Need something to keep your mind in shape? You’re in for a treat!
We’ve rounded up the best pattern games for adults you could try. These games come in all shapes and forms, from chess to minesweeper, and more.
All of these positively affect your cognitive skills, too. These are great if you want smth engaging but don’t require complex rules or hours of investment. Let’s get into it!
Aurora Hex
This game takes the classic concept of matching pieces and elevates it to a serene art form. You’ll rotate and connect hexagonal tiles, each adorned with a fragment of a mesmerizing pattern.
What Makes it Unique:
- Matchmaking Magic: Aurora Hex isn’t your typical jigsaw puzzle. The hexagonal tiles and their unique connection points create a fresh twist on the genre.
- A Feast for the Eyes: The game boasts a stunning visual style. Soft colors and calming animations lull you into a state of tranquility as you solve puzzles.
- Difficulty on Demand: Whether you’re a seasoned puzzler or a curious newcomer, Aurora Hex caters to you. The game offers a gentle learning curve, gradually introducing more complex patterns as you progress.
Pros:
- Easy to learn, challenging to master
- Thousands of beautiful patterns to discover
- Peaceful and relaxing atmosphere
- Gradual difficulty keeps you engaged
- Helpful hint system
Cons:
- Lacks the fast-paced excitement of some puzzle games
- No competitive elements
Who Will Like It:
- Stress Busters: Looking to unwind after a long day? The serene visuals and calming gameplay of Aurora Hex are the perfect antidote to anxiety.
- Pattern Recognition Pros: Do you have a knack for spotting hidden patterns? Aurora Hex will put your skills to the test in a visually stunning way.
You may also like: 7 Best Minesweeper Games
Chess
This is an offline chess app that caters to players of all skill levels. Whether you’re a seasoned strategist or a curious newcomer, it’s a compelling way to sharpen your mind and delve into the world of chess.
What Makes it Unique:
- 8 Difficulty Levels: From beginner to grandmaster, Chess Club provides a range of AI opponents to match your skill level.
- Learning Tools: Struggling with a move? Utilize the Hint function to see the best possible option and learn from the AI’s strategy.
- Undo and Stats: Made a blunder? No problem! The undo function lets you rewind your move, and the stat tracker helps you monitor your progress.
Pros:
- Free and offline
- 8 difficulty levels for all skill sets
- Hint function aids learning
- Undo option for correcting mistakes
- 2D or 3D board options with low app size
Cons:
- Strictly offline, no online play
- Lacks advanced features like puzzles or analysis tools
Who Will Like It:
- Chess Enthusiasts: Hone your skills, test your strategies against the AI, and track your improvement over time.
- Learners: New to chess? The Hint function and varying difficulty levels make Chess Club an excellent learning tool.
AuroraBound
This one presents you with a series of colorful blocks that you need to rotate and arrange to reveal hidden patterns. As you progress, the puzzles become more intricate, demanding strategic thinking without ever feeling overwhelming.
What Makes it Unique:
- Match for Serenity: This game focuses on a relaxed approach. The soothing visuals and music create a calming environment, perfect for unwinding after a long day.
- Matchmaking with a Twist: It’s all about on creating patterns instead of lines or rows. This shift adds a new layer of strategic thinking and keeps the gameplay fresh.
- Endless Variety: With thousands of puzzles to conquer, AuroraBound offers a near-endless supply of challenges. The difficulty gradually increases, keeping you engaged for hours.
- Hidden Beauty: Each completed puzzle unveils a beautiful hidden image, adding a layer of satisfaction to the gameplay.
Pros:
- Tranquil visuals and music
- Tons of lvls
- Simple mechanics
- Hint system
- Optimized for phones and tablets
Cons:
- Lacks a competitive or time-based element
- No definitive ending to the game
- Hints might not always be super helpful
Who Will Like It:
- Puzzle Aficionados: If you enjoy the mental challenge of manipulating shapes and patterns, AuroraBound will keep you hooked.
- Stress Relief Seekers: Looking for a way to unwind and de-stress? The calming visuals and gameplay of AuroraBound can be a great escape.
Elevate
Here’s an award-winning brain training app that uses a variety of games and puzzles to target different cognitive skills. Many of its challenges involve identifying patterns in language, numbers, and visual elements.
What Makes it Unique:
- Personalized Learning: Elevate tailors a program based on your performance, focusing on areas that need the most work.
- Gamified Learning: Brain training is disguised as fun and engaging games, making it feel less like work.
- Multiple Cognitive Skills: Elevate goes beyond just vocabulary or memory, targeting a wider range of mental abilities.
Pros:
- Varied games
- Personalized learning
- Highlights strengths/weaknesses
- Gamified learning
- Free version available
Cons:
- Limited features in the free version
- Edu value is debatable
Who Will Like It:
- Lifelong Learners: If you enjoy keeping your mind active and challenging yourself with puzzles, Elevate is a great fit.
- Gamers Who Want a Boost: Do you enjoy games but want some added brain benefits? Elevate combines the fun of gaming with cognitive training.
- Busy Adults with Short Attention Spans: Elevate offers a quick, bite-sized way to train your mind.
Check also: 17 Free Crossword Puzzle Makers (Apps & Websites)
Puzzle Glow
This one bundles several popular pattern recognition and logic puzzles into a single app. Think of it as a brain gym overflowing with familiar favorites.
What Makes it Unique:
- Variety is the Spice of Life: Unlike most puzzle games that focus on one type, Puzzle Glow offers a whopping seven different brain teasers, ensuring you never get bored.
- Difficulty Curve: Start with beginner-friendly puzzles and work your way up to challenging mind-benders.
- Offline Play: Enjoy the game anytime, anywhere, without needing an internet connection.
- No Time Pressure: Take your time strategizing and solving puzzles at your own pace.
Pros:
- Tons of options
- Relaxed gameplay
- Offline play
- Multiple difficulty levels
- Suitable for all ages
Cons:
- Lacks innovation
- Includes ads
Who Will Like It:
- Puzzle Aficionados: If you crave variety and a good mental challenge, it will keep you hooked for hours.
- Family Fun: The app is suitable for all ages, making it a great choice for family game nights.
Minesweeper
The name itself evokes a sense of nostalgia, of afternoons spent strategically clicking squares, a thrilling mix of logic and chance. This classic game gets a modern makeover, proving that even the simplest patterns can be a compelling challenge.
What Makes it Unique:
- Modern Makeover: Ditch the pixelated nostalgia. Minesweeper boasts a clean interface and smooth animations, making it a joy to play on your phone.
- Themable Thrills: Personalize your experience! Choose from a variety of themes to keep things fresh and visually appealing.
- One-Handed Hero: This app is designed for effortless one-handed play, perfect for quick bursts of brain-teasing fun on the go.
Pros:
- Simple yet challenging gameplay
- Clean and modern interface
- Multiple themes for customization
- Autosave for seamless play
- Adjustable difficulty levels
- Solvable without guessing
- Works offline
Cons:
- Can be repetitive for some players
- Not ideal for those seeking fast-paced action
Who Will Like It:
- Pattern Pro: If you have a knack for spotting patterns and enjoy logical deduction, Minesweeper will have you hooked.
- The Strategist: Love a good mental challenge? Minesweeper requires strategic thinking and planning to navigate the minefield successfully.
MindPal
This one covers over 35 games and 1000 levels. This app personalizes your daily workout based on your goals, targeting areas like memory, attention, language, and problem-solving.
What Makes it Unique:
- Personalized Workouts: MindPal tailors your training based on what you want to improve, ensuring a focused approach.
- Variety is Key: With over 35 games, MindPal offers a smorgasbord of brain teasers, keeping things fresh and engaging.
- Challenge Yourself: Compete with friends or compare your scores to a global pool of users (optional).
Pros:
- Personalized daily workouts
- Wide variety of brain training games
- Tracks progress and motivate improvement
- Offers optional social and competitive elements
Cons:
- Limited free access to games
- Focuses on general cognitive skills, not deep dives
- Score comparisons might not be for everyone
Who Will Like It:
- Puzzle Enthusiasts: If you enjoy a good mental challenge, MindPal’s diverse game library will keep you entertained.
- Goal-Oriented Learners: This app is perfect if you want to target specific cognitive areas for improvement.
Have a look at: 10 Best Logic Puzzle Apps
Math
It’s an app that combines brain teasers with mathematical puzzles. Presented in the style of an IQ test, it challenges you, pushing your logical thinking and mathematical skills to the limit.
What Makes it Unique:
- IQ Test Approach: Math Riddles structures its challenges like an IQ test, encouraging analytical thinking and pattern recognition.
- Focus on Basic Operations: The game relies on addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division – the mathematical foundation you learned in school.
- Hidden in Shapes: The puzzles incorporate geometrical figures, adding a visual element to the challenges.
Pros:
- Free
- Offers a variety of difficulty levels
- Combines math with logic puzzles
- Uses familiar math operations
- Claims to be suitable for both adults and kids
Cons:
- Relies on ads for hints and answers
- Might not be engaging for those who dislike math
- Doesn’t offer in-depth math training
Who Will Like It:
- Adults Seeking a Mental Challenge: If you enjoy brain teasers and want to keep your mathematical mind sharp, Math Riddles offers a unique twist on traditional math games.
- Fans of Logic Puzzles: The focus on patterns and relationships makes this app appealing to anyone who enjoys a good logical challenge.
NYT Games
This one delivers a daily dose of brain teasers for all skill levels. From the iconic Wordle to logic puzzles like Sudoku, this free app keeps your vocabulary sharp and your mind active.
What Makes it Unique:
- Variety of Puzzles: Crosswords, word games like Wordle and Spelling Bee, number puzzles like Sudoku, and more provide a diverse experience.
- Leaderboards (The Mini): Add a dash of friendly competition by challenging friends on daily Mini Crosswords.
- New Puzzles Daily: Never run out of challenges with fresh puzzles delivered every day.
- Ad-Free Experience: Focus on solving without visual distractions.
Pros:
- Tons of game options
- Daily new puzzles
- Multiple difficulty lvls
- Ad-free
- Progress tracking and leaderboards (optional)
Cons:
- Limited access to past puzzles in the free version
- Subscription required for full crossword archive
- Requires web connection for most puzzles
Who Will Like It:
- Word Game Enthusiasts: Wordle, Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed – this app caters to those who enjoy building words and flexing their vocabulary.
- Logic Puzzle Fans: Sudoku offers a number-based challenge that doesn’t require complex math.
NeuroNation
It’s an app made to target memory, focus, and thinking speed. It offers a personalized training plan based on an initial assessment and boasts over 34 brain-teasing games.
What Makes it Unique:
- Scientific Backing: NeuroNation has partnered with universities for research, and even their “MED” version is recognized by some German health insurance.
- Personalized Training: The app tailors a program to your strengths and weaknesses, focusing on areas that need improvement.
- Variety and Progression: With over 300 levels across 34 exercises, NeuroNation offers a challenge that grows alongside your cognitive skills.
Pros:
- Scientifically grounded approach
- Personalized training plans
- A variety of exercises to keep things engaging
- Opportunity to track progress and compete with friends (optional)
Cons:
- Limited free version
- The effectiveness of such apps for long-term cognitive improvement is still debated
Who Will Like It:
- Adults Seeking Cognitive Improvement: If you’re looking for a science-based approach to enhance memory, focus, and thinking speed potentially, NeuroNation is worth checking out.
You may also check: 11 Best Word Games for Two Players
Infinity Loop
This game blends logic puzzles with a relaxing atmosphere. The objective is to connect lines and corners on a grid, creating intricate looping patterns.
What Makes it Unique:
- Endless Levels: Infinity Loop boasts an infinite number of levels, ensuring a constant stream of new puzzles to solve.
- Zen Mode: This optional mode removes the pressure of time limits and scoring, allowing you to focus solely on the calming act of creating loops.
- Dark Mode: Fancy a challenge? Dark Mode flips the script and tasks you with disconnecting all the pieces for a different kind of brain teaser.
Pros:
- Free to play with endless levels
- Relaxing gameplay with calming visuals and sounds
- Zen Mode for stress relief
- Lightweight and requires minimal storage space
- Dark Mode offers a challenging twist on the core gameplay
Cons:
- Lacks a traditional difficulty curve
- Might be too slow-paced
Who Will Like It:
- Stress Relief Seekers: Looking to unwind after a long day? Infinity Loop’s serene visuals and repetitive tapping can be a great way to de-stress.
- Minimalist Gamers: The simple concept make it a great choice for casual players who prefer a straightforward experience.
