Picking up a new game is often great, even if that does mean learning a new system, new gameplay mechanics, and new lore. But I’m sure that everyone, at some point, just wants to turn their brain off and return to the comfort of an overly familiar game.
We all have slumps, and I generally use comfort games to get over mine. The Destructoid team weighed in with their suggestions, too, which I’ve added at the end of the article.
So, here are the games I turn to when I just want to relax and pass some time.
Brotato
I’ve been playing Brotato since I found it by word of mouth in late 2022. It’s a true roguelike, with the only progression you earn being unlockable characters, each with their own perks and weaknesses.
Gameplay is pretty simple: you just need to survive until the round ends, killing enemies and picking up their sweet loot. This loot, called materials, allows you to purchase all sorts of weapons and items in between rounds.
It’s exactly what I want out of a comfort game: pick a strategy and stick to it, then switch the brain off and enjoy.
It can be pretty frustrating if you take it seriously, but if you play as the masochist with a sound strategy, it’s a cakewalk.
The Sims 4
I didn’t have a PC until high school, so when we went visiting my aunt and uncle, and my cousin introduced me to The Sims Hot Date, I was hooked. Flash forward 25-odd years, and I’m still a fan of the series, despite EA milking it like some kind of retirement strategy.
I don’t own all the expansions, and I play very casually. But when you just want to outsource your life for a bit to a pixel universe, where chores are the click of a button and writing a novel happens in a day, then The Sims 4 is a perfect escape.
It’s one of those games where you really don’t have to think too much; you can just do whatever feels right and enjoy the experience, no pressure. Just read a cookbook or two before you burn the house down.
Stardew Valley
The first time I played Stardew Valley, my goal was to get as far as possible as quickly as possible and make tons of money while doing it. Not finishing the Community Center in year one was like an insult to my pride.
These days, when I boot up this old classic, it’s for pure relaxation. The community center can wait, strawberries can wait, and I don’t care what the most profitable crop is. I want to grow crops for my own cooking, gift the locals, and just have a good time.
No money pressure, no rush—just water a few plants and take a stroll. In some of my playthroughs, I’ve gone years in-game without even visiting the mine. Starter tools are just fine, thank you.
Slay the Spire
Okay, this one’s a little weird, I’ll admit. It’s freakishly difficult, and I know people who haven’t even finished a full run despite playing the game for hours. But similar to Brotato, the trick is to choose a strategy and just stick to it, then it’s all comfort.
When I boot up Slay the Spire, I use the Defect and just focus on building insane amounts of shield. That’s it. When inspired, I might try another character, but The Defect, specifically, is my comfort character.
All I need then are the right cards to make my strategy click, and if I don’t get them and end up dying? Well, it’s a Roguelike; I just restart. Also, who needs to get to Ascension level 20? I did get up to about six or seven, but now I just play on one so I can get more relics from the increase in Elites.
I’ve been told I’ll enjoy Slay the Spire 2 just as much, and I’m sure I will, too, when I get a chance to play.
Ball X Pit
This is the final and latest addition to my collection of comfort games, while knocking others like Kenshi and Faster Than Light off the list. Ball X Pit is a brick-breaker where you also have a base, various characters to unlock, buildings to construct, and combinations to try out on the field of combat.
It’s a really refreshing take on the brick-breaker genre, and it’ll likely stay on my comfort list for a good long while.
But this idea also sparked a conversation behind the scenes, where most of the team shared their comfort games as well, and I felt like these were worth a mention. There are some here that used to be on my list, too.
More comfort games that Destructoid loves
Slay the Spire 2
Rachel Samples, Destructoid’s Editor-in-Chief, assured me that Slay the Spire 2 would land on my list as soon as I played it. It ended up on hers shortly after launch, after all. It’s by a studio I love, with the same winning formula as the first title, so what could go wrong?
Pokémon Pokopia
Pokopia is basically Stardew Valley meets Pokémon, which is why Rachel brought it up as another of her comfort games. You’ll meet and befriend various Pokémon as you build up a town they’ll enjoy.
Also, no catching and battling, since you’re a Ditto yourself. It’s just a chill, easy cozy game to relax with.
Dorfromantik
I’d never even heard about this game until my colleagues mentioned it. One of our writers, Pedro Peres, and Rachel agreed it was an excellent comfort game, and after checking the Steam page, it checks out.
It’s a peaceful strategy puzzle game about placing tiles, which sounds like the very definition of a comfort game contender. Definitely worth trying if you’re a fan of cozy titles.
Final Fantasy 8
How could I forget about this gem? Destructoid’s Senior Staff Writer Scott Duwe brought it up as one of his comfort games, whether it’s replaying the game or just listening to the OST, which is amazing even if you don’t have the nostalgia attached to it.
FF8 is very easy once you understand the Junction system, so it’s definitely one where you can switch your brain off and just grind out.
Kenshi
One of Destructoid’s Staff Writers, Andrej Barovic, brought up Kenshi, and I immediately agreed. It’s a forgotten favorite for me, but it definitely fills the role of a comfort game when needed. It’s fiendishly difficult, as I wrote about here, but once you’re comfortable, it gets easier.
It is one hell of a grind, though, so it can be a great cozy escape, weirdly. Just don’t switch your brain while you’re in Skinbandit country. More than a few of my Kenshi journeys have ended there.
The Witcher 3
Another one by Andrej, The Witcher 3 is a fantastic game, no doubt. The world is vast, and there’s so much to do. I never got too far in the game myself, since I did too many side quests and lost the main thread of the story, but I can definitely see it being a comfort game to many.
But now over to you, Destructoid, I’d love to hear about your comfort games. What do you play to beat your slump, or to just totally unwind and not have to think about anything?
