Summary
Video games can provide all kinds of experiences, from the borderline sadistic challenges of theDark Soulsseries to the pulpy action offirst-person shooters such asHalo. Some gamers like to be terrified by horror titles, while others enjoy messing with friends in online party games. However, there is also a variety of video games that aim to relax those who play them.
What’s relaxing to some may not be to others; cozy games aren’t the only ones that can provide laid-back gameplay, and some players may find that particular genre tedious, so this topic aims to cover a broad variety of experiences to appease everyone looking for arelaxing indie game.
8White Lavender
An Accessible Souls-Like With A Whimsical Setting
Fans ofDark Soulslooking for a more laid-back, colorful experience should look no further thanWhite Lavender. Developed by the prolific Sokpop Collective (Stacklands,Similand),White Lavenderis a charming souls-like that trades horrific monsters and Gothic architecture for cute bugs and vibrant plant life.
AlthoughWhite Lavenderdoes provide the occasional challenge, it never supersedes the game’s outright whimsy. The vivid colors, charming characters, and whimsical setting all work in tandem to provide a palpable coziness, bolstered by the game’s unique music.
It might be somewhat odd to callKentucky Route Zerorelaxing. However, its walking-sim gameplay, interactive fiction, and magical-realism make for a relaxing and wholly unique combination.The immersive atmosphere provided by its contemplative musicand stylized visuals also help in winding players down, though the game does occasionally aim to unsettle.
The tragedy at the heart ofKentucky Route Zeroand its struggling characters isn’t always the most uplifting of experiences. However, the moments of hope and emotional vignettes throughout its experimental, surreal narrative can be wholly cathartic. The music, in particular, punctuatesKentucky Route Zero’s emotional beats, giving the player room to sit in quiet thought.
Balatrois an incredibly accessible roguelike deck-builder that uses Poker hands as a unique twist on the formula. Sporting visuals reminiscent of a casino slot machine and the addictive gameplay to match,Balatrois an entrancing experience made relaxing through its tactile user-interface and satisfying mechanics.
The charming pixel-art, soothing backgrounds, and satisfying sound effects all play a part in makingBalatroa relaxing experience. Although the inherent frustrations of luck are present in the gameplay,Balatrosucceeds with its intuitive mechanics and score-attack structure.
Cobalt Coreisa roguelike deck-builderwith a tactical twist, charging players with the command of a spaceship and its crew, tactically maneuvering their ship to avoid incoming fire and lining up their cannons with the enemy. This results in a gameplay loop that’s entirely unique and often strategic.
The generosity of the enemy telegraphing emphasizes fairness much in the same way asInto the Breach. This fairness plays an important role in ensuringCobalt Coreis a relaxing experience. However, it’s primarily the charming pixel-art, upbeat writing, and beautiful music that offer relaxation, providing an atmosphere that makes it easy to unwind.
Tower defense games are typically relaxing experiencesthanks to their hands-off gameplay. There are plenty of decisions to be made and strategies to be designed inBloons TD 6, but as with many games in the genre, the actual conflict is an undemanding experience.
As a result,Bloons TD 6can be tremendously relaxing, furthered by the sheer satisfaction of popping balloons.Bloons TD 6is also an accessible experience that thrives on its simplicity, ensuring that players are never bogged down in complex mechanics.
This charming indie title tasks players with developing and managing a single street. The game featuresa cute and colorful art-style, objective-based gameplay, and a laid-back atmosphere that’s entirely undemanding.
The objective-based nature ofMinami Laneseparates it from similar cozy games, giving players the satisfaction of a complete gameplay loop. There’s not much meat onMinami Lane’s bones, but the few hours of content it provides are coated in a cozy veneer that’s consistently relaxing.
More of a digital toy than an actual game,Townscaperfeatures no set goals. This title is only concerned with providing a tactile experience, bolstered by a relaxing color palette, intuitive controls, andcharming minimalist visuals.
There’s something tangibly satisfying about plopping down houses inTownscaper. Combined with the quiet atmosphere, soothing colors, and total lack of pressure,Townscaperis able to provide a truly tranquil experience.
The Long Darkis a simulation-heavy first-person survival game set in a harsh and unforgiving wilderness. While that may not sound relaxing on the surface,The Long Dark’s quiet, tranquil atmosphere provides players with an immersive, frequently cozy experience.
It could be argued that the challenges at play inThe Long Darkheighten the moments of reprieve; the relief felt when finding shelter after a long trek in the snow is palpable. Combined with the immersive sound design and soothing visuals,The Long Darkoffers a surprisingly relaxed experience.
