The Best Wholesome Games to Play When Looking for Escapism
Cast your mind back to the early 2010s and you might remember a little game called Farmville, the agricultural farming game that became explosively popular online, encouraging users to plow land, plant trees, and raise livestock. It was a game that provided many adults a much-needed space for escapism, drawing on the concept of a simple and easy life. Now, flashforward to 2022, and the same kinds of games are starting to thrive again, not necessarily in any kind of farming-specific sense, but games that give you that cozy, wholesome, safe feeling. But, which are the best games to play if you’re after this snug feeling?
Animal Crossing
With (literally) millions of people discovering the game over the past few years, it’s natural that Animal Crossing is the first game on this list. But for those of you who don’t know the concept, Animal Crossing is a video game created by Nintendo. In it, the player lives in a village of anthropomorphized animals, with which you can enjoy a variety of activities including fishing, bug catching, and fossil hunting. Described by The Guardian as uniting the lockdown population, it’s one of the most wholesome and cute games on the market and still has plenty of loyal players today!
Fluffy Favourites
Continuing with the cozy and cute theme, you can’t go far wrong with a game named Fluffy Favourites. Available on Buzz Bingo, this is an online slot game that can be played on any of your devices. Featuring creatures including hippo, dragon, bear, panda, duck, rhino, and giraffe, the concept of the game is simple, to match two to three fluffy icons on the reel for a win. You also have to stay on the lookout for Nellie who will double any prizes! Fluffy Favourites is one of the easiest games you can play if you’re looking for a bit of escapism, especially of the adorable variety.
Stardew Valley
Perhaps the closest to Farmville, Stardew Valley is the farming game that’s thriving in 2022. In it, you’ve inherited your grandfather’s farm and must do your best at taking care of the land. Much like Animal Crossing, the type of gameplay is open-ended, meaning that you can choose your activities at any given time. Pastimes include foraging, cooking, mining, raising livestock, fishing, and growing crops, alongside getting to know your fellow townspeople. Included at the top of the list in Time Out’s video games to put a smile on your face, Stardew Valley has risen to success for its relaxing and calming energy.
Strange Horticulture
And finally, Strange Horticulture! The perfect cozy game as we head into autumn. Strange Horticulture is a vaguely occult-themed puzzle game in which you play as the proprietor of a local plant store. You must therefore identify new plants, speak to the coven and use your growing knowledge to unravel the town’s mystery. Packed with fun mysteries, the game received a whopping 10/10 on Steam and is loved by cozy gamers everywhere.
