Most Relaxing Indie Games

Key Takeaways

• Some video games aim to relax players amidst challenges, offering laid-back, immersive experiences.
• Cozy games can vary in genres, providing a wide range of relaxing indie options for different players.
• Games like White Lavender, Balatro, and Townscaper offer relaxation through whimsical settings, soothing aesthetics, and unfettered gameplay.

Video games can provide all kinds of experiences, from the borderline sadistic challenges of the Dark Souls series to the pulpy action of first-person shooters such as Halo. Some gamers like to be terrified by horror titles, while others enjoy messing with friends in online party games. However, there is also a variety of video games that aim to relax those who play them.

What’s relaxing to some may not be to others; cozy games aren’t the only ones that can provide laid-back gameplay, and some players may find that particular genre tedious, so this topic aims to cover a broad variety of experiences to appease everyone looking for a relaxing indie game.

8 White Lavender

An Accessible Souls-Like With A Whimsical Setting

• Platform(s): PC
• Released: 2020
• Developer(s): Sokpop Collective, Tom van den Boogaart
• Genre: Souls-Like

Fans of Dark Souls looking for a more laid-back, colorful experience should look no further than White Lavender. Developed by the prolific Sokpop Collective (Stacklands, Similand), White Lavender is a charming souls-like that trades horrific monsters and Gothic architecture for cute bugs and vibrant plant life.

Although White Lavender does provide the occasional challenge, it never supersedes the game’s outright whimsy. The vivid colors, charming characters, and whimsical setting all work in tandem to provide a palpable coziness, bolstered by the game’s unique music.

7 Kentucky Route Zero

Atmospheric Interactive Fiction With A Contemplative Tone

It might be somewhat odd to call Kentucky Route Zero relaxing. However, its walking-sim gameplay, interactive fiction, and magical-realism make for a relaxing and wholly unique combination. The immersive atmosphere provided by its contemplative music and stylized visuals also help in winding players down, though the game does occasionally aim to unsettle.

The tragedy at the heart of Kentucky Route Zero and its struggling characters isn’t always the most uplifting of experiences. However, the moments of hope and emotional vignettes throughout its experimental, surreal narrative can be wholly cathartic. The music, in particular, punctuates Kentucky Route Zero‘s emotional beats, giving the player room to sit in quiet thought.

6 Balatro

A Highly-Addictive Deck-Builder With A Soothing Tangibility

Balatro is an incredibly accessible roguelike deck-builder that uses Poker hands as a unique twist on the formula. Sporting visuals reminiscent of a casino slot machine and the addictive gameplay to match, Balatro is an entrancing experience made relaxing through its tactile user-interface and satisfying mechanics.

The charming pixel-art, soothing backgrounds, and satisfying sound effects all play a part in making Balatro a relaxing experience. Although the inherent frustrations of luck are present in the gameplay, Balatro succeeds with its intuitive mechanics and score-attack structure.

5 Cobalt Core

A Charming, Colorful Roguelike Deck-Builder With An Upbeat Tone

Cobalt Core is a roguelike deck-builder with a tactical twist, charging players with the command of a spaceship and its crew, tactically maneuvering their ship to avoid incoming fire and lining up their cannons with the enemy. This results in a gameplay loop that’s entirely unique and often strategic.

The generosity of the enemy telegraphing emphasizes fairness much in the same way as Into the Breach. This fairness plays an important role in ensuring Cobalt Core is a relaxing experience. However, it’s primarily the charming pixel-art, upbeat writing, and beautiful music that offer relaxation, providing an atmosphere that makes it easy to unwind.

4 Bloons TD 6

A Satisfying, Undemanding Experience That’s Perfect For Zoning Out

Tower defense games are typically relaxing experiences thanks to their hands-off gameplay. There are plenty of decisions to be made and strategies to be designed in Bloons TD 6, but as with many games in the genre, the actual conflict is an undemanding experience.

As a result, Bloons TD 6 can be tremendously relaxing, furthered by the sheer satisfaction of popping balloons. Bloons TD 6 is also an accessible experience that thrives on its simplicity, ensuring that players are never bogged down in complex mechanics.

3 Minami Lane

A Minimalist City-Builder With A Charming Art-Style

This charming indie title tasks players with developing and managing a single street. The game features a cute and colorful art-style, objective-based gameplay, and a laid-back atmosphere that’s entirely undemanding.

The objective-based nature of Minami Lane separates it from similar cozy games, giving players the satisfaction of a complete gameplay loop. There’s not much meat on Minami Lane‘s bones, but the few hours of content it provides are coated in a cozy veneer that’s consistently relaxing.

2 Townscaper

A Tactile City-Builder Devoid Of Goals Or Stakes

More of a digital toy than an actual game, Townscaper features no set goals. This title is only concerned with providing a tactile experience, bolstered by a relaxing color palette, intuitive controls, and charming minimalist visuals.

There’s something tangibly satisfying about plopping down houses in Townscaper. Combined with the quiet atmosphere, soothing colors, and total lack of pressure, Townscaper is able to provide a truly tranquil experience.

1 The Long Dark

Intense Survival Gameplay Juxtaposed With Moments Of Reprieve

The Long Dark is a simulation-heavy first-person survival game set in a harsh and unforgiving wilderness. While that may not sound relaxing on the surface, The Long Dark‘s quiet, tranquil atmosphere provides players with an immersive, frequently cozy experience.

It could be argued that the challenges at play in The Long Dark heighten the moments of reprieve; the relief felt when finding shelter after a long trek in the snow is palpable. Combined with the immersive sound design and soothing visuals, The Long Dark offers a surprisingly relaxed experience.