Waiting until after the long hours of a 9-5, 8-4 - and everything in between - job, to pick up a relaxing video game can be torturous. Some games are better played in one long sitting, and some can be played in shorter bursts. Roguelites are great for when a player has less allotted time for gaming in a day, and some of these games can be played during short work breaks and lunch breaks.
A game doesn’t need to just be short to be enjoyed when one has smaller time slots available. If a game is relaxing, de-stressing, emotionally fulfilling, or all of the above, it can be a great option for players looking to escape a difficult workday or give their brains something enjoyable to focus on.
8 Stardew Valley
The popular pixel-styled farming game has a system that works on what a player can get done in one day, from 6 AM to 2 AM the next morning. A day in Stardew Valley lasts about 14 minutes and can be enjoyed with a cup of tea or coffee while the player takes a short rest from work.
Players can even choose to sleep through days or end them early, allowing them to speed through and create the gameplay that suits them. Stardew Valley is also available on PC, Nintendo Switch, Mobile, and various other formats, allowing the game to be played while at the office and when working from home.
7 War Thunder
The Arcade Battles in War Thunder can be short and sweet and can be wrapped up after 10 or 15 minutes. Arcade Battles are also the first place to go for new players if they’re looking to take up the game, as players can familiarize themselves with the game, maps, and the best tactics to use for each location.
War Thunderis also playable on the Steam Deck if players aren’t working remotely, and it is available on many platforms, while also being free to play with a great modding scene. It’s great to pick up for a quick distraction while also checking out longer-lasting and more in-depth game modes.
6 Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Animal Crossing: New Horizons' gameplay is synchronous with players’ day-to-day life, and the format allows for less stress and pressure to get things done. The goals are open-ended and there is no timer to force players to get anything done. If players want to water plants, fish, or go exploring on other islands during their coffee or lunch break, this game gives them the freedom to do so.
In Animal Crossing, chopping wood and cleaning up an island has been made fun and wholesome. The sandbox nature of the game allows for some escapism into a world that only the player can create.
5 Fall Guys
The adorable and cutesy jelly bean Royale game, Fall Guys was released in 2020 to warm the hearts of gamers stuck at home during the height of the COVID lockdowns and stay-at-home orders, and now it’s a fantastic game for short bursts of time.
A full game consists of 5 rounds that can last 5 minutes, adding up to 25 minutes of fun. With how easy it can be to be knocked out of each round, players can dedicate anything from five minutes to a full game. The intent is to be victorious and make it to the end, but the game’s fun premise and low stakes allow for some easy and silly gameplay to break the tedium of hard work.
4 Just Dance
It’s important to get up and moving at regular intervals when sitting and working at a desk. While this isn’t achievable for some people, it’s a good idea to get a low-impact and easy Just Dance song done. If a player is working from home, it gives them the freedom to have a little dance for their physical and mental health.
With many difficulties and game modes to choose from, players can just give their arms and legs a wiggle, or get some good cardio in. Just Dancecan be purchased, or Just Dance Now is free to play.
3 Unpacking
The zen puzzle game, available on consoles and PC, has become well known for its de-stressing and satisfying gameplay. The game has no timers, and it doesn’t have a scoring system, allowing players to relax in the gameplay without any goalposts to reach.
The game also has relaxed rules, allowing players to unpack items however they want, as long as they’re in their approximately correct position. This reduces the stress of gaming even further, making Unpacking a great game for those who like organization, or just some general tidying up. The journey of getting to know the game’s protagonist through unpacking an entire life lived can be a really wholesome experience, perfect for getting away from any work stress.
2 The Arcana
Reading a book, but with gorgeous pictures and an added addictive gameplay mechanic, is what the mobile game The Arcana feels like. The inclusive visual novel game may give some players a beautiful world to escape to when on a work break, or after a long and hard day. The characters are incredibly fun to interact with, and the romances are in-depth and full of butterfly-inducing moments.
A chapter within one romance can be completed during lunch break and will provide a player with a gripping story filled with good twists and some comedic relief. The mini-games, like the tarot card reading, can also provide some quick relief for a brain that wants to break the work tedium.
1 Monster Prom
Monster Prom is a hilarious and absurdly enjoyable game that allows players to re-live the stress of asking a crush to prom. The more adult themes make it a great option for players 18+. The game has single-player and multiplayer modes.
A round of Monster Prom can take 30 - 60 minutes, and a multiplayer game is 30 minutes long. The ability to play the game remotely with friends, or colleagues, makes it a fun option that will take up a lunch break’s worth of time.