The whole point of gaming is to have fun and keep away the pressures of the world for a few hours, but for those who feel really weighed down by the world, a gory first-person shooter may not always be the best option.
Enter cosy games, a genre with low-stimulation titles designed to calm your nerves, and perhaps even bring your inner Bob Ross alive.
Here are 7 games that soothe your senses and perhaps even touch your soul:
Stardew Valley (2016)
Often called the gold standard for comfort in gaming, Stardew Valley shows you the rare pleasure of routine, mundane activities in a slow world where you can choose your own goals.
You plant crops, raise animals, fish, mine, and form relationships with townsfolk at your own pace, as you decide to make a livelihood out of the farm you inherited.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons (2020)
This Nintendo game from the COVID-19 pandemic years became famous in the world of gaming not just for its spectacle, but also for its refusal to rush players.
It revolves around a human character living in a world of animals and building a life with meaning by doing various tasks and interacting with the other animals.
Minecraft (2011)
This timeless open-world classic from Mojang didn’t just go on to become successful—it made its way into popular culture, too.
It features a host of different modes, such as Creative Mode, which has seen people build impressive worlds; Survival Mode for those who want a calm, yet challenging time; and Adventure Mode for those who want a story-based approach.
The Sims 4 (2014)
At its core, The Sims games are about control without consequence. Players design homes, guide careers, build families, and shape daily routines—basically make a living on-screen—in a world where mistakes are rarely irreversible.
Though it struggled to compete against The Sims 3, one of its biggest advantages over its prequel, apart from graphics, was that it focused more deeply on meaningful interactions.
Pokemon GO (2016)
This massive open-world multiplayer RPG took things a step further with augmented reality (AR). Though finding and evolving Pokemon—and then battling other players—may not sound cosy, there’s something charming about it that puts your mind at ease, nevertheless.
It basically encourages you to revisit familiar routes and sometimes take new paths in short daily sessions, which is why it became so popular worldwide towards the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Journey (2012)
Few games can boast of being a journey; an experience that is more felt than played, than this title from thatgamecompany, which sees you traverse the sands of an unknown land full of secrets.
With stunning visuals and brilliant silent storytelling, all held together by a Grammy-nominated score, it’s no wonder this is a widely remembered game even now.
Sky: Children of the Light (2019)
A breathtaking, massive open-world game in the same league as Journey, this gem from thatgamecompany sees you explore magical realms, restore lost light, and form silent bonds with players across the globe.
Forget its beautiful visuals and immersive gameplay—it even holds a Guinness World Record for the most users (10,061) gathered in a metaverse-style concert.