If you’re looking for new games to play, curious beginner or seasoned player, I have compiled a list of titles for you to consider this year, stress and guilt-free!
“It’s the weekend! That means I can play twice as many video games. Bye.”
Abigail, Stardew Valley
New Year, New Games!
As they say, new year, new me! If your New Year’s resolution is to pick up a new hobby, I have a few low-stress gaming options for you to consider to add to your wishlist as the new year starts! As a student, finding time to sit down and play through a full game is hard, so I’ve compiled a list of low-commitment, go-your-own pace games for you to pick up in-between long study sessions, or for staying in and playing during those cold, winter nights!
- . The Sims 4
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The Sims franchise may be the embodiment of low-commitment gaming. The Sims games are entirely player-paced as you create families, backstories, build homes, and watch as your pixel people live and grow. The story that unfolds is up to the player, with the only non-player storytelling revolving around premade families, building the community of each individual world. The Sims 4 is a life simulation game, with the goal being completely dependent on the player and what they wish to achieve with their virtual families. Investing in The Sims 4 specifically, the most recent release of the franchise, is easy. The base game is free to download on Steam or the EA App, Mac, Playstation Store, and Xbox!
- . Stardew Valley
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Stardew Valley is probably a title that is familiar to you. Stardew Valley is a popular farming simulator, in which you, the player, inherit your Grandpa’s old farm. Longing for a fresh start, you move onto the farm, working to improve the town, build your farming empire, and get to know the locals, with a large list of bachelors/bachelorettes available to you. Stardew Valley is a relaxing, story-driven game, with the pace being entirely player-oriented. The game is available on Steam, Mac, Switch, Playstation Store, Xbox, and even the mobile Google Play/Apple App store(s).
- . House Flipper
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While probably a less familiar gaming title, House Flipper is a must-have for those looking for a relaxing, low commitment gaming experience. House Flipper is a 2018 indie renovation simulation, in which you fulfill client jobs, and sell fully renovated homes to a cast of potential buyers, each with their own list of buying requests. House Flipper is a sandbox-style game, with design and pace being entirely determined by the player. If you are interested in interior design, House Flipper may be the game for you! The game is available on Steam, Mac Playstation Store, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.
- . What Remains of Edith Finch
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What Remains of Edith Finch depicts the dark and mysterious side of low-commitment gaming. The game takes place in the eccentric Finch home, in which the player plays as Edith Finch, the last surviving member of the Finch family, as she explores the supposed curse that took the lives of her earlier family members, attempting to possibly avoid being a victim of this same curse. While the game contains darker themes, such as death and grief, the overall gameplay is relaxing, as the player takes their time exploring the eerie Finch residence, attempting to uncover the mystery surrounding the passing of the Finch relatives, with flashbacks into the lives of past family members. What Remains of Edith Finch is available on Steam, Epic Games Store, Mac, Playstation Store, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.
- . Hades
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The final game on this list, Hades, may slightly push the bounds of “low stress.” Hades is a roguelite, with Players ascending through dungeon levels, with subsequent deaths leading the player back to the beginning of the game, and once again beginning their journey through the dangerous dungeons of the Underworld. Players control Zagreus, son of Zeus, the God of the Underworld, as he attempts to escape to Olympus, the home of the Olympians gods. While deaths may be frustrating and frequent (and believe me, they are frequent), they are necessary to advancing the game’s story. So don’t feel bad as the escape attempts pile up, as they are necessary to progressing the story as well as learning the mechanics and enemy patterns that are needed to ascend the Underworld! Hades is available to play on Steam, Epic Games Store, Mac, Playstation Store, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. Its sequel, Hades 2, is currently available on Steam, Epic Games Store, Mac, Nintendo Switch, and Switch 2, and will likely be released on additional consoles in the near future.
Get Playing!
Finding the time as a student can make having time for hobbies, like gaming, feel difficult. Setting time aside for gaming may be a cause of guilt for students, feeling like an activity for avoiding productivity. Then, I hope with this list of low commitment, low stress games, that you are able to find a game to add to your library, and maybe even a potential future favorite to share with family and friends! Now sit down, relax, and happy stress free, guilt free gaming!