Life can be stressful from time to time. If it gets to that point, one must chill and relax to keep sanity intact. There are many ways of relaxing, including gaming. Then you ask, what are the best relaxing games? I’ve listed 20 best relaxing games for you such as Journey, Stardew Valley, Abzu, Sims, Portia, and many other.
GAMES ALLOW PACIFIST RUN < Interesting games.
Since relaxation is not a mainstream genre in gaming, you’ve probably not heard of more than half of these games. But don’t worry, you’ll fell in love with them the moment you play. Be open-minded. Especially for the underrated hidden gems.
Chill and relax PC games:
1. Islanders
Islanders is the game I launch when I wanted to relax a bit via gaming. It’s a super minimalist strategy game about building cities on colorful islands.
The gameplay is quite simple. You start in a beautiful randomly generated island with couple of buildings in your inventory. As you place buildings on your island, you’ll gain reward points according to the surround’s buildings. Basically, the better you do city planning, the more points you get. Once your city gets big enough, you can jump to the next island.
Totally chill, cozy, and exceptionally relaxing. Therefore, I put it to number 1 on the relaxing games list.
2. A Short Hike
Here is another cozy game anyone would enjoy playing.
A Short Hike is all about exploring an artistically designed island. So, you hike, climb, and soar through the peaceful landscape, follow the market tails or explore the backcountry as you make your way to the summit.
We need to talk about the music too. Mark Sparling did a great job with the soundtrack of A Short Hike. You’ll fell in love with the music as it progress dynamically with your exploration level.
3. Superflight
Superflight is a relaxing, easy to learn wingsuit game with an infinite number of beautiful AI generated maps.
A run only takes half an hour. It’s enough time to relax. What’s more, you can try and beat your latest high score later on a different unique map.
There is something hugely satisfying about seamlessly gliding.
4. Abzu
2017 Bafta game awards nominee, I present you the Abzu, from the creators of Journey. It’s about a beautiful underwater adventure.
As you dive deep, you’ll see the beautiful beautiful world of underwater. You can’t say enough beautiful to describe such environment.
Many fascinating this to find out and witness in Abzu. Such as different biomes, unique species, epic seascapes, aquatic ecosystems, and even the ancient secrets.
5. Webbed
In Webbed you play as a tiny little spider and see the worth through its eyes.
Swing through the trees, spin sticky webs, and make friends with bugs of the jungle. Become the most adorable spider ever. But be careful, there are players in the jungle you can’t make friends with. Like a crow for example.
I really like the little dance you make while befriending the bugs. It’s cute, and heart warming, therefore you should play it when you need to relax.
6. Journey
Up next, one of my personal favorites, Journey. It’s my favorite because Journey is the most artistic video game ever. It’s literally flawless. Gliding though perfectly designed dunes, ruins, and mountains is a magical experience.
What’s more, you can share the Journey experience with a friend or a stranger thanks to the co-op mode.
7. Disney Dreamlight Valley
Most people don’t know about it but Disney got into gaming industry. Disney Dreamlight Valley is inviting you to a world filled with the magic of disney. You’ll explore, discover, and build perfect neighborhood alongside Disney and Pixar characters.
Create and customize your character and begin your new life in this life-sim adventure. In short, it’s Sims in Disney universe.
8. Cozy Grove
Cozy Grove is a cozy game to play!
Camp in an ever-changing haunted island, wander the forest, find secrets, craft, soothe local ghosts, and collect spirit animals. It’s similar to Animal Crossing in that regard.
Here is the thing about Cozy Grove, it’s synced to real world time. So, you can’t play it longer times. In order to enjoy it to the fullest, you’re presented with 30-60 minutes of new quest content each day.
9. Carto
First and not the last puzzle focused relaxing game of this is list is Carto. With its hand drawn graphics, beautiful music, and heartwarming story, Carto stands at the top.
What makes it unique is the world altering puzzle mechanic. There is no way to describe it accurately. Therefore, I highly urge you to check its steam page or watch a trailer.
Expect a 5-7 hour story and cozy gameplay from Carto.
10. The Last Campfire
The Last Campfire is a cute adventure, heavy on puzzles. A lost ember trapped in a puzzling place, searching for a meaning and a way home.
Travel, explore, and discover a beautiful wilderness willed with lost folk, strange creatures, and mysterious ruins.
Awards and accomplishments of this small game from small indie studio:
- BAFTA Games 2021 – Best British Game (Nomination)
- SXSW Awards 2021 – Indie Game of the Year (Nomination)
11. Stardew Valley
You’ve inherited your grandfather’s old farm plot in the country. So, what are you going to do?
Stardew Valley is the best farming RPG ever. It’s not a matter of opinion but a matter of fact. All the awards, playtimes, popularity, and reviews from both critics and players point to that.
You can farm, raise animals, fish, interact with locals, build relationships, and expand your farmhouse. Sometimes I wish I was living in the Stardew Valley instead of real life!
12. The Sims 4
The Sims 4 is the best life-simulation game you can find. It can be super relaxing too if you choose a relaxing life-path for your characters. To me, Island Living DLC is the best for chill gameplay.
Sims 4 is currently free-to-play on Steam. However, free version has no DLCs. Without DLCs, Sims 4 is an empty shell. But the thing is, Sims 4 has 66 DLCs and buying all would be super expensive. So, you might consider checking out internet for other means of unlocking DLCs.
13. House Flipper
House flipper is a general contractor & house flipper job simulation game. It’s quite satisfying also.
There is something relaxing about house renovation. That’s why there are house renovation reality shows airing on TV for casual viewers.
So, grab your tools, buy, repair, re-model, and sell for profit!
14. PowerWash Simulator
Why do we as humans find hydraulic press squeezing, power washing, and other similar things so satisfying? It’s always fascinated me.
PowerWash Simulator lets you release the pressure in your life with the soothing sounds of high-pressure water cleaning. Satisfaction guaranteed!
WHY PEOPLE PLAY JOB SIMULATION GAMES?
You can also play it co-op with your friends.
15. My Time at Portia
My Time at Portia is another relaxing farming RPG. It’s basically the 3d version of Stardew Valley. So, if you like the concept of Stardew Valley but not the 2d graphics, try My Time at Portia, you’ll love it.
Story is same too. You start your new life in Portia after inheriting your Pa’s neglected workshop and restore to its former glory.
16. Coffee Talk
Coffee brewing simulation mixes with talking simulation and then you get Coffee Talk.
The game is all about listening to modern peoples’ problems and giving them coffee as well as advice. It offers a cozy experience and enjoyed the best while drinking a hot cup of coffee yourself.
Once you’re done with it, you can play the Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly next.
17. Cloud Gardens
Cloud Gardens is a chill game about using plants to overgrow abandoned wasteland dioramas.
You’ll find lo-fi scenes, music, design, and gameplay highly satisfying and relaxing at the same time.
18. Flow
Flow or fl0w is one of those evolution games just like the cell phase of Spore. You find yourself in a deep blue abyss where bioluminescent creatures swim. In order to survive and evolve, you must explore, and eat the organisms that are smaller than you.
The game is available on PS3, PS4, PS VITA, and PC. PlayStation version of the game is beautiful. But can’t say the same for PC version. Still, PC version is a relaxing Spore like game. Also, free to play.
19. Lifeslide
Lifeslide is a game of gliding through multiple different environments sculpted artistically. Seamlessly gliding through beautiful landscape is quite relaxing, also addicting.
Its story is pretty unique too. You’ll be witnessing a paper plane’s journey through life and attaining a fraction of consciousness.
20. Onde
Onde will be the last game on this relaxing games list. I think we had a good run together. Anyways, Onde is more than a game, it’s an artistic masterpiece.
Its genre is puzzle platformer. See the trailer for better insight to the gameplay. There are some moments where you’ll be blown away by the visuals, fx, and music.
Free demo of Onde can be accessed via Steam.