Throughout 2021’s ups and downs, these apps, games, and books helped us come together – and find new ways to tune into ourselves. They’re imaginative, engaging, and insightful: Presenting Play’s Best of 2021.

Balance caught our attention with its lovely, minimal design and kept us coming back with personalized meditation plans – customized to your goals, experience, current state, and age. You can also jump right into sessions on topics like gratitude, frustration, and eating. We love tracking the skills we’re developing (think: visualization and awareness), and winding down with a sweet sleep song or dream scene.

Even after 25 years, Pokémon is still capable of surprises. Pokémon Unite reinvents the competitive arena battler with tight controls, an accessible scoring system, and thoughtful tweaks to genre norms. It’s undoubtedly one of the most approachable multiplayer games out there right now. So, trainer, it’s time to pick your Pokémon and battle!