5 Best Single-Player Games for Relaxation and Stress Relief in 2025

Published On: October 13, 2025

Some games are designed just to help you relax. Many digital experiences today are overwhelming, but some single-player games are designed specifically to help you unwind. They avoid competition and time pressure, instead offering quiet activities and beautiful worlds that encourage mental relaxation.

This article lists the five best single-player games for relaxation and stress relief in 2025. We selected games that you can’t lose, have calming and repetitive actions, and that over 90% of players rated positively.

5 Single-Player Gems for True Relaxation and Stress Relief

We look for specific types of games to help you relax. They must be peaceful, with no violence or time pressure (sources). For every game, we list the platforms, price, how long it takes to finish, and the best way to play to reduce stress.

1. Stardew Valley

Stardew Valley is a very relaxing game where you restore an old farm. Created by ConcernedApe, its pixel-art style and slow, seasonal pace remove all sense of urgency. There is no pressure or punishment.

In its peaceful mode, there are no monsters, so you can focus entirely on planting crops, foraging, and building friendships, which can be as calming as real gardening.

You can play Stardew Valley on PC, Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and mobile for $14.99. Finishing the main story takes about 50 hours, but doing everything can take over 150. It has a 98% positive rating on Steam.

2. Unpacking

In Unpacking, you do the simple, satisfying work of unpacking boxes after a move. As you place items in rooms from a character’s childhood to their first apartment, you learn their life story without a single line of dialogue.

You can play this game on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox for $19.99 (source). It’s a short game, taking about 4 hours to finish, which makes it perfect for relaxing in small sessions. 97% of players gave it a positive review.

3. A Short Hike

n A Short Hike, your goal is to climb a mountain in a park by hiking, gliding, and meeting other characters. The game, made by Adamgryu, focuses more on the journey than the goal.

Exploring and chatting with people is more important than winning. Strolling through this serene natural world can soothe you.

You can play it on PC, Switch, PS4/5, and Xbox One/Series X/S for $7.99 (source). For the summit, allow 2.5 hours; 4.5 hours if you want all secrets. With a 98% positive rating, players praise the game for being short and easy to start.

4. PowerWash Simulator

PowerWash Simulator is a game about the pleasure of cleaning. You clean everything from dirty patios to entire spaceships, and watching things become spotless can feel like a “mental reset.” FuturLab, the developer, uses water and foam physics that are satisfying to create a hypnotic experience.

Available on PC, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and Switch, it costs $24.99 (though sales are common). Campaigns typically take 40-50 hours, allowing for longer play. 98% of players love its relaxing quality.

Experienced users can use free-play for custom therapy tasks, cleaning in order of complexity to represent workflow de-escalation.

5. Dorfromantik

Dorfromantik is a relaxing puzzle game where you create a countryside by placing tiles. There’s no opponent; you’re simply rewarded for making a beautiful, connected landscape. Because the game creates new maps for you endlessly and there’s no way to fail, it’s perfect for getting into a calm, creative flow.

It’s available on PC and Switch for $14.99. From 5 to 63 hours, the game’s playtime varies. 97% of players gave this game a positive review. They love that it’s not loud or noisy, which helps their minds relax and focus again.

Why These Games Are Better for Reducing Stress

We selected these games because they are truly calming. They don’t judge you and fit into a busy schedule. Players enjoy them more and for longer than other games.

Game	Platforms	Price	Playtime (Avg.)	Relaxation Score (User Avg.)
Stardew Valley	PC, Switch, PS5, Xbox, Mobile	$14.99	50+ hours	9.8/10
Unpacking	PC, Switch, PS5, Xbox	$19.99	4 hours	9.7/10
A Short Hike	PC, Switch, PS4/5, Xbox	$7.99	2.5–4.5 hours	9.8/10
PowerWash Simulator	PC, Switch, PS5, Xbox	$24.99	40–50 hours	9.8/10
Dorfromantik	PC, Switch	$14.99	5–63 hours	9.7/10

Scores use combined Steam and Metacritic data, focusing on how well it helps you over graphics.

When Life’s Chaos Leaves You Drained

According to source, Modern life is very stressful for many people. Work, constant connection, and money problems are major causes. Nearly half of all Americans say they feel stressed every day. This is more than in other rich nations.