Nowadays I find a lot of games feel like too much work and/or anxiety when I just want to relax for like, 30 minutes to an hour after a long day. On the other hand, the games specifically designed to help you unwind just feel boring imo.
In the past I’ve felt like Outer Wilds scratched this itch, cause the whole experience was engaging but generally relaxed. There was a mystery that kept me hooked and the exploration and movement was fun in and of itself. I also felt like Subnautica filled this role since it was very much at my own pace, with anxiety producing portions which could for the most part be avoided or minimized, and also there was a clear objective to fulfill, get off the planet.
So what games do you play when you just wanna relax?
I’m really in the same boat. Lately it’s been these:
Dorfromantik
Mini Motorways
Halls of Torment
Vampire Survivors
Brotato
Firewatch was great but it’s really a one or two sitting game. Same with Unpacking.
What I’m REALLY looking for but having trouble finding is something like a city builder or house builder that there is no money, nothing like that. Just creativity in building. Way back when I first tried the Sims, I loved the house building part more than anything.
I’ve been searching for something new though. I tried Satisfactory but really just wish it had a creative mode. I tried Terraria but I can’t get the Minecraft allegory out of my head so this game infuriates me.
There was a neat city builder a year back that had no end goal - just the building itself. I can’t remember what it was called. You could pick like three themes: medieval, modern. ,or renaissance (?). I wish I remembered the name.
I’d be interested if you wind up remembering the name.
Not a city builder / house builder, but Planet Zoo might scratch that itch. Takes a bit to really learn the building mechanics, but people can build amazing things in it.
i’ll look into it. thanks for the recommendation.
Not sure if it’s quite what you’re looking for, but building in Valheim is quite fun, and it has a creative mode, so you can just go crazy without having to grind for materials.