Best relaxing games

The beauty of chill games

Chill games definitely shouldn't rush the player at any moment: how can you be calm during an action-packed sequence? Thus, they often are about some sort of everyday activity, like keeping a farm or driving a truck around the world. These aren't that exciting in theory, but the excitement may come from keeping up with the farm to see the progress or find new places on your way to deliver some goods.

It's a bit puzzling why we're so happy to do such things in a video game, even though one would think that these should always be adrenaline-fueled. Possibly, is it the thrill of seeing your effort show results after some time, which is rarely encountered in real life? This may be the true strength of peaceful games.

It could also be the fact that you don't have time for activities like that, but you really would like to have a farm like the one in Stardew Valley. It's easy to immerse yourself in a completely realistic situation for a change, yet you still don't have the skills or time for it – and this is where the world of gaming can offer you a bunch of recommendations. 

It's also worth mentioning that a game can positively affect your mind even with an unrealistic setting, as long as the developers make sure to present a story and gameplay that soothes you after a tough day. Think of Death Stranding: it's far from being a tale that could actually happen (at least, not now), although Hideo Kojima was able to portray a world of the future that can be equally as soothing as dangerous.

Numerous relaxing video games can grant you a bit of a rest – they do it by using different methods, but the result doesn't change. It's always a great idea to give them a chance – we will name some of the best examples below.

Best relaxing games

We've already mentioned two excellent starters, but there's obviously a lot more to discover. Most of the time, it's a matter of preference, but it isn't easy to imagine that you wouldn't like Journey. It's a minimalistic, indie title that puts you in the role of a small, lovable creature that travels through the never-ending desert. There's no real story that you need to go through, and there are no destinations that you need to reach. It's only you and the massive, stunning world of the game. It's no wonder that Journey is considered one of the best relaxing games out there.

If you're looking for something a tad more substantial, you should have a lot of fun with Unpacking. It's not only about moving and taking all of your stuff with you – it's about the stories that these things deliver. You will be in charge of unpacking the belongings of various people, and you will soon realize how different their lives are. Just a tiny mascot or a picture will tell you a lot about the person – and it's a fascinating experience.

However, the king of relaxing games on Steam and consoles has to be Euro Truck Simulator 2. It's a title like no other: where else do you feel like you've always been the right person to drive for hours as a truck driver? The game is constantly flooded with new content that recreates real-world locations, cars, and practically everything that makes the world of it believable. It's a bit similar to Microsoft Flight Simulator in that sense, meticulously crafting a game that simulates the activity AND the world, not only the first thing. If you think that driving for a long time to finally get a glimpse of the town you were supposed to reach is not bliss, just give this one a go. You will quickly change your mind!

Lastly, provided you're looking for some anti-stress games, TOEM might be what you'd like to check out. It's a wholesome story about an amateur photographer who wants to experience the titular TOEM. This hand-drawn adventure title lets us see all sorts of breathtaking locations and take tons of photos along the way. Solve puzzles, help other characters (by taking a picture of something they'd like or finding an object), and, above anything else, slowly enjoy the world of TOEM and how beautiful this game can be.

That’s all we have to recommend for you here. But don't worry—there are plenty more titles to explore in our list of the best relaxing video games. Take a look and get ready to embark on another soothing adventure soon!