Intro
Playing video games is a great way to let the kid out in all of us. It’s nostalgic thinking back to when you might’ve had your nose stuck in a gaming console that could bring you enhanced levels of joy frustration, sadness, and excitement.
While gaming is definitely not just for children anymore there are certain games that do a better job of bringing out your inner more playful side than others. This article is here to supply you with some newer indie titles that will allow you to unwind and take a break from all the adulting. Ready to give your inner kid the controller? Then keep on reading for 5 games to play to bring out your playful side.
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Untitled Goose Game
A quirky and almost puzzle style game this two-hour experience known as the Untitled Goose Game will be sure to bring out your mischievous side. You play as a chaotic goose bent on achieving your goals but through more sordid means.
Steal, distract, sneak, and honk your way through this game as you complete goals that make life absolutely miserable for everyone around you. Paint this small British countryside village white as you turn this town upside down with your antics.
This game is simultaneously satisfying yet relaxing as there are no high stakes. Most of the goals you must complete through creative means and is not combative. If you have got a mischievous side that has been itching to get out then you may want to check out Untitled Goose Game.
Dave the Diver
Looking for adventure? Danger? Exploration? Sushi? Then Dave the Diver is the title for you. You play as Dave who has a talent for diving and ocean exploration. When your friend invites you to help him with his new business venture you fly out to his new sushi restaurant to see what all the fuss is about. Turns out him and his business partner Bauncho have discovered a mysterious mass of water called The Blue Hole (no really) where new and old species of marine life coexist in an exciting new landscape.
Your job is simple, catch fish to keep Bauncho’s Sushi a float through daily catches and exciting new discoveries. However, not all lifeforms are too keen on your looking below the surface, marine or otherwise.
Can you keep the restaurant, as well as yourself, alive despite the dangers? Dave the Diver incorporates fun gaming mechanics with a fun story that will have you playing for hours. The low stakes story and fun diving mechanics makes the game feel like you’re playing a retro style ocean exploration game. If you’re looking for a fresh take on a vintage diving game, then you should check out Dave the Diver.
Mail Time
While it’s safe to say that many of the games within this blog post have a retro element to their gameplay very few feel like a game you played as a kid as much as Mail Time. This stress inducing fun filled gaming genre was a staple for many who first grew up with video games and the genre has continued to grow. Mail Time exemplifies this well and wraps this play style up in a cute cottagecore style package.
In only 3 hours max you can enjoy a fun platformer style video game that employs a charming story and lovable characters. In Mail Time you’re about achieve your goal of becoming a full-fledged mail scout by completing your final quest which is to deliver your first letter. Simple. Except not really as you have no idea who the recipient of your undelivered letter is.
Go on a quest to complete your first delivery by jumping, gliding, chatting, and adventuring your way through this lovely game. If you’re looking for a cozy platformer with a cute premise and a fun aesthetic, then you should play Mail Time.
Sticky Business
There are few things more playful and fun than stickers. As a kid getting stickers felt like receiving a winning lottery ticket. With Sticky Business you can take this feeling one step further by getting the chance to run your own sticker business.
Create your own stickers and package orders as you sell them online to people all around the world. As the orders increase you start to learn more about the people buying your merchandise and how they connect with your stickers. This game has a fun premise with a lot of heartwarming NPC backstories that will make you want to keep playing just to learn what happens.
If you’re looking for a wholesome business sim that lets you fulfill your wildest sticker dreams, then consider giving Sticky Business a try.
Potion Craft
If you’ve read my post on Potion Craft from a while back then you should know that I’ve compared it to the gaming equivalent of throwing things into a bucket as a kid to make a “potion”. In this game you play as the new town alchemist, and it is your job to use your skills of making potions to solve the villagers’ problems.
How you create potions in this game is by following the map on the wall behind your cauldron to get to the desired result. Throwing in different ingredients will garner different results and take you different routes on the map. To protect against future brain fog be sure to track your progress and save your recipes to help you a long later.
This is a fun but challenging game that allows for a good bit of creativity on how you reach your goals. If that sounds interesting to you then you need to check out Potion Craft.