Best Slow-Paced Games to Relax: Our Picks

Sometimes the world moves too fast and you want to slow down and unwind. The best way to do so is, of course, videogames! A big selection of them allow us to enjoy the relaxing gameplay mechanics, use beautiful visuals or sounds to help us find the inner peace. Welcome to our list of slow-paced games to relax.

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You can jump straight to the one that interests you most or you can follow along and read about all of them.

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• Ways of Alchemy 🔥
• Hogwarts Legacy
• Stardew Valley 🔥
• Red Dead Redemption 2
• Journey
• Tetris Effect 🔥
• No Man’s Sky
• PowerWash Simulator
• Good Pizza, Great Pizza
• Mini Metro

Best Slow-Paced Games For PC & Mobile

Here’s a list of games to enjoy and have fun with, in no particular order. 

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Ways of Alchemy

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Genre: Alchemic Sim | Developer: RocketBrush Games | Release Date: 2025

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Ways of Alchemy is one of the best slow paced games and it’s all about a slow pace: you can always pause the game to contemplate what to do next. You can look at the gorgeous artwork, passionately crafted by artists to match the medieval aesthetic. You can enjoy some fun questlines, involving making potions for picky customers. Or you can hire assistants and send them on adventures to gain experience and find some rare secrets that will help you to achieve your goals. 

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Even though there are some obstacles to overcome – stray dogs, enemies in adventures, tax inspection – Ways of Alchemy is an incredibly relaxing and slow experience – you can play it on PC or Steam Deck in the comfort of your sofa. You play as Alchemist, but you don’t need to know anything about chemistry, magic formulas and such – you can freely experiment with different ingredients and discover things… or you can follow recipes if you prefer.

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Key features:

• Grow ingredients and create potions: You can do it either by following recipes or experimenting and feeling as if you’ve discovered something truly special, something no one else knows about.
• Secrets to discover: There is lots of stuff for you to unveil, from secret, long-forgotten books to new, intriguing places far away – feel free to do so on your own speed, but keep in mind that the fun lies in seeking out new stuff!
• Choose what to do and when: Ways of Alchemy uses a slow-paced, relaxing gameplay loop that doesn’t force you to hurry but allows you to experience what it’s like to be a medieval alchemist.
• Stunning artwork: Ways of Alchemy is stylized for a medieval manuscript’s look and overall maintains the feel of a medieval artwork, which is reflected in the way cards look – unique and eye-catching. 
• Nearly 50 hours of gameplay: Considering the slow pace, the game will allow you to enjoy it for a long time, discover something new and fun during every play sessions.

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Hogwarts Legacy

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Genre: Action | Developer: Avalanche Software | Release Date: 2023

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Ever dreamt of stepping into the shoes of a Harry Potter series character and living a life as a wizard? Hogwarts Legacy allows you to do exactly that! You experience life as a student at legendary Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (you may know it by its shorter name, of course), which, for many people who grew up watching films and reading books from the Harry Potter universe, is a dream scenario. 

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What makes it so good is that it also allows you to feel what it’s like to live a life like that.   You can cast spells and even have duels, but the game also offers a peaceful exploration option – go and check out the nooks and crannies of the castle and its surroundings at your own pace. Or you can immerse yourself in a potion brewing process, study herbology and participate in caring for magical creatures provides a soothing gameplay experience amidst the magical adventure.​ It all makes it a very satisfying experience and one of the best slow paced games.

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Key Features:

• Immersive exploration of a legendary place: You can make the dream come true and navigate the Hogwarts castle, full of curious details, discover secrets and uncover hidden rooms at your own pace.
• Take care of peculiar creatures: If you enjoy tending creatures, there’s a special place dedicated to magical creatures that you can interact with – no rush, just peaceful enjoyment.
• Choose freely what to do: There are classes and activities to do depending on your interests, which make the gameplay experience even more relaxing and open.

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Stardew Valley

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Genre: Farming Sim | Developer: ConcernedApe | Release Date: 2016

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A game that is regularly praised for being so, so chill, Stardew Valley’s slow pace can be seen in its premise: it welcomes players to escape the non-stop chaotic hustle of corporate life and find joy in rural life. You start managing your farm, meet new people and build relationships and explore the countryside at your own speed and leisure.

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What makes it one of the best slow paced games? It encourages a stress-free and personalized experience and regularly adds heaps of new content for you to enjoy – no need to rush, there’s always tomorrow.​ In addition, there are no strict limitations that make you hurry up, kick back, relax and have fun. 

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Key Features:

• Diverse activities with no pressure: Feel free to participate in any activity that seems interesting, be it farming, fishing, mining and crafting – choose how to spend each in-game day as you want, no restrictions or anything like that.
• Meet characters and engage with the community: You can build relationships with local town residents, participating in festivals and events, and see where it leads!
• Relaxing, slow-paced pastoral atmosphere: Have a look at cute pixelated visuals and a fun, cozy soundtrack that allows you to find inner peace as you go through the daily farming activity – there’s something truly special about being inside this slow-paced experience.

Red Dead Redemption 2

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Genre: Action | Developer: Rockstar Games | Release: 2018

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Red Dead Redemption 2 may seem to be a unique entry in such a list of best slow paced PC games, but its outlaw simulation part, full of guns, heists and other things Rockstar is famous for, is beautifully matched with another chunk of the game, which is peaceful and tranquil. How about taking your trusty horse for a ride early in the morning, camping near the river and enjoying a beautiful atmosphere? Or going out to try and find a treasure, based on pieces of maps and rumors you hear from townsfolk? Yes, you can do it – no need to hurry with the main quest. 

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Red Dead Redemption 2 allows you to explore a detailed and immersive depiction of the American frontier, long lost to urbanization and the 20th century’s fast development. And while it includes action elements, the game emphasizes a much slower pace in comparison to other high-budget games, encouraging you to take your time, engage in all types of slow activities and appreciate the expansive world it provides at your service.​

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Key Features:

• Authentic real world: Red Dead Redemption 2 has very realistic approach to gaming, full of striking, realistic environments where common life activities like hunting, fishing, camping, mountain climbing and other things are integral to gameplay – after all, you’re playing an outlaw who spent all his life navigating free spaces like this.
• Detailed immersion: You can immerse yourself not only into the world, but into a complex main character, Arthur Morgan – do not forget to eat, wash, pay a visit to a barber – it helps to maintain a deeper connection to the character, who becomes your reflection as you go through the story.
• Dynamic interactions: In addition, you can engage with a wide selection of characters and situations, where choices impact the narrative and world around you. The world feels like a living, breathing thing.

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Journey

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Genre: Adventure | Developer: Thatgamecompany | Release: 2012

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Journey is a visually stunning game that focuses on slow-paced exploration and emotional connection over gameplay mechanics that have become traditional at this point. A great combination of simple gameplay mechanics, gorgeous visuals and relaxing soundwork makes it a worthy entry in the selection of best slow paced games.

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Gameplay-wise, you have to traverse vast desert landscapes, often encountering other players in a unique, wordless multiplayer experience that still, to this day, feels very unique.​ Considering how beautiful Journey can sometimes be, you don’t want to go through it quickly – better to savour it and remember fondly years after finishing it!

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Key Features:

• Artistic direction: Go through beautifully crafted environments which evoke a sense of wonder and introspection – like all perfect and relaxing adventure games do.
• Emotional storytelling: Experience a touching and thought-provoking story, conveyed just by visuals and music and allows personal interpretation, leaving a lasting impression.
• Unique, memorable multiplayer: Encounter other players seamlessly and cooperate with them to complete tasks, all without direct communication!

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Tetris Effect

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Genre: Puzzle | Developer: Monstars Inc. & Resonair | Release: 2018

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Perhaps the only game that genuinely deserves the “classic” tag, Tetris Effect is a reimagination of the classic puzzle game. How does it achieve it? By integrating mesmerizing, striking visuals and catchy music that react to your in-game actions.

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Here, the focus is on a sensory experience, which transforms the traditional Tetris into a meditative journey.​ And again, besides the common Tetris rules, there are no harsh restrictions – play it as you will, and immerse yourself in this slow-paced, easing atmosphere.

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Key Features:

• Dynamic visuals and audio: All levels revolve around unique themes where visuals and music synchronize with your actions, so that you could feel like a conductor of auditory and visual senses. If you prefer to play slowly, you can easily do that and feel as if the game adapts to you, not vice versa. 
• Relax mode ON: You can easily play without the pressure of game overs, allowing for a stress-free experience – no need to worry about anything and rush things.
• Great variety of modes: Choose from different modes depending on your mood and preferred playstyle, if calming sessions become a bit too calming. 

No Man’s Sky

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Genre: Exploration | Developer: Hello Games | Release: 2016

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If you haven’t played it, think of No Man’s Sky like it’s Minecraft in space: you explore and discover new planets, search them for minerals and feel like it’s your very own discovery. And it’s also as relaxing and slow-paced as Minecraft. Sounds great, doesn’t it?

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No Man’s Sky also offers an expansive, real-life-like universe with procedurally generated planets you’re encouraged to explore to discover heaps of stuff, and you can do it at your own pace, or with a friend who is also into slow-paced experiences. 

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At first, it was pretty rough, but since its release in 2016, big content updates have transformed it into a more accessible and relaxing experience that is still being enjoyed regularly by fans of exploration sandbox games like this.​

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Key Features:

• Exploration is limitless: Discover diverse planets, each with unique ecosystems and landscapes. 
• Build a cozy base: Construct and customize bases, creating a personal and powerful base you can always come back to.
• Go creative: Explore without resource constraints, focusing on building and discovery at your own pace.

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PowerWash Simulator

Genre: Simulation | Developer: FuturLab | Release: 2021

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Indeed, a cleaning simulator can be slow-paced, fun and relaxing. PowerWash Simulator manages to turn an objectively boring, mundane task of cleaning into a satisfying and therapeutic experience. 

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You can use different tools to wash away dirt from the different surfaces, revealing what’s hidden beneath.​ While it may seem silly at first, eventually you start thinking: “How come one one has ever thought of that before?”

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Considering that you can do it at your own pace, PowerWash Simulator truly becomes one of the best slow paced PC games – treat it as a meditation that manages to be fun, engaging and pleasant on a tactile level. 

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Key Features:

• Immensely satisfying gameplay: Ever seen these short, satisfying videos where people clean old pans or renovate furniture? That’s pretty much what PowerWash is about. Clean objects and environments and behold the immediate results of your hard labour.
• The progression system allows you to return to the game: You can earn money to upgrade equipment and enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Freeform, relaxing play sessions: You are willing to choose jobs, managing them in any order, which provides flexible and relaxing gameplay sessions – sometimes it can be a quick session, sometimes a long, dedicated playthrough.

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Good Pizza, Great Pizza

Genre: Simulation | Developer: TapBlaze | Release: 2018

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Originally one of the best slow paced mobile games, Good Pizza, Great Pizza became a sort of cult hit and eventually made its way to PC. It places you in the role of a pizzeria owner, allowing you to balance customer satisfaction (who can be pretty picky eaters from time to time) and manage a successful business. 

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The game's cute, appealing art style and basic mechanics offer a lighthearted experience for those seeking out a fun, slow-paced game. It's also a very casual game, but perfecting orders may take some of your engagement and dedication, so buckle up!

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Key Features:

• Quirky customer interactions: Serve a variety of customers with unique personalities and preferences – some of these interactions can be hilariously bizarre!
• Business management has never been more relaxing: You can upgrade your shop and manage resources to improve efficiency and profitability, growing steadily and surely, perfect for a slow-paced gameplay.
• Story progresses and surprises: You can also uncover a fun, sweet narrative that unfolds as you go further, adding engagement and a bit of depth to the gameplay loop.

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Mini Metro

Genre: Strategy | Developer: Dinosaur Polo Club | Release: 2015

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While real-life subways couldn’t be any further from “relaxing”, video game simulator of it can actually be zen-like! That’s what makes it one of the best slow paced games.

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Mini Metro challenges players to design and manage a subway system, focusing on efficiency and simplicity. Its minimalist design and peaceful ambient soundtrack that adapts to your gameplay style create a very tranquil, yet a very engaging experience.​ In addition, extra optimization of finished routes and daily challenges provide a great variety and replayability. 

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All in all, Mini Metro is a great, minimalistic, slow-paced game that can be loaded up after a hard day and enjoyed immensely, even if you can’t stand subways after visiting them every day.

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Key Features:

• Minimalistic aesthetics: Mini Metro has a very low-key, clean visual style with the focus on allowing you to solve problems and think ahead without any additional distractions.
• Dynamic challenges: As you play, you can also adapt to the requests of a city's logistics needs, balancing resources and routes, finding the perfect balance between all the requirements.
• Endless mode: You can also play without any game-over pressure whatsoever, which allows for a slow-paced, laid-back approach to gameplay.

Conclusion

As you can see, these are some of the best slow paced games you can play after a working day or just a not a very good day in general. They help to relax, unwind and feel alive again.

If you plan to make your own relaxing and slow-paced game, do not hesitate to reach out to a game outsourcing studio. RocketBrush Studio has been working since 2016 and has contributed game development services to different big game companies, from Supercell and Paradox Interactive to Uken Games and Applovin. You can read our testimonials to see what our clients have to say about our collaborations in the past! 

We provided a tested workflow, different types of services and worked on different projects: from stylized zombie survival games to pixelated 2D indie roguelites. You can check our portfolio to see our great scope of work.

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We’d love to help you develop your own slow-paced game! Feel free to reach us to discuss it in detail.

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