10 Relaxing Games to Pretend Things Aren’t as Bad as They Really Are
Life got you down? If you’ve been looking for a ‘brain off’ game to play but don’t want it to become your whole personality, these are the ones I recommend.
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There are too many people expecting me to be fully present for them and I just can’t right now. Too many expectations and responsibilities. I’m overwhelmed. Do you feel the same?
My usual games aren’t helping me relax so I decided to find some that would.
I tried Stardew Valley but I didn’t know where to start. I tried A Little to the Left again but the puzzles frustrated me. What I want are some relaxing games that are simple. And by simple I mean so basic that I can play it without using any brain power whatsoever.
Forget Sudoku or Tetris. I need a game that’s easy but also, not too hard. A game that tickles my brain just enough to stop me getting bored.
Am I asking too much, do you think? Does such a game even exist?
What are the most relaxing games to play when you’re burnt out?
There are 3 types of games I always reach for when I’m stressed out from work, or just peopled out in all honesty. Those games are:
- Sandbox Games. Sandboxes come in all shapes and sizes. Some give you total freedom, like Townscaper, where there’s no goal at all, just plop down buildings and admire your little seaside masterpiece. No pressure, no plot, not even a menu, really. You can find a list of sandbox games here.
- Instant Games. Zero downloads, just pick up and play. Playables are YouTubes answer to Netflix games. These instant games don’t require any downloads, instead you play them inside the YouTube app. Find out my top picks.
- Quick Cozy Games. I have a collection of short games that are perfect for your lunch break, commute, or quiet evening cup of tea. Whether you’ve got 10 mins or 30, these relaxing games are easy to pick up and put down.
And from those three types, I’ve pulled together 10 relaxing games that nail the cozy vibe for when life gets a bit too much. You’ll find a mixture of Steam, Nintendo Switch and Mobile here. Let’s get into them.
Top 10 Relaxing Games for Stress Relief
1
Coral Island
It’s time to leave the stresses of big-city life behind and start a new chapter of your life on Coral Island! It’s basically Stardew Valley, but with realistic graphics.
Be who you want to be and live that laid-back idyllic farm life. There’s no better way to switch off after a long day than with tending crops, feeding your animals, and taking a dip with some merfolk. Help revitalize the nearby town and its surrounding coral reefs, and forge relationships with a vibrant community of more than 70 fellow people who call Coral Island home.
Coral Island is available on Steam
2
Tiny Glade
Tiny Glade is a relaxing free-form building game. Have you ever wanted to live in your very own idyllic cottage or fairytale castle? Well, now you can.
You can escape your worries by building something pretty with no management, no combat, or wrong answers. Simply sit back, doodle some castles, and turn forgotten meadows into lovable dioramas. Oh, and don’t forget to pet the sheep.
Tiny Glade is available on Steam
3
Camper Van: Make it Home
Camper Van: Make it Home is for anyone whose used up all their annual leave and needs a mental escape. This zen decorating game gives you the satisfaction of organizing cute little items in your van ready to hit the road. There’s no timers, just finding an ideal place for each object.
Play at your own pace, without pressure; this is a meditative and creative experience. Adapt the van to the different destinations you’ll reach. Travel to the beach, visit a snowy plain, settle in the forest, and stop by cliffs during the different stages of your journey.
Camper Van: Make it Home is available on Steam and Nintendo Switch
4
My Perfect Hotel
My Perfect Hotel is an idle game I’ve been playing on my lunch breaks. You manage your own tiny hotel with the goal of building your hotel empire! This time-management game is ideal to waste away 10 minutes or so of your day.
Check in guests, clean their rooms and collect all their tips. It’s as simple as that. When you start to grow you can hire staff to make your life easier. I found this quite addictive in all honesty and finished the game on YouTube Playables rather quickly.
My Perfect Hotel is available on YouTube, iOS and Android
5
Tile Garden: Tiny Home Design
Tile Garden : Tiny Home Design is a match-3 game about designing your cute home and garden. Described as “reminiscent of mahjong except without penalties” by one reviewer, you’ll zone out playing this zen game.
Match tiles to clear the levels and earn items to complete your cozy home diorama. Keep an eye out in the shop for free daily gifts.
Tile Garden: Tiny Home Design is available on iOS and Android
6
Design Home: House Makeover
Live your home décor and interior designer dreams with the world’s top brands and designers on Design Home. Build, remodel, renovate, and decorate your dream home in this cosy simulation game. Now with throws, wallpaper and curtains!
I’ve been playing this mobile game for year. Whenever I need a break from my work I find a live challenge to enter and get lost in all the fabulous furnishings. It’s like shopping without spending my money. Master interior design, curate a gallery, or fine tune your tablescaping. Make Design Home the house game & simulator for your virtual room planner or garden design escape.
Design Home: House Makeover is available on iOS and Android
7
My Cozy Room
My Cozy Room is a relaxing sandbox game where you can kick back and decorate your dream spaces. Whether it’s a cozy bedroom, a stylish kitchen, or a playful kids’ room, the game provides the tools and freedom to unleash creativity.
With no timers, this cozy game is perfect for winding down after a stressful day. You don’t need to be gamer to play this as it’ll feel familiar to anyone who plays games on mobile. You have over 500 furniture and decoration items plus 30 wallpapers so you won’t get bored, but also there’s not too much choice either. Sometimes I find decorating games with too many options overwhelming.
My Cozy Room is available on Nintendo switch, Steam, PlayStation and Xbox
8
Cozy Kingdom
Take a deep breath and breathe out as you step into the peaceful world of Cozy Kingdom. This new game wants you to roam.
With no combat, no timers, and no stress your only goal is to uncover hidden locations and landmarks. With soothing music and ambient sounds you can melt your stress away for 5 minutes or 5 hours. You choose.
Cozy Kingdom is available on Nintendo switch
9
A Short Hike
A Short Hike is a tiny exploration game. Your only goal is to walk to the top of a mountain to call your mum.
It’s a sweet little game that can be completed in a couple of hours. A Short Hike is a regular in my gaming rotation because it just makes me smile. The graphics have a nostalgic quality to them and I like how simple the story is. I’ve spent more time zipping around on my tiny boat than searching for feathers. It’s exactly what I need after a long day of city life irl.
A Short Hike is available on Nintendo switch, Steam, Xbox and PlayStation
10
Alba: A Wildlife Adventure
Join young Alba as she visits her grandparents on a Mediterranean island. She is ready for a peaceful summer of wildlife exploration with her friend Ines, but when she sees an animal in danger, she realises she needs to do something about it.
Alba is described as a Chillectathon – collect all the things and enjoy a peaceful stroll around an idyllic island. Honestly, it’s a feel-good game about running around and doing good deeds. Clean up the island and save it from being turned into a holiday resort.
Alba: A Wildlife Adventure is available on Nintendo switch, Steam, Xbox and PlayStation
More Chill Games to Try
10 Best Low-Energy Games to Help You Rest Easy (Nintendo Switch Edition)
You’re allowed to pause, breathe, and take time for yourself. I hope I can help you feel a bit more grounded with one of these games today. I’ve listed some lovely “brain-off” cozy games that will let you escape from the world for a bit.
31 Puzzle Games Like A Little to the Left
Here is your list of cozy puzzle games like A Little to the Left that seamlessly blends wholesome gameplay with the art of organization.
As an INFP, Wendy is always late for her house. Her wardrobe is stuffed with snuggly jim-jams, and her hot water bottle is her best friend. Wendy enjoys playing a little bit of everything, but she'll always prefer to unwind with simulation and management games.
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