15 Best Slice of Life Games to Get a Relaxing Experience

Slice of life games? What are your thoughts on this genre? For those seeking an adrenaline rush, let’s opt for a different choice! This genre moves at a slow pace and is presented like a visual novel, perfect for fans who want a more laid-back experience. Here’s a list of the top 15 recommendations for you to kill time!

1. Lake

This slice-of-life game steps into Meredith Weiss' shoes as she transitions from her hectic career in a software company to temporarily substituting for her father as the local mail carrier in Lake. Set in Providence Oaks, Oregon, the plot spans two weeks, encouraging players to explore the town and encounter both familiar faces and new acquaintances, all while having the freedom to select their companions. Alongside forming bonds with locals, players can even initiate romantic relationships.

Moreover, the players can leisurely drive around the picturesque lake or opt for autopilot. There’s a range of post-work activities available, including socializing with friends, assisting neighbours, or simply relaxing at home with a good book. This one grants players the autonomy to craft their own narrative, devoid of concerns about right or wrong outcomes. As the fortnight draws to a close, players confront a pivotal choice: whether Meredith returns to her urban life or decides to stay in the town.

2. A Short Hike

Through this slice-of-life game, the players have the opportunity to explore a compact mountain area and are given the freedom to select their preferred routes. Furthermore, this one promotes a leisurely approach to hiking, allowing players to progress at their own speed—a characteristic that aligns with the storyline and its central theme.

Along the journey, players encounter a diverse cast of characters who either lend assistance during the expedition or inject vibrant personalities into the experience. You also have the option to pause and engage in activities like fishing, embarking on treasure hunts, or utilizing cliffs to glide over the island’s terrain.

3. My Time at Portia

While playing this recommendation, the players embark on a fresh chapter in the titular town, aiming to revive their family’s abandoned workshop. Thus, the game tasks players with fulfilling commissions, cultivating crops, tending to animals, and fostering connections with the inhabitants of the post-apocalyptic world. Within the town, numerous individuals are available for friendship and, potentially, romantic relationships, offering ample opportunities for social interaction and exploration.

In order to restore the workshop, players embark on resource-gathering expeditions throughout the world. Farming stands as another viable avenue, allowing players to cultivate and care for crops and animals within the open woodland surrounding the workshop. Beyond their labour, players have the chance to personalize their newfound abode, transforming it into a personalized haven by adorning it with furniture and various decorations.

All in all, this game thrives on its community aspect, breathing vitality into the plot. Non-playable characters (NPCs) adhere to their own daily schedules, each carrying their unique stories and routines, enriching the player's experience through interactions and shared narratives. Read also: 5 Best Publisher Games in the Philippines

4. Slime Rancher

Slime Rancher is a slice-of-life game in which the players step into the shoes of Beatrix, a youthful rancher venturing into a distant realm. This world is home to cheerful, vibrant slimes, and the objective is for players to gather as many of these endearing creatures as they desire. Hence, the players have the opportunity to cultivate crops and nurture chickadees to satiate the appetites of these eager slimes. Additionally, daily missions present chances to earn extra rewards. Throughout the expansive world, numerous concealed secrets lie in wait, ready to be discovered by players.

5. Bugsnax

Through this game, the players venture into a fanciful island full of charming food-based creatures. As a reporter, you assume the role of someone whose connection, Elizabert Megafig, has disappeared, leaving her camp in confusion. The inhabitants of the camp have dispersed across the island, driven by individual conflicts and disagreements with one another.

Furthermore, the player holds the responsibility of assisting these individuals in resolving their conflicts and personal obstacles, while also feeding them Bugsnax. They have the freedom to explore the island at their leisure, documenting the diverse creatures found in each area. Along the way, they’ll uncover numerous mysteries and occasional encounters with formidable bosses scattered throughout Bugsnax's expansive world.

6. Stardew Valley

You can find a highly beloved country-life simulation through this slice-of-life game since it provides players with the opportunity to manage their own farm. Although tending to and developing the farm stands as a key aspect of the game, there’s a multitude of activities beyond this one. Players can engage in conversations with various NPCs, forming relationships that could potentially lead to dating and marriage within the charming world of Stardew Valley. Besides, Stardew Valley is packed with diverse festivals to attend and mysteries waiting to be unravelled. It then offers both couch co-op and online cooperative modes, allowing players to share the entire gaming experience with friends, fostering a collaborative journey through the game’s world.

7. Unpacking

Unpacking, another slice-of-life game recommendation, offers a puzzle theme that revolves around the act of unpacking belongings and arranging them in a new home. Players have the creative freedom to decorate each room, crafting visually appealing spaces.

Unlike other slice-of-life games that swiftly introduce the character, Unpacking takes a unique approach, prompting players to unravel the protagonist’s identity through their possessions. Rather than an immediate character introduction, they gradually unearth the character’s story across eight distinct households, inviting them to delve deeper into the protagonist's past through this intimate exploration of belongings.

8. Cozy Grove

Cozy Grove, a life simulation game, unfolds on an ever-evolving haunted island. As a Spirit Scout, players embark on daily journeys across the island, unravelling its hidden mysteries and aiding the local ghosts in finding solace. Beyond camping and assisting spirits, they engage in diverse activities, from gathering spirit animals to crafting decorations and beyond. Meanwhile, the landscape is adorned with numerous side quests tailored to offer extensive entertainment over several months, ensuring a rich and fulfilling experience for players.

9. Haven Park

Haven Park follows Flint’s journey as he endeavours to reclaim and manage his family’s park. You will navigate the map, gathering resources, while restoring the park’s broken-down elements. Hence, you will be responsible for furnishing each campsite with diverse amenities to ensure the satisfaction of guests. Exploration in Haven Park unveils an array of hidden side quests, including treasure hunts, adding depth and excitement to the adventure. Along the journey, players will encounter a multitude of campers, each with their own distinctive personalities, fostering unique interactions and experiences throughout the game.

10. The Sims 4

The Sims franchise has remained a beloved choice for fans over the years, and this series proudly carries that legacy forward. Moreover, its widely adored life simulation game empowers players to channel their creativity, crafting an infinite array of unique stories. Within the game, you have the freedom to personalize your Sims, overseeing and influencing every aspect of their lives, both significant and mundane.

Hence, the game’s versatility extends to the construction and adornment of Sims’ ideal homes, whether opulent or modest, enabling players to manifest their architectural fantasies. Furthermore, the inclusion of fan-made mods enriches the gaming experience, allowing for the integration of additional elements that can enhance the game’s realism and depth, catering to individual preferences and fostering a more immersive gameplay journey. Read also: Vietnam Gaming Industry: Growth of Billions Gamer's Country

11. Planet Zoo

Enthusiasts of beloved titles such as Zoo Tycoon and Planet Coaster will find delight in this slice-of-life game recommendation. It allows players to craft an unparalleled zoo experience for both animals and visitors. Unlike certain games where animals merely populate the environment, here, each animal possesses a distinct personality. Thus, you can delve into research, gaining insights into the unique requirements of every species to ensure their flourishing. Planet Zoo offers the choice to concentrate on the grand scheme or pay attention to the minutest aspects. To add, you can anticipate reintroducing subsequent generations of animals into their natural habitats.

12. Calico

While playing this game, you have the opportunity to run your very own cat cafe within Calico, a charming community simulation with adorable cats and amiable neighbours. Although felines take centre stage, there’s an array of other creatures to discover and fill the shop with. The primary objective in Calico revolves around reviving the town’s cafe.

Therefore, players can unlock various furniture pieces and recipes while constructing their dream cafe. With numerous locales to traverse, from snowy peaks to bustling urban landscapes, Calico offers ample exploration. Furthermore, the game is infused with enchantment, allowing players to concoct potions that transform their favourite characters into sizable forms, usable as rides.

13. Animal Crossing: New Horizons

While the primary goal in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is to pay off debt, the game remains a wonderful representation of a slice-of-life experience. You have the opportunity to craft your own idyllic island paradise within this latest iteration of the series.

Despite the abundance of resources on players’ island abodes, there’s the option to explore additional islands by taking a plane ride. Meeting and befriending numerous charming animals is also a highlight. Moreover, the game allows players to visit the islands of fellow players, transforming the once-deserted island getaway into a bustling community.

14. House Flipper

Last but not least this slice-of-life game recommendation, players embark on a journey from the bottom rungs of renovation, gradually progressing until they can buy their initial property. Initially, they engage in diverse tasks assigned by local residents, enhancing their office and amassing funds for that significant first property acquisition. These assignments span from tidying up and painting walls to installing appliances and furnishing entire properties. Players possess the freedom to demolish walls and entirely reimagine spaces. Armed with an array of tools and a reliable tablet, they tackle any task that comes their way in House Flipper. Moreover, the game offers multiple DLCs, granting players opportunities to adorn apocalypse bunkers, gardens, and expansive mansions or factories.

15. Sumire

Sumire is an emotionally rich adventure game following a young girl named Sumire as she embarks on a profound one-day journey through her charming village. In a magical world steeped in Japanese folklore, players join Sumire, encountering mythical creatures and facing impactful choices.

The game unfolds in real-time throughout a single day, where Sumire seeks to complete a list of significant tasks assigned by a mysterious fox. Exploring enchanting landscapes, players solve puzzles, meet diverse characters, and witness moments that shape Sumire’s story. Within this heartfelt narrative, Sumire wrestles with themes of love, loss, and the essence of life, leading to multiple potential endings determined by the choices made. With its captivating art style, emotional depth, and diverse narrative paths, “Sumire” offers an immersive and contemplative gaming experience.

Conclusion

Immersing in games serves as entertainment, yet individual players seek diverse experiences. In slice-of-life games, beyond the serene and soothing visuals, the activities aim to gently steer players through a gradual storyline, allowing them to immerse themselves in the characters’ lives. Among these recommendations, which game are you most eager to play right away?