There's nothing like playing a game to pass the time and occupy your brain. After all, the evenings can be long when you don't have much planned, and it's an easy way to put your mind to use. However, recently, fans have been raving about three free games that have left them "hooked" for a surprising reason. They're super cosy, easy to use and are good options to get stuck into. If you're looking for a different game to try out soon, they may be worth a whirl - after all, they've been dubbed "favourites" by online gaming fans.

Katie Louise shared the games on , and they're available to play on iOS and andriod at no cost. They've been dubbed as "lovely choices" by people who have enjoyed attempting to master them.

In this game, gamers need to help Thumblings construct the village of their dreams. Start at the very beginning and build a lovely community of adventurers, explorers, crafters and enjoyers who live in the forest.

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In the game you can create a village, work to build houses and stores - plus lots of things the Thubmlings need to make life easier. You can also explore various unknown lands.

The aim is to thrive under the careful watch of neighbours, as well as the mighty Guardians who work to protect the village from potential danger.

On , one reviewer of the game said: "I just downloaded Fairy Village and I love it. I played Pocket Love some time ago and it was cute, but not for me, while the fantasy cute setting in Fairy Village is just perfect."

Another added: "This game is out on iOS and incredibly addicting. I hate most mobile games, but this one has me in a chokehold."

Another cosy game people are raving about is Hamster Inn. It's basically an adorable management and care game where you get to run the Hamster Inn, as well as look after its adorable guests.

Jobs include cleaning the rooms, delivering the keys and cooking the food. You have to ensure the inn meets the standards of both your furry and non-furry guests.

One person wrote on social media: "Hamster Inn is a delightful 2D management game where you oversee an inn run by hamsters, catering to woodland creatures in a cosy setting. This charming game offers a tranquil experience, allowing you to transform the humble inn into a bustling hub of comfort.

"While the game exudes cuteness and simplicity, managing the inn involves a mix of active and passive tasks. Despite some staff inefficiencies, Hamster Inn remains a charming and engaging experience, perfect for those seeking a relaxing yet immersive management adventure in a whimsical world."

Cats & Soup is said to be the perfect game for cat lovers. The game features various cats, and they all have their individual abilities and characteristics. You can place them in your forest.

Acting as the owner and manager of this unique forest kitchen, players have to work to help a team of adorable and talented cats as they make delicious soups and other dishes. You can start with easy soups, and then develop the business by flogging dishes and unlocking new stations.

Even when you're not playing, your cats will keep trying to earn you gold. They do all they can to keep the kitchen in action.

Though the game is free to play, some admitted they decided to make in-app purchases as time went on. One Reddit user said: "I pay to play, probably too much, certainly more than I intended to when I first downloaded it.

"Having said that, I don’t regret it. I Iove the game, and use it to relax. I figure I’d rather spend on this than buy take away coffees as I get more enjoyment out of the game, but that’s not the same for everyone - we all enjoy different things."

Someone else added: "I've always been strictly free to play with mobile games but, with that being said, this game has been so much fun I'm actually going to buy some of the packages. I'm currently debating between getting the delivery mole or the fishing penguin."