Are you looking for the best relaxing games to play when you need a break? Then you’ve come to the right place.
Gaming can be a great way to relax and unwind. There are tons of games out there that will help to take your mind off of the stresses of life and allow you to relax into the world of the game you’re playing. Everyone has a different idea of relaxation, so this list includes several different types of games—some more intense than others—and will give you some fun options to play when your stress level is too high or if you just need a break!
Here are the best relaxing games we’re taking a look at today:
Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is a farming simulator, which means that many players spend most of their time tending to crops and animals to make money. The story is simple: you inherit a farm from your grandfather and leave your big city job to go tend to it. The goal is to turn this neglected piece of land into something beautiful while also befriending the local townsfolk and improving Pelican Town.
The game has a lot going for it: there are tons more features than just farming, including fishing and mining as well as events like festivals where players can participate and interact with the NPCs in the game. You can even romance many of the characters! If you’re looking for something relaxing but still challenging enough to keep you interested, this game should definitely be on your list.
Minecraft
Minecraft is a sandbox game that allows players to explore a vast, randomly generated world and build virtually anything out of blocks. This is a great game solo or with friends and with more and more being added to the game it seems like every day, there are always new things to explore and do. With features like farming, mining, building, enchantments, and combat, this game has a lot to offer to virtually any type of player.
When it comes to relaxing, I recommend two modes: peaceful and creative. In peaceful mode, there are no hostile mobs — meaning, no monsters spawn to kill you! You can run around and mine to your heart’s content without worrying about a creeper or skeleton around every corner. In creative mode, you have free reign over the terrain. Rather than progressing through the world, you simply build things. This is a great option if you’re just looking for a creative outlet. Of course, there are plenty of people who even find survival mode relaxing, so find a play mode that works best for you!
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Animal Crossing is an adorable little game that can be played by anyone and everyone, regardless of age or gender. If you somehow missed the Pandemic Bandwagon on this one, it’s never too late to hop on. While you can invite friends to your island (or visit theirs!) this game is just as fun solo. You can gather your local fruits and flowers, befriend the villagers, go fishing or deep sea diving, and even dig for fossils! As you progress through the game, you’ll even get to explore other far-off islands to find different fruits, flowers, and villagers to bring back home.
For me, Animal Crossing is super relaxing and fun, and there’s also something about it that makes me feel like I’m far away taking a break on my very own private island. There are no real rules in this game—you can do whatever the hell you want basically without consequence, so dress how you want, decorate how you want, and build those cliffs to your little heart’s content. Everything can easily be changed (so long as you have enough Bells, wink-wink,) so there’s no real pressure about getting it right the first time.
The Sims 4
The Sims is a life simulation game where you can play as a single character or a whole family. In the “Live Mode” of the game, you have to manage their daily lives and make sure they have all their needs met. There’s also a “Build Mode,” where you can create your own house and decorate it however you want! The way you play The Sims is going to vary based on what you prefer, of course!
I love to create a Sim and follow them through their life: from school to a career to having a family (or pets) while watching the most ridiculous scenarios unfold in Live Mode. I rarely ever touch Build Mode and typically use the prebuilt homes in the game; I just redecorate! My friend, on the other hand, is a HUGE building fan! They almost exclusively craft mind-blowing builds in The Sims without ever playing in Live Mode. Both modes offer a lot to the player and can be incredibly relaxing, depending on which style of gameplay you prefer. There’s really no pressure in either mode and if something happens, you can easily create a new Sim or build a new home!
Genshin Impact
Genshin Impact may not be for everybody, with its gacha-style character unlock system, but overall it is definitely one of my top games for relaxing. In this action RPG, you wander the world with your characters, fighting monsters and criminals with various weapon types, while trying to reunite with your lost sibling. There’s a story mode and also quests that you can play through to progress the story and earn in-game currency.
But what truly makes Genshin Impact relaxing to me? The atmosphere. The scenery in this game is downright beautiful and the music composition is, too. I could probably spend an entire real-world day just walking around the map to see different views and hear the soundtrack change from location to location. To truly get the most relaxation benefit from this game, I recommend focusing on gathering materials like plants, ores, and animal meat, rather than fighting through the story. But hey, if that’s what relaxes you, you do you!
I do have one note about this game! As I mentioned, it does have a gacha-style character unlock system that uses in-game currency to randomize which characters you earn. You can use actual money to purchase the currency or you can earn it by playing the game. I, personally, have not spent a dime on this game and have enjoyed it completely free of charge. However, this type of system can be difficult for people who struggle with a gambling addiction, so if that’s you I recommend steering clear from this one!
Journey
Journey is an indie adventure game that I myself have never actually played, but it was recommended to me SO MANY TIMES by so many people for this list. Obviously, I had to include it. From what I have been told, it is an incredibly calming and relaxing game, with gameplay mechanics that are both simple and challenging at the same time.
The trailer makes this seem like a beautiful yet simple adventure where the player must traverse the world to find certain waypoints and complete puzzles and quests to finish the journey. I can absolutely see this being one of my top relaxing games in the future and I cannot wait to give it a try. Thank you to everyone who recommended it!
Conclusion: Gaming Can Be a Great Way to Relax
Gaming is a great way to relax. Gaming can be a form of meditation, and it’s easy to see why: when you’re immersed in the world of your favorite game, you don’t have to worry about anything going on outside of that experience. You can let go of all your problems and just focus on what is happening within the game—and while this may not be an ideal way to relax for everyone, it’s an option worth considering if you want some time off from the stressors of life.
Gaming also provides an escape from reality, which can help relieve stress in many ways! It allows us all access into another world where we can feel safe without having any responsibilities or worries hanging over our heads; this can make us happier overall because there is not as much pressure weighing down on us during those moments we’re in the game.
When it comes down to it, I highly recommend gaming as a way to relax and unwind. I hope you find this list of my best relaxing games helpful and maybe give some of these games a shot! If you have a favorite game you play to relax that didn’t make the list, let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear from you 🥰