9 Low Stress Relaxing Videogames

As a platform, The Busy Papa puts a lot of time into the focus on managing stress. Society and the times we live in mean it is necessary to take the effects of stress into consideration and have a wide array of tools and options to hand when dealing with the condition. For me, it is a combination of talking, good mindfulness practices and the right distractions at the right time. The right low stress, relaxing novels, comics, albums or videogames can make all the difference when you need to just switch off for a couple of hours.

With this in mind, there are a few games I heartily recommend for those who need a bit of zero-pressure escapism after a difficult day.

Minecraft

Most people, (gamer or not) have heard of Minecraft. The global phenomenon is responsible for endless YouTube channels, documentaries, books and is arguably the videogame of a generation (at least before Fortnight came along).

In Minecraft, you explore a blocky randomly generated world and you gather resources to make objects, structures and re-imagine the landscape. You can either get lost in this loop of gathering and crafting or add a little more agency with the survival mode which adds threats like monsters and hunger.

Minecraft is available on PC, Mac, Linux, Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4, Playstation Vita, XBox One, iOS and Android among a bunch of last generation devices too.

Giveaway

It is with incredible enthusiasm and pleasure that I announce we have three copies of the book Minecraft Master Builder: Monsters to give away, courtesy of Welbeck Publishing.

The Minecraft Master Builder series is about helping give step-by-step guides to creating excellent designs by difficulty and theme. It is a fantastic series for honing and unleashing your creative side within the game.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

To win a copy of the book Minecraft Master Builder: Monsters, enter via Rafflecopter below. Ends 28/04/20, other T&C’s apply.

Luigi’s Mansion 3

If you like Ghostbusters and Mario, this might be the game for you. Put simply, Luigi’s Mansion is a game where you explore an atmospheric mansion solving problems and removing the ghouls with a DIY proton pack.

The series is full of character, personality and charm. It’s low pressure, high fun and full of delightful little moments.

Luigi’s Mansion 3 is available on the Nintendo Switch, you can also find its predecessors on the Nintendo 3DS.

Stardew Valley

The cute farm-life simulator will be familiar to fans of Harvest Moon, Stardew Valley sees you inheriting your grandfather’s farm and tasked with leaving your 9-5 office life behind and returning the deteriorated old farm back to its former greatness. Its retro graphics and delightful music only add to the charm as the game has you harvesting, mining, exploring and socialising in the neighbouring town and wilds one (in-game) day at a time.

Stardew is available on PC, Mac, Linux, Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4, Playstation Vita, XBox One, iOS and Android. It’s widely available, easy to get hold of and generally very affordable.

PUSH

PUSH probably isn’t for everyone. Puzzle games can either be extremely relaxing or irritating depending on what comes naturally to you and PUSH does play a lot with spatial awareness which might not come naturally to everyone. However, the developer prides themselves on their focus on ease-of-use, accessibility and relaxing experiences. I think PUSH more than meets this design goal. The concept behind the gameplay is incredibly simple, you have a 3D object and have to push all the buttons to solve the problem.

PUSH is available on PC, iOS and Android.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Animal Crossing is a difficult game to describe. It’s a life simulation where you form a community of cutsey animals on an island by gathering, crafting, socialising, cataloguing critters and fossils, earning money (Bells) and exploring. On paper it sounds a lot like, Stardew Valley. In reality, they are quite different especially .

The Nintendo series uses real time and seasons to manage events and activities. Online play means players can visit friends communities and vice-versa. The atmosphere is very friendly and inoffensive.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is available on the Nintendo Switch.

Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture

Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture is an artistic exploration simulation set in rural England. Set in a fictional village in Shropshire, the player’s only objective is to discover and rummage through the world and work out where all the people have gone and why.

Post apocalyptic Britain has never been so quaint and relaxing.

Rapture is available on PC and Playstation 4.

Eurotruck Simulator 2

The popularity of the Truck sim games is baffling to outsiders and I’ll admit, I’m one of those outsiders. This is one game and series on the list that I haven’t ever actually played. With over 5 million sales on Steam; the passion for the series is undeniable.

The core idea behind the game is that players haul cargo in trucks across a condensed version of Europe. As the more money is made, you buy more vehicles, depots and hire other drivers. Players can even listen to MP3’s and internet radio as they haul products over the continent.

Eurotruck Simulator 2 is available on PC, Mac and Linux.

Abzu

An underwater, artistically presented adventure where the threat is pollution rather than nature (with a minor exception). Abzu is gorgeous to look at, features exploration based gameplay and has very calming and immersive sound design. It is a great choice if you have kids about; it would be a fantastic shared experience and is also a great entry-level game if unfamiliar with a controller.

Abzu is available on PC, Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4 and XBox One.

The Witness

Inspired by a game series called Myst, The Witness is a first person puzzle game set on an abandoned island. You move between sections solving different themed puzzles of incremental difficulty whilst solving the mystery of what on Earth is going on. The art and setting are the real selling points though.

The Witness is available on PC, Mac, Linux, PS4, XBox One and iOS.

*This is a collaborative post