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Relaxing video games

E

el jacko

Member
I guess you could say all games are relaxing in some way or another, but that's not specifically what I'm looking for.

I'm curious what games are good if I'm looking for a slower paced game. Not something filled with action and high-octane thrills or anything like that, but something slower, less IN YO' FACE, more relaxing. Pikmin, I think, would fit this rather nicely (probably P2 more so since there's no time limit, though I haven't played it yet), or Katamari Damacy, or just about any Will Wright game.

Anyone have any other suggestions?
 
Althought I've never played them, Animal Crossing and Electroplankton :p seem to fit the bill.

Also, many RPGs have absolutely no action.
 
I've always thought that Ecco - Defender of the Future was one of the most relaxing games ever made. That's the first thing that popped into my head...

Let's see, what else...

ICO, Outcast, Uru and Real Myst all do a pretty good job as well. Oh, and Shenmue II disc 4.
 
As of late it'd be ESPN MLB2K5. Theres something really comforting about hearing John Miller and Joe Morgan while I've got my raly hat going on.
 
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I think almost all DS games are relaxing since they are so easy to play and most only need one hand too.
 
Ecco the Dolphin on Dreamcast, that bitch had me falling asleep. (No, seriously, I tihnk it was the music mostly, a little TOO relaxing)
 
LowTecky said:
Some Mario 64 music is extremely relaxing to me.. i cant really think of anything else :p
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Yeah, especially Dire Dire Docks!!! Talk about snooze inducing... and I mean that in a good way, it rocks!

nubbe said:
I think almost all DS games are relaxing since they are so easy to play and most only need one hand too.
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I agree, although some of them can be infuriating too. Polarium puzzle mode = relaxing. Polarium challenge after 3rd level = infuriating, one mistake and you're dead. I like just playing with the Wario Ware toys n stuff as well as playing the main game. Ploro T and Air Dude for example, are AWESOME. I can see Nintendogs and Electroplankton being seriously serene stuff too.

As for other readily available relaxing games:

How about any puzzle games that don't involve an incremental introduction of hazards to the screen, don't have increasing speed, and don't have a time limit? Might be narrowing it down quite a lot there - but they do exist. Brain games if you will.

Sokoban for example. I used to love it as a kid.



Talking of the DS games - I got Yoshi Touch & Go yesterday too. That's quite relaxing in a way.

For a platformer I mean. Yoshi's moving at his own pace, you draw the paths, capture the bad guys / the coins, rack up the combos, tap him to jump, tap the screen to shoot etc.

Of course it gets faster and harder.
 
Ecco T. Dolphin on Dreamcast. I have no fuckin' idea what I was supposed to do, because I simply swam around doing Dolphin shit.


Rad. Somebody make a next-gen Dolphin simulator plz.
 
Pikmin, Animal Crossing. Animal Crossing on rainy day = ultimate chill out.

Freeride on Smuggler's Run: Warzones is nice.

Ico is pretty calm action wise, but the mood and atmosphere always made me feel too uneasy to be relaxed. Sitting at the save couch though? Nice.
 
I've seen many games that can be relaxing at moments, but as soon as a challenge or goal is presented it changes --- usually that can depend on how skilled of a gamer you is...

Animal Crossing, on a lazy sunday afternoon --- or durring a midngiht snack has always been very relaxing ... but at times it's been the most stressfull game ever, but it was usually stress outside of the game (someone wanting to play, Nook about to close, etc.)

I like relaxing games ... I'd put my money down on an Ecco type game with no goal, just exploration...

I'm looking forward to my Electroplankton to arrive : P
 
The two best that I've found:

PSO in solo mode (especially forest and mines, due to the music)

Dog's Life on PS2.

Another good one is Kya: Dark Lineage... hop n'bop action, but it's only frantic or fast paced in a few areas.
 
somehow tennis games always relax me, i don't have this while watching or playing tennis irl so very strange.
 
BF1942

Nothing like coming home after a long & hard day at college and playing some BF1942. Ahhh I love it


Ace Combat IV also: I played this alot when I was working in the summer! Very relaxing for me.
 
I find some stages in Panzer Dragoon Orta very relaxing from their visuals and sound. Ico is almost too relaxing though, it put me to sleep last night.
 
One night this week I took a valium + wine and played World Poker Championship. I damn near felt like I was on a tropical island I was so relaxed. :D
 
mCACGj said:
Harvest Moon is an excellent relaxing game, also Katamari Damacy is possibly the most relaxing game ever.
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Harvest Moon I have to agree with

but Katamari Damacy? I kept getting all uptight about not being able to run over certain things on Make A Star 7. god that was so hard

anyway, my advice is take some fighting game that you know you can't loose at. and just beat everyone up. that always relaxes me
 
h4xor said:
Harvest Moon I have to agree with

but Katamari Damacy? I kept getting all uptight about not being able to run over certain things on Make A Star 7. god that was so hard

anyway, my advice is take some fighting game that you know you can't loose at. and just beat everyone up. that always relaxes me
Click to expand...


Up tight? Why, just relax and have fun. I enjoyed it when it was too difficult for me to make the star the first time, it made the game seem a bit longer.
 
I second Disaster Report.

Most games that are expansive and don't need you to constantly be on the edge make you feel relaxed - especially if the music is easy on the ears too.
 
I spent a LOT of time just driving around listening to the radio in GTA3....aside from the occasional 3+stars, it was very relaxng.
 
For me, Paper Mario 2 was extremely relaxing. Just the way the dialogue, th emusic, and the areas came together made the game very relaxing. The battle system helped as well because it didn't make it too relaxing. I would play PM 2 just to unwind.
 
Ecco on dreamcast... as someone mentioned before, i'd just swim around doing dolphin stuff... then change to the really awkward camera angle and do more dolphin stuff and admire how cool it looked in that perspective
 
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