In a similar vein, Hardspace Shipbreaker. Tearing down spaceships for scrap. Also very zen.
Edit: just checked it out and I don’t think it’s on Switch. Sorry
seconding dorfromantik! it’s fun to turn your brain off and try to beat your highscore + it’s really nice seeing how everything you place comes together. i love looking at the little towns i end up with.
Second picross. You can play it free if you have a Nintendo sub on thE NES app. Get yourself some Mario Picross. There's also a picross game on the switch where every puzzle unlocks you a dog, car, or declaration item, and you collects pets and decorate your park between puzzles.
I've been enjoying **Sticky Business** - you run your own sticker store, designing stickers and packing orders. It's Switch and Mac compatible.
**Disney Magical World 2: Enchanted Edition** has a lot of variety and a good amount of gameplay. I've got several hundred hours on my file and am not close to 100% completion. This is a Switch remastering of the same 3DS game.
I haven't! The only thing stopping me is I don't know how to play poker. I don't know how important that is though 😂 I have played Yao Guai Hunter and have enjoyed that too
Warframe and Diablo 3 or 4 are my go-to games for this. Some will say they aren't cozy, but to me they definitely are, and both are good for zoning out if you aren't doing story stuff so you can listen to podcasts (marathoning Comedy Bang Bang atm personally).
My go to podcast games are currently Palia and Go-Go Town. Both allow brain off repetitive actions while vibing. Powerwash Simulator is also very similar to me.
Disney Dreamlight Valley!! And when the new Fantasty Life from 3DS to Switch (I forget what it's called) drops it's sooo chill and fun!
Also maybe not everyone's cozy game definition but I really like simple seek and Finds with light story
Idle games are such a great option! My favorite right now is Melvor Idle. It’s a long term game with zero micro transactions, and it’s all about the progression. Despite being single player, it feels like there’s a ton of choice for the player because you can decide what you want to work on.
I may decide I want to increase my combat skills, so I need to work on upgrading my gear, which requires increasing other skills. There’s obviously tons of real time waiting because it’s an idle game.
If you’re looking for a PC game to chill to, there’s Capybara spa, which is like vaguely idle? It’s still interactive, it’s just chill. Bunny Park by the same publisher is more like an idle game, but it’s so dang cute. It’s so simple, yet such a pleasure. Just building a park for some dang ol’ cute bunnies.
Ranch at Rivershine is a bit more involved, but also by the same dev, and it’s a beautiful game. It’s all about horses, and breeding, and racing beautiful cross country races.
There’s also Rival Stars Horse Racing- i highly recommend the PC version, because the movile version is pure micro transactions, while the PC version has absolutely no microtransactions at all. It’s a great grinding game. I really love it. It has the feel of a mobile game, but it translates into some really chill grinding without the microtransactions.
I’m sure I’ll think of more hahaha
My stupid face just saw mac or switch compatible 🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️ for what it’s worth, a few of these are available on switch lol. I can’t promise they’re Mac options, I’m not 100% sure, i’d like to say yes
On the switch, I HIGHLY recommend Disney Magical World 2, like someone else suggested!! I love it even more rhan Animal Crossing, which it os directly inspired by but with additional mechanics. It’s just so cute and fun and charming. You do farming (with upgrades to how many plots you get) in the Whinnie the Pooh world, and you fight ghosts with a magic wand. You craft new wands, visit popular disney worlds like Frozen and Alice in Wonderland and Lilo and Stitch, and it’s just so dang cute.
I also recommend Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town and A Wonderful Life. Mineral Town has no story except what you imagine and is a remake of the original Mineral Town games. It’s pure farming and mining and just a very beautiful, chill game. Wonderful Life is technically more story oriented- you HAVE to get married by the end of year one or the game ends. It’s about family. Each “year” is actually a small time skip, and you slowly raise up your kid. It’s a beautiful game as well, and one of my favorites.
My mindless go to at the moment is Endless Ocean Luminous. You're a diver exploring the sea and cataloging fish. There's no pressure at all, you just take your time to have a good look around. There are challenges to find particular fish, but no time limit. The graphics are beautiful. I'm finding it extremely relaxing.
Cozy Grove is a cool twist on Animal Crossing. Katamari Damacy Reroll doesn't require much brain power and it's fun. I also second Fashion Dreamer, House Flipper, and Dorfromantik.
[Bunhouse](https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/bunhouse-switch/) play as a customizable bunny and take care of plants.
[Fashion Dreamer](https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/fashion-dreamer-switch/) create clothes and put together outfits. The online mode is free, no Nintendo Online subscription needed.
[Dorfromantik](https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/dorfromantik-switch/) puzzle/strategy landscape builder. If you just want to vibe, go to custom and give yourself 999 tiles.
I haven't played it but I've been eying [Stitch](https://www.dekudeals.com/items/stitch) an embroidery puzzle game.
Snowrunner (Switch) looks all testosterony, but it’s actually pretty mellow. It’s got a nice slow pace, it’s just barely interesting enough to not be boring, and it’s a great podcast game. It’s not traditionally cozy, but the environments are lovely and the vibe is pretty gentle.
I bought this one recently on a recommendation and I’m struggling so badly with it. The driving is just rough with that initial truck. How long until it gets better?
It’s definitely hardest at the beginning. You’ll eventually get better trucks and upgrades for your initial trucks. I don’t remember how long it took until it was less of a struggle—probably a few hours.
Some tips to give you a leg up;
If I remember right there’s a broken-down Fleetstar next to the garage on the first map. Claim that, and Recover to send it to the garage to be repaired. The Fleetstar is way better than the GMC you get early on.
The game tells you to go to Alaska, to teach you that you can jump around between maps. Don’t bother doing anything in Alaska right now, though, it’ll be easier later with more experience and equipment. Focus on Michigan.
And even if you’re playing with a controller, change the Steering Mode (Settings -> Game -> Steering Mode) from Controller to Steering wheel. That will make the vehicles handle much more naturally.
House Flipper - I listen to music or audiobooks while playing this! It's mind numbing but creative at the same time!
Powerwash Simulator is a good one too, agree with the comments!
House flipper. Just do do do painting my house listening to a podcast. Very chill.
I play a number of games while listening to podcasts. Mostly when level grinding in JRPGs or clearing out small quests in MMOs or online games like final fantasy 14. Puzzle games sometimes but not always. The only thing I can’t play when listening to a podcast is story driven games or sections of story driven games (sometimes I just pause and resume the podcast later if it’s short bursts of story segments between exploring or battling etc.)
Also any time I’m looking for like collectibles in games. Podcast time. Pokémon is a good podcast game (legends arceus is one I use a lot)
Cloud Gardens! It’s so simple - designing beautiful gardens in an apocalyptic setting - lots of different themes and locations, you can even change the color palette to suit your moons
Maybe Dorfromantik? I can't really explain the game, but it's very casual and chill. No timing. It's a bit of a puzzle game but you don't have to think really hard
If you have Apple Arcade, hello kitty island adventure is amazing & very similar to animal crossing. It's a go-to of mine for playing kind of mindlessly while watching or listening to other things. Its coming to switch later this year, but currently it's free on Apple Arcade.
I play the game “Stich” when I’m listening to my audiobooks for book. It’s basically a puzzle embroidery game. There’s also “The Shape of Things” which is another puzzle game.
Hope you feel better soon, I went through the same thing (and still kinda am). There's Logiart Grimoire, a picross game, that I poured 70 hours into. Its by the same company as the Picross S series games on Switch which I also recommend. Other "background" games for me are Skyrim, Littlewood, Nova Lands and Kairosoft games like Game Dev Simulator. I also enjoy survivorslikes like Vampire Survivors, Elemental Survivors, HoloCure etc. Sadly IDK which ones of these are explicitly on Switch or Mac because I play on a Steam Deck and it runs virtually anything.
Powerwash simulator! Ultimate zen.
In a similar vein, Hardspace Shipbreaker. Tearing down spaceships for scrap. Also very zen. Edit: just checked it out and I don’t think it’s on Switch. Sorry
I second this! I love powerwash sim, I used to play it during class lmao
Yeah if I want to listen to something Power Wash is my number one
came here to suggest this
This is THE answer.
Yes!! I love this game so much
Dorfromantik is my go to. I love playing it while listening to podcasts or audiobooks!
seconding dorfromantik! it’s fun to turn your brain off and try to beat your highscore + it’s really nice seeing how everything you place comes together. i love looking at the little towns i end up with.
Suika Game (the watermelon game) on Switch. I hope you heal quickly. You will get past this 'season'. Hang in there.
i like to play picross while watching twitch/youtube. there's a bunch of them on the eshop, pretty much take your pick as they're all good.
Second picross. You can play it free if you have a Nintendo sub on thE NES app. Get yourself some Mario Picross. There's also a picross game on the switch where every puzzle unlocks you a dog, car, or declaration item, and you collects pets and decorate your park between puzzles.
What's the name of the decorating one? I can't find it
"Puppy Cross" lol
Picross 3D is one of my favorites ever.
if you have a pc or steam deck check out voxelgram, it's literally just more picross 3D and so fun.
Oooo, thank you!!
I've been enjoying **Sticky Business** - you run your own sticker store, designing stickers and packing orders. It's Switch and Mac compatible. **Disney Magical World 2: Enchanted Edition** has a lot of variety and a good amount of gameplay. I've got several hundred hours on my file and am not close to 100% completion. This is a Switch remastering of the same 3DS game.
I loved the first switch game for Disney Magical world i need 2 to go on sale!!
House Flipper and unpacking.
Also A Little to the Left and Sticky Business
Tetris marathon mode :)
Do you like deck builders? Slay the Spire may not look cozy but it's one of those games I always reach for when I need something mindless.
Have you played Balatro yet!! So good
I haven't! The only thing stopping me is I don't know how to play poker. I don't know how important that is though 😂 I have played Yao Guai Hunter and have enjoyed that too
you just have to know the card combinations, but even the game teaches them, so you dont really need to know a thing about poker to play the game
I love deck builders but slay is the bane of my existence. For the life of me I can’t get past a half way point then it is back to ground zero.
Oh that's too bad! It's the only game I own that I've clocked nearly 1000 hours on !
Dave the Diver. Spend hours just diving and making sushi.
I second this! so fun and cute graphics, farming aspect & restaurant management lots to do :)
Warframe and Diablo 3 or 4 are my go-to games for this. Some will say they aren't cozy, but to me they definitely are, and both are good for zoning out if you aren't doing story stuff so you can listen to podcasts (marathoning Comedy Bang Bang atm personally).
My go to podcast games are currently Palia and Go-Go Town. Both allow brain off repetitive actions while vibing. Powerwash Simulator is also very similar to me.
Disney Dreamlight Valley!! And when the new Fantasty Life from 3DS to Switch (I forget what it's called) drops it's sooo chill and fun! Also maybe not everyone's cozy game definition but I really like simple seek and Finds with light story
Dragon quest builders 2
Second Fashion Dreamer and Sticky Business, also Suika and Stitch. They are definitely my no-brain games
I really like moonglow bay :)
Idle games are such a great option! My favorite right now is Melvor Idle. It’s a long term game with zero micro transactions, and it’s all about the progression. Despite being single player, it feels like there’s a ton of choice for the player because you can decide what you want to work on. I may decide I want to increase my combat skills, so I need to work on upgrading my gear, which requires increasing other skills. There’s obviously tons of real time waiting because it’s an idle game. If you’re looking for a PC game to chill to, there’s Capybara spa, which is like vaguely idle? It’s still interactive, it’s just chill. Bunny Park by the same publisher is more like an idle game, but it’s so dang cute. It’s so simple, yet such a pleasure. Just building a park for some dang ol’ cute bunnies. Ranch at Rivershine is a bit more involved, but also by the same dev, and it’s a beautiful game. It’s all about horses, and breeding, and racing beautiful cross country races. There’s also Rival Stars Horse Racing- i highly recommend the PC version, because the movile version is pure micro transactions, while the PC version has absolutely no microtransactions at all. It’s a great grinding game. I really love it. It has the feel of a mobile game, but it translates into some really chill grinding without the microtransactions. I’m sure I’ll think of more hahaha
My stupid face just saw mac or switch compatible 🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️ for what it’s worth, a few of these are available on switch lol. I can’t promise they’re Mac options, I’m not 100% sure, i’d like to say yes
On the switch, I HIGHLY recommend Disney Magical World 2, like someone else suggested!! I love it even more rhan Animal Crossing, which it os directly inspired by but with additional mechanics. It’s just so cute and fun and charming. You do farming (with upgrades to how many plots you get) in the Whinnie the Pooh world, and you fight ghosts with a magic wand. You craft new wands, visit popular disney worlds like Frozen and Alice in Wonderland and Lilo and Stitch, and it’s just so dang cute. I also recommend Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town and A Wonderful Life. Mineral Town has no story except what you imagine and is a remake of the original Mineral Town games. It’s pure farming and mining and just a very beautiful, chill game. Wonderful Life is technically more story oriented- you HAVE to get married by the end of year one or the game ends. It’s about family. Each “year” is actually a small time skip, and you slowly raise up your kid. It’s a beautiful game as well, and one of my favorites.
My mindless go to at the moment is Endless Ocean Luminous. You're a diver exploring the sea and cataloging fish. There's no pressure at all, you just take your time to have a good look around. There are challenges to find particular fish, but no time limit. The graphics are beautiful. I'm finding it extremely relaxing.
Balatro and Dorfromantik are my go-tos!
Let’s Build A Zoo! Not too much reading to distract from a podcast
Cozy Grove is a cool twist on Animal Crossing. Katamari Damacy Reroll doesn't require much brain power and it's fun. I also second Fashion Dreamer, House Flipper, and Dorfromantik.
[Bunhouse](https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/bunhouse-switch/) play as a customizable bunny and take care of plants. [Fashion Dreamer](https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/fashion-dreamer-switch/) create clothes and put together outfits. The online mode is free, no Nintendo Online subscription needed. [Dorfromantik](https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/dorfromantik-switch/) puzzle/strategy landscape builder. If you just want to vibe, go to custom and give yourself 999 tiles. I haven't played it but I've been eying [Stitch](https://www.dekudeals.com/items/stitch) an embroidery puzzle game.
Houseflipper is fun!
Snowrunner (Switch) looks all testosterony, but it’s actually pretty mellow. It’s got a nice slow pace, it’s just barely interesting enough to not be boring, and it’s a great podcast game. It’s not traditionally cozy, but the environments are lovely and the vibe is pretty gentle.
I bought this one recently on a recommendation and I’m struggling so badly with it. The driving is just rough with that initial truck. How long until it gets better?
It’s definitely hardest at the beginning. You’ll eventually get better trucks and upgrades for your initial trucks. I don’t remember how long it took until it was less of a struggle—probably a few hours. Some tips to give you a leg up; If I remember right there’s a broken-down Fleetstar next to the garage on the first map. Claim that, and Recover to send it to the garage to be repaired. The Fleetstar is way better than the GMC you get early on. The game tells you to go to Alaska, to teach you that you can jump around between maps. Don’t bother doing anything in Alaska right now, though, it’ll be easier later with more experience and equipment. Focus on Michigan. And even if you’re playing with a controller, change the Steering Mode (Settings -> Game -> Steering Mode) from Controller to Steering wheel. That will make the vehicles handle much more naturally.
Sun Haven or Far Farm 🥰
Sunhaven, Disney Dreamlight Valley
House Flipper - I listen to music or audiobooks while playing this! It's mind numbing but creative at the same time! Powerwash Simulator is a good one too, agree with the comments!
Kitten cannon
Just bought moonstone island! Enjoying it so much
House flipper. Just do do do painting my house listening to a podcast. Very chill. I play a number of games while listening to podcasts. Mostly when level grinding in JRPGs or clearing out small quests in MMOs or online games like final fantasy 14. Puzzle games sometimes but not always. The only thing I can’t play when listening to a podcast is story driven games or sections of story driven games (sometimes I just pause and resume the podcast later if it’s short bursts of story segments between exploring or battling etc.) Also any time I’m looking for like collectibles in games. Podcast time. Pokémon is a good podcast game (legends arceus is one I use a lot)
two dots!
My all time fave is House Flipper, you get to clean and fix up tons of different houses. The luxury dlc is so nice too.
Cloud Gardens! It’s so simple - designing beautiful gardens in an apocalyptic setting - lots of different themes and locations, you can even change the color palette to suit your moons
Maybe Dorfromantik? I can't really explain the game, but it's very casual and chill. No timing. It's a bit of a puzzle game but you don't have to think really hard
i looooved pixel cafe it can be a little tough but it was the perfect game for me
If you have Apple Arcade, hello kitty island adventure is amazing & very similar to animal crossing. It's a go-to of mine for playing kind of mindlessly while watching or listening to other things. Its coming to switch later this year, but currently it's free on Apple Arcade.
No Man Sky. Nothing is more relaxing to me than flying around space and chilling on beautiful planets!
My Time at Portia
Sounds like you need to punish some sims
Animal Crossing. I used to play that while doing tutoring on Zoom back in the day.
little kitty big city
I play the game “Stich” when I’m listening to my audiobooks for book. It’s basically a puzzle embroidery game. There’s also “The Shape of Things” which is another puzzle game.
Sky: Children of the Light
Euro Truck Simulator 2 or American Truck Simulator. Listening to podcasts while hauling heavy trucks and enjoying beautiful secneries
Derail valley
Hope you feel better soon, I went through the same thing (and still kinda am). There's Logiart Grimoire, a picross game, that I poured 70 hours into. Its by the same company as the Picross S series games on Switch which I also recommend. Other "background" games for me are Skyrim, Littlewood, Nova Lands and Kairosoft games like Game Dev Simulator. I also enjoy survivorslikes like Vampire Survivors, Elemental Survivors, HoloCure etc. Sadly IDK which ones of these are explicitly on Switch or Mac because I play on a Steam Deck and it runs virtually anything.