10 relaxing mobile games to play when you need a break

Cozy Grove

9.9

0 Want

Arcade

When I need a quick break, I take a retreat to the world of Cozy Grove. This adorable life sim is set on a haunted island inhabited by adorable ghosts. The game is filled with collectibles and craftable items, but since it’s synced to real time, there’s never any pressure to play for long stretches. There are new side quests to complete every day, but I usually spend most of my playtime decorating my island or chatting with my ghostly neighbors.

Townscaper

8.7

0 Want

CasualArcadeSimulation

Some people vacation at seaside villages, but Townscaper lets me create my own coastal getaways. This undemanding city builder is free of restrictions, and the only real limit is my imagination. Instead of sticking to a budget or working towards specific goals, I can just build to my heart’s content. From massive metropolises to tiny towns, it’s easy to create the kinds of places I would want to visit in the real world.

Sky: Children of the Light Global

8.8

0 Want

CozyHealingRPGCasual

When I’m exploring in Sky: Children of the Light, it’s easy to forget about everything else. The game is stunning, whether I’m soaring across the bright blue sky or searching for murals in a dark cave. It’s fun to play solo, but my favorite moments are when I stumble across other players that want to play music or hold hands and explore together. Even though the game has an ending, no two playthroughs are alike, and it’s always exciting to revisit its magical world.

Wylde Flowers

8.9

0 Want

Adventure

There are plenty of farming games out there, but what makes Wylde Flowers stand out is its huge focus on characters. It’s set on a rural island named Fairhaven that feels like it could be a real community. There’s tons of unique dialogue, and every line is fully voiced. When I’m not chatting with the locals, there are plenty of other things to keep me busy, ranging from standard activities like fishing and cooking to more unusual pursuits, like learning magic spells!

Good Pizza, Great Pizza

9.6

0 Want

CasualManagementSimulation

Working in a real pizza shop might be stressful, but in Good Pizza, Great Pizza, serving pizzas to customers is surprisingly soothing. Thanks to its simple controls, it’s easy to make pizza, even when the shop is packed with customers. In between workdays, I can upgrade my shop or watch Pizza News Network (PNN) to keep up with pizza trends. It’s the perfect game to play while you have a real pizza in the oven!

Spiritfarer

9.3

0 Want

Usually, I’d avoid games about death when I’m trying to relax, but Spiritfarer makes the topic feel downright cozy. The gameplay is surprisingly varied, ranging from town management to light platforming to visual novel-esque story scenes. If you’re in the mood for a good cry and some addictive, relaxing gameplay, you can’t go wrong with this title!

Gorogoa Global

9.9

0 Want

I don’t usually enjoy sliding-tile puzzles, but I think I’d like them more if they were always as lovely and inventive as they are in Gorogoa. Not only are the hand-drawn puzzles beautiful, but every puzzle tells its own dreamlike story. Getting stuck on a puzzle feels frustrating in some games, but in Gorogoa, it’s a chance to listen to the soothing background music until inspiration strikes.

The Battle of Polytopia

9.1

0 Want

4XStrategyCasualAdventure

Strategy games can get pretty tense, but I never feel any pressure when I’m playing The Battle of Polytopia, even when I’m waging warfare and expanding my empire. It’s a simplified, casual take on the 4X strategy genre. There aren’t any complicated rules to worry about, and games are typically pretty short, making it ideal for quick gaming sessions. The streamlined gameplay and stripped-down low-poly graphics are a perfect combination.

Stardew Valley Global

9.6

0 Want

Pixel GraphicsDating SimSandboxAgriculture

Even if you’ve put hundreds of hours into Stardew Valley, the mobile version is worth checking out. It has all the content found in the PC and console versions of the game, but the controls are slightly simplified, making for a smoother experience. Normally, I hate the fishing system, but when I play on my phone, I’m happy to fish for hours. Stardew Valley is already a slow-paced game, but if you want to play a version that feels even more easy-going, try it on mobile!

Donut County

9.8

0 Want

AdventurePuzzle

Sometimes, stress makes me want to sink into the ground and disappear, and when I play Donut County, I can do exactly that. Instead of playing as a hero, this puzzle game lets me control a sinkhole. When I move the hole around, I can swallow up everything in my path, whether it’s a chicken, a car, or even a house. If you’re in a bad mood and want to take the world down with you, maybe it’s time to try living as a hole!