10 RELAXING VIDEOGAMES YOU CAN CHILL OUT WITH

Of late it seems like every-day life is much more of a struggle than it ever was, getting through a typical week seems more a chore and a mission of survival. Everything costs more, takes longer or 'isn't how they used to make it'. throw in conflict, political turmoil, energy woes and its enough to drive you stark raving mad. However, all is not lost, we all need to escape the crazy as often as we can, and it's important to find ways to unwind and relax during these challenging times. 

For many people, video games provide an escape from the pressures of daily life, even if its just in short bursts to top up on a feel good factor of digital escapism. Not all games are created equal when it comes to relaxation and sometimes its hard to find one that really resonates with how you're feeling. Some games can be frustrating and anxiety-inducing, while others offer a soothing, calming experience. In this blog post, we'll take a look at the best relaxing or chilled games you can play on PC and console. Below are 10 games (and a bonus game) worth a look if you're looking for something to take the edge off a stressful day.

Stardew Valley - In this farming simulator game, players inherit a farm and work to make it prosper. There are crops to plant and harvest, animals to care for, and relationships to build with other characters in the town. The game's gentle pace and charming pixel graphics make it a great choice for a relaxing evening. 

Abzu - Abzu is an underwater adventure game that's all about exploring the ocean and its creatures. There are no enemies or combat in this game and gameplay is more focused on discovery, so players can simply swim around and enjoy the beautiful visuals and soothing soundtrack. It's a great game to play if you need to unwind after a long day, and visually its one of the prettiest games you'll play.

Proteus - Don't let its simple presentation fool you, Proteus is an experimental game that's all about exploration and discovery. Players wander around an island, observing the wildlife and the changing seasons. The game has no clear objectives or goals, so it's a great choice for anyone who just wants to wander and relax.

Journey - Journey is a beautiful, meditative game that takes players on a journey through a mystical world. The game's stunning visuals and haunting soundtrack create a sense of calm and tranquility. The game is designed to be played in a single sitting, making it a perfect choice for a lazy afternoon. The soundtrack was nominated for the Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media at the 2013 Grammy Awards, the first video game soundtrack to be nominated for that category.

Flower - Flower is another game from the same developers as Journey, and it shares a similar focus on beauty and tranquility. In Flower, players control the wind, guiding a group of petals through various landscapes. The game's vibrant colors and gentle gameplay make it a great choice for anyone looking for a relaxing game with a much more calming and slower pace.

The Witness - The Witness is a puzzle game that's all about exploration and discovery. Players are stranded on an island and must solve puzzles in order to progress. The game's open-world structure and gorgeous visuals make it a great choice for anyone who wants to unwind and explore at their own pace. Players who played Myst will connect with this game and visually its very pleasing on the eye.

My Time at Portia - My Time at Portia is a farming and crafting simulator that takes place in a charming, post-apocalyptic world. Players can build relationships with other characters in the town, explore the surrounding countryside, and create a thriving farm. The game's laid-back pace and charming visuals make it a great choice for anyone who wants to escape into a peaceful world. Graphically you could say it has a 'Fortnite' look to it, a softer palette of colours with animated styled environments and characters.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Animal Crossing is a long-running franchise that's all about building a community and enjoying the simple things in life. One of the Nintendo Switch 'must haves' if you're into community gaming. In New Horizons, players build a village on a deserted island, collecting resources, decorating their home, and making friends with the animal inhabitants. The game's cheerful graphics and relaxed pace make it a great choice for anyone who wants to escape into a world of whimsy and charm.

Firewatch - Firewatch is a narrative-driven game that takes place in a national park. Players take on the role of a fire lookout, spending their days exploring the park and keeping an eye out for fires. The game's simple yet stunning visuals and immersive storytelling make it a great choice for anyone who wants to get lost in a captivating world. The game won 'Best indie Game' at the 2016 Golden Joystick awards along with a clutch of other gaming awards.

Eastshade - Eastshade is perhaps not high on most peoples lists for chilled, laid back games, but Eastshade is an open-world adventure game that takes place in a vibrant, hand-painted world. Players take on the role of a traveling artist, exploring the world and painting pictures. The game's relaxing pace and stunning visuals make it a great choice for anyone who wants to unwind and get lost

Bonus Game: TerraScape - TerraScape is a super chilled city builder / puzzle game where players have to maximise their score by placing buildings drawn from a random card deck on  a 3D map. With its relaxing soundtrack and gorgeously crafted visuals this is a super relaxing game to unwind with. Larger maps can take around 45 mins but its hard to tear yourself away, the game has challenge mode and multiplayer Vs mode too. The game is currently in Early Access and just released its Foundation Update which adds more merged buildings, action cards and overlays with more planned later in 2023.

What gives this game such character is when you zoom in to hear the hustle and bustle of life in the tiny towns you build, zoom back out and the chilled soundtrack comes back. Price wise its a steal too. Both PCGamer and Kotaku raved this one.