Prune

Prune is a meditative puzzle in which the player, with a single swipe of a finger, prunes the branches of a growing tree to guide it toward the light and help it bloom. The controls are reduced to the bare minimum – no buttons, no menu during play, just a swipe gesture across the screen that trims unwanted branches and opens up space for new growth – and this simplicity is the foundation of the entire experience. The visual style is as austere as the controls: black silhouettes of trees against a single-color background that changes as the game progresses, completing the atmosphere of each level.

The game was created in 2015 by Joel McDonald, who had previously worked as a designer inside Apple, which shows in the thoughtful minimalist presentation and in how precisely the game doles out new mechanics. It's a one-time paid app with no ads or microtransactions, conceived more as a short contemplative experience than a game meant for dozens of hours – Prune can be finished in a matter of a few hours, but leaves a strong visual impression.

It's precisely the combination of game mechanics with visual artistry that made Prune a frequently cited example of how even a minimalist mobile title can come across as a work of art, not just a time-killer. The absence of text and language barriers also means the game works just as clearly for players anywhere in the world.

Why play: Recommended for players looking for a short, calm, aesthetically strong experience rather than a challenge – it's a paid game without aggressive monetization, but also without a long playtime.