Sometimes, players don't want to check out a game to enjoy some cathartic violence or experience mature storytelling that plays with their emotions. In certain instances, players may prefer to check out a game that, in the end, makes them feel good and relaxed after a stressful day.
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Fans of open-world games will be glad to know that there are more than enough feel-good adventures for them to sink their teeth into. Without anything stressful looming over their shoulder, it's easy to see why they can enjoy the charm of these titles with ease.
No Man's Sky
A Relaxing Sci-Fi Adventure
No Man's Sky
- Released
- August 9, 2016
WHERE TO PLAY
No Man's Sky could've been a total disaster after its crash-landing, but Hello Games ensured that a horrid launch wouldn't tarnish this game's legacy. They worked hard and flooded it with so much content that it has become one of the best space exploration games fans can get their hands on.
There are so many things to accomplish in this vast universe that it boggles the mind. The lack of any threats and soothing soundtrack ensures that players will enjoy a stress-free experience while they explore the limitless beauty this title has to offer.
Minecraft
Players' Boundless Creativity Makes It Rewarding
Minecraft
- Released
- November 18, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- Sandbox, Survival
The variety of game modes in Minecraft ensures that all kinds of players can have a great time with this experience. Sure, struggling to survive every day and becoming well-equipped enough to deal with the Ender Dragon is fun in its own right, but players can eliminate threats from their game if the only thing they want to do is explore and stretch the boundaries of their creativity.
This ensures that Minecraft's voxel-style graphics and creative gameplay will resonate with fans who want to enjoy a feel-good open-world experience. There's nothing more satisfying than spending hours on an elaborate structure, only for its efforts to pay off.
Genshin Impact
A Gacha Game That Doesn't Pressure Players With Microtransactions And Is Surprisingly Relaxing
Genshin Impact
- Released
- September 28, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Teen / Alcohol Reference, Fantasy Violence, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items), Users Interact
- Genre(s)
- RPG, Action, Adventure, Gacha, Open-World
Genshin Impact was written off by some players who saw it as a way to implement gacha-style mechanics with Breath of the Wild gameplay, but this title has transformed into something else entirely. The steady inflow of heroes and other content, coupled with the lack of greed when it comes to this free-to-play game, helped Genshin Impact establish itself as one of the best open-world titles on the market.
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Sure, there's some combat in this game, but exploration is largely peaceful, and the game's sandbox is beautiful to behold. Genshin Impact's unlimited charm makes it clear why it has such a massive fanbase that loves to unwind by spending a few hours in this incredible title.
A Short Hike
A Short, Sweet Open-World Game About Reaching The Top Of A Mountain To Get Cell Phone Reception
A Short Hike
- Released
- April 5, 2019
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
Not all open-world games need to be epic adventures spanning multiple hours with high stakes. Sometimes, a simple game with anthropomorphic characters where the main struggle involves the lack of mobile reception is more than enough to keep fans engaged.
With a play time of less than an hour, A Short Hike is a beautiful title for players to get lost in. It doesn't overstay its welcome and features traversal mechanics that are simple to understand and let players enjoy a steady sense of progression as they eventually reach the top of a mountain.
Immortals Fenyx Rising
The Tone Of This Open-World Adventure Is Quite Jovial
Immortals Fenyx Rising
- Released
- December 3, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T for Teen: Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
While Immortals Fenyx Rising does feature combat as one of its central gameplay pillars, that should take nothing away from Ubisoft's attempt at recreating Breath of the Wild's magic. The jovial nature of the story and the colorful open world stand out and ensure that players will fall in love with this title's charms.
The lighthearted nature of the narrative, coupled with its upbeat tone, ensures that players will enjoy a title that will leave them smiling from ear to ear. Immortals Fenyx Rising's strengths more than make up for some issues stemming from its lack of innovation as an open-world title.
The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
Despite Some Tense Moments, The Open-World Game Is Largely Relaxing
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
- Released
- March 3, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
Breath of the Wild can be a tough game when players take on tough foes like Lynels and Silver (or Gold) enemies, but that's far from the only reason why this title is so beloved. The gameplay is in a class of its own and gives players enough freedom to cater to their playstyle, offering a sense of accomplishment that's already satisfying.
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If players want, they can avoid most tough combat encounters and just get lost in the magic of exploration and puzzle-solving. This cel-shaded masterpiece is bursting with charm, with players able to do things at their own pace and enjoy the sense of wonder that comes with exploring the ever-intriguing Hyrule.
Sunset Overdrive
The Charming Tone Of An Open-World Game With Soda Zombies Is As Refreshing As It Can Be
Sunset Overdrive
- Released
- October 28, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ due to Blood and Gore, Drug Reference, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter, Open-World
Before Marvel's Spider-Man, Insomniac Studios was mainly known for its work on Sunset Overdrive. A capitalist hellscape where people turn into zombies after drinking soda, the immense charm and fun gameplay of Sunset Overdrive will leave players with wide smiles on their faces.
The game is bursting with color and charm, combining traversal and combat with great deftness. It's easy to see why this developer was chosen to make the Spider-Man games, which take the best elements of Sunset Overdrive and improve upon them considerably.
Saints Row 3
The Hilarious Tone Of This Title Makes Every Mission A Blast
Saints Row: The Third
- Released
- November 15, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
After Saints Row 2 injected some much-needed humor into the franchise, the sequel went all out to ensure that fans would be guffawing even more. Saints Row 3 is arguably the best game in the series that nails its un-serious tone and lets players enjoy an amazing power fantasy.
Every mission is a bundle of joy, full of hilarious scenes and fun interactions between the main cast. The gameplay never gets too challenging and ensures that the charms of Saints Row 3 turn it into a feel-good game for the ages.
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