Games for training brain

[JimmyNeutron]

Hey guys =)
What games do you prefer if you want to train your brain and improve your cognitive skills? And actually why?

 

[Arantor]

So there are games that actually claim to do this on more than one of the Nintendo handheld platforms - I seem to remember Brain Training was popular on the DS for example. Though I might actually suggest the Professor Layton series - a series of story games that also have relatively lightweight puzzling attached where the puzzles aren't all the same kind. Some are visual, some spatial, some lateral. I always thought mixing it up was good.

Improving cognition is one of those things that I think it’s important to do on some level (as someone who lost multiple family members to dementia), where it’s about keeping mentally active and keeping the connections forming.

I don’t know too much about the current neuroscience advice on the subject but I’ve always believed that trying new things, learning new things is important. It’s actually good in general for mental health I think because it gives you a wider view on what you’re doing - a common piece of advice for programmers is to learn a new language every 12-18 months so you can get a different perspective on things. I don’t know if I entirely believe in it, but certainly the variety and diversity of ideas and building those new connections *is* important.

 

[Retro]

I don't play many games nowadays, although I still do have a gaming PC and aim to upgrade it this year.

I like fps mainly, the Unreal Tournament series, Half-Life 2 and its two sequels (not so much HL1 without a makeover) the CoD: Modern Warfare series, Rainbow Six Siege online with my friends (PS4 Pro). I don't play "brain games", but I do get a bit of Tetris in sometimes.

 

[JimmyNeutron]

I don't play many games nowadays, although I still do have a gaming PC and aim to upgrade it this year.

I like fps mainly, the Unreal Tournament series, Half-Life 2 and its two sequels (not so much HL1 without a makeover) the CoD: Modern Warfare series, Rainbow Six Siege online with my friends (PS4 Pro). I don't play "brain games", but I do get a bit of Tetris in sometimes.

Daaaaamn Half-Life 2 is so oldschool vibe I loved fps so much especially smth oldschool like Warcraft III and I remember the time I played Unreal Tournament in computer clubs but I have not much free time for 'em already I started do various sudokus and play chess trying my best from my free time. I know that feeling when you growing out of gaming

 

[JimmyNeutron]

So there are games that actually claim to do this on more than one of the Nintendo handheld platforms - I seem to remember Brain Training was popular on the DS for example. Though I might actually suggest the Professor Layton series - a series of story games that also have relatively lightweight puzzling attached where the puzzles aren't all the same kind. Some are visual, some spatial, some lateral. I always thought mixing it up was good.

Improving cognition is one of those things that I think it’s important to do on some level (as someone who lost multiple family members to dementia), where it’s about keeping mentally active and keeping the connections forming.

I don’t know too much about the current neuroscience advice on the subject but I’ve always believed that trying new things, learning new things is important. It’s actually good in general for mental health I think because it gives you a wider view on what you’re doing - a common piece of advice for programmers is to learn a new language every 12-18 months so you can get a different perspective on things. I don’t know if I entirely believe in it, but certainly the variety and diversity of ideas and building those new connections *is* important.

You're right! Actually one guy also advised me Professor Layton so now I'm sure I need to try it

 

[Tiffany]

I haven't had much time for games either, though my daughter is a gamer to be reckoned with, included in her repertoire is Rainbow 6 too. I suppose my brain teasers aren't authentically specific but more in random daily challenges that become part of learning something new every day, reading and studying the topics I'm passionate about and in the tech part of my world conquering new issues and fixing them on my own. Great topic, @JimmyNeutron.

 

[JimmyNeutron]

I haven't had much time for games either, though my daughter is a gamer to be reckoned with, included in her repertoire is Rainbow 6 too. I suppose my brain teasers aren't authentically specific but more in random daily challenges that become part of learning something new every day, reading and studying the topics I'm passionate about and in the tech part of my world conquering new issues and fixing them on my own. Great topic, @JimmyNeutron.

Your daughter is cool I understand your side!

 

[Tiffany]

Your daughter is cool I understand your side!

She is cool, lol! She's been after me to resume my training in Overwatch. She wants me to learn how to be Mercy, the healer. She says that's probably my best unit to work with. I know what she's really saying and she's saying, you really can't do much else because you are not as advanced as me.

 

[Arantor]

Actually it may not be that way. I don't play that much in the way of multiplayer but I do like my share of Guild Wars 2 - and pretty much the worst combination of thing I can go into group content as... is as a healer. I suck at 1x1 healing and group healing. I'm a close quarters combat kinda guy.

 

[Tiffany]

I can see where your close quarters combat mayhem would work for you. I'm truly a novice, except in a (for all ages) website I won't name here *blush*. I did enjoy the Overwatch practice zone. It was really fun to blast at robots coming at me. I'll keep that in mind that I may after all be more then just a healer...lol!!

 

[Arantor]

Well, it’s not just close quarters combat, it’s a special blend.

I have two main characters in GW2, one is a human necromancer with a gaggle of minions around her to attack on her behalf. Specialist build that means her damage output isn’t what it could be, but the build is *ridiculously* survivable. Things that would outright kill other players (leaving them in need of resurrection) are often just swatted away because the build is about as mechanically abusive as it can be using what the game gave me to play with. This character has also been known to solo through various parts of the game designed for 5-10 players (albeit slowly) because survivable. Other parts of the game are designed for 30-50 players, but that character and 3-4 like her can handle that content between them.

Ahaha, there was one time, it was like a scene that needed Ride of the Valkyries as a soundtrack; 6 necromancers flew in, all landed and suddenly it was carnage, all 6 had without realising it, all brought minions. 6 necros each fielding 4-7 minions depending on build is suddenly a lot of players and helpers… necro squads don’t happen often but they are pretty heavily overpowered.

The other is a “charr”, a 10ft or so cat person whose personal motto is “if it bleeds, I can kill it”. Damage output is vastly superior but he’s squishier. Best when I’m not soloing things and just bring along the raw damage.

GW2 is pretty social and easy enough to get into.

 

[Tiffany]

I'm running out of play time, but I'll be back to reply to your post more tomorrow @Arantor. Thanks for all of that info!!

 

[Tiffany]

Well, it’s not just close quarters combat, it’s a special blend.

I have two main characters in GW2, one is a human necromancer with a gaggle of minions around her to attack on her behalf. Specialist build that means her damage output isn’t what it could be, but the build is *ridiculously* survivable. Things that would outright kill other players (leaving them in need of resurrection) are often just swatted away because the build is about as mechanically abusive as it can be using what the game gave me to play with. This character has also been known to solo through various parts of the game designed for 5-10 players (albeit slowly) because survivable. Other parts of the game are designed for 30-50 players, but that character and 3-4 like her can handle that content between them.

Ahaha, there was one time, it was like a scene that needed Ride of the Valkyries as a soundtrack; 6 necromancers flew in, all landed and suddenly it was carnage, all 6 had without realising it, all brought minions. 6 necros each fielding 4-7 minions depending on build is suddenly a lot of players and helpers… necro squads don’t happen often but they are pretty heavily overpowered.

The other is a “charr”, a 10ft or so cat person whose personal motto is “if it bleeds, I can kill it”. Damage output is vastly superior but he’s squishier. Best when I’m not soloing things and just bring along the raw damage.

GW2 is pretty social and easy enough to get into.

GW2 looks like a great game. I just took a look at the Races, Professions and screen shots from the game. Great detail. My daughter is a die hard WOW player. Has been playing nearly 10 years; good grief, I can't imagine the hour log time.

I think it would be cool to capture another in screen recording of your scene moment like the one you had where you needed the Ride of the Valkyries Soundtrack to complement the activity carnage and damage, however, your experience sounds extraordinary and sometimes the memories are profound enough that you had that experience. I like the word Necromancer, though I looked at the necros and they looked mean.

I looked at the charr's too. They are really packed with armor and big teeth.


Lots of detail in this human pic from the GW2 website