The best cozy, relaxing games to unwind with

Games to unwind with

Some evenings you do not want a boss fight — you want a warm blanket in game form. These cosy favourites swap pressure for gentle, open-ended play: plant something, build something and let the hours drift by at your own pace. There are no fail states to dread and no clock ticking down, just quiet, low-stakes worlds that are happy to be visited for ten minutes or a whole afternoon. What they share is a soothing loop and the freedom to set your own goals — the perfect antidote to a stressful day.

• Stardew Valley — the definitive cosy farming sim. Tend crops, befriend the village and lose whole evenings to its wonderfully easy rhythm.
• Terraria — endlessly creative sandbox building and exploration. Play it as calmly or as adventurously as your mood allows.
• Don't Starve Together — a charming, hand-drawn co-op survival world that is far cosier with a friend along for the ride.
• Raft — a laid-back ocean survival builder where you slowly expand a floating home across a calm, endless sea.
• The Sims™ 3 — the ultimate low-stakes life sim, still a comfort-food classic for building homes and telling small, silly stories.

Cosy games hold their charm for years and go on sale often, so it is worth checking the current price on each page before buying — several dip near their all-time low during seasonal events, and a few are frequently bundled together at a discount.

If these land, you will love our roundup of games like Stardew Valley and the best games to play with your partner. Keep an eye on our deals page to grab them when they are heavily discounted.