Calming games have become increasingly popular in recent years, especially with the rise of stress and anxiety levels among people. Steam, the popular gaming platform, is home to a variety of games that can help players relax and unwind after a long day. These games not only provide an escape from reality but also help players reduce stress and anxiety levels.
These games are designed to provide a calming and soothing experience to players. They often feature slow-paced gameplay, relaxing soundtracks, and beautiful visuals. Some games may also include meditation exercises or breathing techniques to help players relax.
What is a Calming Game?
Calming games, also known as relaxing or chill games, are video games designed to help players de-stress and unwind. These games are often slow-paced, with little to no time pressure or competition, allowing players to take their time and enjoy the experience. Calming games are perfect for people who want to take a break from their busy lives and relax.
One of the benefits of cozy and calming games is that they can help reduce stress and anxiety. Playing these games can help lower heart rate and blood pressure, which can have a positive impact on mental health. Calming games are a great way to unwind and relax after a long day. They offer a chance to escape from the stresses of everyday life and enjoy a peaceful, immersive experience.
The 20 Best Calming Games on Steam
Steam is known for its vast library of games, and among them are many that can help players relax and unwind. Here are some of the most popular calming games on Steam:
1. Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is a farming simulation game that has become a beloved classic. In the game, players inherit a farm and must work to restore it to its former glory. With its charming graphics, relaxing gameplay, and engaging story, Stardew Valley is a great choice for anyone looking for a calming game to play.
2. Spiritfarer
Spiritfarer is a beautiful game that combines elements of platforming, management, and exploration. In the game, players take on the role of a ferry master who must guide spirits to the afterlife. With its gorgeous art style, touching story, and calming gameplay, Spiritfarer is a game that is sure to leave players feeling uplifted.
3. House Flipper
House Flipper is a game that allows players to live out their HGTV dreams. In the game, players buy, renovate, and sell houses for a profit. With its satisfying gameplay, relaxing music, and endless possibilities, House Flipper is a great choice for anyone looking for a game that they can play for hours on end.
4. Katamari Damacy Reroll
Katamari Damacy Reroll is a remastered version of the classic game that first came out in 2004. In the game, players control a character who rolls a ball around, picking up objects as they go. With its quirky graphics, catchy music, and addictive gameplay, Katamari Damacy Reroll is a game that is sure to put a smile on anyone’s face.
5. ABZU
ABZU is an underwater exploration game that allows players to explore the depths of the ocean. With its stunning visuals, calming music, and relaxing gameplay, ABZU is a game that is sure to leave players feeling peaceful and refreshed.
6. Everything
Everything is a game that allows players to explore the universe and everything in it. With its unique gameplay mechanics, calming music, and philosophical themes, Everything is a game that is sure to leave players feeling thoughtful and introspective.
7. My Time at Portia
My Time at Portia is a farming simulation game that takes place in a post-apocalyptic world. With its charming graphics, engaging story, and relaxing gameplay, My Time at Portia is a great choice for anyone looking for a game that they can sink hours into.
8. Garden Paws
Garden Paws is a game that allows players to run their own animal shop and farm. With its cute graphics, relaxing gameplay, and endless possibilities, Garden Paws is a great choice for anyone looking for a game that they can play for hours on end.
9. Slime Rancher 2
Slime Rancher is a game that allows players to raise and care for their own slimes. With its charming graphics, relaxing gameplay, and endless possibilities, Slime Rancher is a great choice for anyone looking for a game that they can sink hours into.
10. Cozy Grove
Cozy Grove is a game that allows players to explore a haunted island and help ghosts find peace. With its cute graphics, relaxing gameplay, and engaging story, Cozy Grove is a great choice for anyone looking for a game that they can play for hours on end.
11. Townscaper
Townscaper is a game that allows players to design and build their own towns. With its beautiful graphics, relaxing music, and endless possibilities, Townscaper is a great choice for anyone looking for a game that they can play for hours on end.
12. Unpacking
Unpacking is a game that allows players to unpack boxes and decorate their new home. With its calming music, engaging gameplay, and endless possibilities, Unpacking is a great choice for anyone looking for a game that they can play for hours on end.
13. Leaf Blower Revolution
Leaf Blower Revolution is a game that allows players to run their own leaf blowing business. With its simple gameplay, relaxing music, and endless possibilities, Leaf Blower Revolution is a great choice for anyone looking for a game that they can play in short bursts.
14. PowerWash Simulator
PowerWash Simulator is a game that allows players to clean various objects with a power washer. With its satisfying gameplay, calming music, and endless possibilities, PowerWash Simulator is a great choice for anyone looking for a game with an easy, satisfying gameplay loop.
15. Necrobarista
Necrobarista is a unique narrative-driven game that seamlessly melds together the supernatural and the mundane in a visually stunning urban fantasy setting. Set within a supernatural café where both the living and the dead coexist for a single night, players follow the stories of a diverse cast of characters, both human and ghostly, as they grapple with the complexities of life, death, and the afterlife.
16. Flower
Flower is an award-winning game that allows players to control the wind and guide a flower petal through a series of fields. The game has a beautiful and calming soundtrack that complements the stunning visuals. The game has no score or rank, and the players can enjoy the game without any pressure.
17. Ooblets
Ooblets is a delightful and whimsical farming and creature-collecting game that immerses players in a charming world where they can grow crops, raise adorable creatures called “Ooblets,” and engage in dance-based battles. Ooblets offers a joyful and relaxing gaming experience that encourages players to cultivate their farm, build friendships with quirky characters, and participate in dance-offs to grow their Ooblet collection and contribute to the vibrant community of Badgetown.
18. Journey
Journey is a meditative adventure with picturesque natural landscapes. You may travel alone, or you may find a partner along the road. Communicate with blips and noises to solve puzzles and navigate the sprawling world together. If you don’t play the game, at least listen to the soundtrack. It’ll be worth it, I promise.
19. Littlewood
Littlewood is a captivating and serene town-building simulation game that unfolds after the defeat of a dark evil, tasking players with rebuilding and customizing their own town from the ground up. Set in a charming world where time doesn’t progress, players gather resources, develop relationships with endearing characters, and design the town to their liking.
20. Summer in Mara
Summer in Mara is a captivating farming and adventure game that whisks players away to a vibrant tropical archipelago, where they assume the role of a young girl named Koa who tends to her own island while embarking on a journey of exploration, resource management, and discovery. Players navigate a rich narrative that combines farming simulation with engaging quests, while also setting sail to neighboring islands, uncovering secrets, and unraveling the mysteries of the world.
Conclusion
Sometimes you just want to kick back and relax with your video games. No rush, no fuss. It can be a great way to end a stressful day or a perfect companion to a rainy day indoors. These are the games that I recommend, what are yours?
Stay cozy, gamers!
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