The Secret to Playing More Games

Tony’s Double Trouble

The video proposes keeping two single-player games in rotation: a demanding main game and an easier “palette cleanser.” Matching a game to your energy and mood can make it easier to play after a tiring day, without taking on a complex story or system. An easy-to-start option can also help reduce aimless scrolling and make progress through your backlog.

A good palette cleanser is:

• Easy to pick up and put down
• Low-stakes and not mentally demanding
• Forgiving if you leave it for a few days
• Rewarding whether you play for 20 minutes or a couple of hours

What feels relaxing or demanding depends on the player, not just the genre. For example, one person might find Pokémon relaxing and Dragon Quest demanding, while another might enjoy Mortal Kombat for its story mode rather than competitive play. The goal is to choose games that suit different moods.

Pairings and examples

• Baldur’s Gate 3 with LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight
• The Last of Us with Banjo-Kazooie
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 with Donkey Kong
• Mortal Kombat with 007 First Light
• The Witcher 3 with Mixtape
• Fallout: New Vegas with Forza
• The Alters with Animal Crossing

The speaker also mentions Crimson Desert, Star Fox, Pokémon, and Dragon Quest as games that may feel more or less demanding depending on the player.

Social games and other advice

Social games such as Fortnite and Apex Legends—especially when played with friends or tied to battle passes—can form a separate third category. They can be enjoyable, but may compete with time for the two single-player games, so it can be reasonable to decline an invitation.

The speaker also advises:

• Don’t force yourself to finish a game that isn’t engaging you. You can return to it later or, especially if it’s a physical game, sell, trade, or lend it.
• It’s fine to pause a game for a new release and come back afterward. The speaker may pause Baldur’s Gate 3 for Wolverine, then return to the two-game rotation.
• The speaker is currently playing LEGO Batman as a lighter companion to Baldur’s Gate 3 and is considering what to play next.

Featured creator/source: Tony of TonysHQ.