Are you getting bored while waiting in line for the registrar? Do you have a few minutes to spare before class starts?  What do you when there is too short of a time to waste? Instead of browsing the web or messaging your friends, why not play some simple yet interesting and highly-addicting games to stave off the boredom?

Below are five free mobile puzzle games we have found that not only relax the body, but also invigorate the mind:

Socioball

Start Menu of Socioball
from AppAdvice

Socioball, with the tagline “Play. Create. Tweet.”, is a game created by Yellow Monkey Studios Pvt. Ltd., an independent media company.

For the “Play” part, the instructions are pretty easy and straightforward. There is an incomplete grid and a selection of tiles off to one side. All you have to do is fill up the missing tiles in the grid with the right pieces to push the ball towards its goal—a blue-colored square. The tiles you are given have all sorts of functions: a white square just fills up a void space, a violet one lifts the ball up, a white box can serve as a barrier, a square with a curved line curves the ball, etc.

A quick preview of Socioball
from Indie Prize

There’s also the “Create” portion. Aside from playing already pre-made scenarios, you can create your own and test them out! Play around with the grid, add more obstacles, and even make an unsolvable set-up. It is like a sandbox game, encouraging you to be creative and build your own world.

Of course, the option to share it with the world is available. “Tweet” your newly created puzzles and let the whole world try their hand at it. Invite your friends and let them explore Socioball, too!

With its minimalist design and overall aesthetic, it fits aptly with the look of the iOS or Android. The soundtrack is relaxing, and the sound effects are appropriate and quite rewarding to hear. The animation is smooth and easy on the eyes–It’s definitely not lacking in the graphics department!

You can download the game in Google Play and in iTunes.

Brain Dots

Start Menu of Brain Dots
from Google Play

Brain Dots is a game that requires thinking outside the box and flexible ideas. Created by Translimit, Inc., the game is played by drawing lines on your screen to help the two dots meet. You can sketch straight and curved lines or shapes like triangles, squares, and rectangles. You can even create combinations! The game will not limit your creativity and will certainly test your problem-solving skills.

A quick preview of Brain Dots
from YouTube

It has a modest design that’s easy on the eyes. The colors are mild and unobtrusive, and the same can be said about the sound effects. The overall theme has a playful and childish tone that contributes greatly to the “simple rules, simple fun” the game promises.

Truly, the game will encourage you to solve problems using creative means. It’s simple, but fun!

You can download the game in Google Play and in iTunes.

Lazors

Start Menu of Lazors
from Lazors Answers

Pyrosphere offers Lazors, a puzzle game of mirrors and lasers. The goal is to make the red light past through the black dots by placing blocks in strategic locations. You are provided with white blocks that reflect light diagonally, dark and gray ones that you can’t move, and many more. As with all puzzle games, it gets progressively harder as you level up. You will certainly be thankful for the Hint button.

A quick preview of Lazors
from Lazors Answers

It has a dark and dim theme, with black, white, and gray as its primary colors. The soundtrack and sound effects are a bit ominous but these help in the allegedly serious and tranquil ambiance of the game.

Predicting the results of your choices is one of the skills required to solve each level. Also, a bit of luck and guessing will not go amiss.

You can download the game in Google Play and in iTunes.

Unblock Me

Start Menu of Unblock Me
from APKDAD

Unblock Me, brought to you by Kirigames Co., Ltd, is as straightforward as its title. The goal is to get the lone red block out of the board by sliding the other blocks out of the way. Your movements are limited because you can only move the blocks horizontally or vertically, depending on their positions; this makes the game simultaneously easier and harder. You can undo your moves or ask for a hint—at the cost of points, of course.

A quick preview of Unblock Me
from Google Play

The soundtrack and sound effects tend to be exciting rather than relaxing. It’s not as unobtrusive as Brain Dots’. The animations are smooth enough and the graphics are pleasing to the eye. As you can see, the blocks are designed with realistic details that make you feel like you’re really moving wooden blocks. Some people find the repetitive movements soothing.

The levels don’t really get harder but each scenario challenges you to find different methods nonetheless.

You can download the game in Google Play and in iTunes.

1010! Puzzle Game

Start Menu of 1010! Puzzle Game
from Google Play

The 1010! Puzzle Game, created by Uzbek Games, has quite similar mechanics to Tetris. This game starts with an empty 10×10 grid, hence the name. You are given a selection of 3 varying shapes and you have to place them in strategic positions; when a row or column is filled up with the colorful blocks, it empties once more, and you can place more blocks. You can’t rotate or flip the given pieces nor move the pieces you’ve already placed on the grid. The goal is to earn as many points as possible without filling the 10×10 grid.

It is quite easy to play because Tetris is already familiar to most of us. The bright colors and need for tactical thinking truly stimulates the mind. The controls are sensitive, and you can easily select and drag the blocks. It doesn’t have any background music but the sound effects are enough to keep you engaged with the game.

It certainly is an enjoyable way to pass the time!

You can download the game in Google Play and in iTunes.

All of these games could be addicting to you. Certain puzzles might even bug you until you solve them!

Additionally, you could shut these games down anytime you need to. Your progress is saved on your device or, if you have your Google account, on all of your Android devices. This makes them ideal to pass the time when waiting for something or someone, as you can access them anywhere anytime you like. They pleasantly fill up the few dull moments, or even hours of leisure time. You could get lost in these games for hours on end.

Solve puzzles, invigorate the mind, and have fun!

Sources:

APKDAD. Unblock Me FREE 1.3.6.4: http://www.apkdad.com/unblock-me-free-1-3-6-4/ [1 September 2015]

AppAdvice. Put the pieces together and get creative with your own puzzles in Socioball: http://appadvice.com/review/socioball [1 September 2015]

Indie Prize. INDIE PRIZE SHOWCASE | AMSTERDAM 2015: http://indieprize.org/europe2015/# [1 September 2015]

Lazors Answers. Lazors level 5 – Braid: http://lazorsanswers.net/lazors-level-5-braid/ [1 September 2015]

Google Play. Store: https://play.google.com/store?hl=en [1 September 2015]

Youtube. BRAIN DOTS LEVELS 184 – 194 GAMEPLAY (Android,Iphone,Ipad): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhIZjkqkhgg [1 September 2015]