The best games to play when you need a break

Games are great for escaping reality. I will be the first to admit that. When things get really stressful or difficult, having somewhere to go to get away from the difficulty for a few hours can be a huge relief. There has also been talk of some therapists using games such as: minecraft There's no denying that gaming as a way to connect with clients can be stressful, depending on the type and genre, but it can also be incredibly relaxing and liberating.

There are a few games I always return to when I need a mental reset. I call this my comfort game. I'm sure everyone has something like this in their library. It's a favorite title that feels familiar and cozy enough that you can start at any time without too much pressure to deliver anything. Maybe I'll find a new favorite to add to my collection, or maybe I'll share some of the same relaxing games. Let's dive into it.

7

repo

Silly chaos with friends

Gaming is a social hobby, so don't allow anyone to tell you differently. One of the best ways to relax is to start playing silly friend games and running around with your friends. There are so many options these days, even in this category. Recently, Yap yap It came out and looked fun, until I tried it. repo. Essentially it is: fatal companyBut there's something fun about the player character model, googly eyes, and the way the mouth moves in close-up chat.

It's impossible not to burst into laughter while playing this game, even as you desperately try to lock down and stay quiet while the monsters hunt you. Some of the creature designs are really weird, so it's best to go in blindly and without any expectations for maximum chaos and laughs.

6

Baldur's Gate 3

The most complete and high-quality RPG experience

i was around Baldur's Gate 3 Since the title was in Early Access, I still can't fully enjoy the game. It's come a long way since its early days, and considering how deep and dense the game is, and how different the way it plays can look depending on the type of character you build and the choices you make, it's a bit addictive.

I love a good RPG, and whenever I'm craving the best, most complete adventure, I always go back to one of Larian Studios' games. Divinity: Original Sin 2 It's a close second, but I like how it's much more character driven. Baldur's Gate 3 It feels like a conversation UI and very detailed character models. The sheer number of weapons and multiclass options also tickles the Buildcraft side of things. I admit it. It's hard to not play a broken Honor Mode build and pick a more unique and goofier version. What can I say? I really like Smite Swords Bard. If it bores me, so be it.

5

project zomboid

A frustrating survival game exploring eternity

One of my most recent obsessions is a game that has been around for a very long time. project zomboid It captures something you never thought a game could pack all into one package. simsExperience the thrill of a survival horror game with in-depth survival mechanics. All of this is packaged into a frankly bafflingly large and dynamic open world environment that I'm not sure why this game held my attention for so long. I absolutely love survival games, and I don't usually like zombie games, but Project Zomboid's The sandbox is so difficult, frustrating, and incredibly addictive that you'll want to come back again and again.

Some days I want to jump straight into Survival or Apocalypse difficulty, but I get upset when things don't go my way. And other days, I load up a custom difficulty setting and enjoy a more relaxed experience that allows me to survive a little longer and really explore the depth of the game's mechanics. Customization is what I really like about this game, and I feel comfortable with it.

4

small bookstore

Take a break and test your knowledge

If your free time consists mainly of games and reading, small bookstore Should be the next stop. This cool indie game is simple on the surface, but it's story-driven is similar to games like: Stardew ValleyYou can get to know the people of the Northtonbury area and help them solve their problems. Before long, you'll be drawn into their lives when they visit your little mobile shop. In the meantime, you'll manage your small book business, stocking your shelves with different genres depending on where you'll be selling next, outfitting your mobile store, and writing recommendations that people ask you for.

As a book lover myself, there were so many new titles I discovered in the game that I had to write them down so I could read them in real life. Because the game explains it in a very convincing way. It's a great way to expand your literary knowledge outside your comfort zone while completely relaxing. There are absolutely no stressful elements to this game, and the smooth, inviting art style and soothing music ensure this.

3

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Manage Chill Island in real time

Unless you're one of those people who likes time travel to speed things up (if you are, there's no shame in it). Animal Crossing: New Horizons This is a game that allows you to slow down and relax thanks to the way it's designed. This game works in real time. That means there's really only so much you can do in a day on your small island.

Completing the main quest section gives you almost freedom to develop your dream island by creating patterns, growing flowers and trees, moving to new villages on the islands you visit, and terraforming to create the perfect world. I also like the way the weather changes with the seasons in real time. It's a game you can always come back to, play for 15 or 20 minutes, and then move on with your day. There's no pressure, and you're not really punished for being imperfect. Plus, it looks really adorable. Especially if you're lucky enough to have some cute villagers you like hanging around your island.

2

Stardew Valley

The farm needs to grow and money needs to come in.

Stardew Valley A Sunday passes by that captures you and holds you hostage for hours, only to suddenly realize that instead of just 15 minutes, you've been playing non-stop for 8 hours. It's a game worth studying for its addictive gameplay loop and how simple yet efficient all of its farming simulation mechanics are. You can mine, build a farm and brew wine all year round to make a lot of money, or romance your favorite NPC in town by giving them gifts.

Eventually, you'll also unlock another farming area on Ginger Island where you can grow whatever crops you want all year round. Whether you're an obsessive Minimax fanatic like me or a hard-core gamer who likes a cute retro 2D vibe, Stardew Valley is a dangerously fun game that will lift everyone's spirits when they're tired and exhausted. I guarantee that this game will bring comfort to many people. That's because the game is available on so many different platforms that you can practically take it with you wherever you go.

1

minecraft

Two Weeks of Minecraft Stage is a True Phenomenon

I am definitely not alone when I say minecraft It's a game I keep coming back to, even years later. This is basically an all-rounder in gaming. It's a sandbox of creativity with survival mechanics and an infinite procedurally generated world filled with dungeons and biomes. And that's all without getting into the modded aspect. minecraft. We have a massive modpack for the game that completely changes the feel of the game to the point where you won't even notice it. minecraft No more. My personal favorite is RLCraft.

minecraft It's great because it's a game you can play at your own pace. Suddenly, hours have passed as you get creative and build something weird and fun or a huge castle. You can start playing Hardcore Survival World and see how long it takes you. Or you can start a server with friends and do your own thing and play survival together. There are also larger servers with minigames, PVP, parkour challenges, full adventure maps, and more. It's undoubtedly the game I return to when I need a mental reset when all else fails.