Sometimes, all that's required is just a simple game to relax one's mind. Casual games are meant for those light experiences that require no intense focus or longer play sessions. A lot of these have rather clean pictures, good tunes, and simple loops that could be picked up and put down at will. They are not high scorers or competitive games; they are just about chilling out for a bit.
So, if you are looking for something calm, easy, and fun, then here are 10 casual games you can pick for slowing things down a bit.
Stardew Valley
This is probably one game that most players have heard about. By chance, if you haven't gotten a chance to explore it yet, in this game, you inherit a rundown farm and begin your life in a quiet rural town, far removed from the fast pace of modern life. Stardew Valley gives you total freedom to live how you want: for example, you can farm, fish, mine, raise animals, or even befriend people from towns. The game is simple but definitely brings a peaceful vibe where you can do things at your own pace.
Townscaper
An example of a classic creative building game where objectives or a progression system take a second seat. This is a sandbox building game where you’re free to create beautiful, floating towns by simply clicking on a grid. You can also say that it’s almost like playing with digital LEGO bricks. Not to mention, the soft sound effects and clean visuals only add to the chill vibe. Townscaper is currently available on PC, consoles, and even mobile.
Unpacking
Just like the name suggests, this is a decorating puzzle game where you just have to open the box and place the items by deciding where they belong in your newly shifted home. Yes, it’s a bit like a Tetris game that has an interior decorating theme. The game will follow a slow-paced theme, and you click and drag items to shelves, drawers, or walls. While some objects will have clear spots, for others, you have to use your intuition and interpretation to bring out the best possible combination. Once again, there will be no role for a timing and scoring system.
Mini Metro
In this game, you have to design a subway system for a growing city by connecting stations with simple colored lines. This might sound simple, but you should also know that as the city expands and more passengers need transport, you have to adapt your metro lines to keep the system efficient and prevent overcrowding. For passengers, their current station to destination station will have a common shape: this can be a Circle, a Triangle, or a Square.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
This game will kind of give you a Stardew Valley vibe. You land on this empty island and slowly build it into your dream place, which will require you to collect resources and craft tools. Since the game works in real time, if it’s night in real life, it’s night in the game too. You can relax and check in every now and then. You can even invite a maximum of 4 friends over to your island. Honestly, it’s just super low stress. If you want something that lets you chill and take your mind off stuff, this one’s perfect.
Dorfromantik
Created by a small German indie studio, Toukana Interactive, the game launched in 2022 following a successful Early Access. In Dorfromantik, you add single tiles onto an empty board. Each tile contains tiny pieces of nature or village life, such as trees, houses, fields, rivers, or train tracks. Your objective is to fit the tiles in a logical manner, such as pairing forest borders with other forests or continuing a river. As you play, you get small tasks (called quests). When you complete these tasks, you get more tiles to keep playing. The game ends when you run out of tiles.
A Short Hike
One big reason this game is perfect for casual players is because of the freedom it gives to explore. The primary goal of this game is to reach the top of a mountain called Hawk Peak so you can get cell phone reception. During your journey, you can wander at your own pace, talking to birds and animals, and enjoy scenic views. The controls are easy to learn, and the gameplay feels light and fun. You collect golden feathers to help you climb higher or glide longer, but there won't be a rush to do anything. On average, you can complete this game within 1 to 2 hours.
Littlewood
Imagine waking up in a small village with no memory of your past. You soon learn that you were a great hero who saved the world from danger, but now it’s time to rebuild your town and create a peaceful life. The characters in the game are also very lovable. You will find that each character in the game has their own backstory and personality. As you talk to them and give them gifts, you can build friendships with them. Interestingly, you can also develop romantic relationships. The art style is cute and colorful, and this is why it makes you feel good.
Alto’s Odyssey
Minimalist control, this is what this endless runner game thrives on. The game uses just one tap to jump and holds to do tricks. That’s it. But despite its simplicity, there’s a nice flow to the movement. Apart from this, there is a different cast of characters to choose from. Since the game has a dynamic weather system and day-night cycle along with various biomes, you won't feel repetitiveness in the game. There are also goals to complete in case you want more structured things, like doing a certain number of backflips or traveling a set distance.
Assemble with Care
You play as Maria, a traveling antique restorer who arrives in the charming town of Bellariva. The gameplay revolves around helping the locals by repairing their beloved objects, like cameras, cassette players, watches, phones, and more. As you keep on doing these tasks, you will get to know more about characters and their hidden stories, because you are helping them emotionally.
Talking about the tone, the game is absolutely gorgeous. The hand-painted art style has a warm, nostalgic feel that matches the tone of the story perfectly.