There are plenty of time-waster apps online these days, and some are just horrifically simple and make you wonder why such a tiny flapping bird is all over the internet, but here is my pick of five great mobile games that I think will occupy most of your lunch breaks.

Crossy Road

Platforms: iOS, Android
Genre: Arcade
Rating: 8/10

What’s it about?

Crossy Road is an isometric arcade game by Australian developers Hipster Whale in which the player initially takes form of a chicken… crossing the road. Yes, the concept of the game is based around that old joke nobody uses anymore, but it definitely delves into and dances around the idea.

As the player (chicken), you will need to time your movements as you: dodge cars and trucks while crossing busy motorways, leap along driftwood to survive rivers, and rush past train tracks. On the way, you can collect coins which you can use to buy more random characters, of which there are plenty – many of which are hilariously entertaining and have quirky abilities, for example, a unicorn, a flea, a wizard, an emo goose, the Grim Reaper, Doge, the actual Hipster Whale, and the developers of the game itself (come on, why would they not put themselves in their own game?).

It is considered by American video game website Polygon as an “endless Frogger”, but it does much, much more than just that.

Why is this great for your break?

Crossy Road is a great game for your work break because it’s just so simple. The game’s minimalistic, pixelated art style is full of vibrant colour, and also has various environments that cater to the perspective of the mascots you play as. It’s definitely the most appreciable aspect of the game.

The gameplay is addictively linear and the objective is satisfyingly simple – just get as far as you can without dying (sounds like Liam Neeson’s next movie plot). The controls have a great feel, requiring you only to tap and swipe, and that does get quite comfortable after a while. And, you only need one hand and one thumb to play, which is perfect if you’d like to hold a sandwich or coffee in the other.

I may have already spoiled some, but when random characters are bought, it is definitely always like opening a present on Christmas – or like a box o’ chocolates, “y’ nev’r know what y’r gonna get”.

QuizUp

Platforms:iOS, Android, Windows mobile
Genre: Trivia, Quiz
Rating: 9/10

What’s it about?

QuizUp is an online trivia game by Icelandic developers Plain Vanilla Games in which the player can challenge others from all over the world in the topics you both want to be quizzed on. Mind you, there are currently 680 topics under 14 categories, so you’ve got plenty of categories that are catered to you, and they’re constantly adding and updating topics, which you can help out with by submitting your own questions or topic ideas on their website.

The 14 categories include: arts, business, educational, games, geography, history, lifestyle, literature, movies, music, nature, science, sports, and TV. And yes, there are ones for beer, Pokemon, Star Wars, Forrest Gump (my favourite), and cereal. There are seven multiple choice questions each session, and the quicker you answer, the more points you are given; so don’t hesitate, and be quick – basically be perfect.

Why is this great for you break?

QuizUp is a spectacular game for your work break because it gives you so much value for your money… oh, wait, IT’S FREE. Catered for short breaks, its seven question sessions are short and simple – choose the right answer quickly or lose. The matchmaking is a breeze – swiftly and easily, you can play against Melissa from the USA, Anna from Israel, Wei from China, or simply that guy next door.

The variety of topics satisfies everyone – there is always a topic there for you, and if you don’t think so, then you’re being a picky old person. A feeling of achievement is always there through the experience system – you never feel like you’ve lost a game because you gain points anyway. With a colourful, minimalistic art-style and smooth animations and transitions, the game’s user-friendliness goes through the roof, providing a comfortable feel for all players.

94%

Platforms: iOS, Android
Genre: Trivia, Quiz
Rating: 7/10

What’s it about?

You’re probably thinking, “oh no, another trivia game”, well this one is completely different, apart from the trivia bit. 94% is an offline trivia game by French developers Scimob, in which the player is faced with topics, such as ‘Dangerous jobs’ or ‘Things that require a ticket’, and they must name the most popular subjects of the topic – I believe it was me right now that once said “it’s basically like Family Feud, but on your own.”

There are three different topics each level, and only one needs to be completed in order to progress to the next level. You can also be OCD and complete every level, then, you may be a wizard. Every third topic of each level is a picture, which sort of shakes things up and provides a different play-style to the game.

Why is this great for your break?

Being the simple idea of trivia, this game is catchy and enjoyable, and will eventually frustrate you, if you’re a perfectionist. One of the best things about it is that, if stuck, you can always come back to it later. There’s no rush – have a think, and bust it out later. There is not much replayability, but there are 45 levels (and growing) with three topics each that will keep you entertained for a long while.

The overall look of the game tag-teams with its ease of use to make a great quiz game for everyone, except you short-fused hotheads who know who you are.

Skyward

Platforms: iOS, Android
Genre: Arcade
Rating: 7/10

What’s it about?

Skyward is an arcade game by Italian developers Ketchapp, and is about… well I don’t exactly know what it’s about. It’s starts you directly into the game, where you control two counters: one blue and one red. One counter is circulating the other as it sits on a tile, with a series of tiles ahead of it. By timing your taps, you position the spinning counter in front – essentially in a leapfrog-like motion. With each tap, the previous tile falls, and another takes its place at the end of the seemingly endless floating pathway.

Why is this great for your break?

Skyward may start off without giving you any clue about it, but I guess the first sense of achievement you evoke from it is figuring out the game mechanics (sort of like the start of Half-Life). The one-touch control is very user friendly and simple, making the gameplay super addictive.

The blocky art-style with a sort of Autumn colour palette is something to awe, and the different types of tile patterns are interesting. As well as this, a sense of achievement is maintained as you progress – a new pattern is unlocked every time you beat a high score by ten tile milestones (e.g. 10, 20, 30, etc.).

Also, as a high score game, you can start and stop whenever you want, which is great for breaks. Undeniably, the game is very attractive for such a small concept.

Okay?

Platforms: iOS
Genre: Puzzle
Rating: 8/10

What’s it about?

Okay? is a minimalist puzzle game by indie developer Kamibox that requires the swipe of a finger to propel a ball that will bounce off a pattern of shapes, in order to clear the screen. It’s as simple as that. But what will keep you interested is the variety of patterns and shapes that you can encounter, and, as any puzzle lover will know, the urge to find a way to complete a level is unbearable.

Different categories of shapes have different instrument sounds tied to them, that resonate when the ball hits that shape – e.g. black squares lets off a snare drum sound, white shapes are piano keys, white lines are guitar strings. So basically, you get to play music with a ball! Also, it’s somewhat famous for its “pay what you want” model, in which it lets you trial the game until prompting you to consider paying for it, even though it’s still free.

Why is this great for your break?

This game is addictively, simplistically fun. Period. It’s levels are short but challenging, and so entertaining. Out of the 70 or so levels, there are a couple that are designed to play a certain melody. They’re generic melodies (like “Here Comes the Bride”), but the first time it happened was AMAZING – there was an overwhelming sense of pride within me. As well as this, I can guarantee that you’ll enjoy the greyscale art-style, because really, it’s the sounds that give colour to the game.

Conclusion

Personally, my favourites would have to be QuizUp because of the variety and accuracy of the topics and questions, and Okay? because of its ambiguity, and satisfying sounds. I hope I have encouraged you to consider these five awesome games for your work breaks, but just to remind you, they are just five out of the many spectacular games on the different app stores.