B-List

Playing games is still considered a guilty pleasure. This is a shame,
because research seems to show some games are actually good for our
mental health and general well-being:
* "7 health benefits of playing video games"
  <http://theweek.com/articles/466852/7-health-benefits-playing-video-games>
* "Your brain on video games"
  <http://www.apa.org/monitor/feb07/yourbrain.aspx>

1. Games Played in 2015

I didn't have much time for games last year, but I did enjoy playing a
handful of "casual" games.

* Alto's Adventure
  <http://www.metacritic.com/game/ios/altos-adventure>
"Above the placid ivory snow lies a sleepy mountain village, brimming
with the promise of adventure."
An endless runner (in this case, you play a snowboarder), which is not
the type of game I usually like. It won me over with its simple yet
well-done graphics, and the ability to do backflips, grinds and other
thrilling tricks and combos.

* The Bridge
  <http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/the-bridge>
"The Bridge is a 2D logic puzzle game that forces the player to
reevaluate their preconceptions of physics and perspective."
This game should appeal to fans of Escher-like impossible architecture.

* Prune
  <http://www.metacritic.com/game/ios/prune>
"With a swipe of a finger, grow and shape your tree into the sunlight
while avoiding the dangers of a hostile world. Bring life to a forgotten
landscape, and uncover a story hidden deep beneath the soil."
Simple and almost meditative casual game.

* Bonza
  <http://www.metacritic.com/game/ios/bonza-word-puzzle>
Developed by an Australian company, this is a pleasing little word
puzzle game. The free daily puzzles are great for filling five minutes
or so of idle time. Puzzle packs can be earned or bought in-game.

2. Playing Soon

Here are some recent releases I'm hoping to tackle this year.

* StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void
  <http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/starcraft-ii-legacy-of-the-void>
"StarCraft II continues the epic saga of the Protoss, Terran, and Zerg.
These three distinct and powerful races clash once again in the
fast-paced real-time strategy sequel to the legendary original,
StarCraft."

* The Stanley Parable
  <http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/the-stanley-parable>
"It is a first person exploration game. You will play as Stanley, and
you will not play as Stanley. You will follow a story, you will not
follow a story. You will have a choice, you will have no choice. The
game will end, the game will never end."

* The Room Three
  <http://www.metacritic.com/game/ios/the-room-three>
"Welcome to The Room Three, a physical puzzle game within a beautifully
tactile world."

3. Other Recommendations

Here are some of my favourite games played in prior years.

* Monument Valley
  <http://www.metacritic.com/game/ios/monument-valley>
"In Monument Valley you will manipulate impossible architecture and
guide a silent princess through a beautiful world. Monument Valley is a
surreal exploration through fantastical architecture and impossible
geometry. Guide the silent princess Ida through mysterious monuments,
uncovering hidden paths, unfolding optical illusions and outsmarting the
enigmatic Crow People."

* Fez
  <http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/fez>
"In Fez, you play as Gomez, a 2D creature living in what he believes is
a 2D world. Until a strange and powerful artifact reveals to him the
existence of a mysterious third dimension!"

* The Room and The Room Two
  <http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/the-room>
  <http://www.metacritic.com/game/ios/the-room-two>