Not every game has to be as challenging as Dark Souls, or as narratively complex as the Halo series. Every video game is unique, and the industry spans several diverse genres. Just as there's no one type of game, there's also no one type of gamer. While there's a large audience of gamers who want a difficult challenge, there are also those who prefer easier, more casual games to enjoy during their downtime.
Games like Red Dead Redemption and Witcher demand that the player put in a lot of time and effort to complete the story and develop the necessary skills to overcome its challenges. Not all players have that kind of time or dedication, and would prefer a much shorter and low-stakes experience instead. Luckily, there are plenty of games for gamers who don't enjoy — or can't complete — more prolonged and complicated games.
10 Animal Crossing Is A Charming And Relaxing Social Simulator
The Animal Crossing franchise is one of Nintendo's most beloved series, with a broad audience of children and adults. Each game — including its most recent installment, Animal Crossing: New Horizons — is relaxing, slow-paced, easy to learn, and can be played alone or cooperatively with friends.
In Animal Crossing, the player is introduced as a new member of a town or village, and must gather resources to make payments on their new home. By fishing, gardening, bug collecting, and fossil hunting, the player can buy and sell various goods and customize their world in a number of unique ways. For gamers who enjoy a slower pace, Animal Crossing is the perfect experience.
9 One Shot Tells An Emotional And Unique Story In Just A Few Short Hours
Playing shorter and easier games doesn't mean players must sacrifice good storytelling. One Shot is a fantastic option for gamers who want easy gameplay with an emotional and compelling story. This 8-bit indie title is only a few hours long, but its story will leave a lasting impression on anyone that completes it.
One Shot introduces the player to Niko, a young boy who must become the savior of a dying world. Through exploration and interactions with the characters, the player will learn the truth of Niko's role in the universe's fate. Luckily, even though the player is only given "one shot" to complete the story, there's not actually any combat.
8 Among Us Is A Cooperative And Easy-To-Learn Social Deduction Game
Among Us took the gaming world by storm, spiking in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. The social deduction phenomenon divides players into two teams: "imposters," who must kill other players without being caught, and "crewmates," who must complete tasks and identify the killers before they're outnumbered.
The gameplay of Among Us is incredibly simple, and only takes a round or two to grasp fully. Crewmates complete minigames and investigate crime scenes, while imposters sneak around and attempt to kill without being caught. If a body is found, the players can discuss the evidence and vote out a potential killer.
7 Minecraft's Gameplay Is Entirely Up To The Player's Preferences
Minecraft, the best-selling video game of all time, has such a diverse and flexible premise that practically every kind of player can find something to enjoy in it. This sandbox game can be as complicated or as simple as the player wants, and its difficulty is entirely up to the player's preferences.
At its core, Minecraft is a survival simulator with plenty of customizable options and resources. Players can focus on building, mining, farming, monster hunting, or exploring and play alone or cooperatively with friends. Hundreds of mods, servers, and additional game modes are also available, allowing Minecraft to be whatever game the player wants.
6 The Walking Dead Is A Serious Game Without Any Difficult Combat
Just because a game is easy doesn't mean it isn't engaging or interesting. Telltale Games, the studio behind several episodic, story-driven franchises, was famous for its unique storytelling and narrative-driven games. Of them, The Walking Dead and its sequels are some of the best games for gamers who want a serious story without too much difficult combat.
The only challenges a player really faces throughout The Walking Dead are quick time events — when a player needs to press a particular button within a short time frame — and moral dilemmas. The player's dialogue choices affect how the game ends, allowing for multiple attempts and unique experiences between each playthrough.
5 Journey Connects Players Anonymously With Others On A Trek Across A Desert
Journey is an incredibly unique and heartfelt experience for players who enjoy cooperative gameplay. Piloting a small robed figure in a desert, players are connected with others online but cannot communicate through text or in-game voice chat. Instead, players are encouraged to work together anonymously, and complete their journeys together as strangers with a common purpose.
The game's unique premise and the music of Journey contribute to the overall charm of the experience, and it's been widely regarded as one of the greatest video games of all time. Something about the peaceful atmosphere and the sense of companionship with strangers creates a once-in-a-lifetime experience that all gamers, casual or not, can enjoy.
4 PowerWash Simulator Is A Low-Stakes, Satisfying Cleaning Simulator
While the concept sounds silly on paper, the reception for PowerWash Simulator was surprisingly positive. It earned a large following after its release in 2021, thanks to the attention of popular YouTubers and Twitch streamers. The game's premise is simple: using power washing tools, the player must complete various jobs and remove stains from various digital surfaces.
Something about the gameplay of PowerWash Simulator is incredibly satisfying. Completing jobs and seeing the slow, but quantifiable progress is surprisingly rewarding, and the game's low stakes create a relaxing, almost trancelike gameplay loop. For gamers who want something easy and simple to pass the time, PowerWash Simulator is a perfect game to dive into.
3 Night In The Woods Emphasizes Realistic Themes And A Compelling Story
Night in the Woods is a unique indie game that boasts an iconic art style, a compelling soundtrack, and an emotional narrative. The player follows the story of Mae Borowski, a young woman returning home after dropping out of college. Despite a colorful world of animal-like characters, the plot itself is incredibly relatable and addresses themes of mental illness and economic struggles.
Night in the Woods' gameplay is story-focused, emphasizing exploration and dialogue over platforming or combat. Players are taken on an emotional and heartbreaking journey through the life of Mae and her childhood home. Although the story is sometimes painful to experience, its themes are compelling and meaningful reflections of real-world issues.
2 Life Is Strange Allows The Player To Rewind Time To Solve Its Mysteries
Of the "choose-your-own-ending" games, Life is Strange is one of the best and most unique options available. It follows the story of Max Caulfield, a high school photography student who discovers she has the ability to reverse time. Using this ability, she manages to save her childhood friend Chloe Price, but puts her hometown of Arcadia Bay in danger.
The most challenging parts of Life Is Strange are the "rewind" mechanics and the dialogue options. How the player interacts with the other characters determines the game's ending, but through exploration and investigation of Arcadia Bay, the player can discover the town's dark mysteries and secrets.
1 Untitled Goose Game Has Plenty Of Charm And Humor For Such A Simple Premise
For gamers who prefer lighthearted games full of humor and unique gameplay mechanics, Untitled Goose Game is one-of-a-kind. Developed as an inside joke between the developers at House House, it's a simple puzzle game that allows the player to control a troublemaking goose in a peaceful English village.
The objective of Untitled Goose Game is to bother the villagers of a small village by stealing items, tricking villagers into doing ridiculous tasks, and pretending to be inanimate objects. It's silly and simple, but the concept was so well-received that it sold over a million copies by the end of its first year. Something about the game's charm and humor makes it incredibly appealing and enjoyable for all gamers.