Stressed Out? These Chill Video Games Will Help You Relax 1 hour ago

In what may be one of the coziest games of all time, you inherit a rundown farm and help it thrive, Harvest Moon style. This colorful farming sim lets you escape city life to cultivate crops, raise animals and even start a family. Between mining in monster-filled caves, participating in local festivals and building relationships with the townsfolk, there’s always something to keep you busy. 

The best part of Stardew Valley is the fact that you don’t have to participate in every single aspect of the game if you don’t want to. There’s plenty of fun to be had in the simple joy of harvesting your crops, making some quick cash and doing it all over again the next day. Plus, you can play with friends in the game’s multiplayer mode.

Available platforms: Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux

A heartfelt adventure about ferrying lost souls to the afterlife may not seem like a relaxing escape, but wait until you play it. As Stella, the new Spiritfarer, you’ll befriend unique characters, help them fulfill their last wishes, and help them say their final goodbyes while building and managing your own boat.

The beautiful, hand-drawn visuals and gentle pacing create a comforting atmosphere that’s easy to get lost in, and it’ll put a smile on your face even as it explores heavy themes like love and loss. Equal parts management sim and emotional adventure, Spiritfarer is a beautiful take on saying goodbye that still manages to inspire hope while keeping you entertained.

Available platforms: Xbox One, Playstation 4, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux

The first new Dragon Age game in a decade whisks players back to Thedas, where the lines between reality and the Fade have dangerously blurred. As part of the Veilguard, you’ll create a your character, choose a faction and explore beautiful landscapes teeming with secrets with plenty of enemies to fell.

Branching dialogue, companions to romance and all the Dragon Age lore you can handle make this one adventure that’ll stick in your mind long after the credits roll. The choices you’ll be forced to make won’t always be easy, nor will the path to finding disillusioned mage-turned-villain Solas. But they’ll always be engaging, and this fantasy world is one that’ll have you eager to step into each play session. 

Available platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Windows

In this grand traditional roleplaying adventure, every decision shapes your journey and changes the world you’re exploring. And it’s a colorfully weird and bizarre one at that, populated by mind-flayers, monsters and irresistible elfin vampires who may or may not kill you.

Using turn-based combat inspired by Dungeons & Dragons, you’ll power through challenging battles, take on complex puzzles and form unlikely alliances. But there’s still plenty of fun to be had, too. You’ll never feel closer to a cast of characters as you will in this installment of the long-running Baldur’s Gate series, which consistently feels as alive as the very world you live in. 

Available platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Windows, Mac

Love tidying up? Love staying at home and getting cozy with a coffee and a blanket on the sofa? You’ve found your next perfect game. A Little to the Left is a charming puzzler that satisfies the soul with simple yet challenging organizing tasks like straightening and placing picture frames (hence the name).

From sorting pencils to lining up cat food cans, each puzzle assigns a bit of order to a chaotic world. But beware of the cat, who can always mess up a “purrfect” placement when you least expect it. Perfect for fans of soothing gameplay, it’s a fun reminder to take a step back and breathe.

Available platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, Windows, Mac

In this sprawling open-world Mario game, our favorite plumber sets off on a globe-trotting adventure like never before. The fun goes global as he hunts for Princess Peach, stolen away by Bowser to marry. Like most Mario games before it, Super Mario Odyssey is a lighthearted platformer with its own fun twist.

With his new companion Cappy, Mario can “become” enemies and objects like light bulbs, animals and more as you explore tons of new kingdoms and secret areas. From cityscapes (with amazing music) to desert dunes, each kingdom is packed full of memorable Mario moments that’ll have you coming back for more. And you’ll have plenty of time to explore every nook and cranny.

Available platforms: Nintendo Switch

Astro Bot may be one of the cheeriest games to ever land on PlaySation. Take on the role of this happy little robot as you explore worlds based on various elements teeming with references to other PlayStation games, hardware and pop culture from yesteryear.

Leap, dodge and explore vibrant 3D worlds that feel like they were ripped straight from a new Mario platformer. Then rescue your favorite PlayStation characters, from Kratos to PaRappa the Rapper, and watch them interact in a massive hub where all your collections and new friends can hang out. It’s pure, unadulterated bliss (and a great reason to invest in a PS5 if you haven’t already).

Available platforms: PlayStation 5

This beloved Switch game flips traditional Zelda gameplay on its head, serving up an open-world experience that’s as vast as it is beautiful. Explore the ruins of a doomed Hyrule as you work to uncover the secret behind slaying its newest foe. Threats lurk everywhere as you climb, cook and fight your way through shrines and dungeons with towering enemies.

There’s a bittersweet yet heartfelt story at the center of it all, but the real joy lies in exploring every single area you can to unearth delightful secrets and take in the serenity of vast landscapes. And when you’re finished, there’s always its equally fantastic sequel, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, to take in. 

Available platforms: Nintendo Switch

This free-to-play open world adventure takes you to Teyvat, where you can take part in a massive RPG experience like no other from your favorite console, PC or your phone. With a cast of unique characters, each with their own abilities, you can find your favorite cast and swap between them.

Want a different character to play with? The game’s fairly generous gacha system helps you unlock additional heroes to get through the game in the way you want — and if you like what you see, there are other games from HoYoVerse if you want to try them, like Honkai Star Rail and Zenless Zone Zero.

Available platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Windows, iOS, Android

Want to blast off into space? This expansive exploration game gives you a universe-sized sandbox that lets you travel to countless planets, each with their own unique ecosystems, alien creatures and loot. Name new, uncharted worlds, trade with distant civilizations or build a home base wherever you like. 

You have seemingly endless upgrades, plenty of familiar survival mechanics and multiplayer mode to play with, which makes No Man’s Sky a unique experience that’s only grown larger with every update. Space is waiting — all you need to do is jump in your ship. 

Available platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Windows, Mac

This Elder Scrolls roleplaying game drops you into the rugged, dragon-infested land of Tamriel, where you’re free to follow your destiny or wander its forests, snowy mountains and bustling towns. The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim may be well over a decade old, but there’s a reason it’s been ported to nearly every system and platform — it’s one of the greatest action RPGs ever made.

As the Dragonborn, you have powers that let you fight off legendary creatures and become a legend yourself if you play your cards right. Every choice and path you take makes your journey unique, with tons of customization options for every type of play style. Plus, you can get this game on just about any platform, so take your pick.

Available platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch, Windows