My go-to stress relief plan is simple: Find a new podcast archive to endlessly listen to, and boot up a cozy and calming game on Steam to distract myself. I’ve gotten through some really tough life circumstances by letting this simple flow distract me until the Big Feelings move on.
But calming games have other benefits, too. Like, did you know that health and research institutions around the world have found that video games can positively affect your mental health? That’s right! Here are some interesting takeaways:
- According to a survey of 97,602 participants during the COVID-19 lockdown, people playing video games appeared to have a “greater sense of life satisfaction” than those who didn’t play (source).
- There was also an Oxford study back in 2020 that showed that “if you play four hours a day of Animal Crossing, you’re a much happier human being” (source).
- A United Nations survey of over 13,000 gamers from 12 countries found that 71% of participants believed video games relieve stress, 55% used them to combat isolation, and a whopping 2/3 of participants reported “turning to games to help them cope with daily challenges” (source).
While researchers are calling these types of games “light games” or “friendly games,” we know them by another name: cozy games!
However, something people don’t realize is that not all cozy games are “calming.” Think about the high stress of Stardew Valley‘s Skull Caverns combat or the overwhelming “what am I doing here?” feeling you have when first getting into Minecraft or Terraria without a walkthrough.
So, in this article, I’m going to highlight cozy and calming games only! Perfect for stress relief and relaxation.
What is Considered a Cozy, Calming Game?
Calming games, in my opinion, 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.
Whether through gentle gameplay loops, soothing visuals, or tranquil soundscapes, they create a space where players can escape daily stressors and immerse themselves in something peaceful.
Many calming games emphasize exploration, creativity, or meditative mechanics, such as tending a virtual garden, solving simple puzzles, or engaging in cozy storytelling.
Calming cozy games are perfect for people looking to slow down, recharge, and find comfort in video game worlds that prioritize relaxation over challenge.
The Best Calming Games on Steam Right Now
A lot of this is personal preference; however, I always take into account what calming games on Steam are popular, talked about a lot, recommended often, and rated highly by players. I include titles on my lists that I haven’t played or didn’t enjoy simply because I know they fit the bill and I want holistic coverage of the category.
I’ve marked my very favorite games at the top of the list, though. These are games I bought, played, and can vouch for on a personal level. Here are some of the best calming games on Steam:
1. Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match-3 To
🏅Cozy Game Reviews recommends
Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match-3 To is a vibrant puzzle game that mixes fast-paced match-3 mechanics with a heartfelt story about friendship, love, and self-discovery. Set in a colorful, witchy world, you play as Samar, a young spellcaster helping wayward spirits while navigating personal relationships. The gameplay is dynamic and strategic, letting you swap tiles freely to set up big combos and outmatch opponents.
A chill lofi soundtrack and striking visuals make every moment feel like a cozy, late-night hangout. Whether you’re here for the puzzles or the story, Spirit Swap delivers a magical, inclusive experience full of warmth and charm.
You can read my full Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match-3 To preview here.
2. The Star Named EOS
🏅Cozy Game Reviews recommends
The Star Named EOS is a cozy puzzle game by Silver Line Studios in Taiwan, blending hidden object mechanics with heartfelt storytelling. Players join Dei, a young man recreating his mother’s photography, exploring nostalgic spaces and starry landscapes. With hand-drawn Anime art and rich environmental storytelling, this point-and-click journey reveals a moving tale of love, loss, and family history.
Available in English, Japanese, and Traditional Chinese, it’s a touching tribute to memory and connection.
You can read my full The Star Named EOS review here.
3. Spiritfarer
🏅Cozy Game Reviews recommends
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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
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. Combat exists but is optional. This game has a lot of elements that remind me of Animal Crossing, too.
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. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. 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.
What Next?
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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