6 mobile games for playing in short bursts

Even though the world is littered with gaming enthusiasts, not all of them are blessed with enough time to sink into the more long-winded titles available to us. Thankfully, this problem hasn’t gone unnoticed and there are numerous games that one can play in short bursts to achieve that illusive gaming fix. So I’ve gone searching for those illusive smartphone games that are perfect for playing in short bursts.

John Madrun
Developer: Happy Magenta
Platforms: iOS

John Madrun is a simple, retro side-scroller where you play as, yes you’ve guessed it, John. Our lead character is embroiled in some kind of conspiracy and holds knowledge of certain information that has his enemies chasing after him with deadly intent. But luckily John isn’t a cookie-selling girl scout. He is well-versed in the art of warfare and throughout the game he will wield a great variety of weapons from swords to guns. In this game you are on an automated run meaning that you will have to think fast to avoid obstacles like lasers, and defeat rapidly oncoming enemies.

Monument Valley
Developer: Ustwo
Platforms: iOS, Android

Monument Valley must be one of the most interesting and unique games out there, regardless of platform. Its fresh style and ambience will pull you in within seconds. In the weeks after its release it shot to the No.1 spot on the list of paid-app games in over 30 countries. At its core it is a marvellous puzzle game but its a creative and visually pleasing package that sets it apart from other games in the same genre. This game is so well-rounded that I would consider it as one of the best games that you can possibly experience right now.

Jetpack Joyride
Developer: Halfbrick Studios
Platforms: iOS, Flash, Android, Playstation Network, Blackberry Playbook, Blackberry 10, Windows Phone 8, Windows 8

With a long string of awards behind its name, it isn’t hard to understand why Jetpack Joyride has its place on this list. This action-packed sci-fi side-scroller is just the thing you need to get that quick fix of adrenaline. You play as Barry Steakfries (got to love the name) who’s stolen a machine-gun armed jetpack and now has to escape the lab you’ve found it in. Your objective is to stay alive as long as possible, which is easier said than done as you will be facing a platoon of enemies that are hungry for some steak and fries (get it?).

Super Hexagon
Developer: Terry Cavanagh
Platforms: Windows, OS X, GNU/Linux, iOS, Android, Blackberry 10

All I can say is that after you’ve indulged in this game you will realise how real addiction and frustration can be, especially when you are addicted to that which frustrates you. This is what Super Hexagon is all about. At first glance it might look like an annoying and extremely unattractive piece of gaming. But that soon disappears as you enter this minimalistic, adrenaline driven masterpiece. You are a tiny pointer that rotates around a hexagon in the middle of your screen and your objective is to avoid the constant manifestation of lines by directing your pointer through the gaps. And the music, oh that techno music will haunt your dreams.

Temple Run 2
Developer: Imangi Studios
Platforms: iOS, Android, Windows Phone 8

The original Temple Run was an excellent and massively successful game. Now with new and improved graphics and more saturated colours in Temple Run 2, the game looks better than ever. There are ten vibrant characters to choose from, each with their own unique skill bonus. You are put on an endless run in an ancient Mayan-like ruin where you have to overcome a plethora of obstacles such as broken bridges and roads by either jumping over them or using environmental options such ziplines, all while collecting various coloured coins that count towards your high score. Sliding down waterfalls is also pretty fun. And why are you on a run? Because you are being chased by a massive, steroid-fuelled monkey, namely Cuchanck.

Dots
Developer: Betaworks
Platforms: iOS, Android

Dots is an extremely simplistic game but provides a real challenge. In the game you will see that there are various coloured dots. Your aim is to connect as many of the dots of the same colour to eliminate them and, like in Tetris, the gap left will be filled with a constant feed of dots from above. This is all done under a time limit. This game is easily grasped but is hard from the get-go and the difficulty rapidly increases. Warning: Dots is dangerously addictive.