In “Play on,” three Arts & Humanities alumni shared their experiences working in the gaming industry. Here, these experts suggest games that even novices can enjoy.

Noor Amin, SB’23

Chess: “Chess has to be my number one recommendation. It’s a creative and exploratory game, but it’s also very rigid and has clear rules that are quite simple.”

Journey (Thatgamecompany, 2012): “That one’s a little bit more niche. It’s an art game. But it’s really emotionally evocative, both in its aesthetics and the way it creates social connections that are indirect and very ephemeral.”

Kellie Lu, LAB’16, AB’20, AM’21

Mahjong and backgammon: “I’ve been on a classic games kick. They have a lot of room for strategy.”

DIY: “Try making new rules for an existing game you play. Don’t worry about making it bad—play to find out!”

Eren Slifker, AB’24

A Short Hike (adamgryu, 2019): “You play as a little anthropomorphic bird, exploring and climbing a mountain. It’s very cute, it’s not super long, and it’s not particularly difficult. Just a fun, wholesome experience.”

Monument Valley 2 (Ustwo Games, 2017): “It’s a puzzle game that involves perspective-based puzzles—so you turn and your gravity is different. Because it’s a mobile game, it’s easy to access.”

Donut County (Annapurna Interactive, 2018): “You play as a raccoon who is controlling a hole in the ground that’s moving around and swallowing up people’s backyards and houses and gradually swallowing up this whole world. It’s, again, a very cute story, easy to engage with, and easy to play.”