Nowadays I find a lot of games feel like too much work and/or anxiety when I just want to relax for like, 30 minutes to an hour after a long day. On the other hand, the games specifically designed to help you unwind just feel boring imo.

In the past I’ve felt like Outer Wilds scratched this itch, cause the whole experience was engaging but generally relaxed. There was a mystery that kept me hooked and the exploration and movement was fun in and of itself. I also felt like Subnautica filled this role since it was very much at my own pace, with anxiety producing portions which could for the most part be avoided or minimized, and also there was a clear objective to fulfill, get off the planet.

So what games do you play when you just wanna relax?

  • MonkeytennisEnglish
    12•1 year ago

    I got deeply into this (genre?) when I burned out on a combination of playing big/tough games and the stresses of life. I also enjoyed the pace of Outer Wilds and Subnautica. Some other favourites:

    • Supraland 1/2 (low combat, light hearted metroidvania, I loved it)
    • Psychonauts 2 (amazing adventure game, big but not hard. I loved collecting everything, it was a great balance)
    • Tinykin (similar adventure, a bit like Pikmin, which is also great. Lots of chilled collecting)
    • Spiritfarer (lots of freedom, loose plot, not overwhelming)
    • Breath of the Wild (do what you want, very nice discovery elements)
    • TOEM, A Short Hike, GRIS and Cocoon (light adventure / puzzle games, peaceful but could be boring if you want action)
    • Yokus Island Express (lovely metroidvania, chilled gameplay, not overwhelming)
    • It Takes two (humour, light combat - played with my young son)
    • Unravel 1/2 (easy-ish puzzles)
    • Weirdly, I found Sniper Elite 4/5 fairly chill, lots of scoping out areas
    • Overcooked 2 (zero stress if you play practice mode a ton before attempting a level. I found it a very zen/flow game)
    • Peggle 1/2 (can be frustrating, but is very low stakes and arcadey. Lovely for short sessions)
    • Wilmots Warehouse (can be stressful if you take the timer seriously, but I loved all the organising. Very satisfying)
    • Vampire Survivors (can get a bit much, but pretty simple and disposable)

    There are tons more, I deal with a lot of anxiety!

    Some games I was recommended for this purpose that didn’t land for me:

    • Powerwash sim / other simulators (these feel like a second job for me. Constant grind and focus on perfection wasn’t helpful)
    • Tetris Evolution / Lumines (either gets too fast / hard, or gets boring)
    • Stardew / Terraria (in theory these look great, but I find huge sandboxes too overwhelming. Always feels like I should be doing more stuff / doing it better)
    • Roguelikes (I like Hades, Dead Cells, etc, but they’re very stressful and frustrating when so much hinges on survival)

    Finally, I’d suggest trying a solo board game. More tactile and relaxing alternative to screen time.