5 free games for Mac for a quick break from work
You may have heard that Macs are for work, and PCs are for entertainment. It’s just a myth, though: there are orders of magnitude more Windows-powered computers in the world, and most of them are used to do this or that job. In the IT industry, Macs are like a sign of success: when you’re rich enough to afford one, you simply go for it, that’s why Apple hardware may feel like more common in the techie crowd. Regardless, you need a break from work every now and then, right? Especially when you hit a block, can’t see a solution to a task at hand, or simply grow dreadfully bored from some repetitive task.
This is when games come handy: they can take your mind off the job completely, and you get back to it totally refreshed. The downside is that such a break can easily spin out of control and last not the intended 5 to 10 minutes but a whole hour, or more. With this in mind, we’ve selected 6 titles designed to give you satisfaction and closure after a short session, which mitigates the said risk. The list includes adventures, sims, puzzles, and even a fighting game. What’s more, they all are free!
1. Delores: A Thimbleweed Park Mini-Adventure
Delores - A Thimbleweed Park Mini-Adventure
Delores: A Thimbleweed Park Mini-Adventure is a free point-and-click game developed by Terrible Toybox. Released on May 9, 2020, it is a standalone mini-adventure set in the same universe as the critically acclaimed game Thimbleweed Park, created by Ron Gilbert and Gary Winnick.
As a player, you put on the hat of Delores, who returns to her hometown of Thimbleweed Park after a year away. She’s now a photographer for the local newspaper; given various assignments, she gradually moves to uncover the truth about the strange things happening in town. The gameplay involves solving puzzles, interacting with quirky characters, and exploring the environment, all while utilizing the classic point-and-click mechanics reminiscent of old-school adventure games.
If Full Throttle, Myst, and Goblins ring a bell, this is a game for you. Beware of the tsunami of nostalgia, though! This is supposed to be a break from work, not a 24-hour binge.
2. Fantasy Strike
Fantasy Strike
Fantasy Strike is a free-to-play fighting game developed by Sirlin Games. It is based on the tabletop game Yomi, created by David Sirlin, which is a set of realms populated by various characters with unique abilities. The narrative revolves around a tournament hosted by Rook, one of those characters, who organized the tournament to bring together powerful fighters from different lands.
As opposed to many other games of the fighting genre, Fantasy Strike focuses on simplifying controls and mechanics: you play with three buttons, and each character has a limited set of moves that are easy to execute. This approach allows players to engage with the game quickly without needing to master complex combos. Is it not a recipe for success when it comes to a game used as a break from work?
What’s more, Fantasy Strike is a multiplayer affair: through the GGPO (Good Game Peace Out) network, you can challenge your friends or join ranked matches, making those 10-minute sessions totally resetting, so when you get back to work, that block or boredom would have been totally gone.
3. Space Commander: War and Trade
Space Commander
Space Commander: War and Trade is a free-to-play single-player space simulation game developed by Syndicate Games. It combines elements of trading, combat, and exploration, allowing players to engage in various activities within a vast universe.
On your ship, you’re the master, and the game doesn’t really tell you what to do. Go on and trade, if you like, or wage war, or build a fleet, or explore – it’s all up to you. The universe is procedurally generated, so there are always new planets to discover, resources to collect, and missions to accomplish. Moreover, while looking and sounding fancy, Space Commander doesn’t seek to cater to hardcore gamers only: it’s a good option for casual gamers preferring to check in every now and then, and do something more meaningful occasionally.
Is space your thing? Then join the ranks of Space Commanders!
4. Homescapes
Homescapes
Homescapes is a free-to-play casual puzzle game developed by Playrix. It is the spiritual successor to the Gardenscapes, and a part of the broader Scapes series. While seemingly simple, it can be rather addictive, which is confirmed by the fact that the developer did not stop at the first game but went on to make (and successfully market) three more installments.
In Homescapes, you follow the story of Austin the Butler, who returns to his childhood home and has to renovate it. The gameplay isn’t complicated: you have to match 3 tiles to earn stars and in-game currency, which are used to complete various tasks advancing the renovation. The extra layer of fun is delivered by the power-ups, from Hammer through Rocket to Bomb and Rainbow Ball.
While less immersive than other titles suggested above, Homescapes is, arguably, the best option for those who prefer to take 5-minute breaks quite often. It won’t take your mind fully off the job at hand, but refresh you enough to overcome whatever obstacles it currently poses before you.
5. Helltaker
Helltaker
Helltaker is an indie puzzle-adventure game made by Åukasz Piskorz, a Polish developer known as vanripper. Released in May 2020, it combines elements of puzzle-solving and dating, offering a unique and humorous experience.
Your goal is to reach various demon girls by navigating through a series of puzzles. Each level is a grid-based deal where you, with a limited number of steps, have to push stones and avoid traps on your quest. If you’re successful, a demon girl you’ve reached asks a question; answer it correctly, and she joins your harem. Incorrect answers, on the other hand, can lead to humorous “bad endings,” including instant death, which resets the player to the start of the level.
Overall, Helltaker stands out as a well-crafted indie title that offers a delightful mix of puzzles and humor, making it an excellent choice for quick gaming sessions.
If you think that computer games are for kids, here’s a kicker: this study, which involved almost half a million people, suggests that those who play them are less inclined to develop dementia as they age. And it’s not the only research that arrived at such conclusions. So, game on!
