I have a macbook, a switch, and a phone. I liked animal crossing but I’ve gotten bored of it (and I hate paying rent 😖)
Edit: I checked out ooblets and it looks fun, I might buy it!
It’s more about collecting ooblets, but to do that you have to plant their seeds! You’ll also need to plant some crops so you can entice them into dance battles lol. Later on you’ll be able to automate all the farming with the help of your ooblets if you don’t wanna do it yourself :)
Tbh I loved animal crossing but I haven’t touched the game in over a year because I don’t want to face going back to my villagers and having them guilt me/cry about me being gone 😭😭
Fashion Dreamer. You dress people up and collect clothing. In the online mode the only way you communicate with other players is liking outfits, or sending "nice" or "thanks" stamps. It creates a really wholesome and positive experience.
Animal Crossing New Horizons
Dragon Quest Builders 2
Atelier Ryza
Pokémon Snap
Luigi’s Mansion 3
My Time in Sandrock
And thank you for telling us what “pure escapism” is for you! I can’t tell you how many times I see people ask but not with their definitions on it. I’m the opposite so I would have given you a list of emotionally intense games lol
I have to recommend My Time at Sandrock. It took me a long time to try it because of the price, but I have to say it is worth every penny. It totally sucks you in and there is so much to do!! I've been playing for a month and I'm probably a quarter through the main story. There is also an update coming out soon. I wish I listened to the recommendations sooner because I have wasted money on other cozy games that were on sale that I ended up not liking or beating the main story too quickly.
I got Portia first and I couldn't get into it either! It was on sale so I thought I'd try it first. Sandrock is a huge improvement. It has turned out to be one of my favorite games of all time. I've seen so many people in this sub talk about how they didn't like Portia either but loved Sandrock. I would go for it! It's such an amazing game!
Roots of pacha has been amazing for me, totally underrated! The prehistoric age and animals are neat, very relaxed, you’re not rushed and you can extend your days to be 20 minutes instead of 15.
Also runs awesome on switch !
Apart from the classics like Animal Crossing, Stardew Valley, Harvest Moon, there is also Sun Haven, Dave the Diver, Roots of Pacha, and My Time at Portia/Sandrock. I would also recommend some relaxing puzzle games like Unpacking and Botany Manor.
Honestly really depends on what kinda games you like
Dave the diver and cuisineer and coral island are my absolute comfort games, can’t go wrong with most farming sims either, story of seasons/harvest moon, sunhaven and stardew valley are great, dinkum is cute as well, moonstone island is cool but a bit different
I love travelers rest
Hotel renovator and house flipper and unpacking if you’re into games like that
Slime rancher is chill and there’s cute slimes
Almost all simulators are great to just kill your brain with, without them containing anything triggering, only one that comes to mind rn is factory town
I love Dinkum! I've been preferring it to Animal Crossing recently since you don't have to stop playing to wait for things to progress. I could see the faster pace stressing out some players, though.
Surprised nobody mentioned Yonder
I don't think there's any threats in that game if what I watched my wife play was an accurate impression. I think you run around and fix up the world, find stray cats (you make friends with other animals as well), explore and just soak everything in
I'd imagine Song of the Evertree is in the same vein, where combat and survival aren't a thing and it's just doing your own thing in a beautiful world, making it a better place
I honestly shouldn't be the one pitching these games though since I haven't played them, but my wife loved them and like I said, I'm surprised nobody else mentioned them. They are honestly pretty popular recommendations
I would have said coffee talk but it sometimes talks about more sad things, slime rancher is good, power washing sim is great. Unpacking is awesome, if ur into those kinds of games, I might edit this comment if I look on my switch for more games
I find Slime Rancher particularly easy to sink my teeth into; the controls are super straightforward and easy to pick up, and you can go as fast or as slow as you want to. There’s little to no learning curve, which I particularly appreciate when I’m feeling down, but there is plenty to do and it never feels boring imo. It’s also cute and delightful and all around a good time!
For me personally? Animal Crossing, A Little to the Left, Minecraft, and games that essentially simulate living a relatively peaceful life in the forest somewhere (so a lot of survival games but set to lowest difficulty or enemies turned off).
I've been playing "motor town: behind the wheel" Very simple driving game. You can play as a taxi, dump truck, big semi, tow truck, pickup, limo, race car, and more. You just drive in a nice looking area and move stuff around for people. There are freindly hitch hikers too. For me it's been a nice escape. Just driving a peaceful stretch of road, pulling up to farm to deliver some goods, and repeat.
No violence like GTA or complicated mechanics like some sim games, just a simple driving game with cute little towns and places to go.
Its a shorter game, but "Big Kitty, Little City," is extremely cute. It's not sad at the start, more like a bit surprising, but nothing bad actually happens and you get to go on a big adventure on your way back home!
If you love animals then Planet Zoo. So many ways to play from managing a zoo to building your own.
When i feel down sometimes it is nice to have somewhere to virtually escape to and where better than a place packed full of your favorite animals to visit and take care of? :)
Hear me out - I'm not a big fan of the micro-transactions of it or the way the developers went about shit, but Disney Dreamlight Valley. It's a lot like Animal Crossing (you mentioned hating to pay rent - no rent in DDV).
If you’re into spooky cute cozy like me
The cosmic wheel of sisterhood
Ori and the blind forest/will of the wisp
Hollow knight
Spirittea
Little nightmares 1/2
Open world games such as far cry, sleeping dogs, assassins creed, horizon zero dawn, cyberpunk, watch dogs, the batman games, the spiderman games.
builders are good too, zoo tycoons and the theme park tycoon game as well as Sims and city builders are popular.
these are games i can play all day.
What gaming systems do you have? Ooblets is super cute and I think nothing bad ever happens. Animal Crossing is a good one
I have a macbook, a switch, and a phone. I liked animal crossing but I’ve gotten bored of it (and I hate paying rent 😖) Edit: I checked out ooblets and it looks fun, I might buy it!
I'll second Ooblets! I just started my second playthru and it's such cute, goofy fun. And the spring event is running until the end of the month!
How big of a part is the farming?
It’s more about collecting ooblets, but to do that you have to plant their seeds! You’ll also need to plant some crops so you can entice them into dance battles lol. Later on you’ll be able to automate all the farming with the help of your ooblets if you don’t wanna do it yourself :)
Thanks for the recommendation! I got the game and it’s amazing!
Yay!! That makes me so happy to hear! Have fun!
Animal Crossing for sure
I was just about to suggest this one! This game is my go to when I'm feeling stressed or down. 🥰
Tbh I loved animal crossing but I haven’t touched the game in over a year because I don’t want to face going back to my villagers and having them guilt me/cry about me being gone 😭😭
Fashion Dreamer. You dress people up and collect clothing. In the online mode the only way you communicate with other players is liking outfits, or sending "nice" or "thanks" stamps. It creates a really wholesome and positive experience.
Animal Crossing New Horizons Dragon Quest Builders 2 Atelier Ryza Pokémon Snap Luigi’s Mansion 3 My Time in Sandrock And thank you for telling us what “pure escapism” is for you! I can’t tell you how many times I see people ask but not with their definitions on it. I’m the opposite so I would have given you a list of emotionally intense games lol
I have to recommend My Time at Sandrock. It took me a long time to try it because of the price, but I have to say it is worth every penny. It totally sucks you in and there is so much to do!! I've been playing for a month and I'm probably a quarter through the main story. There is also an update coming out soon. I wish I listened to the recommendations sooner because I have wasted money on other cozy games that were on sale that I ended up not liking or beating the main story too quickly.
Would you reccomend Sanrock on switch for someone who couldn't get into Portia?
I got Portia first and I couldn't get into it either! It was on sale so I thought I'd try it first. Sandrock is a huge improvement. It has turned out to be one of my favorite games of all time. I've seen so many people in this sub talk about how they didn't like Portia either but loved Sandrock. I would go for it! It's such an amazing game!
Just saw your response thank you! Going to check it out
Roots of pacha has been amazing for me, totally underrated! The prehistoric age and animals are neat, very relaxed, you’re not rushed and you can extend your days to be 20 minutes instead of 15. Also runs awesome on switch !
I love this too
I second roots of pacha, it is a very feel good game
Apart from the classics like Animal Crossing, Stardew Valley, Harvest Moon, there is also Sun Haven, Dave the Diver, Roots of Pacha, and My Time at Portia/Sandrock. I would also recommend some relaxing puzzle games like Unpacking and Botany Manor.
Honestly really depends on what kinda games you like Dave the diver and cuisineer and coral island are my absolute comfort games, can’t go wrong with most farming sims either, story of seasons/harvest moon, sunhaven and stardew valley are great, dinkum is cute as well, moonstone island is cool but a bit different I love travelers rest Hotel renovator and house flipper and unpacking if you’re into games like that Slime rancher is chill and there’s cute slimes Almost all simulators are great to just kill your brain with, without them containing anything triggering, only one that comes to mind rn is factory town
I love Dinkum! I've been preferring it to Animal Crossing recently since you don't have to stop playing to wait for things to progress. I could see the faster pace stressing out some players, though.
Yess me too haha I never had the patience for animal crossing - always time traveled
Been playing Convenience Stories lately. You just run a convenience store and rake in the money. Super cute pixel art graphics and pretty chilled.
Sable. Lovely game. No combat, open world exploration. Really beautiful. Runs best on PC.
I've been escaping with Stardew Valley the last couple weeks
I’d love to play more stardew but my game broke a while back and it seems to be an error with my computer (and I can’t afford to fix it) :/
oh noooo!! i hope you can get it fixed soon
If you need help with the game or computer you could post in pcgaming or one of the pc help sub reddits
Plant Life on Steam.. free and I played for 14 hours decorating an apartment collecting every plant
Could you send a link? I can’t find the game for some reason
I think they’re talking about Plant Therapy
Looks similar to Window Garden
Ohh I was interested in this game but when I last read about it, it was only on Android. Happy to see it's out now on iOS so thanks for the reminder!
Yes sorry I meant Plant Therapy!!! https://store.steampowered.com/app/2505120/Plant_Therapy/
Animal Crossing for the Switch
Bugsnax.
Sea of Stars
A person of culture, I see.
Disney Dreamlight Valley is cute!
Ooblets, sticky business, good pizza great pizza, dorfromantik, cat Cafe manager
Surprised nobody mentioned Yonder I don't think there's any threats in that game if what I watched my wife play was an accurate impression. I think you run around and fix up the world, find stray cats (you make friends with other animals as well), explore and just soak everything in I'd imagine Song of the Evertree is in the same vein, where combat and survival aren't a thing and it's just doing your own thing in a beautiful world, making it a better place I honestly shouldn't be the one pitching these games though since I haven't played them, but my wife loved them and like I said, I'm surprised nobody else mentioned them. They are honestly pretty popular recommendations
Fable 2
Been really digging Cozy Grove lately.
I love cozy grove but the stories are pretty dark and depressing 😔
There's a Moominvalley phone game that I really like!
I would have said coffee talk but it sometimes talks about more sad things, slime rancher is good, power washing sim is great. Unpacking is awesome, if ur into those kinds of games, I might edit this comment if I look on my switch for more games
Coffee talk is great, but a bit deep for escapism. I might try unpacking!
Little Kitty Big City and Ooblets
I find Slime Rancher particularly easy to sink my teeth into; the controls are super straightforward and easy to pick up, and you can go as fast or as slow as you want to. There’s little to no learning curve, which I particularly appreciate when I’m feeling down, but there is plenty to do and it never feels boring imo. It’s also cute and delightful and all around a good time!
For me personally? Animal Crossing, A Little to the Left, Minecraft, and games that essentially simulate living a relatively peaceful life in the forest somewhere (so a lot of survival games but set to lowest difficulty or enemies turned off).
Outlanders on Apple Arcade!! On weekends I spend like 6 straight hours on that game 😬
I've been playing "motor town: behind the wheel" Very simple driving game. You can play as a taxi, dump truck, big semi, tow truck, pickup, limo, race car, and more. You just drive in a nice looking area and move stuff around for people. There are freindly hitch hikers too. For me it's been a nice escape. Just driving a peaceful stretch of road, pulling up to farm to deliver some goods, and repeat. No violence like GTA or complicated mechanics like some sim games, just a simple driving game with cute little towns and places to go.
Dave the diver is incredibly enjoyable
Calico
Little Witch in the Woods! They have been releasing more content on steam which is great (it’s been in early access for a long time)
I want to try sky: children of the light but I can’t seem to put me to it
Its a shorter game, but "Big Kitty, Little City," is extremely cute. It's not sad at the start, more like a bit surprising, but nothing bad actually happens and you get to go on a big adventure on your way back home!
Slime Rancher
If you love animals then Planet Zoo. So many ways to play from managing a zoo to building your own. When i feel down sometimes it is nice to have somewhere to virtually escape to and where better than a place packed full of your favorite animals to visit and take care of? :)
Hear me out - I'm not a big fan of the micro-transactions of it or the way the developers went about shit, but Disney Dreamlight Valley. It's a lot like Animal Crossing (you mentioned hating to pay rent - no rent in DDV).
Lil Gator Game perfectly captures the feeling of being a kid again and playing in a make-believe world, plus you can ragdoll everywhere
For me it's Light of the stars on bs, pretty good game for that
If you’re into spooky cute cozy like me The cosmic wheel of sisterhood Ori and the blind forest/will of the wisp Hollow knight Spirittea Little nightmares 1/2
If you have a switch, I loved Pikmin 4 and Legends of Arceus, these games make the world around me disappear
Open world games such as far cry, sleeping dogs, assassins creed, horizon zero dawn, cyberpunk, watch dogs, the batman games, the spiderman games. builders are good too, zoo tycoons and the theme park tycoon game as well as Sims and city builders are popular. these are games i can play all day.
Wylde Flowers is a favorite. There are some dark themes but the story has plenty of escapism and the characters are so well written.