11 Video Games for Relaxation

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We’ve all had days of stress, frustration and annoyance. We’ve all faced scenarios that leave us desperate for an escape, some relaxation. For some that can be watching a TV show or exercising, while others escape into the interactive digital world of video games. 

A good selection of video games are not what you would think of as relaxing, but there are some that do provide you with a calming, visually pleasing aesthetic to help provide the relaxation you’ve been seeking.

What is a relaxing game? 

Everyone has their own idea of what a relaxing game looks and feels like, I myself generally gravitate toward open world games where I can set aside the main mission for a little exploration and item collection when I need some relaxation from my hectic day. But the question is: What constitutes a relaxing video game? What makes it relaxing? Let’s find out!

Relaxing video games are games that have a slow pace. There is no time limit to reach the destination and you’re not forced to continue along a single path. They are easy to learn with simple mechanics, no difficult moves or really hard to reach paces.

Some relaxing video games can be cooperative, where you can build a village with other players, yet there is not competition between them. Everything around them within the video game is peaceful, no major violent or boss fights or even levels to conquer. They focus on calming music, amusing visuals and sceneries to create relaxation, which many search for within the gaming world.

Benefits of Playing Video Games 

Some may not believe that there are any benefits to playing video games let alone ones that deal with relaxation, but I can assure you there are. Not only does it work your hand-eye coordination, in the last two years, they’ve been a main source of entertainment and connection between family members.

Other benefits of playing relaxing video games are as follows:

• They can provide a sense of instant gratification with small accomplishments.
• They provide an opportunity to express yourselves creatively in games that allow you to build and create to your hearts content.
• The sound of mellow music that calms the soul
• They can alleviate loneliness as you can play online with others with the same interests.
• Pleasing visuals in setting, characters and more.
• Humor, who doesn’t need a laugh now and then.

11 Relaxing Video Games

There are many games out there that can provide the calm, relaxation gaming you’re looking for to provide a pleasant, relaxed, and fun afternoon.

What the Golf?

Developed by Triband, this game was originally published on Apple Arcade, but has sense been released on multiple other platforms.

This game is considered, “The golf game for people who hate golf”. Within the game, you are to navigate the green, completing each level of a world map. The world map contains section with themes and each section has level’s pertaining to the section theme.

What makes this game different from other golf games are the fact that the levels are meant to make fun of the game with ridiculous quirks and humor.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

One of the most well-known and popular games for relaxation is Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Developed by Nintendo, in this game you play as a human living in a village. In this village you are able to fish, decorate, hunt and socialize at your speed.

With the calming music and pleasing visuals, you can do what you want when you want in this world. There’s not time limit or requirements, but you can use the internal clock and calendar to simulate the passage of time.  

Tetris

The pioneer of puzzle games, Tetris, was first introduced as a computer game in 1984. The single player game “Embraces our universal desire to create order out of chaos”. The player is tasked with the mission to organize the decending Tetris tiles to keep them from reaching the top of the board.

Once the player has filled a row(s), they will disappear, leaving more room to build on top to fill in more rows. The longer the player can delay the board from filling the higher the points they will gain.

In more recent versions, you have a multiplayer option, where you must outlast your opponent.

The Sims 4

The Sims series has been out for quite some time, and now with the installment of number 4, things have progressed much further. Within the game you create the simulation of life building homes, having families, friends and generally just living life how you want in the digital world.

You can make choices for your character, buy items for their homes and so much more. You can junk anything you want and start over if you make a mistake or need a fresh look. 

I don’t know about you, but I’ve seen some crazy things in Sims 4 that make it hilarious and fun to play.

Pokemon Sword and Shield 

Oh, those fun little creatures that have been around for so long are still going strong in these two popular video games, Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield.

These are a fun, pleasant escape, with colorful cartoon-like regions where your trainer goes on quests to capture and train Pokemon. As they train, the compete in battles against other trainers and defeating other Pokemon in turn-based battles.

Discover, battle, and catch Pokémon at your own pace. Get lost in the expansive Wild Area or explore the game’s many vibrant towns while collecting Pokemon. 

Donut County

Donut County is a puzzle game where you are not a character at all, but a hole trying to swallow up objects. The more you swallow, the wider you get. The goal… to clear everything within the level.

In later levels, you use the hole and objects in different ways to complete the level. Such as draining water, obtaining a catapult to dislodge objects and triggers switches.  

Snow Runner

Snow Runner is an off-road simulation video game. Control off-road vehicles as you traverse location to complete missions. This open world game allows you to choose when to play mission and when you just want to traverse the world and see what’s out there.

Choose from 60 different vehicles and fifteen different locations to discover and maneuver through, helping the town after a disaster struck. Customize your vehicle and upgrade to better one.

Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker

You may know Captain Toad from the Mario series, but he’s upgraded to his own game! This bright, colorful game with a vertically challenged Toad will take you on an adventure through themed stages to collect coins, diamonds, and more.

Complete levels at your own pace, find pixel toad, play co-op and more.

A Short Hike

A Short Hike is an open world exploration game where the player is tasked with reaching the top of a mountain to get cellphone reception. With the ability to jog, climb, swim and glide through the open world while controlling a bird.

To reach the peak, the player must collect golden feathers that allow extra abilities found throughout the world. Explore the world and complete side missions or traverse up the mountain to complete the main quest. It’s completely up to you.

Jackbox Games

Jackbox Games are a riot of cooperative and competitive games from, quirky, humorous answers to hilarious drawings and more. Each pack has five games to choose from and you can play using any mobile device. There is also an option to have an audience way in on their opinions when there are more players and player spots for certain games.

From finding the truth in Fibbage to competing to make the best t-shirt, to cooperating as a devil family posing in a human neighborhood, there is something for everyone to enjoy!

Stardew Valley

Within this game, you as the character have traded city life for your grandfathers farm and are now in charge of it’s upkeep. The nice thing is that you can tackle the duties of the farm whenever and however you want. 

Travel the open world collecting items, meet other characters, get married and have a family. Grow crops, raise livestock, mine, and forage for materials and food. Take on various quests to earn money or obtain a collection of materials.

There is much to explore in Stardew Valley as you strive to make your grandfather’s farm prosper.

Final Thoughts

Everyone looks for a way to gain relaxation with their favorite hobby and gaming is one of mine. These games, unlike detailed open world games and first person shooters will allow you to calm your mind while still becoming invested in the world of the game.

The next time you’re looking for a way to relax, try out one of these games!