These Relaxing Games Are Like a Warm Blanket for Your Brain

CNET

4 days ago

Sometimes, the best way to deal with a stressful world is to take a step back, and the right game can offer exactly that. Between rising costs, relentless news cycles, and nonstop digital noise, it's easy to feel burned out. But cozy games give you permission to slow down, breathe, and reset. And no, self-care doesn't have to mean meditation or scented candles-sometimes it just means curling up with a game that makes you feel good.
Whether you're nurturing crops on a peaceful farm, solving gentle puzzles, decorating a virtual home, or exploring a low-stakes fantasy world, these relaxing games are the perfect way to unplug without tuning out completely. They're accessible, often affordable, and ideal for casual gamers or anyone needing a mental health break.
You can find a bunch of these on the best game subscription services, and some you might have to hunt down, but they're all worth it. Bonus: Many are available on Switch, PC, mobile or even Game Pass, so they're easy to fit into your routine. If you're searching for stress relief, escapism, or just a reason to smile, these cozy games are worth the download.
Humble Games Unpacking
In Unpacking, moving day becomes a living puzzle that you can work on throughout the course of the life of the game's main character. You'll follow their life across decades, not through dialogue or cutscenes, but by unpacking their belongings box by box. From childhood bedrooms to college dorms to shared apartments, each space tells a story as you decide where every sock, photo, and coffee mug should live.
Unpacking each item and figuring out where it should go gives you the satisfaction of tidying up as well as dollops of excellent storytelling. There's no time limit, no score, and no pressure. Whether you're matching towels in the bathroom or figuring out which shelf holds the most emotional weight, it's a meditative experience that invites you to slow down, reflect, and find comfort in the little things. See at Witch Beam Games
Concerned Ape Stardew Valley
In what may be one of the coziest games of all time, you inherit a rundown farm and help it thrive, Harvest Moon style. This colorful farming sim lets you escape city life to cultivate crops, raise animals and even start a family. Between mining in monster-filled caves, participating in local festivals and building relationships with the townsfolk, there's always something to keep you busy.
The best part of Stardew Valley is the fact that you don't have to participate in every single aspect of the game if you don't want to. There's plenty of fun to be had in the simple joy of harvesting your crops, making some quick cash and doing it all over again the next day. Plus, you can play with friends in the game's multiplayer mode.
Available platforms: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux See at Stardew Valley
Thunder Lotus Games Spiritfarer
A heartfelt adventure about ferrying lost souls to the afterlife may not seem like a relaxing escape, but wait until you play it. As Stella, the new Spiritfarer, you'll befriend unique characters, help them fulfill their last wishes, and help them say their final goodbyes while building and managing your own boat.
The beautiful, hand-drawn visuals and gentle pacing create a comforting atmosphere that's easy to get lost in, and it'll put a smile on your face even as it explores heavy themes like love and loss. Equal parts management sim and emotional adventure, Spiritfarer is a beautiful take on saying goodbye that still manages to inspire hope while keeping you entertained.
Available platforms: Xbox One, Playstation 4, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux See at Thunder Lotus Games
Electronic Arts Dragon Age: The Veilguard
The first new Dragon Age game in a decade whisks players back to Thedas, where the lines between reality and the Fade have dangerously blurred. As part of the Veilguard, you'll create a your character, choose a faction and explore beautiful landscapes teeming with secrets with plenty of enemies to fell.
Branching dialogue, companions to romance and all the Dragon Age lore you can handle make this one adventure that'll stick in your mind long after the credits roll. The choices you'll be forced to make won't always be easy, nor will the path to finding disillusioned mage-turned-villain Solas. But they'll always be engaging, and this fantasy world is one that'll have you eager to step into each play session.
Available platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Windows See at Electronic Arts
Larian Studios Baldur's Gate 3
In this grand traditional roleplaying adventure, every decision shapes your journey and changes the world you're exploring. And it's a colorfully weird and bizarre one at that, populated by mind-flayers, monsters and irresistible elfin vampires who may or may not kill you.
Using turn-based combat inspired by Dungeons & Dragons, you'll power through challenging battles, take on complex puzzles and form unlikely alliances. But there's still plenty of fun to be had, too. You'll never feel closer to a cast of characters as you will in this installment of the long-running Baldur's Gate series, which consistently feels as alive as the very world you live in.
Available platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Windows, Mac See at Larian Studios
Secret Mode A Little to the Left
Love tidying up? Love staying at home and getting cozy with a coffee and a blanket on the sofa? You've found your next perfect game. A Little to the Left is a charming puzzler that satisfies the soul with simple yet challenging organizing tasks like straightening and placing picture frames (hence the name).
From sorting pencils to lining up cat food cans, each puzzle assigns a bit of order to a chaotic world. But beware of the cat, who can always mess up a "purrfect" placement when you least expect it. Perfect for fans of soothing gameplay, it's a fun reminder to take a step back and breathe.
Available platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, Windows, Mac See at Max Inferno
Nintendo Super Mario Odyssey
In this sprawling open-world Mario game, our favorite plumber sets off on a globe-trotting adventure like never before. The fun goes global as he hunts for Princess Peach, stolen away by Bowser to marry. Like most Mario games before it, Super Mario Odyssey is a lighthearted platformer with its own fun twist.
With his new companion Cappy, Mario can "become" enemies and objects like light bulbs, animals and more as you explore tons of new kingdoms and secret areas. From cityscapes (with amazing music) to desert dunes, each kingdom is packed full of memorable Mario moments that'll have you coming back for more. And you'll have plenty of time to explore every nook and cranny.
Available platforms: Nintendo Switch See at Nintendo
Sony Interactive Entertainment Astro Bot
Astro Bot may be one of the cheeriest games to ever land on PlaySation. Take on the role of this happy little robot as you explore worlds based on various elements teeming with references to other PlayStation games, hardware and pop culture from yesteryear.
Leap, dodge and explore vibrant 3D worlds that feel like they were ripped straight from a new Mario platformer. Then rescue your favorite PlayStation characters, from Kratos to PaRappa the Rapper, and watch them interact in a massive hub where all your collections and new friends can hang out. It's pure, unadulterated bliss (and a great reason to invest in a PS5 if you haven't already).
Available platforms: PlayStation 5 See at Playstation
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
This beloved Switch game flips traditional Zelda gameplay on its head, serving up an open-world experience that's as vast as it is beautiful. Explore the ruins of a doomed Hyrule as you work to uncover the secret behind slaying its newest foe. Threats lurk everywhere as you climb, cook and fight your way through shrines and dungeons with towering enemies.
There's a bittersweet yet heartfelt story at the center of it all, but the real joy lies in exploring every single area you can to unearth delightful secrets and take in the serenity of vast landscapes. And when you're finished, there's always its equally fantastic sequel, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, to take in.
Available platforms: Nintendo Switch See at Nintendo
HoYoverse Genshin Impact
This free-to-play open world adventure takes you to Teyvat, where you can take part in a massive RPG experience like no other from your favorite console, PC or your phone. With a cast of unique characters, each with their own abilities, you can find your favorite cast and swap between them.
Want a different character to play with? The game's fairly generous gacha system helps you unlock additional heroes to get through the game in the way you want -- and if you like what you see, there are other games from HoYoVerse if you want to try them, like Honkai Star Rail and Zenless Zone Zero.
Available platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Windows, iOS, Android See at Genshin Impact
Hello Games No Man's Sky
Want to blast off into space? This expansive exploration game gives you a universe-sized sandbox that lets you travel to countless planets, each with their own unique ecosystems, alien creatures and loot. Name new, uncharted worlds, trade with distant civilizations or build a home base wherever you like.
You have seemingly endless upgrades, plenty of familiar survival mechanics and multiplayer mode to play with, which makes No Man's Sky a unique experience that's only grown larger with every update. Space is waiting -- all you need to do is jump in your ship.
Available platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Windows, Mac See at No Man's Sky