Best of 2021

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.
Best App
Balance: Meditation & Sleep
Elevate Labs
In-app purchases
4.7
45.5K reviews
1M+
Downloads
Content rating
Everyone
  1. 1
    Calm your mind, reduce stress, and improve sleep with meditations personalized to suit your specific needs
  2. 2
    Access a library of meditations throughout the day or answer questions and let the app choose for you
  3. 3
    Use 10-day plans featuring techniques like breathing exercises and badges for progress towards your goals
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
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.
Best Game
Pokémon UNITE
The Pokémon Company
In-app purchases
4.5
1.74M reviews
50M+
Downloads
Content rating
Everyone 10+
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
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!
Users’ Choice App
Paramount+
CBS Interactive, Inc.
Contains adsIn-app purchases
3.9
442K reviews
10M+
Downloads
Content rating
Teen
  1. 1
    Stream live sports, popular movies, and CBS, MTV, BET, Nickelodeon, and Comedy Central shows
  2. 2
    Create up to six individual profiles for members of your household including a Kids Mode feature
  3. 3
    Save your faves to My List or, with the Premium plan, watch your local CBS station live
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Users’ Choice Game
Free Fire MAX
Garena International I
In-app purchases
4.4
26.7M reviews
500M+
Downloads
Content rating
Mature 17+
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image
Screenshot image