In today’s fast-paced world, finding moments of calm and relaxation is crucial for our mental wellbeing. Gaming, often associated with action and excitement, can also be a powerful tool for unwinding and de-stressing. The PlayStation 4 offers a diverse array of games designed to provide a peaceful, meditative experience. This comprehensive guide explores the best relaxing PS4 games across various genres, helping you find the perfect digital escape to soothe your mind and rejuvenate your spirit.
Meditative Puzzle Games
Puzzle games can be incredibly relaxing when designed with a serene atmosphere and intuitive gameplay. These PS4 titles offer engaging challenges without the stress of time limits or failure penalties.
Gris

“Gris” is a visually stunning watercolor world that tells a story of grief and hope through its breathtaking art and soothing soundtrack. As you guide the protagonist through her emotional journey, you’ll solve gentle puzzles and platforming challenges, all without the fear of failure or game over screens. The game’s emphasis on visual storytelling and its lack of dialogue create a meditative experience that’s both calming and emotionally resonant.
The Gardens Between

This time-bending puzzle game follows two best friends as they explore surreal islands filled with objects from their shared past. “The Gardens Between” offers a nostalgic and heartwarming experience, with puzzles that challenge your mind without causing frustration. The game’s relaxed pace and beautiful visuals make it perfect for unwinding after a long day.
Unpacking

“Unpacking” turns the mundane task of moving into a new home into a zen-like experience. As you unbox and arrange items in various living spaces, you uncover the story of the unseen protagonist. This game is ideal for those who find peace in organizing and creating order from chaos. Its attention to detail and soothing sound design make every interaction a pleasure.
Tetris Effect

Reimagining the classic puzzle game, “Tetris Effect” adds stunning visuals and an immersive soundtrack that reacts to your gameplay. The result is a mesmerizing, almost trance-like experience that can help clear your mind and reduce stress. The game’s “Zone” mechanic allows you to pause time, providing moments of calm even during challenging levels.
Gorogoa

“Gorogoa” is a unique hand-drawn puzzle game that challenges you to manipulate a series of panels to create connections and progress the story. Its beautiful artwork and intuitive gameplay create a meditative flow state, allowing you to lose yourself in its intricate world without feeling pressured or rushed.
Serene Adventure Games
For those seeking a more exploratory experience, these adventure games offer beautiful worlds to discover at your own pace, free from combat or time constraints.
Journey

“Journey” is widely regarded as one of the most relaxing and emotionally impactful games ever created. As you guide your robed figure across vast deserts and through ancient ruins, you’ll experience a wordless story that resonates on a deep, almost spiritual level. The game’s orchestral score, composed by Austin Wintory, perfectly complements the breathtaking visuals, creating an unforgettable, peaceful adventure.
ABZÛ

Dive into the depths of a vibrant ocean world in “ABZÛ”. This underwater adventure lets you swim alongside marine life, explore ancient ruins, and uncover the secrets of a long-lost civilization. With no combat or time pressure, you’re free to enjoy the stunning aquatic environments and interact with sea creatures at your leisure. The game’s emphasis on the beauty and majesty of ocean life makes it a truly relaxing experience.
Flower

From the creators of “Journey” comes “Flower”, a unique game where you control the wind, guiding flower petals through beautiful landscapes. As you bring color and life back to barren fields, you’ll experience a sense of tranquility and connection with nature. The game’s simple controls and lack of traditional gameplay elements make it accessible to players of all skill levels, focusing instead on the emotional journey and visual spectacle.
RiME

“RiME” is a puzzle-adventure game set on a mysterious island. As a young boy, you’ll explore sun-drenched ruins, climb towering structures, and interact with the island’s wildlife. The game’s cel-shaded art style creates a dreamlike atmosphere, while its enigmatic story unfolds without dialogue, allowing you to interpret its meaning at your own pace. With no combat and a focus on exploration and puzzle-solving, “RiME” offers a serene gaming experience.
Sky: Children of the Light

From the same studio behind “Journey”, “Sky: Children of the Light” offers a social adventure in a whimsical world above the clouds. You can soar through seven realms, meet other players, and work together to uncover the world’s mysteries. The game’s emphasis on positive social interactions, combined with its beautiful visuals and emotive music, creates a uniquely relaxing multiplayer experience.
Cozy Life Simulations
Life simulation games offer a different kind of relaxation, allowing you to immerse yourself in simple, day-to-day activities in charming virtual worlds.
Stardew Valley

“Stardew Valley” has become a modern classic in the farming simulation genre. As you inherit your grandfather’s old farm plot, you’ll cultivate crops, raise animals, craft items, and build relationships with the townsfolk. The game’s pixel art style, soothing soundtrack, and leisurely pace make it perfect for unwinding. Whether you’re fishing by the river, exploring the mines, or simply tending to your crops, “Stardew Valley” offers countless hours of relaxing gameplay.
My Time at Portia

Set in a charming post-apocalyptic world, “My Time at Portia” combines elements of farming, crafting, and social simulation. As a builder in the town of Portia, you’ll take on commissions, improve your workshop, and build relationships with the quirky townsfolk. The game’s colorful 3D graphics and relaxed gameplay loop make it a delightful way to unwind and lose yourself in a whimsical world.
Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles

“Yonder” offers a unique open-world experience with no combat, allowing you to explore the magical island of Gemea at your own pace. You’ll farm, craft, cook, and fish while uncovering the island’s secrets and helping its inhabitants. The game’s vibrant art style and focus on peaceful activities make it an excellent choice for relaxation.
Spiritfarer

In “Spiritfarer”, you play as Stella, a ferrymaster to the deceased. Your job is to build a boat to explore the world, care for spirit passengers, and eventually release them into the afterlife. This management game combines cozy activities like cooking and farming with a touching narrative about compassion and saying goodbye. Its beautiful hand-drawn art style and emotive soundtrack create a relaxing yet poignant experience.
Atmospheric Exploration Games
These games focus on the joy of discovery, allowing players to lose themselves in intricately crafted worlds full of mysteries and wonders.
No Man’s Sky

“No Man’s Sky” offers a virtually infinite universe to explore at your own pace. Whether you’re discovering alien planets, trading with extraterrestrial species, or simply admiring the cosmic vistas, the game provides a sense of awe and tranquility. Recent updates have added features like base building and multiplayer, but the core experience of peaceful space exploration remains at its heart.
Outer Wilds

“Outer Wilds” is a unique space exploration game set in a miniature solar system caught in a time loop. As you unravel the mysteries of an ancient alien race, you’ll experience moments of quiet contemplation and breathtaking discovery. The game’s non-linear nature and emphasis on curiosity-driven exploration make each playthrough a relaxing journey of discovery.
Subnautica

While “Subnautica” can have tense moments, much of the game is spent peacefully exploring a vast alien ocean. As you dive deeper, you’ll discover strange creatures, build underwater bases, and uncover the planet’s secrets. The serene beauty of the underwater world, combined with the relaxing activity of base building, makes “Subnautica” a uniquely calming experience.
The Witness

“The Witness” is a puzzle game set on a beautiful, abandoned island. As you solve increasingly complex line puzzles, you’ll explore diverse landscapes and uncover the island’s secrets. The game’s lack of time pressure and its emphasis on observation and logical thinking create a meditative experience that’s both challenging and relaxing.
What Remains of Edith Finch

This narrative-driven game takes you on a journey through the history of the Finch family. As you explore their quirky, labyrinthine house, you’ll experience a series of vignettes that tell the stories of different family members. While touching on themes of death and loss, the game’s magical realism and focus on storytelling create a contemplative, often relaxing experience.
Creative Sandbox Games
For many, the act of creation is deeply relaxing. These sandbox games offer limitless creative possibilities without the pressure of specific goals or time limits.
Minecraft

“Minecraft” has become synonymous with creative gaming. Its blocky world offers endless possibilities for building, exploring, and crafting. Whether you’re constructing elaborate structures, tending to a peaceful farm, or simply wandering through procedurally generated landscapes, “Minecraft” provides a relaxing escape where your imagination is the only limit.
Dreams

“Dreams” is less a game and more a creative platform, allowing players to create their own games, animations, music, and art. Even if you’re not interested in creating, exploring the incredible range of user-generated content can be a relaxing and inspiring experience. The game’s intuitive tools and supportive community make it easy to lose yourself in creative flow.
Terraria

Often described as a 2D “Minecraft”, “Terraria” offers a unique blend of exploration, crafting, and combat. While it can be challenging at times, many players find the act of digging tunnels, building homes, and discovering new biomes to be incredibly relaxing. The game’s retro pixel art style and catchy soundtrack add to its charm.
LittleBigPlanet 3

The “LittleBigPlanet” series has always been about creativity and whimsy. In this third installment, players can create their own levels, games, and experiences using an intuitive set of tools. The game’s charming aesthetic and focus on user-generated content make it a delightful playground for relaxed creativity.
Lego Worlds

“Lego Worlds” brings the joy of building with Lego bricks into a digital space. You can explore procedurally generated worlds, discover new Lego sets, and build whatever you can imagine. The game’s cheerful atmosphere and the satisfaction of creating with virtual Lego bricks make it a relaxing experience for both kids and adults.
Relaxing Narrative Experiences
Sometimes, the most relaxing games are those that tell a compelling story without the need for intense action or complex gameplay mechanics.
Firewatch

Set in the Wyoming wilderness, “Firewatch” tells the story of a fire lookout named Henry and his supervisor Delilah. As you explore the forest and unravel a mystery, you’ll experience a touching narrative about escapism, responsibility, and human connection. The game’s beautiful art style and voice acting create an immersive, relaxing experience.
Life is Strange

This episodic adventure game follows Max Caulfield, a photography student who discovers she can rewind time. While the story touches on serious themes, the game’s focus on character relationships, its beautiful art style, and its indie folk soundtrack create a often relaxing and introspective experience.
Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture

Set in a deserted English village, “Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture” lets you uncover the mystery of the town’s disappearance at your own pace. The game’s stunning visuals, emotive soundtrack, and lack of traditional gameplay elements make it more of an interactive story, perfect for those seeking a relaxing narrative experience.
Night in the Woods

“Night in the Woods” follows Mae, a college dropout who returns to her hometown to find things aren’t quite as she remembered. Despite touching on serious themes, the game’s quirky humor, charming art style, and focus on everyday interactions make it a cozy, often relaxing experience.
Additional Relaxing PS4 Games
To further expand your options for relaxing gameplay, consider these additional titles:
Anime-Inspired Games
For fans of anime aesthetics, there are several relaxing PS4 games that draw inspiration from this art style. Games like “Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch” and “Persona 5” offer beautiful, stylized worlds to explore at a leisurely pace. While they may have more active gameplay elements, their rich storytelling and vibrant visuals can be quite soothing. Check out more PS4 anime games for options that blend relaxation with Japanese animation style.
Sword Fighting Games with a Zen Twist
While sword fighting games might not immediately come to mind when thinking of relaxation, titles like “Ghost of Tsushima” offer moments of serene exploration and meditation between combat sequences. The game’s stunning landscapes and focus on Japanese aesthetics can provide a calming experience. Explore more sword fighting games on PS4 for options that balance action with tranquil moments.
Detective Games for a Mental Workout
For those who find relaxation in solving puzzles and unraveling mysteries, detective games can offer a satisfying and low-stress gaming experience. Titles like “Sherlock Holmes: Crimes and Punishments” allow you to take your time examining clues and piecing together evidence. Discover more detective games for PS4 that offer engaging narratives without the pressure of action-packed gameplay.
Low MB Games for Quick Relaxation
Sometimes, you just need a quick gaming session to unwind. Many relaxing PS4 games are also relatively small in file size, making them perfect for those with limited storage or who want to quickly download a new game. Explore low MB games for options that won’t take up too much space on your console but still provide a relaxing experience.
Crafting and Survival Games with a Relaxed Pace
While survival games can be intense, many offer peaceful modes or focus more on the relaxing aspects of crafting and building. Games like “Minecraft” (in creative mode) or “Stardew Valley” fall into this category. For more options, check out crafting survival games for PS4 that emphasize the meditative aspects of resource gathering and creation.
Co-op Games for Relaxing with a Partner
Gaming can be a great way to relax with a partner or friend. Many of the games mentioned, like “Stardew Valley” and “Minecraft,” offer co-op modes. For more ideas on games to play together, explore PS4 games to play with your girlfriend (or any gaming partner). These games often focus on cooperation and shared experiences rather than competition, making for a relaxing social gaming session.
Conclusion
The PlayStation 4 offers a wide variety of games that can help you relax, unwind, and find moments of peace in your day. From meditative puzzles to serene adventures, cozy life simulations to creative sandboxes, there’s a relaxing game for every taste and mood.
These games offer more than just entertainment; they provide a form of digital self-care, allowing you to destress, recharge, and even find moments of mindfulness. Whether you have five minutes or five hours, incorporating these relaxing PS4 games into your routine can significantly boost your mental wellbeing and provide a much-needed respite from the stresses of daily life.
So the next time you need to unwind, consider picking up one of these relaxing titles. Your mind (and your PlayStation) will thank you for it.
FAQs
Are these relaxing PS4 games suitable for children? Most of the games mentioned are suitable for children, but it’s always best to check the age ratings. Games like “Minecraft”, “Stardew Valley”, and “Journey” are particularly kid-friendly.
Can I play these games if I’m not very experienced with video games? Absolutely! Many of these games, like “Flower” and “ABZÛ”, are designed to be accessible to players of all skill levels. They often have simple controls and don’t require fast reflexes.
Do any of these relaxing games have multiplayer options? Yes, several do. “Minecraft”, “Sky: Children of the Light”, and “Stardew Valley” all have multiplayer modes that can be quite relaxing when played with friends.
How long do these games typically take to complete? The length varies greatly. Some, like “Journey”, can be completed in a few hours, while others, like “Stardew Valley” or “Minecraft”, can provide hundreds of hours of gameplay.
Are there any VR relaxing games for PS4? Yes, if you have a PlayStation VR headset, games like “Tetris Effect” and “No Man’s Sky” offer VR modes that can be incredibly immersive and relaxing.
Can these games help with stress and anxiety? While not a substitute for professional help, many players find that these games can help reduce stress and anxiety by providing a peaceful, low-pressure environment to unwind.