In praise of mobile games that don't rush you

Somewhere along the way, a lot of mobile games decided the goal was to stop you from playing. Energy meters, long timers, systems built to make you put the phone down and come back later. The best cosy games reject all of that.

Sprout Valley Days is my go-to example. You farm, you craft, you talk to villagers, and nothing ever tells you you're done for the day. That freedom changes the whole feel of the thing.

I think there's a real appetite now for games that respect your time instead of hoarding it. We've all got enough things demanding our attention; a game that's just happy to be there when you want it is a small kind of luxury.

If you've been burned by sims that felt like second jobs, it's worth giving the quieter ones another look. The genre has grown up a lot.