There is something charming about spending a bit of downtime at a cafe, or any other quiet, public place, playing a cozy little game. In these situations, you want a game that does not get too intense. It has to be something that is easy to pause or leave idle if necessary. The game also shouldn't be anything too violent and inappropriate for a public setting.
No matter if you are bringing your laptop, phone or tablet, here are some chill games you can enjoy with your coffee. So, stick in your headphones, take a sip and relax for a little while with these beautiful games.
10 Firewatch
If you are bringing your laptop to the cafe, a lovely, scenic game choice has to be Firewatch. You play as Henry, who has taken up the role of a Fire Lookout in the wilderness. It is all about being cut off from the rest of the world, and soon enough, a mystery begins to unravel during your stay here.
You don't have to worry about pausing this walking simulator. Nothing bad will happen as you leave the game idle, enjoy the spectacular views, and drink your drink. It has a short playtime, and this will race by as you get engrossed in this emotional, memorable experience.
9 Square Valley
Square Valley is a tile-placement game that you can enjoy on your phone. It is an excellent choice when you do not have enough time to invest in a bigger game. In Square Valley, you are placing tiles down into a small gridded area to create a wonderful little town. Every tile you place has its own rules to earn points that correlate with one another. For example, Sheep like to be within fences and in the area of a flower field.
There is no time limit. You can just quietly contemplate the best place to put each randomly assigned tile while you relax. There are three chapters worth of content to enjoy and a sandbox mode to try. Each level provides many possibilities and complex challenges, yet it remains a relaxed, easy-going experience.
8 Cities: Skylines
Cities: Skylines is one of the best city-building games out there. It has so much content to enjoy, allowing you to get intricate with how your city will shape out. You get to direct traffic. You assign where the factories and shops will go. You make policies and figure out how to negate pollution. There is also a bunch of DLC content available to enjoy too.
This game is excellent for relaxing in a cafe because you could easily leave the game playing while focusing on other things. Watching the city come to life is satisfying. The world will gradually build new buildings in the plots of land you have assigned as you sit back and enjoy the natural progress.
7 Pocket Watch
Pocket Watch is an adorable puzzle adventure about a cute duck who lives near a tiny little island town. After winning a pocket watch at the town's auction, you learn that the island's erupting volcano will wipe out the entire town. Luckily, your new pocket watch resets the day for you. Now you must talk to the inhabitants, explore and figure out a way to settle the volcano back down.
Despite that urgent-sounding quest, this is a very peaceful game. There are no real consequences for mistakes. So, if you're distracted in a public place, you can just try again on the next loop. Pocket Watch is a chill experience that will not take too long to complete. It even has multiple endings, so you could return to the cafe another day to play through it all over again.
6 Cartographers
Cartographers is a lighthearted board game that has been adapted to mobile. This allows you to play short, solo rounds anywhere you happen to be. Games of Cartographers really go by quickly, so you might find yourself playing multiple rounds before you even finish your beverage.
In Cartographers, you create a map by placing down shapes of different biomes. This might be farmland, villages, rivers, and forests. You have to make the most of what shapes you have been given. You play over four seasons, trying to achieve randomly assigned goals linked to the different land areas. It is so satisfying to beat your previous score, and the final map you create is always lovely to see.
5 Unpacking
Unpacking is a lovely little game where you organize different rooms after moving in. The gameplay is simple and quite meditative. You'll take objects out of boxes and determine where they need to go in the house. It is a bit of a puzzle but a stress-free one.
You soon discover that there is even a bit of a story to enjoy. You'll learn more about the life of the character you are unpacking for. With no pressure and simple game mechanics, it is an excellent choice for when you are in a chill, quiet place.
4 Coffee Talk
What better game to play in a cafe than a game about running a cafe? This is precisely what you get with Coffee Talk. You work as a barista in a modern-fantasy world. There are so many engaging characters to interact with. Not all of them are human, but their lives capture humanity in an authentic, captivating way. Your goal is to serve them warm, soothing drinks and listen to their problems.
Coffee Talk has a beautiful atmosphere that will have you completely engrossed throughout. It is effortless to get attached to all the characters you meet, hoping that things will work out for them in the end.
3 Stardew Valley
In Stardew Valley, you've inherited your grandfather's farm and settled down into a tranquil little town. There is so much content to explore during your time here. You can focus on farming, fishing, or even just getting to know your new neighbors. Although there is a day and night cycle, there is no real urgency to anything. You can just settle down with a nice warm brew and play.
Playing Stardew Valley is a wonderful way to let time slip away. It is available on so many platforms, including mobiles. So, jumping back into your farm while stopping at a cafe is very easy.
2 Bots Are Stupid
Bots Are Stupid is a platformer with a twist. Instead of running through a level yourself, you will be programming a robot to attempt the level instead. There are many ways to navigate each level as you edit and hone your code to try and make the smoothest route to the exit. You decide when the bot moves, jumps, and everything else.
If you like figuring out puzzles and a bit of coding, this is an excellent choice for you. It will undoubtedly get the cogs in your brain spinning as you wake up with that morning coffee. The little robots are pretty cute too.
1 The Witness
If you'd like scenic views and a bit of puzzling to enjoy during your stay at a cafe, then you'll love The Witness. The Witness takes place on a sunny, vibrant island full of intricate mysteries to solve. The premise is quite simple. You awake on this island and must figure out a way to escape.
This breathtaking experience is available on many different platforms. So, you could play it on your phone, tablet, or laptop. You don't need to focus on any narrative. You can just enjoy the views and solve puzzles at your own pace.