When it comes to relaxation, millions of people today turn to gaming. Though gaming was once considered niche and included a significant learning curve for newcomers, that isn’t the case in 2024. This year, more people are gaming than ever before, from casual puzzles to competitive first-person shooters. That being said, most gamers today are seeking out relaxing games to play online. 

With dozens of new big-name developers emerging, there are more hyper-casual games on the market than ever before. Though these types of games were once relegated to mobile only, they’ve since expanded. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most relaxing games available today, including why they’re relaxing, how you can play them, and what type of hardware you need to get started.

The best and most popular relaxing games online 

1. Roulette (Mobile, desktop)

Roulette is one of the most popular games in the world thanks to its simple setup. Players only need to place their bets on the table, then watch the virtual croupier spin the wheel—or a real-life croupier for those who enjoy live dealer games. The easiest way to access roulette is to register on the website.

If you’ve never played it before, you can shop around on Oddschecker to find a promo that suits your needs. Remember, these promos can be used for real-money games, which makes roulette a bit more unique than the other relaxing titles on this list.

2. Stardew Valley (Cross-platform)

Don’t let the category confuse you—even though Stardew Valley is technically a farming simulation, there’s so much more on offer. In fact, it has many of the same characteristics as general life simulations like The Sims. At the start, players must rehabilitate a run-down farm… from there, the adventure diversifies greatly. 

There’s something for everyone in Stardew Valley, whether you want to design your own beautiful farm, forage around it for certain items, raise and care for animals, and so much more. You can also invite others to join you in a multiplayer mode, creating a unique social experience.

3. No Man’s Sky (Console, desktop, Switch)

Survival games probably don’t sound relaxing from the start—but there’s nothing ordinary about No Man’s Sky. This action-survival game uses procedural generation to create an open-world universe, which players will explore. As they touch down on new planets, they must survive by setting up bases, exploring flora and fauna, and trading with others.

Behind it all is a stunning visual world that will keep players intrigued throughout every new adventure. While the game itself requires a bit of hard thinking, it’s design makes just about any task a relaxing foray into a bright and imaginative new world.

4. Loopita’s Dream (Desktop)

Not all relaxing games have to be large-scale projects. As outlined above, new developers within the gaming space have taken a sharper focus on casual titles. This has led to more indie projects, including Loopita’s Dream, a game that follows the life of a tiny hamster and her running wheel. 

Simply guide Loopita to her bowl of sunflower seeds, then to her water bottle. After she’s fed, send her running across the wheel. From there, she’ll find herself speeding through dreams as funky music plays. Once it’s over, you can start again to see which spinning wheel dream Loopita will concoct next.

5. PowerWash Simulator (PC, console)

Let’s head back into simulation territory. This time, we’re exploring a very surprising addition to the list: PowerWash Simulator. Just like the title hints, this game is all about stepping into the shoes of a professional power washer, and then beaming dirty surfaces with water until they’re shining again.

The game includes a few different modes, including a narrative-focused main mission or simply exploring the town to hose dirty buildings down. Despite the odd focus, the game includes realistic power wash mechanics, which adds a layer of realism that makes it particularly enjoyable and relaxing to power wash any surface.

6. Unpacking (Cross-platform)

This casual game is officially listed as a puzzle, though it could also be seen as an unpacking simulator. In the game, players step into the shoes of a mysterious main character to help her unpack boxes throughout the stages of her life, from a university dorm to moving back in with her parents.

The goal is for players to unwind by unpacking room after room—but there’s a hidden layer to this game. Some objects must be placed in certain areas, which provide intriguing clues into what’s happening in the protagonist’s life. Anyone looking for a cute story will be endlessly pleased with Unpacking’s kitschy details.

7. Dorfromantik (PC, Switch)

If you prefer to unwind with a bit of strategic thinking, then Dorfromantik has all the features you need. This game requires players to build a city in a variety of environments and worlds while setting the foundation for expansion. It includes all the basic challenges of a city-builder game, except it keeps things relaxing and casual. 

However, we should point out that Dorfrmantik also includes more difficult challenges for those who want to immerse themselves in the game and take on more complex missions. Even so, the game’s highly-rated soundtrack and graphics prevent it from becoming too somber.

8. The Witness (PC, Console, iOS)

If you’re looking for a puzzle game that never gets old, then The Witness is for you. This game combines elements of open-world adventure games with hundreds of unique puzzles. But there’s one huge twist—there aren’t actually any instructions on how to play this game and solve its puzzles.

To advance, players must push their observational skills to the limit. However, similar to Dorfromantik, the game includes a highly visual and engaging world. This helps offset the demands of the game, as simply exploring the island on which players spawn is still relaxing and rewarding.

9. Journey (PlayStation, PC, iOS)

This casual game has one purpose: to traverse a desert and get to the mountain that’s always looming in the distance. Along the way, they can team up with other players—but they can’t interact with them directly using text or speech. Instead, they can use a musical chime to communicate.

This chime adds new depth to the game, as it alters the game world and allows players a chance to advance to new levels. In fact, throughout the game, audio is a critical component that helps dictate the player’s progress and new missions. It’s also highly relaxing and memorable, making Journey unlike any other type of game out there.