Good video games for distraction?

[Sphene]

Any recommendations for games that work well as a distraction, preferably ones that don't require much thinking?

Some games feel relaxing, while others just end up being more draining, and it's not always easy to tell which is which.

Curious to hear what games people generally find easy to zone out with. Singleplayer or multiplayer, both are fine.

 

[tarnishedstoner]

I know what you mean. During times like these I prefer grindy or cozy games that give me a sense of progress.
Mainline Pokemon games are a good example, but I've also been a pokemon fan all my life.
Stardew Valley is another game that I used to play during one of the worst times in my life.
I also like to go back to my childhood and play the classics for the nostalgia. For me those games are Assassin's creed, prince of persia and well, the pokemon games.

I also like to play intense games to distract myself. So if you would like to try something intense then there's sekiro, Hollow knight, celeste, cuphead and the souls games.

 

[WhatCouldHaveBeen32]

I already recommended ball x pit to someone, it's good, doesn't require any thinking, easy zone out.

 

[woofwag]

Binding of Isaac, specifically the Rebirth or Afterbirth edition. It can be complicated, but it eases you in slowly and is reaaallyy addicting to play through. Idk it may be because I'm insane that I find it relaxing and easy to zone out to, but I have over 1,200 hours now which is more than any other game I've played :) and I am the kind of person to get easily overwhelmed by games, too.

 

[Sphene]

Thanks for all the suggestions! My brain is fried right now, but I'll look into them later I haven't played a Pokemon game since Pokemon Gold on the Game Boy Color, so that could be interesting though

 

[Unsure and Useless]

Stardew Valley is another game that I used to play during one of the worst times in my life.

Seconding this! Stardew Valley is the best game of all time, no matter your mood. The mechanics aren't complicated either, and it runs on most PCs too, which was a godsend for my crappy Lenovo laptop. Not only that, but it has an exuberant modding community so you can always mix and match what you want in your game

Other games similar to Stardew Valley I recommend are Fields of Mistria (if you like the classic Sailor Moon artstyle), Coral Island (which is Stardew Valley but way bigger in scope with more love interests and more things to do), and Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar (if you enjoyed Harvest Moon: Grand Bazaar for the DS, then you'll like this one since it's a remake on PC)

Outside of farm sims, other games I recommend are Viscera Clean Up Detail (it's in the name—you clean up viscera), Potion Permit (it has some block fitting mechanics, but they're very simple imo), Balatro (you've probably heard of this one), and Slime Rancher 1 & 2 (you raise slimes, and the mechanics are super easy to understand)

 

[WakingNightmare]

Oldschool runescape is the #1 game for zoning out for hours.
Its not that immersive as like a fantasy world or something but theres lots to do and doesnt require much energy

 

[LonelyPrince]

Any recommendations for games that work well as a distraction, preferably ones that don't require much thinking?

Some games feel relaxing, while others just end up being more draining, and it's not always easy to tell which is which.

Curious to hear what games people generally find easy to zone out with. Singleplayer or multiplayer, both are fine.

Webfishing? you just sit there and fish while chatting with other people. You get to be a cute cat/dog with retro graphics and just collect fish

 

[MrJoker789]

MMORPGs
Quite addicting
I play Final Fantasy XIV a lot at the moment .. Like 2000 hours last 5 months lol
It basically helps me escape reality

 

[ginko0]

I'd reccomend platform retro-games, like Mario and Kirby's Adventure. Retro games in general, actually, except the hard ones. GTA for a cathartic experience blowing up cars and killing cops!

 

[camusfan_ig]

Sky: Cotl was a big one for me, it was my comfort game for a couple of years. Very sweet community, and very relaxing game. Like some others said, Stardew Valley is pretty great too

 

[Spite]

Maybe BattleBlock Theater or Plants vs. Zombies? I found those to be fairly easy and fun to play.

 

[LittleSunshine]

Hogwarts Legacy.

 

[trying ungracefully]

Infinity Nikki. It's a pretty girly game ngl but it's an open world game with a story line (it's pretty good) and it's also a gatcha for the clothing items, you get a lot of free clothing though and a lot of gems to not have to pay for the banners.

Beside the story line it has puzzles(usually optional to think), combat that's pretty easy, and getting materials to make outfits. I've spent around 300 hours on it, it came out December 2024.

 

[Dark Moon]

Skyrim, or other similar open world rpg's.

 

[Parasitism]

My go to distraction game is Helldivers 2. It doesn't involve much commitment to be able to play higher levels and it's pretty standard that people don't use voice chat. It has missions that are 12, 20 and 40 minutes long so you can jump in and iut easily.

 

[Manaaja]

One of those "one more turn games" like Civilization.

Simulation games like city builders etc. are also good for making you lose track of time.

 

[Industrial Solvent]

Any recommendations for games that work well as a distraction, preferably ones that don't require much thinking?

Some games feel relaxing, while others just end up being more draining, and it's not always easy to tell which is which.

Curious to hear what games people generally find easy to zone out with. Singleplayer or multiplayer, both are fine.

gin and a knife

 

[amor.dor]

Guitar Hero or DJ Max Pro V. Both make me relax a lot.

 

[MAKE IT STOP!]

Lego video games work for me. Specifically Lego Star Wars and Lego Lord of the Rings.

 

[Custos]

Not sure how many times Stardew Valley has been recommended, but I'll plus one that.