Plus, there are plenty of jumps in all forms of attraction while beautiful music plays in the background. I always try to find time to replay Thomas Was Alone regularly, as it's a game that challenges not only your mind, but your heart as well.

platform: Nintendo Switch, Android, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

What Remains of Edith Finch (2017)

“What Remains of Edith Finch” is a strong narrative-driven game, published by Annapurna Interactive. The game has no practical puzzles to solve, instead you can experience different stories from a first-person perspective, where the tragic fate of a family is woven together into a captivating story. The game revolves around Edith, the last person in her family alive, and we follow her to her childhood home as she investigates why everyone in her family died so tragically.

I have to admit that I had What Remains of Edith Finch in my gaming library for years before I hesitantly decided to give it a try, and I'm glad I did because I was instantly impressed. After an intense session that lasted about three hours, the match ended. I spent the rest of the evening processing what I had just seen and played. So, next weekend, skip the feature film and try “What Remains of Edith Finch” instead.

platform: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Xbox One, PC, Xbox Series X/S

The Last Campfire (2020)

One of the best adventure games ever, with absolutely charming graphics. The characters and music are sweet, and the atmosphere is relaxed with simple puzzles. We meet Ember, a cute creature with a funny hat, who is lost in a magical world and trying to find her way back home. Ember's journey is fun and exhilarating, and although the puzzles are not necessarily difficult, they are always imaginative and entertaining. A game in which you can definitely gather several people around and take turns controlling Ember while helping everyone solve the obstacles in the way.

platform: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC

Reveal Two (2018)

“Unravel Two” is a two-player puzzle and platform game in which you control spinning creatures. The game, developed by Swedish company Coldwood Interactive, is intended for two players and is a so-called cooperative game, but it is good to play alone as well. The two creatures are connected by a string of strings that you can swing, pull and wrap around objects to solve puzzles in the game's richly detailed environment. The goal is to foster cooperation and friendship between you and your playing partner, but you can expect some yelling and panic in frustrating moments when cooperation doesn't go as planned.

platform: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PC

Spirit of the North (2019)

An ordinary little fox gets superpowers from the northern lights and begins his journey through the icy landscape mixed with green mountains. There are opinions that the various puzzle parts in the game can be experienced as too simple and repetitive, while other critics believe that “Spirit of the North” manages to balance easy and difficult perfectly. The beautiful music and environments are what evoke a feeling in the player, so the puzzles end up a bit in the background. Personally, I was most impressed by the cute and lovely graphics, the environments in the game are nice looking and the game is generally relaxing, perfect for a rainy fall day.

platform: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch