The Most Relaxing Video Games Review (Book) – Unpacking the Stress
If you ask most people why they play video games, usually a common answer is the sense of escapism. It captures the ability to step away from our current day to day and sink into something that does not resemble the day/evening/morning we are having. The last four years have been something right? The whole world has been stressed and sometimes people just like to disconnect and relax. What do you mean that in 2024 we have no idea what relaxing is? Well, author Ryan Janes has a list for you that will help as he as curated 207 pages of recommendations included in The Most Relaxing Video Games.
This is Ryan’s first addition to being an author but the introduction sets the scene of a well seasoned gamer, turned journalist, turned data analyst turned author. Ryan shares his passion for what brought him to write the book in the first place and his love for games. He bravely shares his diagnosis of OCD and explains that this book is a combination of games that shone a light on calming games that have helped him in times of anxiety and the need for relaxation (something we all can maybe relate to!).
The style of writing is easy to read, undemanding to follow and one of conversational style. You can hear the tone almost in which Ryan speaks. Jokes, and quips, land perfectly and the description of each game encapsulates their feel and vibe flawlessly.
It’s a Journey
Obviously, the words ‘The Most Relaxing Video Games’ are going to naturally spark particular games that probably come to mind when you hear or read those words. Yes, Stardew Valley makes its appearance loud and proud, along with Animal Crossing: New Horizons. However, credit where credit is due, there will be a few surprises in here. Ryan does not shy away from spotlighting impactful indie games that have made an impression.
Alternatively, some may say there is one or two cheeky risk choices. I don’t want to spoil too much of the book as I urge you – if you like this wheelhouse of games, and are interested in opening your mind to a different perspective or games that may have not come across your desk – to read the book. However, readers may find games in here that break the barriers of assumptions when it comes to the words “calming”, or “relaxing”. Something that is done well, is the rationale. A few games here may not be the stand out obvious answer, but when you read Ryan’s description you may be in pleasant agreement. It is also entirely possible to disagree with some of the choices, after all this is subjective opinion on what you – the reader – may find relaxing in comparison to Ryan’s choices.
I found myself reading through what is essentially fifty eight mini game reviews and finding myself ever adding the backlog of games in which I already have many many on the list. Some games I had already played, and even reviewed on this very site, but Ryan’s style of writing and emphasising what is so grand about each title made me want to immediately re-download and dive back in again. It’s totally acceptable to play Unpacking a third time through, right?
I Am Not Telling Lies
To offer a welcome break in said fifty eight mini game reviews are various facts that Ryan has gathered for each game. Some random facts will just stick with you, and some of these games are going back many years and widely spread amongst ALL consoles (no favouritism here), and so it feels like a palette cleanser reaching the end of each title shared, with a few facts about the design, development, sales, or even what nearly was about the game. These won’t be just facts pulled off of a quick search either, you can tell a lot of effort has gone into the discovery of finding things that even big fans of the title may not necessarily know.
Also, not to point out the obvious, but how refreshing is it that Ryan, a bloke in the gaming industry, is waxing lyrical about the very games females get a whole load of flack about for playing and loving? Actually flying the flag to the bias that the ‘relaxing’ and ‘cosy’ genre isn’t meant for every ‘girl-gamer’. I was immediately drawn to read this book on that merit alone. I was even more pleasently surprised when like mentioned earlier, this isn’t a book of every trope you would expect. That actually, so much thought and ‘real experience’ has gone into each choice. I am so bored in 2024 that whilst we have come far in the industry, still a lot of sexism remains, and this type of genre, and the synonyms met with ‘Relaxing’, are those mostly and apparently associated with the ones only females ‘can and should’ playing. Bore off.
Listen to our conversation with The Most Relaxing Video Games author Ryan Janes in a special edition of our podcast below!
Nothing but Kind Words
If that doesn’t convince you to pick this up and make it part of your collection then I don’t know what will. Was this book worth the read? Absolutely! Were there games that I anticipated on there that were not on there? Sure. There is only so much someone can play and write, and read. Like any book, whether you enjoy it will be up to you. My experience of reading ‘The Most Relaxing Video Games’ was a thoroughly enjoyable one, by page 207 (that is the last page) it felt like a chat in the pub over a few drinks. The style is great, the picks are different yet engaging to discover more on, and the facts are fun.
If relaxing games are in your wheelhouse in any capacity, its well worth the recommendation to pick it up. If you want more information, Ryan was kind enough to offer some of his time and do an interveiw with myself which you can hear on our podcast channel as soon as this review is live! We chat all things book related, as well as gaming and mental health, and a small but very necessary tangent on Sonic the Hedgehog.
A high recommendation for anyone who has ever dipped their toe and enjoyed the relaxing genre of games. With a re-look at the well loved, a few surprises, fun facts, and a conversational friendly style of writing, it’s difficult to put this book down. If one game isn’t downloaded or added to your backlog by the end of the book, I’d bet you were lying.
The Most Relaxing Video Games is available now from all good book stores including Pen & Sword, Waterstones, Amazon and Forbidden Planet.
Disclaimer: In order to complete this review, we were provided with a promotional copy of the book. For our full review policy, please go here.
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