The days are long and full of trials. When you come home after eight hours of work, all you want to do is relax, whether you’ve been deciphering statements all day, hammering on a roof like the professionals at Alpha Elite Roofing, or even running back and forth between operating rooms. If you’re looking for a way to wash away the stress of the day, you might want to think about playing a video game.
The hobby certainly isn’t for everyone, but there are actually plenty of easy-to-learn games that are relaxing and therapeutic. Here are some of the best ones to try out.
The Sims
The Sims has been around for a long time—since the year 2000, to be exact—but people are still playing it today. Several versions of the game have been released, including four main titles, countless spin-offs, and endless DLCs. But how has the franchise endured for so long? Certainly, the appeal of creating a custom character and controlling every aspect of their life has something to do with it. You can choose their personality traits, their careers, start families, form relationships, build houses, and so much more! This is a game that stands out among an industry of shooters and RPGs, which, while great, can become repetitive.
Minecraft
Even if you don’t play video games, you’ve likely heard of Minecraft. While the concept of mining resources and crafting structures in a pixilated, blocky world might seem minimalistic—and really, it is—results have been astounding. Even though the game came out over a decade ago, it is as popular as ever. It’s a game that allows you to explore with your friends and listen to peaceful music as you create shelters, start farms, and work together to create anything you could possibly imagine. Just watch out for creepers.
Animal Crossing
Have you ever wanted to manage your own town? Complete with anthropomorphic animal civilians that have their own jobs, quests, and you can build relationships with? With Animal Crossing, it’s all possible. Like many other games on this list, you can gather resources and build up your town in any way you see fit. There’s an insane amount of customization, and with the ability to invest hundreds of hours into the game, you’ll be doing a lot of it.
Stardew Valley
What could be more relaxing than living off the land and keeping up with your own farm? With a handful of old tools, you can start chopping down trees, plowing the fields, and planting crops to one day have a plot of land that your in-game grandfather would be proud of. But there’s more to it than that. You can also explore, engage in light combat with creatures, sell resources, and collect items throughout the game. It’s the kind of game that you play with your feet kicked up and lemonade in your hand.
Sit Back and Relax
These are some of the most relaxing games you can play right now. While they each share similar features, such as building, collecting, and building relationships, it makes sense: it’s relaxing. If you need a new game to mellow out to this weekend, consider picking one of these up and giving it a try. You might be surprised just how much fun you can have without the frustration of dying to a boss again and again.
