Mini-games are not just fun between the main tasks, but a genre in their own right that requires careful attention to design. Here are five signs by which you can identify a quality mini-game.
- Clear purpose and ease of mastery
A good minigame should have a clear objective that is clear at a glance. The player should immediately understand what is required of them, whether it’s collecting items, solving a puzzle, or overcoming obstacles. The ease of mastering allows you to quickly immerse yourself in the process and enjoy the game without a long learning curve.
- Intuitive controls
Controls should be simple and natural. The absence of complex button combinations or gestures allows the player to focus on the game itself rather than the mechanics of the controls. This is especially important for mobile mini-games, where control is often reduced to a single tap or swipe.
- Gradual increase in difficulty
A mini-game should offer the player a challenge that gradually increases in difficulty. With each level or stage, the difficulty should increase, offering new mechanics or obstacles. This keeps the player’s interest and motivates them to keep playing.
- Brevity with replayability
Mini-games are usually short, allowing you to quickly complete them in one sitting. However, they should be engaging enough that the player wants to go back and complete them again, perhaps with a better score or in less time.
- Absence of annoying elements
A quality mini-game should not overwhelm the player with intrusive ads, complicated microtransactions, or the need for a constant internet connection. It should be accessible and enjoyable without distracting from the main gameplay.
Examples of such games include Two Dots, where the player connects identical dots, and Block Blast, where you have to fill lines with blocks. Both games offer simple controls, clear goals, and the ability to replay with improving scores.
