The best cozy simulation games for relaxing evenings

Key things

• Dive deep into the ocean at ABZU for a serene and dreamlike exploration experience.
• Unpacking allows things to be arranged in a peaceful way and stories to be told without words.
• PowerWash Simulator is focused on the meditative and satisfying task of cleaning.

For gamers looking for a calm, soothing experience, these games offer relaxing escapes from everyday stress. With an emphasis on slow gameplay, creativity, and subtle challenges, each title invites players into a world where they can relax and focus on fun, meditative tasks.

Whether it's discovering the mysteries of the ocean, decorating cozy spaces, building a lawn care empire or designing fashionable outfits, these games create a soothing atmosphere perfect for relaxing before bed. Immerse yourself in these relaxing titles to relieve stress and discover the simple pleasure of low-stakes gaming in a variety of imaginative environments.

1 ABZU

Explore The Deep, Blue Sea

Beautiful game from the creators Way, ABZU has players exploring the ocean and its majestic creatures as divers, emphasizing freedom of movement and allowing players to create their own relaxing underwater adventure.

There's no dialogue, and while it has some tense moments, there's nothing to really pull the player out of their bedtime dream state. Austin Wintory's score is ethereal and lush and provides the perfect backdrop to this underwater adventure.

2 Unpacking

Organizing The Heart

This game simulates the simple pleasure of rediscovering possessions and their memories while unpacking after a move. Without any really emotionally charged personal stuff for the player, Unpacking it tells a story in stuff, with no characters or dialogue to speak of.

Items can be arranged as the player wishes while soothing music plays in the background. With the myriad of ways items can be placed once unpacked, this game has high replay value for those who want to bring some organization to their thoughts.

3 PowerWash simulator

Let it shine

The game, perhaps quite self-explanatory, employs the player as a washerwoman who starts her own business, which requires building from the ground up. The meditative nature of this repetitive task induces a type of dream state where anxious thoughts are swept away like dirt by pressurized water.

Really demanding power washers can invest in different soaps, machines, nozzles and different accessories to help them reach every nook and cranny. A sparkling finish that is the result of hard work is a reward in itself.

4 Lawn mowing simulator

Grab the scissors

Another simple concept that shines with its winning execution, Lawnmower Sim takes lawn care into uncharted territory by allowing players to experience the manual labor without the sweat or mistakes that would normally plague the job.

Players can hop aboard an authentic ride-on mower of their choice, choose the height of the grass and let dreams of the British countryside overtake them as they run their grass-cutting business in this meditative instant classic of the simulation genre.

5 Supermarket simulator

Buy and leave

Perhaps, in reality, running your own business is a frantic endeavor coupled with the stress of failure in the face of insolvency. Not so in Supermarket simulatorwhere players can take their mom-and-pop shop to the top or as far as they are willing to go.

Players can ensure customer happiness without verbal abuse as they perform menial tasks with love and thoughtfulness. There are many of them, but this supermarket belongs to the player.

6 A fashion dreamer

Dress up darling

Rejoice, divas. Personal style has never been easier to express than in this fashion simulator where players can design the clothes of their dreams, build their brand and become fashion influencers.

Best played in short bursts to get your dress fix, players can browse through thousands of hand-designed outfits to create gorgeous outfits for NPCs and then share them with other like-minded fashionistas. It lacks a story, but that might be just what gamers need to wind down in the evenings.

7 A cozy grove

Isle Of Ghostly Delights

Cozy Grove allows players to inhabit a haunted island full of cute neighborhood bears as Spirit Scout, who helps the dead in exchange for Spirit Logs that fuel their campfires.

Bound to real-time, it offers a leisurely experience that doesn't need to go on forever or at maximum efficiency, allowing players to slow down and truly appreciate the important things in life. Like any decent life sim it offers the standard fishing, crafting, farming, baking, decorating and of course fetching.

8 Slime Rancher

Bubble friends

Calmly and sweetly, Slime Rancher allowing players to enter a slime care fugue state without rushing. Explore the wilds of the Far, Far Reach and capture new and exciting species of colorful slimes who would love nothing more than to be under the control of an experienced rancher who loves them more than anything.

The slimes only escape because they need a hug, apparently. As players uncover secrets and collect their fortunes, this game will win hearts with its charming story told in letters and endearing characters.

9 Tiny Glade

Dream it, do it

Tiny Glade is a diorama creator that takes the stress out of building games by essentially being a creative mode where players can create anything they like with no limits.

Forget resource management, stressful deadlines or any other goal and create the magical castle or cottage of your dreams. Unlike terraforming in Animal Crossingthere are no grids to thwart players' carefully laid plans and set back hours of work simply because things don't line up correctly.

10 Mineko Night Market

For the cat lover

A love letter to Japanese culture and cat fascination, Mineko Night Market allows players to experience village life while befriending cats and exploring a magical, bustling marketplace. As Mineko, players complete quests, craft whimsical items, and interact with quirky villagers to prepare for the weekly night market.

Despite its simplicity, the game offers rich world-building and a satisfying progression that rewards curiosity and creativity. With colorful visuals and a heartwarming community story, this social simulation game maintains a relaxed pace and encourages players to find joy in small, cute details and adorable furry friends.