Games I open when I just want to switch my brain off

Not every gaming session needs to be a test of skill. Some nights I just want something gentle, and that's where sims like Greenhive Village earn their spot on my phone.

There's real value in a game with no fail state. You build, you tinker, you watch things grow. It's the digital equivalent of tidying a room, and weirdly satisfying.

The good relaxing games still give you something to think about — an efficient layout, a supply chain to optimize — just without pressure. That balance is harder to design than it looks.

If you've been playing a lot of intense games lately, keep one of these installed. Your brain will thank you.