Boring doesn't always mean bad. In fact, some of the best things are "boring." Pink Floyd's Animals has nearly twenty minute-long songs and is celebrated as one of their greatest works. Stanley Kubrick probably would've been labeled "boring" in this social media age (depressing, but most likely true), and we don't think golf is going away anytime soon.
The same can be said about video games, as some of the best are also the most boring. The Roller Coaster Tycoons and the Minecrafts of the world are just some of the few that may be lifelong favorites or put you to sleep. So, today, let's celebrate boredom!
10 Planet Coaster
Planet Coaster is the spiritual successor to fan-favorite series Roller Coaster Tycoon 3, the sequel fans always wished for, but only ended poorly after the fourth version of the game. It takes a lot of inspiration from the third Roller Coaster Tycoon game with its 3D graphics and heightened importance on all the aspects that make up an amusement park, not just the coasters.
Out of all the coaster tycoon games, this is definitely one of the easiest ones to get into, but it's certainly not for everyone. It can get repetitive like most games of it's kind, but, once you're hooked, you're not getting those hundreds of hours of your life back.
9 Flower
When Flower made its debut on the PS3, it was one of the first of it's kind. Before walking simulators or "Strand" games were a staple of the industry, Flower broke incredible ground being a title that focused more on providing a cinematic experience over traditional gaming elements.
Here, you control the weightless petals of a field and ride the vicious winds to—wait for it—collect more petals. Sure, it sounds boring, but what walking simulator doesn't. If you're looking for a one-time playthrough of this unique, and at one time original concept, Flower is your game.
8 Euro Truck Simulator
Growing up, I was entirely confused by the sensation that is Euro Truck Simulator. Like, was I missing something, is this a meme? Who plays these games, and why?
Well folks, if you find yourself in that same boat, then, let me tell you, this game is pretty fantastic... for some people. It's a try and true simulation, but where this game shines is getting lost in the open roads. You just turn yourself off when playing this, it's like meditation, and I especially like throwing on some music when I'm procrastinating homework or another... well, anything really. It's not for everyone, but it sure packs a lot of fun for the people who do enjoy it.
7 No Man's Sky
This is one that still bores the heck out of me, but it does have it's moments, and it's much better today. No Man's Sky is the adult version of Minecraft (not saying Minecraft is a kids game, you know what I mean), and, instead of traveling downward, you journey to the stars above.
Now, this game just feels like a grind fest, too much so for my liking, but, like Euro Truck Simulator, you can really relax and let the game come to you. Plus, it has some incredible moments, like the first time you fly out into space or your first space battle (spoiler, they get really intense).
6 QWOP
QWOP is the perfect game where a single image explains everything the game has to offer. Now it makes the list because it looks like one of those pass-the-time-in-computer-class kind of games where it may be fun for a sitting, but gets old quick.
Nope, not QWOP, this is one that you'll return to for sure, if only to prove that you can go further than two meters. It's also so much fun to watch world records of the game where dudes make the character take massive, laughable strides. You may get frustrated, say you give up entirely, but QWOP knows you'll be back.
5 Game Dev Tycoon
Whoever thought they'd make a game about making games? Well, in this current gaming climate (mostly on PC) where you sometimes can't separate meme from game, I guess this should come as little to no surprise. Whether Game Dev Tycoon is half meme, whole meme or whatever, one thing is for sure, it's a great game.
Funny, too, because developing games is one of the most boring things out there for someone uninterested in the craft. Endless hours of coding, constantly troubleshooting what one digit is causing your game to crash, and so on and so forth. Let's just say Game Dev Tycoon captures the essence of all this wonderfully.
4 Papers, Please
Ahhh, Papers Please, it seems like this is one title I just have to throw on any article I write up. "Best PC Games of All Time?" Papers Please. "Best Games With the Words Paper Please in Them" Papers Please. "10 Games You and Your Former Communist Grandpa can Enjoy Together?" Papers Freaking Please.
For all that excitement, all you do in this game is inspect immigration documents and make sure they aren't fraudulent. Big whoop, you say? Oh, my friend, if only it were that simple. You're not getting any spoilers this time around, so, pick this thing up during the Winter sale or reach into your back catalogs for a truly fantastic game.
3 Abzû
Created by the same people who made Flower and Journey, Abzu is one of the latest walking simulator type games to make headlines. This time, instead of controlling petals through a field or walking through the desert, you play as a scuba diver navigating the untold mysteries of the sea.
It's definitely not one of my favorite games of it's kind, but it's definitely one of the prettiest to look at. It didn't leave me dropping my controller, mouth opened by the end of the game, but it certainly had many moments that will make you glad you played it.
2 Roller Coaster Tycoon
The GOAT of "boring" games is the legendary Roller Coaster Tycoon. If you showed the image of Roller Coaster Tycoon, it's likely to get anyone interested. Sometimes, I think it looks more like homework or the life work of a person who's into model trains or something like that. But once you start to pay attention to the details, like the enjoyment of a kid coming off a ride or the time and effort it takes to interlock the loops of a coaster so that the trains go through them at the same time, and so much more.
1 Minecraft
Scrap whatever was said before, because Minecraft is the forever king of boring games and gives and takes away hope in humanity—more on that in a second. Think about it, it's pretty cool that a game that rewards patience and careful creation took the entire globe by storm. I almost want to think, "wow, it's like the creators of the game just taught all these younglings how to play chess," but then you look at the attendants of Mine Con and immediately think "nope, all the nopes." The fan base may be one of the clingiest in pop culture today, but you can't deny how great this boring game is.