15 games to challenge your mind

Do you feel your brain is going round in circles? Want to get out of automatic mode and really challenge yourself? Good news: there are games that get your neurons firing, boost your memory and sharpen your logic. According to a study by the Université de Montréal, playing puzzle games improves concentration and delays cognitive aging. Whether you're a fan of strategy, puzzles or board games, this list will give you plenty of brainpower. Ready to take up the challenge? Here are 15 games to try out to challenge your mind and stand out from the crowd.

Looking for a strategy game that takes you out of your comfort zone? Dive into Tentlan, where you build your own Mayan civilization. Here, every decision counts: resource management, alliances, military planning... This online game encourages you to anticipate, analyze and optimize. Perfect for those who like to think before they act. Bonus: you can take on other players and see who really has the sharpest brain!

Chess is the cerebral sport par excellence. According to Chess.com, over 600 million people play it worldwide! The game develops memory, concentration and the ability to anticipate. Every game is different and requires constant adaptation. If you really want to challenge yourself, join a local club or compete online. Chess guarantees you'll never be bored, and you'll always progress.

If you like management games and strategy, Rise of Cultures will captivate you. You develop your own civilization, manage your resources and compete against other players. This game requires planning, logic and a good dose of creativity to evolve. Ideal for those who want to challenge themselves while having fun and learning about the history of great civilizations.

Sudoku is the perfect game to boost your logic and concentration. According to a Japanese study, solving sudokus regularly improves working memory by 20%. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, there are levels to suit everyone. Grab a newspaper, download an app or print out some grids: sudoku is the ideal companion to keep you busy during your coffee breaks.

Scrabble is much more than a word game. It stimulates your memory, enriches your vocabulary and develops your ability to think strategically. According to the French-speaking International Scrabble Federation, playing regularly improves your speed of thought. Challenge your friends or play online to see who has the best lexicon. Perfect for guys' nights out or to impress at a 5 à 7!

Codenames is a brain-bending word association game. You have to guess words from clues given by your teammate. This game develops logic, communication and the ability to think outside the box. Ideal for evenings out with friends, or to break the ice at an event. Get ready for some memorable laughs and head-scratching!

Brain Out is the app that surprises you on every level. The puzzles are offbeat, sometimes absurd, but always challenging. This mobile game has been downloaded over 100 million times worldwide! It tests your logic, creativity and ability to think outside the box. Perfect to keep you busy on the subway, or to challenge your friends from a distance.

7 Wonders Duel is the ideal board game for intellectual duels. You build your civilization, develop technologies and try to outdo your opponent. This game has won over 30 international prizes and is renowned for its strategic depth. Perfect for an evening out with friends, or to test who, you or your rival, has the best long-term vision.

Portal 2 is the video game that combines reflection, logic and humor. The puzzles are ingenious and require real mental gymnastics. According to Steam, it's one of the best-rated puzzle games of the decade. Whether you play solo or in co-op, each level challenges you to find creative solutions. A must-have for video game fans who want to challenge themselves in a different way.

Unlock! lets you experience an escape game... without leaving your home. The scenarios are varied, and the puzzles require observation, logic and team spirit. This card game has attracted over a million players worldwide. Perfect for an evening out with friends or family, and to test your ability to solve problems under pressure.

Azul is the board game that combines reflection and visual beauty. You have to compose mosaics, optimizing every move. This game won the Spiel des Jahres, the highest distinction for board games. It develops planning, logic and priority management skills. Ideal for those who enjoy brain-teasing challenges and appreciate elegant design.

Hanabi is the cooperative game where you have to create the most beautiful fireworks display... without seeing your own cards! It develops memory, communication and the ability to anticipate the actions of others. This game won the Spiel des Jahres in 2013 and remains a favorite among board game fans. Perfect for building team spirit and testing your memory under pressure.

Carcassonne is the game where you build a medieval landscape tile by tile. It requires planning, logic and a keen sense of opportunism. With over 12 million copies sold, it's a must-have for strategy fans. Perfect for an evening out with friends, or for introducing newcomers to puzzle games.

Mastermind is the deduction game par excellence. You have to guess your opponent's secret combination in as few tries as possible. This game develops logic, patience and the ability to analyze clues. According to BoardGameGeek, it has been one of the best puzzle games for over 40 years. Ideal for those who like a fast-paced, intense challenge.

Tetris is the cult video game that has exercised the brains of millions of players since 1984. It improves hand-eye coordination, decision-making speed and stress management. According to a study by Plymouth University, playing Tetris reduces anxiety and boosts concentration. Perfect for a quick break or to beat your own record and end the day with your brain on fire!