Tired of games with Daily-login quests, difficult controls or high pressure gameplays? Check out these adorable, relaxing games to get invested in at your own time and pace

Words Andrea Brigino
Featured photo courtesy of Nintendo
June 27, 2024

Gaming can be hard to get into, with recent mobile games needing you to log in and play daily in order to catch up, multiplayer games having high pressure with ranks and skill comparisons, and fast console games needing quick hand-eye coordination. It can be hard to commit to games if you haven’t been used to them your whole life. Well, games aren’t exclusive to multiplayer shooting games, arcade games, or ones needing heavy memorization of controls. Here are some calming games free of pressure and obligation to consistent commitment.

Stardew Valley

Combining the nostalgia found in pixelated games and the farming play style adjacent to older games like Harvest Moon, Stardew Valley lets you customize not only your farm and your appearance but also whether you want to prioritize farming, fishing, renovating your house, or building your relationships with other characters in the game. You can do everything at your own pace, even if you accomplish achievements in some aspects of the game slower than others. It is available on PC (even compatible with Mac), PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch.

Unpacking

Another pixelated game that brings a therapeutic while profound mode of storytelling through unpacking boxes of items in different stages of the main character’s life. The method of customization is optional as long as you can fit every item in a given place, and while you gain achievements placing certain items in a unique spot, it isn’t the main achievement of the game. It’s a relaxing puzzle game where you can watch the main character grow up through the different clothes and hobbies they unpack from their boxes. It is available on Steam, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4-5.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

The game that brought the world by storm during the pandemic because of its rapid customization and dynamic playstyle. Not only can you choose which neighbors you want to enter your island, discover new items hidden in trees and in fishing, but you can also customize the aesthetic of your house and download customized decorations and outfits from codes. There are many seasonal festivals to take part in, but it doesn’t directly lessen the experience of the game if you decide to skip them. It is available to play on Nintendo Switch.

Coffee Talk

This is a story game that combines the ability to let players create different drinks while also listening to different characters’ stories. It combines the appeal found in cooking games of being able to create and serve different kinds of coffee to customers and being able to read different perspectives within each of the characters that feel human and authentic even if it does take part in a fantasy universe with werewolves, elves, and vampires. It is available to play through Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

A Little to the Left

Another organizing game, and while there is a unique daily puzzle, there is no punishment for not doing the tasks every day and it can just be a relaxing puzzle game for whenever you feel like it. It lets you organize suitcases, makeup kits, calendars, or even stickers on fruit, with an occasional cat lurking around to switch up the mechanics of the puzzles from time to time. It’s a great way to rack your brain with unique puzzles without having to worry about time limits or the availability of the puzzles. It is available to play through Steam.