There's never a shortage of electrifying adventure games on the Nintendo Switch, from the upcoming DLC Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak to the recently released Dying Light 2: Stay Human. But sometimes, gamers need a break from all the action and just need a good relaxing game.
Thankfully, the Nintendo Switch game catalog is also full of slice-of-life games that can transform the most mundane tasks into entertaining and comforting challenges. But with the numerous slice-of-life titles on the handheld console, which ones are worth spending time on?
Staxel
Developed by indie game studio Plukit, Staxel is a slice-of-life game that features voxel graphics. In the game, players are free to build structures, tend farms, and explore the game environment without having to worry about monsters.
Raising farm animals, meeting neighbors, having hobbies, and growing crops are just some of the seemingly humdrum tasks that are made more fun in the world of Staxel. Players who want a pure sandbox game can also enable the game's creative mode, which allows them to access all items without having to gather resources or use the crafting system.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Animal Crossing: New Horizons was one of the biggest releases for the Nintendo Switch in 2020. In the game, players are granted a getaway package to a deserted island where they can fish, swim, farm, and decorate their own homes.
The relaxing Nintendo Switch game has also provided comfort for many gamers as it was released during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Aside from decorating their own island and making sure it matches their vision, gamers can also visit their friends' islands and interact with them in the virtual world.
Stardew Valley
The quaint RPG from ConcernedApe offers a lot of virtual activities for gamers who want to try to live in the countryside. Apart from following the main story of the game or doing a dungeon crawl in the mines for resources, gamers can also do fun hidden activities in Stardew Valley such as raising a dinosaur, watching a movie, and catching legendary fish.
Stardew Valley has received a lot of praise as a slice-of-life game by incorporating simple activities such as romancing various NPCs, farming crops, and rebuilding a local community center with an expansive and engrossing narrative.
Unpacking
Who knew that taking stuff out of boxes would make a great game? In Witch Beam's best-selling indie game Unpacking, players get to pull objects out of boxes and are tasked with making sure that it fits in a new home.
The slice of life game includes puzzle and home decoration mechanics that will barely give the player any stress. Critics also note that Unpacking's chill music and storyline that's hidden in the details also make for a cozy and intriguing experience.
Calico
Gamers who have dreamed of opening their own cafe should try out Calico. In the life simulation game, players are handed a cat cafe to manage and nurture. But it's not just the cat cafe that benefits from the players' efforts — the community also thrives as the player goes around and does tasks for her neighbors.
Calico is one of the cutest games players can find on the Nintendo Switch eStore, filled with whimsical objects, magical friends, and of course, cats. Calico also has a mysterious narrative that some gamers found hard to follow, mostly due to the sheer amount of distractingly cute elements the game has.
Cozy Grove
Cozy Grove is often compared to the ever-popular franchise Animal Crossing as both games run on clocks that move in real-time. This means that the progression for Cozy Grove can feel cumbersome for players who are used to fast-paced games.
But unlike Animal Crossing, Cozy Grove has a more focused narrative. In the game, gamers play as a spirit scout who is tasked with helping ghosts live their afterlives to the fullest. The daily tasks in the game can be completed in as short as 30 minutes and mostly involve activities like harvesting, collecting, and fishing.
Littlewood
Defeating evil is a huge and overbearing task, and heroes who have done their duties deserve to rest in the enchanting world of Littlewood. Created by developer Sean Young, Littlewood is a slice-of-life game about a successful hero who is now tasked with building a town and making sure that the villagers are satisfied.
The life simulation title has been thoroughly enjoyed by gamers for its quirky narrative, as well as its chill town-building features that include, farming, bug catching, gathering, mining, and woodcutting.
A Short Hike
In A Short Hike, players need to hike to the summit of a mountain in order to get a mobile phone signal. The game doesn't rush the player though, as they can do various activities along the way to the summit, such as fishing beside a river or hunting for treasure.
The open-world game's cute graphics and visuals also contribute to its serene and tranquil atmosphere. Critics also note that the game just gets more enjoyable after the player reaches the summit as it allows them to do whatever they want in the charming world of A Short Hike.
Kitaria Fables
Filled with felines and other fantastical creatures, Kitaria Fables is a farming RPG with slice-of-life mechanics where players can do exciting activities such as wielding weapons and fighting monsters, as well as relaxing tasks like gathering and taking care of crops.
What amplifies the slice of life aspect of Kitaria Fables is its quaint and peaceful art. Despite making the character go on adventures where they might face tough enemies, Kitaria Fables never fails to display detailed and vibrant environments.
Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout
The Atelier games from Gust Co. Ltd. are primarily considered RPGs. However, the 2019 title in the Atelier series, Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & the Secret Hideout, heavily features slice-of-life scenes and game aspects.
With no real adventure to do, the player is mostly encouraged to explore the world they're in, as well as to get to know the other characters in the early parts of the game. As the game progresses, the combat and questing mechanics become more apparent. But unlike other RPG games, Atelier Ryza: Ever Darkness & The Secret Hideout allows players to thoroughly indulge in its slice of life anime cutscenes and exploratory adventures before bringing in the action.