Steam is chock-full of fantastic indie games, and while some stand out not just for their innovation and charm, others are noteworthy for how effortlessly they help players unwind. Games like Stardew Valley and A Short Hike are the kind of titles that players can settle into without worrying about pushing past skill ceilings, succumbing to punishing mechanics, or not having enough time to finish a session properly. Every so often, one of these games will manage to earn an "Overwhelmingly Positive" rating from players on Steam, and they're even sweeter when they're on sale.
The five games in this list have all earned "Overwhelmingly Positive" ratings on Steam, and right now each one can be picked up for less than ten dollars. While players still have at least a week to pick up most of them, one of them is pure gold and a steal for its current price point — but players will need to act fast.
5 Is This Seat Taken?
|
Reviews |
1,000 |
|---|---|
|
Developer |
Poti Poti Studio |
|
Normal Price |
$9.99 |
|
Sale Price |
$8.99 (10% off) |
|
Offer Deadline |
August 21, 2025 |
Is This Seat Taken? Is actually the newest game on this list to drop, and it happens to be the debut title for Poti Poti Studio, making its Overwhelmingly Positive rating on Steam a huge victory for the developer. In Is This Seat Taken?, players are tasked with seating some very particular characters — like a germophobic square or a triangle that refuses to be near a smelly neighbor — in locations ranging from buses to concert halls. With no timers or harsh penalties, Is This Seat Taken? Has relaxed pacing, amusing personalities, and a gentle jazz soundtrack that turn what could have been stressful logic puzzles into some of the coziest mental gameplay out there.
- Developer(s)
- Poti Poti Studio
- Publisher(s)
- Wholesome Games Presents
- Number of Players
- Single-player
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Fully Playable
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Casual, Puzzle, Point-and-click
4 Lil Gator Game
|
Reviews |
4,000 |
|---|---|
|
Developer |
MegaWobble |
|
Normal Price |
$19.99 |
|
Sale Price |
$9.99 (50% off) |
|
Offer Deadline |
August 18, 2025 |
Lil Gator Game is one of those titles that might initially be written off due to its name sounding like something straight from a pre-school educational activity, but it shouldn't be taken at face value. Yes, it is quite adorable, wholesome, and it has some of the simplest mechanics of any cozy game currently on the market. However, with its Zelda-inspired art style and exploration paired with some surprisingly deep and moving storytelling, Lil Gator Game is one of those titles that arguably no one should pass on, especially those who are looking for something short, charming, and utterly stress-free.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 83 /100 Critics Rec: 89%
- Released
- December 14, 2022
- ESRB
- E For Everyone
- Engine
- Unity
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Open-World
3 Rusty's Retirement
|
Reviews |
12,000 |
|---|---|
|
Developer |
Mister Morris Games |
|
Normal Price |
$6.99 |
|
Sale Price |
$4.68 (33% off) |
|
Offer Deadline |
August 21, 2025 |
Rusty's Retirement is a bit of an outlier on this list, as it is an idle game. What makes it so unique, though, is that it stays running at the bottom of the screen while players go about their day, as opposed to simply running in the background. A charming idle-farming simulator from indie solo developer Mister Morris Games, Rusty's Retirement sees players guided by a robotic pup named Rusty, who helps them plant and harvest crops, unlock new produce, and even switch to a vertical layout, all without interrupting their multitasking flow. It's an ingenious idea for an idle game, as evidenced by its sales numbers and the many games that have been inspired by it in the past year.
- Released
- April 26, 2024
- ESRB
- e
- Developer(s)
- Mister Morris Games
- Publisher(s)
- Mister Morris Games
- Engine
- Unity
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Simulation
2 Townscaper
|
Reviews |
20,000 |
|---|---|
|
Developer |
Oskar Stalberg |
|
Normal Price |
$5.99 |
|
Sale Price |
$2.39 (60% off) |
|
Offer Deadline |
August 20, 2025 |
Often praised as a "radically casual" experience, Townscaper truly is one of the most relaxing games on the market. From solo indie developer Oskar Stalberg, Townscraper lets players create charming island towns just by placing colorful blocks. The game's smart algorithm then instantly turns those blocks into arches, stairways, canals, and cozy little houses, all with absolutely no objectives or pressure. With these mechanics in place, Townscraper gives players a creative outlet that requires very little thought, making it more of a meditative experience than anything else.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 69 /100 Critics Rec: 79%
- Released
- June 30, 2020
- ESRB
- e
- Engine
- Unity
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- City Builder
1 Slime Rancher
|
Reviews |
125,000 |
|---|---|
|
Developer |
Monomi Park |
|
Normal Price |
$19.99 |
|
Sale Price |
$4.99 (75% off) |
|
Offer Deadline |
10 AM PT | 12 PM CT | 1 PM ET on August 15, 2025 |
Last but most certainly not least is Slime Rancher, a cozy creature-collecting farm life sim that is perfect for fans of Pokemon and anything wholesome and heartwarming. Monomi Park absolutely knocked it out of the park with this one, and even though it's only 75% for a short time, its normal price of $19.99 is still very much worth it. As Beatrix LeBeau on the alien Far Far Range, players will spend their time in the game collecting cute and often mischievous slimes to feed, breed, and harvest for plorts. Its open-world charm, whimsical creatures, and soothing gameplay loop have made it one of the best indie games of the last decade, even opening the door for a sequel.
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 76 /100 Critics Rec: 65%
- Released
- August 1, 2017
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Monomi Park
- Publisher(s)
- Monomi Park
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- Unity
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Simulation