5 Minimalist Video Games That You Should Play

A minimalist would get rid of anything excess, just to make life more meaningful, but have you ever ran into a minimalist video game collector? Indie video game developers have more freedom to explore their subjects, but the scarce budgets can surely restrict access to high-end development tools.

The 2016 released Superhot (where time moves only when you move) has an interesting mechanic, with the addition of guns outnumbering you. Maybe you are old school and prefer the Minesweeper (1989) game, which only looks simplistic.

For a video game to showcase minimalism, it does not necessarily need to be 2-dimensional or black and white. Pong (1972) showcases 2-dimensional graphics and is in black and white.

Geometric shapes, limited colors, depth and proportion, and lack of detail, can also play a significant role in minimalist video games. Minimalism is an art style that rejects previous art movements, consisting of abstraction and subjective metaphors, while focusing on objective literalism. Here are 5 minimalist video games that you should play. 

5. That Dragon, Cancer: 

Seriously, do you think that depressing video games should be banned? How about getting rid of, at least most tear-jerking video games? That Dragon, Cancer retells Joel Green’s 4-year fight against cancer with abstract and minimalist art and mechanical design. If you take a break from playing this emotional game, I highly doubt you will eagerly want to know what happens next, especially if you already have real-life drama.

4. Proun: 

Proun will take you through a colorful world of geometric shapes and abstract art, moving a fluffy ball from one end of a rail to another. Joost Van Dongen (the developer) took six years to complete the PC game, which has five different official tracks, with four different difficulties players can race through. 

3. Limbo: 

The puzzle-platform video game, Limbo is characterized by its black-and-white tones, using film grain effects, lighting, and minimal ambient sounds. In the ominous looking place, you are searching for your sister, as if though you are the only person who can find her.

2. Mirror’s Edge: 

A must-have video game from the list, is Mirror’s Edge, taking place on dangerous construction, tall skyscrapers, and the occasional sewer dive. An entire city is at your disposal, where you can parkour to your objective. 

The game indulges in deep and vibrant reds with paths marked for you to by highlighting objects (like a ladder).

1. Pac-Man (1980):

Mirror’s Edge is a terrific modern game, but you cannot forget about one of NAMCO’s most popular games, the classic Pac-Man. The gameplay does not have to be explained. We know how to play Pac-Man, using a joystick to navigate through a maze, as fast as we learn how to play the hand game, Rock, Paper, Scissors.