Today, the average person lives a busy and often stressful life. Many people work in fast-paced or high-stress environments and look forward to coming home and relaxing with video games. However, many popular games like Elden Ring are action-oriented and can be more adrenaline-inducing than calming.

In a world that prioritizes productivity even at the expense of physical and mental health, games can be a therapeutic experience for many. Relaxing, feel-good games in particular, such as Eastshade and Stardew Valley, can provide players with a stress-free space where they can slow down and take time for themselves. These games, defined by their gorgeous visuals, serene settings, and low-stakes gameplay, are great tools for stress relief.

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Eastshade is an exploration-adventure game about a traveling painter. After surviving a shipwreck, the player gains access to the beautiful open world of Eastshade, full of forests, rivers, beaches, and humanoid animal inhabitants. The player unlocks new areas and abilities by painting landscapes and helping out Eastshadians with various tasks.

eastshade painting a landscape

Eastshade is a fantastical escape from the strains of everyday modern life. While is lacks combat, the game is far from boring. The player can explore the island at a slow pace, collecting materials along the way, or speed along on a bicycle or even via ziplines. Eastshade's soundtrack is beautiful and has a calming effect, completing the game as an experience like none other.

Then, there's Stardew Valley, a charming country-life simulator, that can relieve stress. Instead of adventuring far and wide, the player begins a new life working on and maintaining a farm and the surrounding countryside. This open-ended farming sim returns players to a simpler lifestyle where they must learn to live off the land, which can offer a refreshing break from the fast-paced nature and stresses of the modern era.

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Some find comfort in the methodical nature of farming, while others consider their relationships with the townspeople to be the most fulfilling aspect. Seeing hard work pay off before their eyes can be a rewarding experience. With graphics that pop off the screen and mellow music that changes with each season, Stardew Valley offers a sense of comfort and ease that is rare in most games.

For those who prefer a shorter and more manageable experience, A Short Hike is the perfect game. Compared to other open-world games that are sometimes overwhelmingly vast, A Short Hike can be completed in a couple of hours. It offers a small open-world adventure set on an island where the player's goal is to reach the top of a mountain to get reception for an important phone call. Here, the fun is in the journey, not the destination.

An image from A Short Hike.

Along the way, the player meets and helps out different island residents. Completing tasks improves the player's climbing, jumping, and gliding skills, all of which make the hike up to Hawk Peak possible. Finishing the game leaves the player with a sense of peace, not unlike the feeling of renewal the main character experiences after reaching the top of the mountain. The game's distinctly bright art style, lush soundtrack, and genuinely interesting characters make it an unforgettable time.

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There is much to appreciate in relaxing games, and many can even be played on the go with the Nintendo Switch, allowing players to escape into calming worlds at any time and in any place. While there is still a lack of relaxation-based games compared to other genres, other notable examples include Spiritfarer, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and Journey.

These games are relevant now more than ever. In addition to the stress of people's everyday lives, social media and online news sources can also cause feelings of anxiety. While useful, these resources can increase exposure to traumatic world events so much that it can feel like the end of the world is near. Playing games -- especially ones with feel-good, calming qualities -- offers people a way to unwind from all the bad news. While some prefer to escape reality with intense action-oriented games, everyone can stand to benefit from the cozy gaming experience.

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