IDKanymore

Being an adult is hard work.  Don’t get me wrong, it has its perks.  I can make grown-up decisions such as what to eat and when, when my bedtime is and what I spend my free time on.  And being an adult who is responsible for another human is a whole lot harder. But no one warns you how stressful that is.  It’s so stressful.  

You’re not alone; life is stressful, work is stressful, relationships are stressful.  It’s important to combat that stress, to give yourself some downtime… I, like many other adults, use gaming as an escape.  A small window of reprieve.  

I made it my mission to seek out those little games that are a little fun, a chill pill, something a bit less taxing than your online FPS where survival instincts kick in.  

I made it my personal side quest to rescue my sanity through games. 

Hohokum

This name gets me every single time, judge me all you like!  Aside from the amazing name, the game isn’t a simulator of ANY kind.  It is, in fact, a visual and musical work of art.  

You play as a one-eyed snake (omg this isn’t helping) who travels by going through holes (jeeeez) to visit different worlds (one is moist).  In each world, you can interact with the world’s inhabitants, there are puzzles to solve and sometimes you can help release trapped characters for cute cut scenes.  

Each world has a theme that is translated through a clever use of music, colours, shapes, characters, movement and “feel”.  You can do what you like for as long as you like, the game doesn’t hold you hostage – it just feels happy to have you there.  

It is a pleasure to interact with, and to watch.  I’ve picked it up a couple of times, and still drift back to it now and then; and if that’s what you’re looking for – perfect.  It’s so chill, my step-kid drifted asleep watching me several times.  

Developed by Honeyslug and Santa Monica Studio, and published by Sony; it’s available on the PSN store for £9.99 or on PS Now.