Summary
Sometimes you just want to disconnect from everything and find a genre of game that can help you relax. While some genres are obviously going to fill you with that zen that you need to get up in the morning, there are also others that you wouldn’t expect to be relaxing until you try them for yourself.
Relaxation can be achieved through multiple methods depending on what is causing you stress. Luckily, there are plenty of genres and games that can tackle each individual woe. Whether you’re trying to chill and watch a show in the background or just want to do repetitive tasks, here are eight of the most relaxing video game genres.
8Farming Sims
The Cozy Game Staple
Farming simulators are often regarded as the epitome of relaxing games. They take you to a stress-free world where all you really need to worry about is making friends and growing crops. Of course, real-life farming is no easy picnic, but in the realm of gaming, it is a nice relaxing activity to do as you sip a warm cup of hot chocolate.
Farming simulators also have unique twists and turns that can either change the setting entirely or give you stylized visuals to enjoy. In some cases, you can even farm with friends, allowing you all to relax at the same time.
7Puzzle Games
Focus On Puzzles Instead
Puzzle games might require more brain power, but sometimes that’s just what the doctor ordered. Not all methods of relaxation require low stakes. Sometimes you need to keep yourself preoccupied so that you don’t stay focused on negative thoughts. This is how puzzle games can help you.
While you are focusing on finding the combination needed to open a locked box or wait to place falling pieces into their perfect spot, you’ll block out everything as the game envelops you. The genre has plenty of titles from reimagined classics to mystery-solving masterpieces. One thing is for sure, you’ll be too occupied to stress out.
6Walking Simulators
Enjoy The Scenery
While walking simulators are often joked about, games that actually belong in the genre can be some of the most relaxing. Walking Simulators don’t require much in terms of gameplay and focus more on you going from point A to point B while completing some sort of task.
In some cases, this task can be listening to another character over the radio or finding clues to unravel a mystery. Often you won’t have to deal with enemies at all but rather bask in the scenery and learn more about the story by picking up notes. With great sound design, this can help you become fully immersed as you leave your world and enter a more relaxing one.
5Side Scrollers
Stomp On Enemies While Relaxing
Side scrollers are often simplegames that have stylized graphics. The only thing you have to worry about is getting from one part of the stage to the other end of the stage. Some games don’t even have stories that require your constant attention but just let you get lost in the gameplay.
However, not all sidescrollers are exactly the same, with some games in the genre being more relaxing than others. So find an art style that you like and a platform where you’re able to easily enjoy it on then spend the day jumping on shells, gathering collectibles, or running at the speed of sound.
4Clicker Games
Just Watch The Numbers Grow
Clicker Gameshave some of the simplest functions and gameplay mechanics. Simply click on an object to generate a resource. Keep clicking and watch those numbers go higher and higher. The clicker game genre often doesn’t even require you to keep manually clicking, with upgrades often being one of the gameplay elements to improve the speed of your resource generation.
There is something so satisfying about watching a counter go up. Buying upgrades that help that counter go up even faster provides relief as you break your previous record faster than before. So click away and watch that counter get to the millions.
3Shooters
A Surprisingly Calming Genre
One genre that is surprisingly relaxing is the shooter genre. While many games like to bolster how competitive they are, many don’t require that much skill to actually enjoy. Instead, you can simply run around, shoot enemies, and attempt to land on the leaderboard.
Because you are just doing mindless tasks and don’t have to pay attention to a story, you can easily watch a show or play music in the background, making it the perfect time-wasting activity for multitasking. From round-based survival games to first-person shooters, some games even have casual modes such as free-for-all that lower the stakes even more.
2Visual Novels
Games For Story Lovers
While focusing on repetitive gameplay can help you relax, sometimes what you crave is a story and characters to fall in love with.Visual novelsare a relaxing genre because they focus on storytelling and character interaction rather than fast-paced action or complex mechanics. The only skill you really need is the ability to read and click something every now and then.
The real challenge is choosing the right dialogue, which is often completely up to the player. Just choose what comes naturally, and the genre often caters the story in a direction more suited to your playstyle and decision-making.
1Adventure Games
Explore Breathtaking Worlds
Adventure games have some of the most calming atmospheres of all time. Though you need to know where to look. Some games offer high-stakes adventures. Other titles can have dark moments as well, but the artistic direction, music, and atmosphere can help you get lost in the world. Before you know it, you spend the whole day relaxing.
There are plenty of relaxing titles in the Adventure genre, from deep-sea exploration games to atmospheric fantasies that help you leave your world behind. Even some that might have more complex gameplay styles are still considered calming entries due to the way the game presents the world.
