Energizing Game Breaks: Mobile Genres that Fuel the Startup Hustle

When it comes to launching a successful startup, it feels like there are never enough hours in the day. Whether working solo or with a highly qualified team, the sheer number of daily tasks and surprises can bog down even the most efficient company. Toss in a myriad of other concerns, from investment to branding, and it’s clear that the startup hustle isn’t for the faint of heart.

Most teams log long days at the office, sometimes working on the clock for upwards of twelve hours. Keeping the mind active and resilient during these long days requires quite a bit of effort. From sleeping an adequate amount to fueling up with healthy foods, self-care for startups is all about longevity—at least in terms of their new company.

One way that workers facing long days can mitigate the stress and demands of the job is to simply take frequent breaks. Though it might sound counter-intuitive, taking breaks gives the brain time to recharge and relax. This period of rest helps the brain prepare for another stint of critical and analytical thinking. But what sorts of breaks should employees focus on?

Some classic choices include taking a walk in nature or even doing a few yoga poses. However, if you’re more of a gamer and inclined to stay close to a screen, then we’ve got a few gaming suggestions for you. Each title is casual and accessible via mobile devices, offering you a perfect chance to put your legs up and unwind for a short period.

Slots

If you’ve never played these short-and-sweet titles before, then you’re in for a treat. Slots are popular casino games that have very straightforward mechanics; players only need to spin the reel to see where the symbols land and whether they hit a winning combination. To add texture and depth, developers have created a wide range of different themes. From fantasy romance to rock’n’roll kitchens to pigs doing karate, there’s a slot for everyone.

Visual Puzzles

A visual puzzle is a game that packages its challenges into dramatic and highly visual worlds. In other words, they’re like regular puzzle challenges—only more colorful, intriguing, and immersive. Similar to slots, visual puzzles run a huge gambit. Lumen includes steam-punk vibe machinations that you’ll have to tinker with. Other hits like Monument Valley are more like brain-benders that include pastel MC Escher-esque drawings.

Visual Adventures

A visual puzzle requires the brain to stay active and keep thinking—a visual adventure, on the other hand, focuses more squarely on RPG elements. RPG stands for role-playing game and invests more heavily in its narrative functions and expansive world. We recommend keeping your visual adventures on the shorter side, as longer-form games might distract you from work. The Talos Principle is a great option for those who like more analytical challenges, while titles like Adventures of Poco Eco are more firmly in the casual adventure space.

Racing

Racing games are fantastic options for short breaks at the office because they tend to get players into the flow. This ‘flow’ state is an important component of recharging the brain. If you’re actually into racing and know a thing or two about vehicles, then Forza Horizon is the title for you. However, if you want to keep things highly casual, then stick to classics like Garfield Kart Furious Racing or Mario Kart.

RTS

RTS stands for ‘real-time strategy’ and is a hugely popular category within gaming. However, most of these titles aren’t casual—so we recommend starting out with one of our picks, which is a bit more geared toward relaxation. In RTS games, the goal is to take on opponents strategically, one turn at a time. Most focus on the medieval era, sci-fi frontiers, or war games (real and imagined). For fans of the Viking era, check out Bad North, a visually stunning mini-RTS game. If you’re a fan of the Game of Thrones series, then check out Reigns: Games of Thrones, instead.