THE COMMUTE IS often seen as just a dreary necessity of the work day.

But it’s also a prime time to download some of these smartphone games and really make your  commute fly by.

But keep an eye out for your stop, would you?

1. If you need a bit of a brain workout

If you’re not too tired after work and you fancy something challenging for your brain, this game is full of mind-bending puzzles and beautiful artwork as well as a fully-realised world created without much dialogue or story.

Monument Valley
For: iOS, Android
Cost: €3.99 on iOS, €2.99 on Android

2. If you’re into nostalgia

The old-school graphics on  You Must Build A Boat are definitely not flash, but it will bring you back to the glory days of your first console. It’s easy enough to play in five minute increments – although it’s so addictive you probably won’t be able to stop after just five.

You Must Build a Boat
For: iOS, Android
Cost: €2.99

3. If you’re an Angry Bird lover

Angry Birds took the world by storm for being ridiculously addictive, and now – just when you thought you’d kicked the habit – there is Angry Birds 2.

Download at your peril.

Angry Birds 2
For: iOS, Android
Cost: Free

4. If you’re a Lara Croft fan

Guide Lara through caverns, tombs and other dangerous haunts as she fights monsters and other baddies in this short game of clever puzzles. Praised for its graphics and attention to detail, this one will keep you going for a good while.

Lara Croft Go
For: iOS, Android
Cost: €4.99

5. If you need something Tetris-like

This is a puzzle game that’s completely addictive. It’s a bit like Tetris but not exactly. You have to fill lines both horizontally and vertically in an effort to destroy them and in doing all that problem-solving you’re also training your brain.

Win win.

1010!
For: iOS, Android
Cost: Free

6. If you need a little therapy

Ok, not real therapy, but flinging marbles at glass is a good way to get out any tension without getting yourself in trouble in the real world. You move through different rooms to progress and the difficulty level rises pretty quickly.

Smash Hit
For: iOS, Android
Cost: Free

7. If you need to relax…

If you’re the type who needs your commute to be a little calmer then Prune is the game for you. It involves you trying to grow plants in unforgiving environments, helping them to reach the sun.

Prune
For: iOS, Android, Windows Phone
Cost: €3.99

Have you any games suggestions worth playing on your commute? Let us know in the comments below.

Have you enough distraction to get you all the way home? Here’s another way to make your commute as pleasant as possible – head over to Transport for Ireland and check out the National Journey Planner. No matter where you’re going around Ireland, the National Journey Planner helps you plan and cost your public transport options using your browser or mobile phone. Transport for Ireland - your journey starts here.