30 Best Relaxing Games to Help You Destress (2024)

Looking for relaxing games to help you unwind and de-stress? Here are titles with soothing gameplay, calming visuals, and peaceful soundscapes to recharge your mind.

In today’s fast-paced and often overwhelming world, more gamers seek chill and relaxing games to unwind and de-stress. These games have surged in popularity since they offer calming experiences and provide a soothing escape from the intense, fast-paced titles that dominate the industry.

Whether it’s the serene landscapes of a farming simulation or the meditative rhythm of puzzle-solving, these games cater to a growing desire for mindfulness and tranquility in the gaming community. Here’s our list of relaxing games that will help you unwind and de-stress after a long day.

Best Relaxing Games

Relaxing games emphasize creativity and exploration over competition. Players can immerse themselves in artistic worlds, design, and simplicity, where they enjoy the flow of the game without feeling rushed. The slow-paced nature of chill games has been linked to mindfulness, which can positively impact mental health.

30. Gas Station Simulator

Platform: Windows, macOS, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox SeriesRelease Date: September 16, 2021Genre: Simulation, IndieMode: Single-player

Gas Station Simulator offers plenty of activities to engross players in a routine. They can renovate, expand, design, resupply, and upgrade their quaint store. Players can also offer other services, such as fixing and washing cars. If the shop gets too busy, you may hire new employees to help man the store!

29. Lightyear Frontier

Platform: Windows, macOS, Xbox One, Xbox SeriesRelease Date: March 20, 2024Genre: Adventure, SimulationMode: Single-player, Co-op (Up to 4 players)

Lightyear Frontier brings farming into a new horizon. It’s a peaceful, relaxing game that focuses on farming on a planet at the far edge of the galaxy. Using a mech, players farm alien crops, explore the untamed wilderness, and build a homestead on a distant planet.

28. House Flipper 2

Platform: Windows, PS5, Xbox SeriesRelease Date: December 14, 2023Genre: Simulation, CasualMode: Single-player

House Flipper 2 offers better features and brand-new fashion than its first installment. Players can buy, renovate, and build new houses from scratch! Taking place in the town of Pinnacove, the game offers plenty of decor, wallpaper, furniture, and more.

27. Farming Simulator 22

Platform: Windows, macOS, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox SeriesRelease Date: November 22, 2021Genre: Simulation, CasualMode: Single-player, Co-op (Up to 16 players)

Farming Simulator 22 is one of the best farming simulation games with realistic mechanics. You can create your farm, harvest crops, tend to animals, manage production, and purchase the latest farming tools and machines to increase yield. This relaxing game helps players escape city life.

26. Palia

Platform: Windows, Nintendo SwitchRelease Date: March 26, 2024Genre: MMO, Adventure, SimulationMode: Single-player, Co-op (Up to 25 players)

Palia is a free-to-play MMO in a vibrant new world with endless possibilities. Play solo or with friends as you explore and discover an enchanting adventure filled with colorful characters. In this relaxing game, you’ll enjoy a stress-free experience as you craft, cook, fish, farm, and decorate your home.

25. Sky: Children of the Light

Platform: Windows, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOSRelease Date: April 11, 2024Genre: Adventure, Casual, PuzzleMode: Single-player, Co-op (Up to 8 players)

Sky: Children of the Light is from the creators of Journey, an iconic PlayStation game. Sky is a peaceful MMO that lets players explore a beautifully animated kingdom across seven realms. In this serene game, you can create meaningful memories with other players, solve puzzles, uncover hidden secrets, and relax beneath breathtaking skies.

24. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Platform: Nintendo SwitchRelease Date: March 20, 2020Genre: Social, Simulation, CasualMode: Single-player, Co-op (Up to 8 players)

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a relaxing game that takes place in a small town, and the player takes on the role of mayor. Surrounded by adorable anthropomorphic animal villagers, players work to enhance the town’s reputation by beautifying the island, customizing their surroundings, and creating a cozy, welcoming community.

23. Journey

Platform: Windows, PS3, PS4, iOSRelease Date: June 11, 2020Genre: Adventure, IndieMode: Single-player, Co-op (Up to 2 players)

Journey is a breathtaking game set in an ancient, mysterious world of ruins and sands. You can play alone or in the company of a fellow traveler as you uncover its secrets. You’ll get to explore and take in gorgeous scenery, beautiful storytelling, and many wonders.

22. Minecraft

Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOSRelease Date: November 18, 2011Genre: Adventure, Survival, SandboxMode: Single-player, Co-op (Up to 4 players)

Minecraft is a wildly popular sandbox game that appeals to games of all ages. In this expansive world, you can build anything your heart desires across diverse biomes, teeming with resources, mobs, and hidden treasures. Whether playing solo or with friends, the possibilities are endless in this creative world.

21. Core Keeper

Platform: Windows, Linux, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Nintendo SwitchRelease Date: August 27, 2024Genre: Adventure, Survival, RPGMode: Single-player, Co-op (Up to 8 players)

Core Keeper takes place in a vast cavern of creatures, relics, and resources in a mining sandbox. It’s a relaxing game that focuses on mining and discovering new biomes within the cavern. You can mine, build a base, craft, farm, and fight monsters in this slow-paced game surrounded by the mystery of the ancient Core.

20. PowerWash Simulator

Platform: Windows, PS5, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, AndroidRelease Date: July 15, 2022Genre: Simulation, CasualMode: Single-player, Co-op (Up to 6 players)

PowerWash Simulator is a simple yet addictive game that eliminates stress after a long daily grind. Your job is to wash off dirt and grime for ultimate satisfaction. We recommend playing your favorite music as you sit back and relax with the soothing sound of high-pressure water.

19. Animal Shelter

Platform: Windows, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, AndroidRelease Date: March 23, 2022Genre: Simulation, CasualMode: Single-player

Animal Shelter assigns players to make all four-legged friends happy. If you love animals and management games, Animal Shelter is a perfect selection to unwind. Pet the animals, hand out treats, play with toys, and get to know them well enough to find the best home.

18. Fishing Planet

Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux, PS4, Xbox One, AndroidRelease Date: August 11, 2015Genre: Simulation, CasualMode: Single-player, Co-op (Up to 4 players)

Fishing Planet is a highly realistic online multiplayer fishing simulator. It caters to players who enjoy the outdoors and catching fish in various maps and locations. Alternatively, you can compete online by joining events and fishing competitions to become one of the top anglers in the community.

17. Disney Dreamlight Valley

Platform: Windows, macOS, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, iOSRelease Date: September 6, 2022Genre: Simulation, Casual, RPGMode: Single-player

Disney Dreamlight Valley is a life-sim adventure game rich with exploration, quests, customizations, and engaging activities that feature your favorite Disney and Pixar friends. This relaxing game takes you to a once idyllic land, Dreamlight Valley, with many possibilities.

16. Dorfromantik

Platform: Windows, Nintendo SwitchRelease Date: April 28, 2022Genre: Simulation, StrategyMode: Single-player

Dorfromantik is an engaging and relaxing game with the right amount of challenges to keep players entertained. By carefully planning and strategically placing tiles, players gradually expand a beautiful landscape and unlock new, colorful biomes. The gameplay is a perfect blend of relaxation and strategy.

15. Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator

Platform: Windows, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, AndroidRelease Date: December 14, 2022Genre: Simulation, IndieMode: Single-player

Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator lets players channel their inner alchemist in a hands-on, creative experience. You’re tasked with managing a garden by planting and harvesting various herbs and plants to craft unique potions. You’ll unlock new talents and collect rare substances and salts as you progress. You can also customize your workshop and create the finest potions to sell to your loyal patrons in this relaxing game.

14. Fabledom

Platform: Windows, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Nintendo SwitchRelease Date: May 13, 2024Genre: Simulation, StrategyMode: Single-player

Fabledom is set in a wholesome fairytale world. This laid-back and relaxing game focuses on city building and management with little to no stress. It’s fun, with no limit to quests or challenges, and players can adjust the difficulty levels to suit their preferences.

Fabledom is perfect for those who want a fun, customizable experience. In this stress-free game, you can interact with whimsical neighbors, watch your city flourish, and defend your kingdom from magical creatures.

13. Slime Rancher 2

Platform: Windows, PS5, Xbox SeriesRelease Date: September 23, 2022Genre: Simulation, AdventureMode: Single-player

Slime Rancher 2 is a continuation of its first installment. As Beatrix LeBeau, players journey across the Slime Sea to Rainbow Island, a land brimming with ancient mysteries and bursting with adorable, wiggly, new slimes to capture. This relaxing game is filled with bouncy and colorful slimes to collect.

12. Tavern Manager Simulator

Platform: WindowsRelease Date: August 14, 2024Genre: Simulation, CasualMode: Single-player

Tavern Manager Simulator is a management simulator and relaxing game that allows players to restore their fantasy tavern to its full glory. You’ll repair, improve, expand, and cook delicious meals to serve to your customers. The goal is to raise your humble establishment into the best tavern in the kingdom.

11. Gris

Platform: Windows, macOS, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOSRelease Date: December 13, 2018Genre: Adventure, IndieMode: Single-player

Gris is one of the most breathtaking and visually stunning games released. It’s the story of Gris, a hopeful young girl lost in her own world, dealing with a painful experience in her life. You can join her through her journey of sorrow, solving puzzles, platforming sequences, and skill-based challenges to uncover a healing path.

10. Firewatch

Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo SwitchRelease Date: February 10, 2016Genre: AdventureMode: Single-player

Firewatch takes place in the year 1989. You play as a man named Henry who escapes his messy life to work at a fire lookout located in the Wyoming wilderness. Perched high atop a mountain, it’s your job to look for smoke and keep the wilderness safe. This relaxing game allows you to enjoy the beautiful flush forest during the dry summer while building a connection with your supervisor, Delilah.

9. Spiritfarer: Farewell Edition

Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOSRelease Date: August 18, 2020Genre: Simulation, AdventureMode: Single-player, Co-op (Up to 2 players)

Spiritfarer: Farewell Edition is a cozy, management, relaxing game about dying. You play as a ferrymaster to the deceased and must build a boat to explore the world, befriend and care for spirits before finally releasing them into the afterlife.

8. Fields of Mistria

Platform: WindowsRelease Date: August 6, 2024Genre: Simulation, RPGMode: Single-player

Fields of Mistria is a relaxing game where players can build a farm, collect resources, fish, mine, craft, raise adorable animals, and revitalize the town. Find your ideal match with one of the 12 marriage candidates as you explore and connect with over 30 villagers.

7. Dave the Diver

Platform: Windows, macOS, PS4, PS5, Nintendo SwitchRelease Date: June 28, 2023Genre: Simulation, Management, AdventureMode: Single-player

Dave the Diver is a casual, adventure-filled, relaxing game featuring deep-sea exploration, fishing during the day, and sushi restaurant management at night. As you progress further into the story, you’ll unlock new diving equipment and cooking recipes. This oceanic adventure is filled with over 200 kinds of sea creatures, minigames, side quests, and hours of entertainment.

6. Stardew Valley

Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Android, iOSRelease Date: February 27, 2016Genre: Simulation, RPGMode: Single-player, Co-op (Up to 8 players)

Stardew Valley is a Life Sim relaxing game that features a farming experience. Tired of the daily grind in the city, you leave your old life to take the inherited farm plot from your grandfather in Stardew Valley. You must learn to live off the land and turn the overgrown fields into a thriving home as you make friends with the locals.

5. Critter Cove

Platform: Windows, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox SeriesRelease Date: September 10, 2024Genre: Simulation, RPG, AdventureMode: Single-player

Critter Cove is an open-world life sim and town building set in a post-apocalyptic paradise. Your main goal is to restore a forgotten town, transforming it into a thriving destination. You must sail across a mysterious archipelago, hunt for ancient relics, fish, and craft items, and decorate the town to attract tourists. Visitors occasionally come and boost the economy, breathing life into the island back to its former glory.

4. The Sims 4

Platform: Windows, macOS, PS4, Xbox OneRelease Date: September 4, 2014Genre: SimulationMode: Single-player

The Sims 4 unleashes your imagination and creates a unique world of Sims. The base game is free-to-play and has plenty of options for building homes, styling your Sims, customizing personalities, and more. You can download mods to add more content and flavor to your gameplay, which molds it into a relaxing game that matches your preference.

3. Euro Truck Simulator 2

Platform: Windows, macOS, LinuxRelease Date: October 18, 2012Genre: Simulation, Open-worldMode: Single-player, Co-op (Up to 8 players)

Euro Truck Simulator 2 is a driving simulator experience that explores Europe. It offers players beautiful views as they transport important cargo across the continent. This relaxing game is for those who enjoy cruising through long roads and visiting dozens of cities.

2. TCG Card Shop Simulator

Platform: WindowsRelease Date: September 15, 2024Genre: Simulation, ManagementMode: Single-player

TCG Card Shop Simulator is a trading card shop simulator where players sell card booster packs and action figures to earn money and build a TCG card shop business. You must refill your shelves, collect cards, and host games to attract customers. Upgrades become available as you progress, which unlocks more features to help you manage your growing business.

1. Tiny Glade

Platform: Windows, LinuxRelease Date: September 23, 2024Genre: Sandbox, SimulationMode: Single-player

Tiny Glade is a small diorama builder where you get to create cozy cottages, whimsical castles, and beautiful ruins. This relaxing game continues to grow with creativity and breathtaking glades. You can explore gridless buildings with no combat goal, management quest, or challenges, just calming music as you turn a forgotten meadow into a beautiful scape.

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