The gaming community is full of intense and competitive games like Overwatch, Apex Legends, and Rocket League that demand great skill and concentration. With so much emphasis placed on those games as well as esports in general, it's a good idea to find a game where you can sit back, relax, and just have a good time.
If you need a break from the intense games you regularly play, then check out our 10 picks for relaxing games to play on your computer. Many of them are available on other consoles as well, so keep your eyes peeled for these games on other platforms too.
10 MINECRAFT
Minecraft is one of the biggest games of all time. There's no limit to what you can do, and your imagination can come to life. In Minecraft, there are creative and peaceful modes that allow players to just mine and build to their heart's content without having to worry about serious mobs. Even when those enemies are in the game, the experience is still quite relaxing, encouraging creativity rather than just survival. The best part is that the game is very easy to play with other people, leading to more players joining in on the relaxing experience. If you haven't played the game, now might be a good time.
9 STARDEW VALLEY
If you're a fan of simulation games like Harvest Moon or Animal Crossing, then Stardew Valley is the game for you. This indie gem was developed by a single person yet simultaneously one of the best simulation games on the market.
All you have to do is turn your rundown property into a beautiful farm by harvesting crops and visiting a nearby town. Stardew Valley was recently given a multiplayer update, allowing multiple people to join on a single farm at a time. The game is also available on all current-gen consoles, so no gamer misses out on this relaxing title.
8 ABZU
ABZU is a gorgeous game made by the people behind the PlayStation-exclusive masterpiece known as Journey. In ABZU, players will simply be exploring the depths to help restore the ocean to its former glory. They'll meet all sorts of beautiful sea creatures and swim alongside whales as they uncover what has been polluting the waters. Despite the game having a goal, it never fails to just let you sit back and soak in the atmosphere. It's a short yet memorable experience that serves as a great distraction from the business of the gaming industry. It also has a fantastic score that accents every moment.
7 DONUT COUNTY
What's more relaxing than taking a big circle in the ground and finding objects to fall in it. Donut County is charming, simple, and relaxing in every sense of the word. All players need to do is move the circle around and consume more objects to make it bigger. The level ends when all objects have been consumed by the hole. Donut County is also full of charming visuals and a physics engine that makes each level feel more than just a cacophony of random objects. It's a cheap game that's easy to get into, but it can be quite addicting.
6 FIREWATCH
There's something entrancing about Firewatch. You play as a park ranger who is tasked with making sure that the beautiful park he works at remains safe and well-kept. Not only is the game a visual treat, but it's an audio treat as well. Subtle music tracks accompany each change in scenery, giving more emotion to the whole experience. The game is leisurely, though, with no doomsday clock or high score hanging over your head. You can just watch over your park with the same level of duty and calmness that protagonist Henry does. There's a reason many talked about this game when it released.
5 OLD MAN'S JOURNEY
Old Man's Journey is an interesting game, as it was clearly designed for mobile devices. However, the game is so mesmerizing that it was later ported to PC and consoles.
It features a story about an Old Man who receives a letter, prompting him to go on a long journey to his destination. Along the way, we see the story of this man's life and the decisions he made. Every panel adds something to the man and we feel more for him without ever hearing a word. Old Man's Journey also makes great use of the simplistic tech behind it to make each location feel like a painting come to life. It's a treat for the eyes.
4 EVERYTHING
Everything is a game where you can be just about anything. That's all there is to it, really. However, there's something noticeably satisfying about seeing what new animal, item, or planet you'll control next as you progress through this game. You move through the world taking in the unique style and scenery every step of the way. There are over 2000 different controllable characters, whether it be a goofy pig or even a blade of grass. There are so many stories to be told in Everything that it's fun to just sit back and let it all unfold. It will also make you laugh.
3 GROW HOME
Grow Home is a simple game. You take control of a small robot who must grow a massive plant. The beauty of this relaxing game is in how this goal is achieved. Players are thrown in a decently sized world in which they must complete objectives to grow the plant. The plan then grows in real time, with new locations being added as the plant gets taller. Players are then exploring new places progressively while still looking down to see how far they've come from the very beginning. It's relaxing, rewarding, and incredibly satisfying to play. There is even a sequel called Grow Up for those that want to get into the series.
2 THE WITNESS
The Witness is a puzzle game from the brilliant minds behind Braid. For those that are unaware, this game puts players on a deserted island in which they must solve all sorts of puzzles. These challenges can be tackled in essentially any order, and players are free to just walk around to see what they can find. The Witness is a beautiful game with its simpler visuals complementing the tropical setting. The puzzles are also satisfying yet easy enough to understand, allowing players to casually make their way through this mystifying game. It's arguably one of the better puzzle games in its league.
1 PARKASAURUS
Since the release of Zoo Tycoon 2 back in 2004, there hasn't quite been a zoo game that comes close to its design. Many have tried, but the results haven't been great. That brings us to Parkasaurus, which was released in Early Access last year. This game is a zoo builder that brings together the satisfying mechanics and style of Zoo Tycoon but focuses it on dinosaurs.
The developers have also worked tirelessly to trim the fat of the genre and breathe new life into it. Despite it being in Early Access, it has an amazing level of polish that could easily pass it off as a complete product. However, the game is only set to get better from here.