The best puzzle games for a short commute

Commute games have a specific job: they need to load fast, play in short bursts, and never punish you for closing the app when your stop arrives. A lot of otherwise great puzzle games fail that last test badly.

Volcane Spins is a great example of getting it right — every level is a couple of minutes, and it saves instantly. Lantern Hollow, on the other hand, is better saved for longer sits since it's more atmospheric and slow.

Look for games with clear stage breaks rather than one endless board. Stage breaks give you natural stopping points, which is exactly what you want when the train doors are about to open.

And trust your instinct on difficulty. A commute puzzle should engage you, not stress you out. If a game leaves you frustrated by the time you arrive at work, it's the wrong game for the job.