There are many different opinions on video games and how they really affect the player. For example, there are arguments that violent games can be harmful for young children. However, there are many different genres and styles of games just like other forms of media. The spectrum of playability is so broad that to one person, a game can be easy and replayable, and to another the game can be hard and stressful. On a positive note, there are many games that have been deemed stress-relieving by many different sources.
As a broad genre, it’s easy to refer to many of these soothing games as CasualGames. Casual games differ from hardcore games because they are marketed towards a broader audience - an audience that generally enjoys simpler rules, less-tasking gameplay, simpler controls, and games in general that don’t require too much skill. When having feelings of stress and anxiety, for some, it’s nice to use something to wind down, something calming. Here’s a list of 8 casual games that you can play to help with stress relief. This list includes popular games, underrated games, and games that support multiple players.
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Popular/Well-Known Games:
Stardew Valley: Stress Relief Through Virtual Farming
Game Tags:
Open-world, open-ended, RPG, farming simulator, life simulator, casual, dating simulator, sandbox, relaxing, resource-management, downloadable content/mods, character customization
Playable Platforms:
Nintendo Switch, Playstation, Xbox, MacOS, Windows, Android, iOS, Linux
Supports co-op
Pricing:
PC & Console - $14.99
Mobile - $7.99
Ratings:
10/10 on Steam
9.5/10 IGN
89% OpenCritic
Stardew Valley is one of the MOST talked about casual games to date. Since it’s easily accessible on many platforms and on the less pricey side for games, it’s become very popular since its release in 2016. Without any gameplay spoilers, Stardew Valley is advertised as an open-ended sandbox Role Playing Game.
As the player you are able to take care of your grandfather’s farm plot that he left to you. You can farm, socialize, fish, explore, build, and so much more in this game. Stardew Valley itself can be played for a very long time since there’s technically no official “ending” to the game - as the player, you aren’t confined to one set story path.
There’s even the option to socialize and romance other characters, in which you can make different choices and connections in each playthrough! The game is even LGBTQIA+ inclusive so the options of characters to romance are open to all genders, sexual orientations, and sexualities. On top of that, the graphics are super unique and the game's soundtrack can be very therapeutic - amongst all the other things you can explore. You can even create and customize your own character, with options including: your appearance, your name, your farm’s name, pet preference, gender, etc. The game’s multiplayer feature even makes it enjoyable to play with friends! Stardew Valley is a game I’d definitely recommend for people who aren’t avid gamers and just want something stimulating to play for stress-relief.
2. Animal Crossing: New Horizons: Learning Life Skills Through A World of Cute Animal Villagers
Game tags:
Open-world, farming simulator, life simulator, casual, relaxing, resource-management, character customization
Playable Platforms: Nintendo Switch
Supports co-op
Pricing:
$59.99
Ratings:
9/10 IGN
90% OpenCritic
The Animal Crossing franchise has been a staple entity for Nintendo. There have been many different Animal Crossing games over the years that can actually be played on different platforms. In retrospect, the basis of each game is the same so if you don’t have a Switch, there are other platforms you can play Animal Crossing on, such as: Nintendo 64, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo DS, Wii, and the Nintendo 3DS.
Even though there is no set story mode in New Horizons, the player gets to basically mold the world around them. You manage your own island, which you are able to name yourself. Similar to Stardew Valley, you can also customize your character (even though the options aren’t as broad in comparison). You can craft, build, socialize with your animal villagers, and customize your island to your heart’s content.
This game is very age friendly/appropriate and can be played by all ages. Similar to other Nintendo Products, it’s marketed towards younger audiences and in general, strives to be more child-friendly. If you have another friend with a Nintendo Switch - and a Nintendo Switch Online subscription - you’ll be able to visit each other's islands. There’s even a way to explore the island’s of people around the world that you may not even know! Since the Nintendo Switch is portable, Animal Crossing is a great game to play for long, stressful road trips and can help to drown out outside distractions and noise when in public places.
3. Minecraft: Who Knew A World Made of Cubes Could Be So Relaxing?
Game Tags:
Sandbox, adventure, open-world, farming simulator, resource-management simulator, downloadable content/mods
Platforms Supported:
Nintendo Devices, Playstation, XBOX, Windows, MacOS, Linux, VR, iOS, Android
Supports co-op
Pricing:
PC - $26.95/29.99
Mobile - $6.99
XBOX & Playstation - $19.99
Nintendo Devices - $29.99
Ratings:
9/10 IGN
4/5 Common Sense Media
Minecraft has been, for many years, one of the most widespread and played games in the world. It took the #1 spot for most played PC games just this year - even after having been released more than 10 years ago. Minecraft is such an open game with so much playability that it’s marketed towards all ages and player styles. The base game itself is a farming and resource-management simulator. The world is incredibly open-ended and sandbox where you can literally terraform the terrain itself! There are endless possibilities with minecraft. There are even different modes for players to choose from. Casual players may want to stick with survival mode or creative mode rather than hardcore mode. This allows the game to be relaxing and less stressful.
The online co-op function of the game makes it even more enjoyable, being able to completely manage new worlds with multiple friends. Minecraft is constantly evolving and getting new updates - with the creator team really focusing on what the players want. Outside of the base game, there are online servers that are hosted by other devs and teams. You can play with other players online and do a bunch of things including but not limited to; socializing, minigames, adventure maps, modded servers, etc. The endless possibilities of Minecraft and its community will not only help relieve stress, but will also be a great game to play casually in your free time.
4. The Sims 4: A Realistic Simulator Game Where You’re in Control of The Life You Choose
Game Tags:
Life simulator, character customization, building, dating simulator, sandbox, realistic, downloadable content/mods
Platforms: Playstation, XBOX, Windows, MacOS
Does not support co-op
Pricing: FREE!!!
Optional DLC and Expansion Packs are extra and vary in price
Ratings:
7.5/10 IGN
9/10 Steam
4/5 Common Sense Media
The Sims was a franchise that gained significant popularity from its first release back in 2000. Each Sims game builds off of the previous game in controls, graphics, customization, and overall playability. Sims 4 is another sandbox game yet with a very realistic graphic and gameplay style. As the player, you manage your sim (or sims) by growing with them as they age. The Sim needs to eat, sleep, bathe, and do things that you would do in your daily life. You can select a career for your sim, build a house, make friends, find love, start a family, amongst many other realistic things. It’s very easy to find comfort in The Sims because of the realism. You may be able to relate, sympathize, and empathize with the feelings your Sim experiences.
The Character Customizations in the Sims franchise are something that really make the games stand out - especially in The Sims 4. You’re able to change specific physical and personality traits of your sim in “create a sim”. You can actually spend hours just customizing characters alone. You can create a family that looks exactly like your own! The easy ability to freely download custom content and mods helps grow the character customization options even more so.
The Sims can be relaxing because you as the player have control over your Sims life. You can make important decisions, or even just fool around with your options and have. There’s even free downloadable content made by The Sims community for you to download and enjoy. The possibilities are endless in The Sims 4!
5. PowerWash Simulator: Mixing A Real Career With Satisfying Gameplay That Can Be Great For OCD
Game Tags:
Casual, relaxing, simulation, sandbox, realistic, immersive, story rich, indie
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Playstation, XBOX, Windows
Supports co-op
Pricing:
$24.99 on all platforms
Optional extra DLC
Ratings:
7/10 IGN
10/10 on Steam
Even though PowerWash simulator was produced by an indie company, PowerWash Simulator blew up for its unique approach to simulator games. The game especially saw a rise in popularity through playthroughs made by popular Youtubers. PowerWash simulator was normally referred to as “oddly satisfying”. As the player you’re doing exactly as the game says, power washing. You’re given different dirty locations and you’re told to make the place spotless.
I would definitely recommend this game to players who like precision and cleanliness. If you’re someone who may have OCD or are someone who enjoys precision, this game encourages you to get rid of every single speck of dirt before completing a level and can be very therapeutic. The controls are easy, and the ability to virtually wash things and not have to worry about anything else can be pretty soothing. The game’s multiplayer feature even makes this game fun to play with friends - you’ll work together to complete the level.
Underrated/Lesser Known Games With Enthralling Stories and Relaxing Gameplay
6. Journey: Reducing Stress Through Sand Play Therapy
Game Tags:
Atmospheric, adventure, indie, exploration, relaxing, casual, story rich
Platforms: Playstation, iOS, Windows
Co-Op but with a random player
Pricing:
Windows & Playstation - $14.99
iOS - $4.99
Ratings:
9/10 IGN
9/10 Steam
5/5 Common Sense Media
Journey isn’t necessarily an underrated game, but ever since its initial release in 2012, it’s seemed to run under the radar. Journey really artistically displays the idea of loneliness. As the player, you are thrown into this mysterious vast desert, alone. The calming soundtrack and beautiful art in the game make it incredibly unique and enjoyable. Even though you’re alone, you can find comfort in the vast openness of the sandy world. You would think that the landscape would make you feel lonely as the player, but it can actually be very serene and stress-relieving.
Later into the game, you are matched randomly with another player. While this is a real person somewhere in the world, you don’t get to pick who they are. You won’t know who they are, and there is no real verbal way to communicate with each other. This is a mechanic that makes Journey an incredibly unique experience for casual players. You and this player now help each other with puzzles and really discover this sandy open-world together! There is actually a therapeutic technique called sand play therapy, where the client can express themselves through sand play without having to use words. It’s an effective therapy for people seeking to cope with things like anxiety and trauma.
7. Unpacking: A Game That Makes Difficult Life Transitions Fun and Stress-Relieving
Game Tags:
Relaxing, casual, pixel graphics, story rich, puzzle, indie, life sim, atmospheric, point & click, LGBTQ+, inventory management
Platforms: Playstation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, Android, Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS
Singleplayer
Pricing:
PC & Console - $19.99
Mobile - $9.99
Ratings:
8/10 IGN
9/10 Steam
Unpacking is an indie game that blew up for its cute graphics, adorable story, and simplicity. This game is seriously meant for casual gamers. Without any spoilers, as the player you follow a female protagonist through her entire life - moving to different places as she ages. Each time she moves, you get to unpack her belongings. You’re basically growing with her and helping her through these tough life transitions - from childhood, teenage years, and to adulthood (and even what it's like to move in with a romantic partner).
Unpacking is a wholesome game for people who enjoy simple story-rich playthroughs and simple controls. The game also qualifies as a puzzle game, since you have to fit the belongings into each new location. I would say it’s a great game for organizers or even people with OCD. There’s no time limit so nothing feels rushed. You just get to play the game at your own pace! Similar to Stardew Valley, this game is also LGBTQ+ friendly! This is a great game to play to unwind and kill time when you’re trying to relax from your busy schedule.
8. Night in the Woods: A Game With Cute Graphics Yet Also With A Deeply Serious Story
Game Tags:
Story rich, adventure, atmospheric, exploration, choices matter, hand-drawn, platformer, visual novel, psychological, mystery, funny
Platforms: Playstation, Nintendo Switch, XBOX, Linux, Windows, MacOS, iOS
Singleplayer
Pricing:
PC & Console - $19.99
Mobile - $5.99
Ratings:
8.7/10 IGN
9/10 Steam
Even though the characters in Night in the Woods are all anthropomorphic animals, the game actually explores a lot of real themes, including but not limited to:
Growing up
Economic crisis’
Uncertainty of the future
Mental Illness
Out of all the games mentioned in this blog, this definitely has to be the MOST story rich out of all of them. If you’re really into stories with choices and multiple endings, this game is definitely for you. The 2D hand-drawn graphics and calming (yet unsettling) atmosphere in the game make it incredibly unique. Even though there are themes that can be a bit dark, the game's underlying story can be incredibly relatable and realistic - especially for teens and college students (young adults).
Mental Health and Illness is one of the main points of the story, and each character has their own unique journey, personality, and background. The beauty of Night in the Woods is the long gameplay, engaging dialogue, and relatable characters. The game presents as a visual novel, where the interactions between characters really helps you to connect with them. Night in the Woods is a game I recommend to people who enjoy longer games with unique stories that you need to see through till the end!
Video Games As A Form Of Play Therapy
Play Therapy is a style of therapy that can be used to address many different things, including but not limited to:
Anger
Depression or sadness
Sleep problems
Low self-esteem
There are many different forms of “play” and video games can be one of them. If you are someone who enjoys playing games - whether hardcore or more casual - you may enjoy play therapy. Play therapy is normally a non-verbal outlet of expression. During play therapy, you are able to portray your feelings and thoughts through physical expressions. This is a great form of therapy for people who may be afraid to verbally communicate their feelings.
There’s a lot of stigma attached to video games. Normally what you’ll hear is that they are associated with violence - especially in children. But statistically, video games are like any other form of media - literature, tv shows, movies, plays, etc. For many, video games can be an outlet for expression, a hobby, a career, or just something to do with friends. There are many games that are made with mental health in mind, using positive tactics to make you feel like the game is helping you rather than hurting you. The Video Game world is vast, and hopefully the games mentioned on this list will encourage you to explore other games that you may enjoy!
Not super into these games, or maybe you’re looking for other ways to help with stress relief? Check out these blogs:
Olivia Charletta
is studying Human Services with a concentration in Clinical Services at the University of Delaware. She’s a Junior and plans on getting her Master’s after she graduates and to learn more about children with psychological disabilities. In the future, she wants to work as a therapist who specializes in play therapy.
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