But does this mean the end of gaming on a PC or console? Absolutely not. It’s true that many of today’s most popular games require a significant time commitment, and a single match can often last well over an hour, but there are titles on the market that can provide loads of fun even during a 5-minute break. Here are our top picks for games that are perfect for short gaming breaks during the school day.
A must-have on our list. Sports games are a classic when it comes to a ‘quick match’. Even a 5-minute game can help you unwind after coming home from school or work. There’s probably no better-known way to relieve stress in a flash in front of a console or computer. You choose a team or a player and let off steam against your opponent. Yes, it really is that simple! And of course, there’s nothing to stop you from… starting another match straight after the first one.
A title similar to the games described above, yet so original that it deserves a separate entry on our list. Rocket’s developer, Psyonix, was recently acquired by Epic Games, giving the game a new lease of life and a real chance to break into the top tier of online titles. What’s Rocket all about? It’s nothing more than a football game in which, instead of players, you control cars that can fly, and the ball is about… a hundred times bigger. Simple mechanics, straightforward rules and loads of fun. And as the game is soon switching to a Free-to-Play model, all of this is completely free.
Tekken, Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter – there’s no shortage of iconic series in this category. Fighting games are ideal, especially on those days when you’re feeling low and need a safe outlet for your negative emotions. The latest instalments in these series guarantee plenty of entertainment and complex gameplay mechanics, ensuring that the fights never get boring and that mastering all the characters takes ages. Even a single match can be fun for just a few minutes, making games of this type ideal for those times when your responsibilities only allow for a brief escape from everyday life.
A suggestion that’s completely different from the ones mentioned earlier, yet no less interesting. Card games such as Hearthstone and Gwynt have thousands of loyal players who prefer this type of digital gameplay to all other types of games. If you’ve never tried your hand at these titles, you really must give them a go – perhaps strategic thinking and a magical atmosphere are just the thing for you?
When we talk about being busy, not having enough time and games, mobile games naturally spring to mind. There’s no more convenient way to have a quick game than simply taking your smartphone out of your pocket. Thanks to mobile games, we can be gamers on the go, and although many people consider this type of game to be inferior, we can’t agree with them. Mobile games are brilliant because we can enjoy them literally anywhere. So what should you play on your smartphone? The choice is huge: fans of the classics will fire up Tetris, fans of cult series will play Angry Birds, and the youngest players will probably go for Brawl Stars, which reigns supreme on the popularity charts. Any of these choices will be a good one!
The craziest entry on our list and a game which, defying all trends and the laws of logic, stormed the charts literally the moment it was released. Its inclusion in PlayStation Plus in August and incredible sales on Steam did, admittedly, cause the servers to literally crash under the strain at launch, but things have now settled down, so anyone who fancies it can join the competition between these funny little characters that look like rubber jelly sweets. An absurd yet charming atmosphere and simple yet ruthless competition – that’s the key to its success and the reason why Fall Guys is such a great way to unwind, even during a game lasting just a few minutes.
