While the Steam Deck is an amazing piece of technology to play games like Elden Ring on the go, it’s also the perfect way to relax after a day on the job or a day out and about. With such a massive variety of games that are Steam Deck Verified, you won’t have any difficulty finding something that’ll pique your interest. However, if you’re hoping to just sit down, turn off your brain, and do something that’ll help you hit that Zen Zone, we’ve curated a list of some of the most relaxing games you can play on your portable PC.
Some Chill Games To Just Vibe With On Your Steam Deck
When creating this list, I thought of a few different factors; how taxing are they on your mental energy, how easy they are to jump into and enjoy, and if they offer the most immaculate of vibes. There are some real winners here, so take our ranking with a grain of salt, as they’re all incredible games in their own right.
5. Sticky Business
Ever thought about dropping everything you’re doing and opening up an Etsy Shop? That’s what Sticky Business brings to the table, with surprisingly in-depth sticker creation tools that let you unleash your imagination to its fullest potential and make some of the most adorable creations ever seen on this side of a PC monitor… or in this case, your Steam Deck screen.
It’s a super relaxing time to jump into and enjoy, so be prepared to lose countless hours of your life to this one. It’s also a game that benefits massively from VibrantDeck, so make sure that you’ve got that locked and loaded before jumping into this one. It’s extremely fun and extraordinarily adorable, and also scored top marks from our Commander in Chief here at Prima.
Related: Sticky Business Review | One of the Best Indie Games This Year
4. Lil’ Gator Game
Now that The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is here, you may be craving something that feels a little more decidedly old-school. Looking at the picture above, you can see an adorable little Gator embarking on an epic adventure to get his older sister to play pretend with him once again, but what you don’t expect is to find one of the best Zelda-likes in recent years.
Sure, you won’t be facing off against Chu-Chu’s or other familiar creatures, but being able to partake in a grand adventure that is inspired by one of your favorite franchises sure sounds like a great time to me. As someone who has been playing Zelda since he could hold a SNES controller, Lil’ Gator Game surprised me with its grand-scale adventure on a smaller budget. It’s a great game to plow through in a weekend, with enough collectibles to bring you back for a few more runs.
3. House Flipper
Now, House Flipper can be a little stressful, especially if you’re a clean freak like I am. The main goal of this game is exactly as it sounds: buying junk houses and flipping them for cash. However, after spending more time than I would like to admit in this world, I can’t imagine not having it on my Steam Deck. Being able to take this kind of action on the go is more rewarding than one may think, especially if you’ve got a passion for interior design.
Related: 5 Of The Best Casual Multiplayer Games To Play With A Significant Other
With constant updates providing even more items to put in your homes, alongside several DLC packs that go on sale often, you’ll never have to worry about finding the perfect game to plop down on the couch with. Fun fact of the day: I had to buy my wife her own Xbox console so she could play this game on the TV since she overtook my Xbox Series X to keep playing it. Now, I’ve got it on the Steam Deck so she can play wherever we go. It’s that good.
2. Lawn Mowing Simulator
If you would have told me 10 years ago that I was going to find enjoyment in playing a game about mowing lawns, I would have called you a liar and gone back to playing the latest FPS on the market at the time. But, now that I’m in my golden years (I’m 31), I find quite a bit of fun in games like Lawn Mowing Simulator. Thanks to the lush visuals that pop off of your screen, I’m confident in saying that this is the ultimate Dad Simulator, white Air Monarch IV’s not included. Please add a grilling mini-game for the love of all things holy.
Yes, the main hook of this one is to run your own mowing business, and business is good. Thanks to updates provided by the developer, SkyHook Games, this went from a fairly barebones simulator to one that is absolutely packed into the clipping bag full of features and gameplay elements. It goes on sale regularly, so be sure to give this one a try if you’re hoping to experience something completely different.
1. Slime Rancher 2
Slime Rancher 2 is another one of those games that just feels right at home on the Steam Deck. While some aspects of the game can be a little stressful, especially if you’re not used to the First Person aiming, you’ll slowly find yourself gravitating toward these Slimes faster than you can upgrade your equipment. In the sequel to the classic Slime Rancher, there are even more creatures to find in the world, more lush environments to explore, and so much more to look forward to.
Related: Slime Rancher 2’s Song of the Sabers Update Adds a Whimsical Winter Wonderland
While this is still in Early Access, meaning that new content is being dripped into the game and bugs are being worked out by the developer, it’s an excellent experience to jump right into and lose yourself with. No matter what kind of gamer you are, there is something here to love for everyone involved.
Honorary Mentions
There are countless cozy games that you can lose yourself in, and while we don’t think these games are any less amazing than anything on the list, we still wanted to give them a spot to shine. Here are our honorary picks to jump into if nothing on our main list stood out to you:
No matter if you’re looking for something new to lose yourself in, or just need something that can help you wind down after a difficult day, any of the games on this list will help you feel refreshed and ready to take on the next big thing you’ve been wanting to do. There are so many excellent comfort games available on the Steam platform, and they work great with the Steam Deck. If you’re running out of space to put more of these cozy games, be sure to learn how to swap the SSD in your Steam Deck, and be sure to check out our section below to learn even more about your favorite handheld console.
