Latest news with #escapism
CNET
02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
These Relaxing Games Are Like a Warm Blanket for Your Brain
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
The Independent
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Enjoy audiobooks all summer long with 3 months free Audible this Prime Day
A good book can offer escapism like nothing else. Be it a fantasy adventure, a cosy romance or a gripping thriller, there's stories out there that can stay with you for a lifetime. But sometimes, life can get in the way and finding the time to read can be easier said than done. This is where an audiobook can be the booklovers saviour. Audiobooks can be enjoyed handsfree, wherever you are, whatever you're doing. As well as keeping your Goodreads backlog in check, an audiobook can bring a book to life, immersing you in the story in ways that just reading the pages can't match. You can power through your forty-two household chores as you listen to Douglas Adam's Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy or ponder whodunnit on the drive to work with Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club. If you're looking to get stuck into the world of audiobooks, we have a Prime Day deal you won't want to miss. Audible is offering three months free of their premium plus membership for Amazon Prime customers throughout July. Meaning you can listen to your favourite books (or discover your next) all summer long. Get 3 months free Audible now What is Audible Audible is one of the leading audiobook platforms, with a massive library spanning every genre you can think of as well as whole host of podcasts and original content. Whether you're reliving your childhood listening to Stephen Fry narrate the Harry Potter series while you do the laundry or engrossing yourself in the bestselling Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros while walking the dog, Audible has an audiobook for everyone. It's all accessed via their app which is packed with features made to make enjoying your favourite audiobook as effortless as turning a page, including playback speed controls, timers for when you're multitasking or getting ready to sleep and car mode which enlarges icons to make controlling your audiobook while driving easier. An Audible subscription gives you full access to a library of thousands of free to listen to audiobooks, podcasts and original content from instantly recognisable voices including, Alan Partridge, Mel Giedroyc, Jamie Dornan and more. You can also claim one free audiobook a month from their bestseller or new release lists. This is perfect for when a new book comes out that all your friends are talking about. Even better, your monthly audiobook pick is free to keep forever. Joining Audible couldn't be easier. All you need is an active Amazon Prime subscription and to be a new member to Audible. Your first three months are free, after which you can either cancel at no cost, or carry on for £8.99 a month, renewing automatically. But hurry, this deal is only available until 31 July.
Condé Nast Traveler
04-07-2025
- Condé Nast Traveler
The Best Lake Garda Hotels, From Restored Monasteries to Glossy Villas
The waterscapes in Italy are something of a marvel, and Lake Garda is steeped in history, as well as being serenely beautiful and home to some of the best hotels in Italy. Once upon a time, only European royalty, Ancient Roman writers, and top-tier artists retreated here for a holiday, and as such, its landscape is dotted with the kind of architecture you might see on a postcard. There are hotels—like the Pavillion Suite, for example—that stay true to their grandiose Italian roots, and other, more modern alternatives like Hotel Galvani that bring gloss and glamor to the area. This is the ultimate destination for escapism, whether you're here to bathe in nature, indulge in a locally grown feast, take to the waters by boat, or join fellow windsurfers. From lavish Renaissance palazzos to chic eco-friendly retreats, here's our pick of the best hotels in Lake Garda. Alternatively, browse our edit of the best hotels in Lake Como to plan the perfect trip to the Italian lakes.
Telegraph
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
‘I'm not going back': What it was like to be Jewish at Glastonbury
'A friend had seen Kneecap play at Coachella [the music festival held in California in April] and told me not to go to Glastonbury,' says Suzi Sendama. 'He said he thought it would be more difficult for me than I thought it would be. I didn't grasp what he meant at the time.' After spending the weekend at the festival in Somerset, she now understands what her friend meant. A lawyer by day, Sendama, 42, has been going to Glastonbury for over 20 years. This was the first time she felt uncomfortable. 'What I've always loved about festivals is the ability to leave your life at the gate and enter a complete world of escapism, where it's just silly and fun and full of love and everybody supports each other, and you don't have to think about the horrific outside world,' she says. 'There's always awful things going on in the outside world to escape from. At the start of Ezra Collective's performance they said 'we want everyone to make friends'. Festivals are about those moments of love and unity. The rest of the weekend was not like that. 'I know that I'm part of an ethnic minority but you don't feel the hate every day. This weekend was pretty tough. It felt like a massive wake-up call as to the number of people who really do want to dismantle the state of Israel and that scares me. On Sunday, I had to take myself out of the event because I was so upset. People say 'you shouldn't feel threatened, it's not anti-Semitic,' but they would never dare tell a black person what is or isn't an anti-black racist statement.'' Sendama is not alone. Other Jewish attendees have been writing about the discomfort they felt over the weekend. In The Jewish Chronicle, Elisa Bray wrote that the 'stardust' of Glastonbury 'was lost this weekend.' When Jamie Peston, 44, who works in education, went to the festival for the first time last year, he 'fell in love with the chaos and the joy.' But after his experience this year, he wrote in a Facebook post entitled 'The Last Sunrise at Glastonbury: How a Festival of Freedom Turned Its Back on Jews Like Me' that he will not be returning. 'Before I went last year I was apprehensive and a lot of people thought I shouldn't be going, but I had a great time,' he tells The Telegraph. 'There were loads of Palestinian flags and keffiyehs, but that's not what Glastonbury is about, it's just what is portrayed [in the media]. I loved and enjoyed it this year, as well, but the context and detail and gravity of the anger, and the much more blatant anti-Semitism, had a huge impact on my experience. I'm not going back.' Apart from the general atmosphere around the festival, one incident in particular changed his mind. On Saturday afternoon, before a performance by the Australian punk band Amyl and the Sniffers, 'I realised I was in the middle of all the people who were holding Palestinian flags and wearing keffiyahs,' says Peston, who usually wears a kippah but didn't at Glastonbury. 'I got talking to a woman next to me. She asked if I'd seen Kneecap and I said no, then we had a chat, then suddenly in the middle of the conversation she said ' Oy vey ' at the end of a sentence. I jolted. I said 'What did you just say?' and she said 'it's Yiddish'. I said 'I know, are you Jewish?' and she said 'no.' I remembered in the back of my mind reading about people in these kinds of groups learning Yiddish phrases so they could work out who was Jewish and who was not. I realised then that I didn't want to be there any more.' Peston says his experience at Glastonbury was part of a trend of rising anti-Semitism. 'What we're seeing is a massive shift in what the mainstream thinks is acceptable and OK. It's making me feel significantly concerned and destabilised. While I champion free speech, I think there is a very clear line, which was crossed a long time ago. Part of the problem is the normalisation of extreme language.' Police have launched criminal investigations into the Glastonbury performances by Kneecap, an Irish rap group, and Bob Vylan, a punk duo from London. In May, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, a member of Kneecap who performs as Mo Chara, was charged with a terror offence for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag at a gig in London last November. Kneecap have been outspoken critics of Israel's war in Gaza. During Bob Vylan's performance on Saturday, singer Bobby Vylan led thousands of fans in chants of 'death, death to the IDF [Israel Defense Forces],' and spoke about working for a 'f------ Zionist.' The BBC, which screened the performance, issued a statement saying the 'anti-Semitic sentiments were utterly unacceptable.' In a separate statement, Glastonbury organisers said they were 'appalled' by the comments, which 'very much crossed a line.' Sir Keir Starmer condemned the 'appalling hate speech.' The chief rabbi, Sir Ephraim Mirvis, posted on social media that the 'airing of vile Jew-hatred at Glastonbury' and the botched response amounted to a ' time of national shame.' Bob Vylan have had their US visas rescinded ahead of a planned tour and have reportedly been dropped by their management. 'I'm not scared, and that's the irony of this whole situation,' says Peston. 'Zionism is simply the belief that Jews have the right to self-determination in our ancestral homeland. The existence of Israel means that, if things ever got truly dangerous, I could pack my bags and go somewhere safe – something Jews haven't always had the luxury of doing, often with disastrous consequences. So when I hear 'death to the IDF' it lands as something much deeper. It doesn't mean I support every action of the Israeli government or military. It means that the very idea of Jewish safety and continuity is being rejected, and that's profoundly unsettling.' For at least one Jewish attendee, Glastonbury was an opportunity to openly celebrate his faith. 'I have always worn a massive Star of David necklace,' says Matthew Waxman, 34. 'It's a big part of my identity. For a long time wearing it has been a mixed experience. On the one hand it stops people from making casual anti-Semitic remarks around me, but on the other hand it generates filthy looks from time to time. People who have a problem with it rarely say anything. Glastonbury was in line with that experience. 'The other reason I wear it is because it's not a pleasant time to be a Jew and I know a lot of people who hide their identity in public. I've had many experiences where people come up to me and say seeing someone being proudly visibly Jewish made them feel a bit safer or not alone. Again that was the case at Glastonbury. You can't let the b------- grind you down. There were pockets of genuine anti-Semitism at Glastonbury like there are everywhere, but I don't let anyone intimidate me.' Glastonbury will have a fallow year next year to allow the fields to recover. While war rages in Gaza, organisers of festivals and broadcasters – particularly the BBC – will continue to face the difficult question of where artistic freedom ends. For the Jewish festival-goers put off by their experience this time, that may not be enough. 'I'm sad that this place of unity and love from people from all walks of life felt like it's not for everybody any more,' says Suzi Sendama. 'I'm glad there's a break next year because it gives more of an opportunity for it to be rectified.'
Harpers Bazaar Arabia
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Harpers Bazaar Arabia
Chanel's Cruise 25/26 Collection Will Whisk You To The Riviera Courtesy of Sofia Coppola
A Chanel muse herself, Sofia Coppola lenses a short film capturing the spirit of the house's Cruise 2025/26 show For Sofia Coppola, 'You can be a fantasy version of yourself, or live a life you don't usually have time for.' And that's why she's chosen to craft a cinematic reverie that doubles up as meditation on artful escapism – on the allure of crafting a new glamorous identity for oneself while on holiday. Through her directorial eye, this imagined persona echoes the image of the Chanel woman – clad in the Maison's Cruise 2025/26 collection – as it exists in the collective imagination: poised, a bit mysterious, and just out of reach. But although this film has fashion at its heart, it isn't just about fashion. Unveiled at the Villa d'Este on Lake Como – once owned by Renaissance elites who considered themselves as worldly aesthetes, it now serves as a stage for Chanel's modern-day muses. The director pays homage to its historic location with her short film – titled Quintessentially Sofia – following model Ida Heiner as she glides through the storied corridors of the villa with a kind of effortless elegance. She wears pieces from the new capsule, designed by the Chanel Creation Studio ahead of Mathieu Blazy's much-anticipated debut this October, with house codes being reinterpreted with a vacation-ready twist: featherweight tweeds, diaphanous knits, and wicker flap bags. The concept of a holiday wardrobe is intrinsically linked to Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel herself. She was one of the first to create a Cruise collection, presenting her first one in 1919 outside the traditional fashion calendar. And here, you see the very essence of what it represents: a seamless blend of elegance and ease. From Hong Kong to Dubai and Monaco, Chanel has long presented its Cruise shows as cultural dialogues. Beyond its cinematic allure, Lake Como holds particular significance for the Maison as a result of its enduring collaborations with the artisans that hail from the region. It also nods to Coco Chanel's own travels – she visited the lake in the '30s with her close friend and legendary filmmaker Luchino Visconti. Sofia herself was clearly inspired by the effortlessly chic style of Luchino's on-screen characters – particularly in his 1962 film Il Lavoro. 'I love the whole attitude,' Sofia shares. 'How he shows something really refined in a casual way.' That dichotomy – of polish and casualness – informs Sofia's vision of who the Chanel woman is. She's someone who moves through her world with tasteful nonchalance. Distinct in Sofia's direction is her signature female gaze – vicarious rather than voyeuristic. 'I put myself in the point of view of the woman discovering the place,' she explains. 'I try to make the Chanel woman someone you can relate to (even if she's a fantasy version) so you can be her, not just look at her.' Ultimately, the film brings home the message that for Chanel, luxury is a state of mind – an invitation into a dreamscape of your own making.
