Ask Lemmy

World of Warcraft Retail.

Any of the building/management games like Factorio or Dyson Sphere Program or RimWorld. You can definitely make those games extremely challenging (speed runs, achievements, ultra hard modes/challenges). But for me they're cozy games where I can chip away at a small project or part of a larger project, like, I don't know, slowly building a scale model or something.

DOTA2 turbo mode, done in 20-30 minutes, and the try bards that take the mode serious are hilarious

Why are there so many suggestions of Zelda BotW over TotK imo this thread? I've only played the latter but my understanding is it's pretty much the same game with more to do. And since Nintendo games rarely go on sale you are probably looking at a very similar price tag.

burnout paradise. I'll just put on a podcast and drive around. Sometimes I'm seeking out races, or new best times on roads. Sometimes I'm just driving around more or less obeying traffic laws like a reasonable citizen.

C&C Generals World Builder. I just make maps while I'm in discord.

It's stimulating enough that it keeps my mind from wandering from a conversation, but brainless enough to be engaged in the conversation.

I'm also partial to Minecraft. Just decorate a little section then log off until tomorrow

Harvest Moon /Story of Season games.

Stardew Valley.

Diner Dash series of games.

Dwarf Fortress.

Theme Hospital.

The Sims.

Games that I can mostly play hands off.

Skyrim or Fallout 4 when I want to chill as an adventurous muderer

Earth Defense Force when I want to blow shit up

Dinkum is a really good Stardew Valley/Animal Crossing mix. If you like either, you'll likely end up like me, playing "just a bit" and realizing over 4 hours flew by.

Weirdly, Yakuza. Not even to thrash thugs, just to have a virtual night out with some karaoke, pool, darts... sexy bug-lady wrestling... I love most of the mini games in the series.

I play Hades, but I cheat.

It's super fun to see what kind of ridiculous combinations of powers and weapons you can create when you aren't worried about money or resources in any way shape or form.

I had a Hermes Build for Max speed that did bonus damage based on speed bonuses, Ares for Blade rift when dodging, and some Athena for some invulnerability.

Sprinting around the levels like the flash and absolutely nuking everybody with blade rifts is just too much fun.

Timberborn is always nice,

so is Minecraft.

Subnautica is also very relaxing after you know your way around it.

But Red Dead Redemption 2 is the most "chill" game for me. You can simply go out to hunt, enjoy the nature, etc.

Nethack or DROD

Just starting to get into genshin impact, though, and it seems pretty cool.

I've just started Snake Pass and it's a no bullshit old-style puzzle platformer (think PS1 platformers such as Croc, Crash Bandicoot or Rayman) with a unique movement mechanic that feels very chill. There's little in the way of worldbuilding though

Sky Children of the Light (solo player)

I don't play Tetris usually but when I get bored or just wanna relax then I play Tetris[Highest Score: 500k in 8 Hours]

So what games do you play when you just wanna relax?

Solitaire

Basically Loopy in Simon Tatham's Puzzles, available on Linux, Windows, and Android (F-Droid), when I don't want to be stressed.

Otherwise I just play some retro/old school games like Final Fantasy (started IV a few days ago), (Free)Doom, AssaultCube or Cave Story when on my laptop.

I usually listen to music and play driving games like Forza Horizon, BeamNG, or Dirt.

Also roguelike games like Deadly Days.

I have several games for a lazy evening on the sofa, so it depends on the mood.

I hoard virtual cars, tanks and ships, so I pick CSR2 when I want to do an event there (daily boring grinding tasks are automated). When I want to shoot I either junp in World of Tanks Blitz or World of Warships Blitz.

When in a mood where I want to just tap around, I dust off Hay Day.

Gershwin Impact has been on the tablet, but after a few attempts to play it, it's removed again. Looks nice, but not my style, yet.

Not a long or super replayable game like some of these answers but Jusant is super chill.

Sometimes I feel like I'm the only person on here who plays Hollow Knight. When I want to chill, I like to start a new game and just go through the early-mid game exploration phase. No pressure, skip bosses if I feel like it. Just run around and enjoy the atmosphere and music. Love it.

BeamNG

Car/truck driving simulator with the best crash physics you'll ever see. Great to just drive, off-rod, modify cars, race or just smash cars up. The game is only limited by your imagination.

I play Tibia. It's an old 2d MMORPG with endless grinding. Loads of quests and a playerbase where the average age is like 28.