Summary
- Open-world games offer relaxation through freedom, stunning visuals, and minimal pressure, making them popular among gamers seeking peace.
- Open-world game Hogwarts Legacy immerses players in magical Hogwarts, allowing for an enchanting and fully customizable experience.
- Marvel's Spider-Man offers a perfect balance of stress-relief and entertainment in an open-world game, appealing to a wide range of players.
High-energy, action-packed, and chaotic 'closed-world' video games will always be celebrated in the gaming industry, but overstimulating titles can sometimes be the antithesis of relaxing after a stressful day. Many gamers de-stress by taking out their frustrations on high-stakes combat and perilous objectives, while others understandably prefer less combat-heavy and life-threatening gameplay. Open-world games are seeing a huge rise in popularity with 'after-work' gamers or those who suffer from sensory overload and are seeking a more peaceful gaming experience.
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Open-world gameplay makes for great relaxing video games because players have the freedom to meander across land, air, sea, and space, in all kinds of fantastical worlds without the pressure of a time limit. Stunning visuals, a calming soundtrack, uncomplicated gameplay, and fewer high-pressure decision-making situations all contribute to this selection of the best relaxing slow-paced, open-world games.
Updated on September 29, 2024, by Holly Dixon: The gaming industry is full of open-world games that let the players take control of their destiny, but not all of them are relaxing and calming. Many are rich in combat, peril, and stressful scenarios that raise players' blood pressure, which, although thrilling, is not conducive to relieving anxiety and unwinding after a long day. In October 2023, Marvel released Spider-Man 2, a free-roaming sequel for those who found Marvel's Spider-Man equal amounts entertaining and calming. Dedicated Potterheads can also look forward to yet another detailed, magical open-world game in the next few years to compliment the Hogwarts Legacy series and help wizards and witches unwind after long days. Slow-paced, relaxing open-world games have a quality that is truly soothing, immersive, and enriching for those who crave a cozy feeling in their gaming experience.
18 Marvel’s Spider-Man (2018)
Flying And Swinging Through New York City
Marvel's Spider-Man
- Released
- September 7, 2018
- Developer(s)
- Insomniac Games
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
- Genre(s)
- Action, Adventure, Open-World
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Anyone who has ever watched an incarnation of Spider-Man swing through New York City has probably felt envy and awe, even if the actual web-slinging leaves them feeling more like Zendaya’s frazzled, motion-sick M.J. For players who struggle to pay attention to slow-paced, minimal story and combat in video games, Marvel’s 2018 Spider-Man may be a perfect solution when seeking a stress-relieving open-world game that doesn’t compromise the elements that gamers love.
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Although players are still heavily prompted and guided by missions, tasks, and mapped objectives, Spider-Man is technically an open-world, free-roam game where players can swing across New York as they wish. Despite the jarring, frequent explosions and violence, the detailed, gorgeous graphics and the cut scenes worthy of a polished animated film can easily seduce most gamers into enjoying the ride. Already completed this game? Marvel has delivered multiple crime-fighting open-world games since with their 2020 Spider-Man: Miles Morales and 2023 sequel Spider-Man 2 for gamers to enjoy.
17 Hogwarts Legacy
Tour An Immersive Magical Scottish Castle
Hogwarts Legacy
- Released
- February 10, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Avalanche Software
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
One of the most detailed and highly anticipated open-world games in the industry is Hogwarts Legacy. The realistic recreation of Hogwarts castle and the ability to roam the grounds freely is hugely appealing to dedicated Potterheads, something which previous Harry Potter games could only allow limited access to. In this witch or wizard simulator, players can virtually experience their dreams coming to life, flying broomsticks, casting spells, caring for magical creatures, and feeling fully immersed in a world of magic and witchcraft.
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Hogwarts Legacy’s visuals are polished to the point of shining, the unique characters are interesting and entertaining in their own right, and the ability to customize each player’s character and experience (to a point) will please even the most hardcore Potter fans. The soundtrack is highly reminiscent of the scores composed for the Harry Potter film franchise, adding to an overall blissful atmosphere. Hogwarts Legacy still receives regular updates to add new content and smooth over any glitches, and fans are anticipating an exciting sequel, estimated to be released between 2026 and 2027, undoubtedly with similarly awe-inspiring graphics and enchanting gameplay. For many Potterheads, the joy of reliving nostalgic memories of desperately wishing to get their Hogwarts letter and study magic at the prestigious wizarding school is more than enough to qualify this open-world game as one of the most enjoyable and soothing to play.
16 Firewatch
Watching Sunsets In Shoshone
Firewatch
Ever felt like abandoning all responsibilities to take up a low-effort job watching over a tranquil forest and hiking through the wilderness? Campo Santo’s 2016 game Firewatch enables players to follow fire lookout Henry as he explores Shoshone National Forest, putting out fires and admiring the color-soaked scenery. Throughout Firewatch, players flirt and joke with supervisor Delilah over walkie-talkies, providing pleasant commentary as Henry wanders alone.
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Mysteries unravel as the game progresses, although the peril remains so low that players will rarely feel stressed or perturbed during gameplay. While some areas (such as Delilah’s tower) are off-limits until they are unlocked, players are given enough freedom to spend hours hiking wherever they please, making this a beautiful game for getting lost in the woods.
15 Alba: A Wildlife Adventure
Wildlife Photoshoots On A Tranquil Mediterranean Island
Alba: A Wildlife Adventure
Developed by ustwo Games in 2020, Alba: A Wildlife Adventure is a wholesome, sweet-natured open-world game about a child, Alba, who visits her grandparents’ home on a Mediterranean island, inspired by the nostalgia of childhood in Spain. Quickly discovering that the wildlife is in peril, Alba traverses the island taking photos of over 62 species of animal in their preferred habitats, saving creatures affected by litter and pollutants and recruiting townsfolk to protect the environment. Eco-friendly both virtually and in real life, the developers of Alba: A Wildlife Adventure plant a new tree for every new download of the game to combat deforestation. So this open-world game truly is “feel-good” in more ways than one.
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With gameplay spanning only a few hours, Alba: A Wildlife Adventure can be concluded in a single relaxing evening (if players can find the elusive Iberian Lynx without resorting to online cheats and guides). The short completion time and the small-scale open world will be a relief for gamers who like the freedom to wander but feel overwhelmed without a defined end goal, or regular objectives. Alba: A Wildlife Adventure is one of many beautiful photography video games; but what makes this title stand out as particularly charming and lighthearted is a combination of the art style, quirky upbeat music, beautifully drawn peaceful animals, and endearing characters, all of which make for a fun, uncomplicated open-world game to unwind with.
14 Eastshade
Be A Traveling Painter In Another World
- Released: February 13, 2019
- Developer: Eastshade Studios
- Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows
Eastshade is the perfect open-world game for players craving a peaceful wander across a beautiful, bizarre landscape. Developed by Eastshade Studios in 2019, the combat-less gameplay of Eastshade asks players to work as traveling painters capturing and appreciating their majestic surroundings. The open-world gameplay centers around simple fetch quests for the anthropomorphic residents of Eastshade island, collecting art supplies, gifting canvases to NPCs, and quietly uncovering secrets and resolving conflicts.
Players have the freedom to paint whatever catches their eye in this picturesque world using an easy screen-shotting paint mechanic. Paired with a mellow soundtrack and soft, glittering visuals, Eastshade is an uncomplicated open-world game that eases the minds of those who paint and explore within it.
13 Astroneer
A Peaceful Non-Violent Space Adventure
Astroneer
For gamers who tire of space gameplay that largely consists of survival horror, Astroneer is a vivid, colorful fantasy space environment in which players explore, shape, and craft themselves. The overarching goal of Astroneer is to journey through seven planets rendered in a pleasing, exotic low-poly art style while collecting resources, opening portals, and building space structures.
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Astroneer is not driven by pressure to complete tasks and missions, allowing players to creatively interact with the bright, whimsical landscape in ways that satisfy their heart’s desires. While not a great fit for gamers who crave a fixed plot, complex narrative, and engaging characters, Astroneer perfectly suits players who want to potter around a radiant, quirky galaxy at their own pace.
12 Nightingale
Take A Relaxing Realm Walk In The Fae Wilderness
Nightingale
Set in a Victorian steampunk inspired world, Nightingale is a survival base-building game about realm-walkers who must summon portals between enchanted faewild realms, with the end goal of reaching the city of Nightingale. Although enemies spawn regularly in this open-world title, the low-strategy combat isn't all that challenging, with non-threatening character designs, making it unlikely for players to become stressed. Gamers who feel guilty attacking virtual animals need to be aware that the game does employ a hunting system to acquire resources, similar to Far Cry, but harvesting materials is not particularly gory or heart-wrenching. Currently in early access, Nightingale does have a few bugs and long grinds which can deter some, but the developers hope to deliver the improved full title within the next year.
Building shelters in Nightingale is a unique experience, as players can choose between Tudor, Pagoda and Stave Structural designs to create gorgeous personalized hideaways. Construction evolves overtime to include assembling safe havens, fortresses, workshops, and gardens where cooking, crafting, blacksmithing, and protecting oneself from outside dangers is top priority. Players will encounter parkour and tower puzzles, literary characters like Mr. Hyde, and other mysticisms along the way, using Biome 
Nightingale City Card to connect portals that lead to unique landscapes with their own wildlife and purpose. Collect friends to form a party of six for a calm (or chaotic) multiplayer adventure, or wander solo to enjoy all Nightingale’s realms offer.
11 Season: A Letter To The Future
Sensory Bliss To Capture The Past
Season: A Letter to the Future
Those who know the joy of riding their bike leisurely through picturesque countryside may not need beginner tips for Scavenger Studio’s 2023 game Season: A Letter To The Future, which is akin to one long lazy Sunday afternoon outdoors. Players embody Estelle, a young woman writing a journal for future generations, to document her life and the world she lives in before it is wiped away completely. The game opens with a calming, nostalgic scene of Estelle and her mother collecting endearing memories to melt into an ‘identity pendant’ so that Estelle will never lose herself on her journey.
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With a stunning, warm color palette and beautiful scenery, players can easily get lost in sensations and sights and miss unique mysteries and secrets while exploring, accompanied always by a serene, meditative score. Unlike similar open-world games that boast a gorgeous open-world but still have restrictive mechanics, Season: A Letter To The Future takes an extra step towards player freedom and control down to even the most minute details. They can customize the journal they are collating to the extent of resizing images and freely organizing where to place photos. Season: A Letter To The Future has a lot of soul and heart, with a therapeutic component that many players may find soothing, enlightening, and even healing after a long day.
10 Sable
Glide Through An Unproblematic Multi-Colored Desert
Sable
- Released
- September 23, 2021
- Developer(s)
- Shedworks
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Adventure
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Gamers wishing to switch off their minds and dip into a tranquil open-world will thrive with the peaceful no-combat exploration game, Sable. The titular character comes into her adulthood and identity by observing a ‘Gliding’ ritual and returning to her community with a unique mask. On this quest, players are not bound by a linear plot and can instead traverse the desert at their leisure, completing tasks in their own time and sequence.
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With this freedom, gamers can discover and help clans with simple fetch quests, involving puzzle solving, fishing, and bug catching, or customize and source parts for their hoverbike. The warm color palette and striking art style, which resembles a 3D version of iconic French sci-fi comic books, combined with an ambient, serene soundtrack from Japanese Breakfast is the perfect accompaniment to gliding through the desert or climbing ancient runes. This chilled out gameplay experience may not hold the attention of every gamer, but Sable’s simplistic, stress-free, and esthetically soothing open-world may be the ideal alternative to other more stimulating titles.
9 Call Of The Sea
Oceanside Puzzle Solving In A Tropical Oasis
Call of the Sea
- Released
- December 8, 2020
- Developer(s)
- Out of the Blue
- Platform(s)
- Xbox Series X, PC, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
- Genre(s)
- Puzzle
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
In Out of the Blue’s 2020 game Call of The Sea, Norah arrives at an isolated and idyllic island in the 1930s in search of her voyaging husband, while also seeking a cure for her mysterious illness. Players have a vast vibrant tropical landscape to traverse to the sounds of chirping parrots and chattering wildlife while looking for clues.
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The puzzles are fairly quick to solve in Call of the Sea, perfect for players who enjoy a light challenge without hitting impassable puzzle walls or needing to repeatedly run back and forth between locations to fetch items. Gamers can relish this intriguing, slow-burning game without lying in wait for combat, jump scares, or peril beyond a brooding mystery.