In praise of games with no fail state

We don't talk enough about games where you can't lose. No timers, no enemies, no game over. Just a space to explore at your own speed.

Hollow Lantern is built entirely on that idea. You tap your way through an abandoned lighthouse, reading notes and solving gentle puzzles, with nothing rushing you. It sounds like it would be boring. It's the opposite.

Without pressure, I noticed details I'd normally rush past. A photo on a desk, a half-finished letter. The story seeped in slowly, and by the end I felt like I'd actually lived in that lighthouse for a while.

These calm games are perfect for winding down at night. If your phone is mostly full of twitchy games, I'd really recommend keeping one quiet adventure around for the evenings.