GTA 4 and cyberpunk 2077 for me. I've played through both of these games so many times I've lost count. I don't quite know what draws me to these two games but whenever I feel like shit playing one of these games just takes my mind off things
Ditto on Cyberpunk. I think the only games I have more hours played on are EQ, TF2, and Rogue Legacy 2.
Currently trying to get 100% on GTA4. It's such a great story-game, but I'm not a big fan of the realism-part. Also, there seems to be soo much missing in comparison to GTA:SA. Still, having a great time and I'm hyped af for the DLCs. Only have to finish the monster jumps and doves. c:
I'm perhaps the outlier in that I felt like San Andreas felt like they'd thrown shit at the wall to see what would stick. Most of the extra mechanics didn't land for me at all and I was pleased to see them gone.
For the longest time growing up it was Baldur's Gate 2. Was such a formative gaming experience for me as a kid and several of those companions feel like reuniting with old friends.
More recently, Civ V on a medium difficulty is like Solitaire for me. You can just kind of go through the motions and enjoy building an empire.
For a different kind of relaxation-through-stimulation I also kind of find myself going back to Ninja Gaiden 2 recently. It's hard to explain why this would be comforting (and the game can also be infuriating at times) but there is just something to the combat and the constant stimulation that can take your mind off things. Especially when you go back and just replay the best parts in chapter challenge as opposed to a full campaign.
More recently, Civ V on a medium difficulty is like Solitaire for me. You can just kind of go through the motions and enjoy building an empire.
I really feel this, in a weird way. I reaaally suck at RTS games, and I don't wanna know how bad I am at those extremely complex games. Not my cup of tea(sadly), but they're definitely interesting af and in my childhood I played a lot of Anno and Stronghold games, so I'd kinda love to check them out.
A short hike.
Katamari Damacy
I love soundtrack
Mario 64. I have like 4 save files that I am actively playing and it really gets mg head of things
Morrowind, Stardew Valley, Fallout 4
Paper Mario, Jet Set Radio Future, Oblivion, Valley.
Roller coaster tycoon
Terraria the goat.
For quite some time was Chrono Trigger, I played almost every year.
I also like to play some Bethesda's games while listening podcasts
I just finished my first Terraria-playthrough on the hardest difficulty as mage, and I'm still chilling in the midgame in my highest-difficulty melee playthrough. I wanted to also say "Terraria", but I kinda stopped playing for many years. It's definitely still my number 1 game that you HAVE to play on Steam, or else you're... well, a stinky non-Terrarian! c:
Valheim
Retro games from my formative years:
Newer games:
I realize those are divisive entries in each of their franchises, but they're the ones that hit for me and just let me wander off and do whatever I feel like.
Super Tux Kart. Saved my life when I had nothing else but suicidal thoughts.
I feel ya, for me it was Terraria in those times. Since currently everything sucks, I might give it a shot(again). <3 Thank you. :3
Balatro and New Super Mario Bros.
Anything souls, factorio, subnautica, cities skylines 1, humanity, journey, og doom.
Subnautica, Astroneer, and Powerwash Simulator
Bloodborne or whatever soulslike I'm feeling at the moment. Fired up DS3 the other day after a couple o weeks with little to no gaming because I wanted something predictable and chill.
You are welcome to join us at !soulslike@lemmy.zip
Chrono Trigger
Final Fantasy Tactics
Shadowrun Returns
River City Ransom
Altered Beast
To a lesser extent:
Gauntlet
Rampage
I kept finding myself coming back to No Man's Sky. Just peaceful dopamine from numbers go up
I play the Uncharted series over and over again.
I'm always down for another Slay The Spire run.
I think for me it's usually an old 3d platformer or something, rayman 2 & 3, but i also like the ps2/3 ratchet & clank games. I replayed those a ton as a kid, and as an adult i still like to boot them up every now and then.
The Witcher 1. It's been a while since I've replayed it, but I know it like the back of my hand. Just thinking about the first chapter - gathering some White Myrtle accompanied by that lovely soundtrack - calms me down.
Dungeon keeper has been a go to fix for many years. I usually play through the base game campaign at least once a year. Just peak comfy gaming for me.
The Outer Wilds.
Just makes me weep typing that.
@Chezus9247 Custom Robo on the Gamecube. Mario Kart 64.
Nethack
Hard Space: Shipbreaker
It's nigh meditative.
Cozy Caravan
Ff14
Stardew
Okami
Harvesrt moon/story of season
Factorio. Always. Others depends on mods. Minecraft, rimworld and satisfactory are great if mods are good for them. Well mods for Factorio too but playing space age without added content is just always so relaxing to me. Only 5k hours sadly in Factorio.
Doom and DoomII. I've been playing those for 30 years. It's like meditation I love 'em.
I like to replay The Last of Us (1) every couple of years - though it's always emotionally taxing.
Other than that I enjoy diving into Ultima 7 every here and then, though I tend to lose sight somewhere along the road, so technically speaking it doesn't fit the original post... but it's much fun/relaxing, following certain quest lines or just exploring.
Oh, Air Traffic Chaos on the DS is sometimes on the menu as well. Though I usually don't play it through, just some missions (i.e. airports and difficulties).
I still regularly play
Final Fantasy V
Baldur's Gate
Fallout
Knights of the Old Republic
Civilization II
Sea Power: Naval Combat in the Missile Age. No more beautiful sight than a sinking carrier.
Red Dead Redemption 2 - played all the way through 3 times. Now I'll just load up in a random chapter and just enjoy the game and atmosphere. Sometimes I'll go a play a mission where I get you go nuts, or just load up go camping with my horse and explore the map. Or I'll make up my own challenges. Like hijacking a train to see how far around the map I could make it before getting shot. Or seeing how many racist/KKK members I can burn alive.
I was recently reminded of Shining in the Darkness for the Mega Drive and got super nostalgic. I might have to play that again.
The same thing recently happened to me with Descent 3. I'd never played Descent 1 or 2, so I figured if I was going to replay Descent 3, I ought to play the other two first, so I'm currently working my way through Descent 1.
But more to the heart of your question:
If I recall correctly, Descent 3 was made by another developer team and it was quite a different game. But Descent 1 and 2 are favorites of mine. Some of the original developers made Overload. Try it, if you haven't already.
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