19 Best Relaxing Games for PC in 2024

In today’s article I’m going to share the best relaxing games for PC that you can play this year.

After all, gaming is not all about shooting others, destroying stuff or trying a gazillion times to beat a level. It should also be considered the best medium for relaxation.

While I know that some people might find it relaxing to destroy hordes of zombies, stop alien invasions or mash buttons in fighting games, we’re going to focus on relaxing PC games in a more traditional way.

So let’s not waste any time! Let’s check out the best relaxing games for PC below.

Stardew Valley

This is basically a charming mixture of popular Nintendo titles Harvest Moon and Animal Crossing.

Although there are goals and challenges in Stardew Valley and even some combat, you can play it at your own pace and do whatever you want.

You can really sit back and relax with this one – and most people I know actually play it for this exact reason: to relieve stress.

I didn’t really believe how amazing this game actually is until I bought it and installed it. It has something that clicks with you instantly and you can’t help but fall in love with it. Really. Try it!

Click here to check out Stardew Valley on Steam (although it’s probably available on any platform out there).

ABZU

You don’t have to love diving in order to fall in love with this diving simulator. Featuring some of the best sceneries seen in computer games recently, the game throws you in the water – literally – and tells you to start exploring.

There are quite a few exploration games available for PC and most of them are extremely relaxing, but ABZU takes things to a whole new level. There is a huge amount of things you can see and do in this game.

And, the most important part: you will always end up in a fabulous place that you’ll have to take a screenshot of. Extremely beautiful indeed!

Click here to check out ABZU

Train Simulator Classic

Train Simulator Classic

It can’t be fun driving trains all day, right? I mean… there’s not really much to do than enjoy the scenery and maybe fall asleep, destroyed by boredom.

For some reason, though, the Train Simulator franchise offers a lot more than that. It’s magically charming and addictive, insanely relaxing and fascinating.

Yes, you don’t have a ton of things to do when driving trains around and you will never have to be on your toes, ready for god knows what disaster or crazy driver showing off… but you will have fun and get rid of all that stress you have accumulated through the day.

Just enjoy the view, take your time and maybe turn on a fan nearby to feel the breeze. Simple, relaxing fun! Might not be a game for everybody, but it sure is relaxing for most.

Click here to check out Train Simulator Classic

Meadow

An exciting adventure game that’s more than it first catches the eye at first. A game that really touches your feelings and rewards you on so many levels – there’s really no other way to describe Meadow!

This online multiplayer game (or social experience – you can really call it that) is related to the Shelter series for those who have played it.

For those who didn’t it’s no problem: you can start with Meadow and be part of something beautifully unique.

Explore, create your own animal, interact with others using only emotes and sounds, unlock goodies and fall in love with the game. A truly relaxing experience!

Click here to check out Meadow

Chicory: A Colorful Tale

Chicory

A truly unique adventure game with a lot of color… that you’re responsible of. Really, this game takes place in a coloring book – and if that’s not relaxing, I don’t know what is!

Use painting powers to explore, solve puzzles, make friends, and draw on anything in this extremely cute game that the entire family will love.

Check it out on Steam.

Carto

carto

Carto is another unique adventure game that I am recommending, one set in an ever-altering world.

With beautiful, hand-drawn graphics and puzzles that never become frustrating, it is a truly amazing overall experience for all gamers.

Click here to check it out.

Passpartout: The Starving Artist

A game that gives you an excuse for showing your creative side? All without actually challenging you to provide real works of art and usually rewarding the lack of talent? Sign me in!

Passpartout: The Starving Artist puts you in the shoes of a painter who has to keep on painting and make a living from selling his art… which isn’t easy. But it’s fun and, for some strange reasons, extremely relaxing.

Just don’t try too much here: the better you try to paint, the worst the results seem to be. I only spent a lot of time once in this game and the critics were brutal.

That’s not relaxing, but I’ve learned my lesson and I had my fair share of fun since then. Give it a try: it’s strangely unique and beautiful!

Click here to check this game out on Steam

Terra Nil

terra nil

Bringing a fresh approach to the city building genre, Terra Nil challenges you to transform barren landscapes into beautiful, functional ecosystems.

While the game itself is short, it’s perfect for relaxing bits of gaming, and highly replayable. And there’s something amazing about watching, at the end, your creation.

If you need some tips for the game, we have some guides helping you create coral reefs in the game, how to fix the no trees problem or find all animals in the Abandoned Quarry.

You can check out Terra Nil on Steam.

Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture

You wouldn’t think that a game about the apocalypse could ever be considered relaxing (unless you’re a really peculiar individual). I mean… doomsdays are about monsters, atomic bombs, screaming and shouting… right?

Well, not in Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture. This a game set in an eerie English village where, just like the title suggests, everybody’s gone.

It’s up for you to freely explore the areas and find out what happened. But there’s no pressure on you. You can do whatever you want.

You can explore as much as you want – you can go anywhere and do anything. And most likely you will be stunned over and over again by the beautiful, serene landscapes that the game paints.

Click here to check out the game

Proteus

Another exploration game here – one with very different graphics compared to what I’ve shared in this article so far. But sometimes even the zaniest visuals can hide amazing games!

The truth is that Proteus doesn’t have a story. It doesn’t have a challenge. There’s no real beginning and no end. All you have to do is explore a forest. A pixelated and intensely colored one, that is.

And still, with its vibrant soundtrack and well designed elements, as well as its fair share of surprises, this game is everything you need after a hard day at work or whenever you want to relax a bit. Or more. It’s your choice.

Click here to check out Proteus on Steam

House Flipper 1 or 2

house flipper 2

This game came as a massive surprise for me and I couldn’t believe it how relaxing and addictive it can get. Absolutely brilliant!

In this game, you buy and flip houses for profit, but the fun part comes from renovating these buildings: you’re in charge of everything, from cleaning the mess to breaking down walls and repainting and redecorating.

Amazing stuff here – things that you will love and an experience that will leave you relaxed and happy at the end of the day.

And recently, the sequel has been launched, with improved visuals (but it’s basically the same thing). I recommend getting House Flipper 2 though for the better graphics.

You can check out House Flipper 1 on Steam here. Or you can get House Flipper 2 Here.

Gris

Gris is a hopeful young girl lost in her own world, dealing with a painful experience in her life. Her journey through sorrow is manifested in her dress, which grants new abilities to better navigate her faded reality.

An atmospheric experience – one that is a bit challenging at times, but overall a relaxing game that doesn’t push you to the limits and makes you rage quit, filled with frustration.

But if you like a bit of a challenge too – and maybe a purpose when playing games, this is the perfect choice!

Check Gris out today

Donut Country

donut country

Another really short game with an interesting approach. You are controlling a growing hole in the ground and your goal is to swallow everything on the map to grow larger.

While this might sound boring or crazy, it’s actually both very fun and relaxing at the same time.

There is a bit of puzzle-solving in each level (although all puzzles are fairly easy) and a boss fight, but overall this is a quick, fun and relaxing game all ages will enjoy playing.

Check it out here.

My Time At Portia

A game that feels a lot like Stardew Valley, but at the same time manages to have its own personality and enough new features and concepts not to be considered a simple clone.

Start a new life in the enchanting town of Portia! Restore your Pa’s neglected workshop to its former glory by fulfilling commissions, growing crops, raising animals, and befriending the quirky inhabitants of this charming post-apocalyptic land!

Get this game today on Steam

Farm Together

Do you still remember the glory days of FarmVille on Facebook? Well, raising Pink Cows and visiting your neighbors’ farms had its own charm, right?

Well, you can re-live some of that pleasant experience in Farm Together, a family friendly game that you can play with your kids too (my son loves it!). Yes, this means that multiplayers is allowed in the game!

There isn’t really much of a challenge in the game: you just plant crops, grow them, unlock new ones and new areas for you to farm on… and keep going.

You can take things a level further and build up your house and decorate it, decorate your garden… plenty of stuff to keep you busy, entertained and most importantly – relaxed.

This is definitely one of those games that grows on you the more you play it – and it IS more charming than it might sound at first.

Give it a try on Steam.

Journey

I have to admit it – I am not the biggest fan of exploration games, although I do understand that some consider them extremely relaxing. Journey is one of the few games that actually clicked with me and I really enjoyed it.

Journey is not that much of a game as it is a stress relief tactic. A game to cure your soul. To feel better. To relax.

Just explore, enjoying the amazing scenery, getting lost in the game itself and letting the absolutely amazing musical score take away all your worries and offer deep relaxation instead.

Really, it’s pure therapy! Just give it a try (you can play it with friends too in online co-op!)

Click here to check it out on Steam.

Townscaper

Last but not least, we have this hidden gem. Really worth trying, as it is equally addictive and relaxing.

Not very much of a game, but more of an endless builder where you simply click and place structures in the game world, building a city, seeing it grow and get more and more awesome.

There is no real challenge here, no quests, no resources, nothing to hold you back. So just click play and enjoy the ride. It’s truly awesome!

Click here to check the game on Steam.

Unpacking

Unpacking game

Unpacking is a zen puzzle game about the familiar experience of pulling possessions out of boxes and fitting them into a new home.

Part block-fitting puzzle, part home decoration, you are invited to create a satisfying living space while learning clues about the life you’re unpacking.

Check it out on Steam by clicking here.

Coral Island

Coral Island

Part Stardew Valley, part FarmVille (if you’re old enough to remember the Facebook hit), part The Sims, Coral Island is a beautiful, complex and relaxing game and the perfect title for rounding up this list.

Be who you want and experience enchanting island living at your own pace – live off the land, nurture animals, build relationships with a diverse cast of townsfolk, and make the world around you a more vital and harmonious place.

If you need some help with the game, check out our list of the best Summer Crops in Coral Island, the best Fall Crops in the game or best gifts for the townsfolk.

You can get the game from Steam.

Wrapping up

These would be our recommended games to play if you want to blow off some stress and just relax a bit.

Try them all if you haven’t done so already – I am sure you’ll have a ton of fun, even though some might not seem fun when you read about them.

If you know other relaxing games that you thing should be on this list, let us all know by sharing them below.

Calin Ciabai

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2 thoughts on “19 Best Relaxing Games for PC in 2024”

  1. Not my choice of games. Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture was completely unplayable for instance, because 30 FPS on a modern computer on lowest settings.

    Here are a few better titles in my opinion:

    1. Satisfactory
    2. Subnautica
    3. Firewatch
    4. The Talos Principle
    5. Life is Strange

    …just to name a few.

    Reply
    • Thank you for the recommendations. Lists will always have at least a dash of subjectivity 🙂 Any game can be relaxing in the end, it depends how you play it 🙂

      Reply

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