Spring is coming and with that a break from the stressful beginnings of each year. With the breezy air and warm sun, there's no better time to sit back, relax, and just enjoy the moment for a little bit. That extends even to video games, where the common theme nowadays tends to be the usual save-the-world scenarios or high-stakes mission-solving.
Whether living a peaceful life on a farm or doing a mundane menial task such as power washing, the gaming world provides thousands of options no matter the players. Especially for those who aren't interested in saving the world or fighting off some wicked Demon Lord.
Unpacking (2021)
Moving has never been more fun than when introduced in the hit game Unpacking, which with its release managed to turn thousands of skeptics into gamers glued in their seats. Unpacking manages to turn a frustrating and familiar experience into a fun and satisfying one thanks to its atmosphere and surprisingly dense yet subtle story.
There's no villain to be defeated, a civilization that needs saving, or peace to be upheld, instead, players are tasked with unpacking and designating objects into delegated rooms in a decorative style. Over time, as more and more levels get completed, players will come to realize that beneath the simple gameplay lies a heartfelt story that most people can sympathize with.
PowerWash Simulator (2022)
Nothing is more satisfying than turning a once disgusting and grime-filled surface into something clean. Using that principle, PowerWash Simulator managed to create one of the most addictive video game experiences of all time. Travel from place to place power washing filthy play places, patios, vehicles, and even a fire station till they shine.
PowerWash Simulator truly encapsulates the cleaning experience as the simple process of washing away grime to something beautiful is an almost addictive process that always gets players hooked to the next level. Players can even progress through challenges where they could then spend their hard-earned cash on rewards to only further enhance their experience with upgrades.
House Flipper (2018)
House flipping has always been an insanely popular concept that started back in the 1980s. But with House Flipper, it wasn't until 2018 that gamers were finally able to sink their teeth into the trend. House Flipper takes the house-flipping concept and puts the player in control with hundreds of options for them to customize things the way they want.
Nothing beats turning a dilapidated home into something that'd only appear in movies. There's a lot of work to be done by the player for that to happen, but it's all so immersive that most players don't even realize what they're doing is work until it's already over. House Flipper is the ultimate time-killing relaxation game for those looking to create something unique.
Untitled Goose Game (2019)
When thinking of geese, the common belief is that they're often aggressive and devious. There's a good chance that's not the case, but Untitled Goose Game goes ahead and runs with that belief and has the player enact the role of the goose. Spend time fulfilling objectives as the goose terrorizing what was a once peaceful town with pranks and inconveniences.
From the charming art style to the cute dedicated honking button, Untitled Goose Game goes all in immersing the player into the role of a goose. But that doesn't mean wandering around aimlessly. This game provides provocative puzzles to get the player's brain going, some of which are extremely clever. Fulfilling every objection leads to a satisfying and wholesome conclusion.
Slime Rancher (2017)
In 2017, Slime Rancher managed to captivate the entire gaming scene with its charming gameplay. Take on the role of a Rancher who just wants to get away from the modern distractions of life and live on a farm. Though of course, it's not just any farm. Instead, players are tasked with breeding slimes and keeping them well-fed for the resources they produce.
For how simple Slime Rancher's premise is, the depth of its gameplay is almost endless. The types of slimes that exist go even further beyond as players are challenged to experiment with the slimes and create powerful and profitable slimes. Though players may end up growing attached to these slimes as Slime Rancher also happens to be up there for the best games where you can raise an in-game character.
A Short Hike (2019)
Players can immerse themselves in the landscapes of Hawk Peak Provincial Park for what could be described as an unforgettable experience in A Short Hike. Get to know the people living there and come to learn their stories, or maybe just take time to explore and come upon fun games and trials. A Short Hike is almost open-world because players can travel anywhere and always find something to do.
The ultimate goal is to reach the peak, and where most stories say how the journey is more important, A Short Hike provides a satisfying experience in both the journey and destination. So much so that when reaching the end, players will find themselves with a game that becomes an emotional gut-punch the moment the credits start rolling.
The Sims 4 (2014)
Recently going free to play, The Sims 4 is quite literally a game that allows players to be whoever they want. With an endless amount of ways to build a character's personality and lifestyle, the player has the ultimate control over the life they want to create. Players even can build the home their characters live in without scrutiny.
The game isn't without an objective either. Depending on the profession chosen, which can be changed later, players will engage in a quest with challenges that push them to become the best in their profession. There also lies a social aspect to the game as well with the ability to talk to any other character and form negative or positive relationships with them.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons (2020)
The Animal Crossing series has been a prevalent one in the gaming scene dating back to 2001 with its first release. Back then, social games that allowed players to build a society of their own and interact with its inhabitants on a personal level were practically non-existent. Much less a game that had a feature that used real-time to track a player's progress and advancements.
And with Animal Crossing: New Horizons, those concepts became refined to what it is today taking in all the feedback and responses received in the past. Building an island has never been so personal with the feature to terraform and even add rivers to an island. The stunning graphics mold a relaxing atmosphere with the music and sound design. In all, Animal Crossing: New Horizons provides the opportunity to build something unforgettable.
Stardew Valley (2016)
Fans of the title often remark to newcomers how Stardew Valley isn't just some farming game, and they're right about that. Stardew Valley at its roots is a social interaction game where players immerse themselves into the town of Stardew Valley to forge bonds with its inhabitants. A majority of the game revolves around events the town partakes in or repairing the Community Center to help it better.
Alternatively, players can immerse themselves in the life of a simple farmer. As seasons come and go they'll have to adapt to weather changes and decide what to plot early. A feature that lands it as one of the best farming games available even on the Nintendo Switch. If none of that seems particularly interesting, however, players can instead tackle the dungeons the game has to offer in search of powerful loot. Stardew Valley is a game where players have the power to decide how seriously they want to take it.
Minecraft (2011)
Minecraft is a game where limitations exist only in the player's mind. There isn't exactly a goal to the game or an ending, but credits can be reached by slaying the all-powerful Ender Dragon. Once again, not that it's really necessary. Instead, players can take to the land and build or live however they want. Whether that be by mining in the depths of the world, farming on peaceful lands, or just in general exploring the infinite world.
In Minecraft there's no limitation to the number of players that can play together, making it an experience that can be shared by an infinite amount of people. Or if players prefer to play alone, that's an option too. In short, there's an infinite amount of ways to play the game. And taking a look at the game's vast modding community only extends that even further.