It’s Friday and you’ve had a long week. Your body aches and your brain isn’t fully functional. Just the thought of socializing fills you with dread. You want to get online and play Splatoon with your friend… Then again you know that’s a whole thing. Like me, you’re an introvert.

I am lifelong introvert. I’ve been there quite frequently. Playing games alone is amazing for this specific reason. Whether they be puzzle, horror, adventure, or something else — I have a deep appreciation for games that are enjoyable on your own. There is something decadent about sitting in your pajamas, curled up with your dogs, and playing a game.

It is at your leisure and at your own pace. No one is asking questions, and you can pause whenever you want! Without life’s distractions you are really able to absorb and appreciate a game. Here are five games that I find especially delightful for an evening to yourself.

1) Detention

Detention is a 2-D, side-scrolling horror game that takes place in Taiwan during the 1960s. This is not a game for the faint of heart. The game follows two students who are stranded at their school during a typhoon. As the students wander the halls of their school, they must sneak past terrifying ghosts and face unsettling locales. Both are drawn from Taiwanese folklore.

However, Detention isn’t a good horror game simply because there is ghosts and gore. It is a good horror game because it is also the story about political repression and its effects on everyday citizens. This fact makes the game all the more horrifying. If you enjoy scary games and want to learn a little about Taiwanese history, this is the game for you.

2) The Bridge

The Bridge is a melancholy puzzle game presented in a heavily stylized, washed-out gray. If you aren’t in the mood for an emotionally-heavy, plot-driven horror game, but still have your heart set on something a bit darker, this may be the game for you. You control a man trying to make his way through bizarre, M.C. Escher-inspired puzzles that effectively act as a hellscape to the poor protagonist.

Each puzzle plays with gravity, physics, and perspective. You must tilt your screen, walk on ceilings, and avoid obstacles (both peculiar and monstrous) in order to survive. As you progress, the puzzles become increasingly more difficult. This makes it the perfect game for testing your logic while also indulging your needs for something a bit darker.

3) Battle Chef Brigade

Do you enjoy puzzle games? If so, but you aren’t in the existential and gloomy mood required of The Bridge, I recommend Battle Chef Brigade. It is a colorful, hand-drawn adventure/ puzzle game about cooking. The game follows Mina, a young girl from a small town who dreams of winning of prestigious Iron Chef-esque competition.

Mina’s journey is simple and cute, yet satisfying and full of drama. The character designs are notably endearing, especially considering that much of this game is voiced-over skillfully. The gameplay is a fun mixture of hunting monsters and participating in puzzle-based cooking competitions. Overall, it is a great game for when you’re craving something light-hearted and uplifting.

4) Crypt of the Necrodancer

To be perfectly frank, I have a soft spot for rhythm and dance games. I also have a fondness for old-school tabletop dungeon crawlers. Crypt of the Necrodancer combines both! Despite being seemingly opposite worlds, I must say they do so effortlessly.

At the beginning of the game, you control Cadence who can only progress through the dungeon by dancing her way through. Moving to the beat of the techno-heavy soundtrack, you are able to kill monsters, collect treasure, and explore. As you proceed through the levels, you can unlock new characters with different dance abilities, which provides the game with endless challenges. Crypt of the Necrodancer is addictive, fun, and still provides players with a challenge. This makes it the perfect game curl up to with your headphones on.

5) Kamiko

Growing up, I was practically raised on Zelda. The first thing I remember reading was a dialogue box in A Link to the Past! This is probably why I have so much warmth for Kamiko. This is a simple top-down adventure game where you play as one of three cute (and divine!) girls. Your goal is to open up gates sealed by demons. To do this you travel through four themed worlds.

Kamiko has the most standard of plots. The puzzles aren’t particularly difficult, nor are the enemies. But, you don’t play Kamiko because you are a craving a challenging game. You play it for the catchy, retro music and the cute pixelated world.

This game brings back the magic of your first video games. You are transported to the familiar times of traversing distant and fantastical lands. That is the whole point: your experience doesn’t have to be incredibly challenging to be enjoyable.

There are times when a game just needs to be beautiful and calming. You can easily find yourself entranced with pastel aesthetic of the game. Drink in the atmosphere and become intoxicated on nostalgia. Kamiko is an absolutely perfect game for a relaxing day.

Thanks for reading! Consider checking out Semblance for another great game to play. If you’ve enjoyed this article, consider donating to our Patreon or following us on Twitter!