Nathan Snoq, Gamers Guide 11:32 a.m. MT June 14, 2017

A scene from "Tsuro."(Photo: Submitted)

The concept of relaxing video games is a tough one to pin down. Many people out there who enjoy video games say that they like them because they provide a release- a way to forget the stresses of the day and get lost in a fantasy world. Yet, if youve ever taken the time to really look at someones face as they are playing a game then you will see that they rarely, if ever, have that peaceful, spa-day smile. Most video-game faces are either blank masks of concentration or gruesome contortions of frustration. Now, while there can be something relaxing about the total immersion that video games offer, even when the game is challenging, it is still rare to find a game that advertises itself as a peaceful experience and then actually delivers.

A scene from "Tsuro."(Photo: Submitted)

Such is the case with Tsuro, a mobile version of the immensely popular tabletop game. This is essentially a tile-placing game, with each square tile having two possible paths connecting to it and lines running over it. As you lay down more tiles you create longer, winding paths around the board. Given the amount of tiles there are and the number of shapes the possibilities for paths you can take are limitless, giving the game great replay value. The objective of the game changes between one of three different game modes, though in all of them the main goal is to stay on the board and place as many tiles as possible before you run out of room and your path leads you off the game. The challenge comes in planning out your moves in advance to stay on the board as long as possible, all the while adapting to tiles your opponents might place and thinking of ways you can run them off the board.

A scene from "Tsuro."(Photo: Submitted)

Tsuro is that rare blend of a game that is at once genuinely relaxing while being challenging at the same time. The beautiful art, soothing music, and overall minimalist aesthetic and strategy make this a game that can be genuinely relaxing. However, as soon as your opponent places a wrong tile in your path that ruins your plans to make a large loop and win the game all of that relaxation flies out the window and you find yourself silently, serenely, cursing the other player and immediately start plotting your revenge. While the one downside of the game is that the simple game design and gentle music does tend to get a little sleepy, the overall effect is relaxing, yet challenging: a difficult combination.

There is no objectionable content throughout the game.

3 out of 5 stars

At once peaceful yet challenging and a little frustrating, Tsuro impresses with its minimalist-yet-inexhaustible game design. Available on most mobile devices for $2.99.

Nathan Snow is a freelance writer for Where Its @.Follow him on twitter @nathanssnow

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'Tsuro': As close as we'll ever get to a truly zen-like game - St. George Daily Spectrum