Tetris games (quick-paced modern Tetris clones/block stackers like TETR.IO) are good for improving pattern recognition and, at higher levels, memorization (as in openers, perfect clear setups, etc ).
Ask HN: Which games do you recommend to improve thinking and reasoning?
51–60 of 88 posts
Re: Ask HN: Which games do you recommend to improve thinking and reasoning?
#52Be aware that any game on its own will only make you better at that specific game. The brain has enough plasticity to improve at one thing and dull at another. It's better to try different things.
Re: Ask HN: Which games do you recommend to improve thinking and reasoning?
#53Elevate, available on mobile. It will make your brain sharper, and more attentive to detalis. While also horning your quick retail maths skills.
Re: Ask HN: Which games do you recommend to improve thinking and reasoning?
#54IQ can be reduced through maltreatment, but in general we don't know how to increase IQ. Higher IQ people are more likely to play chess, but playing chess does not raise IQ. So just play the games you enjoy. "Most people think playing chess makes you 'smarter', but the evidence isn't clear on that" https://phys.org/news/2019-07-people-chess-smarter-evidence-... .
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Re: Ask HN: Which games do you recommend to improve thinking and reasoning?
#55Magic: the Gathering is basically writing software and teaches how to optimize randomness ― high barrier to entry, unfortunately
The MTG Arena is free entry and free to play ...
Re: Ask HN: Which games do you recommend to improve thinking and reasoning?
#56Depends on what type of thinking and reasoning you're after. Different games will train different aspects. Engineering and systems thinking games - Factorio, Dyson Sphere Project Multitasking and heuristic decision making games - Starcraft, Dota Physics and mathematics games - Kerbal Space Program Out of all of these, my favorites to play are probably Dyson Sphere Project and Dota, but for pure mental training I alwa…
+1 for Factorio -- this is a great game -- highly addictive, although I found the battle part really annoyed me, and much preferred to play it in creative mode only.
Re: Ask HN: Which games do you recommend to improve thinking and reasoning?
#57Games with an established online group are an awesome way to interact with the world at large.
Chess is near universal and can almost carry a chessboard wherever you go whether online or in person almost like card games or the New York parks with Chessboards everywhere.
Starcraft 2 has an establish online presence damn near over the entire world. Great casters and fun events, that are fun to watch. Progression path in Starcraft 2 is a clear path and the most transparent as far as effort to progress. This game gives you graphs and good replays of each game by default, so its geared towards progress. Has 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, and 4v4 modes plus a huuuge variety of other arcade and developed games.
Typical game of Starcraft 2 can be between 10 - 30 minutes and has a high ratio to fun and competitiveness, you feel your mind expand in each rank.
Check out the bronze to gm guides, here, well thought out with clear strategy, easy to follow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuS_PgtyAP8
Re: Ask HN: Which games do you recommend to improve thinking and reasoning?
#58Settlers of Catan taught me not to trust anyone, ever.
Feel this, the scarce resource conundrum changes everyone in ways you'll never know. Pick your friends wisely when you play this game, you'll want to try to stay friends... :D
Re: Ask HN: Which games do you recommend to improve thinking and reasoning?
#59Slay the Spire changed how I think in some ways. It's a brilliantly designed deckbuilding roguelike that asks very clear questions about how strong your position is and what you can afford to gamble, one after another -- and it eventually turns out that betting too much and betting too little are very much alike in how they make you fall off the power curve in an iterated game.
I agree with others that games won't improve thinking in an abstract sense, but some games definitely become analogies that I come back to.
Re: Ask HN: Which games do you recommend to improve thinking and reasoning?
#60Antichamber, The Talos principle, Portal 1 & 2
these will twist your brain.