There are plenty of video games on the market that are full of thrills, fast pacing, and plenty of action. While these types of games are fun in their own right, sometimes players want a chance to relax and enjoy storylines that are relatable. Slice of Life games have the appeal that they do because they often have relaxing atmospheres and are great at eliciting certain emotions from the player.

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Though games in this genre can often be found in a visual novel format, Stardew Valley, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and The Sims 4 are great examples that break that mold. There has been a surge of players looking for ways to take their minds off of real-world issues, and using gaming as a way to do that. Slice of Life games are becoming a go-to when it comes to finding something cozy and wholesome, and there are plenty of options to choose from.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Even though debt is the primary objective of Animal Crossing: New Horizons is paying off debt, it is still a great example of a Slice of Life game. Players are able to create their own island paradise in the latest installment of the franchise. While players' island homes may have plenty of resources, there are also other islands to explore by hopping on a plane. There are also plenty of adorable animals to meet and befriend. Players can also visit the islands of other players making the deserted island getaway a little less deserted.

Calico

Players can manage their own cat cafe in Calico. Calico is a day-in-the-life community simulation game full of adorable cats and friendly neighbors. While cats are the primary animal type in-game, there are plenty of critters to find and fill the shop with. The main task in Calico is to bring the town's cafe back to life. Players can unlock furniture and different recipes, and build their ideal cafe. There are also plenty of regions to explore, from snowy mountains to the big city. Calico is brimming with magic and players can even use potions to make their favorite character large enough to use as a ride.

Planet Zoo

Fans of classic games like Zoo Tycoon and Planet Coaster will enjoy Planet Zoo. In Planet Zoo, players are able to construct the ultimate zoo experience for the animals and guests. Unlike some games where animals just exist in the world, these animals have individual personalities.

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Players are able to conduct research to better understand the needs of each species to help them thrive. Planet Zoo gives players the option to focus on the big picture or the smallest details. Players can also look forward to releasing future generations of animals back into the wild.

The Sims 4

The Sims franchise has been a fan favorite for years, and The Sims 4 continues that trend. The popular life simulation game allows players to unleash their imagination and create endless numbers of stories. In The Sims 4 players can customize their sims and watch and control all the big and small life events they experience. Players are also able to build and decorate their sim's dream home, no matter how extravagant or simple it may be. Fan-made mods can also be added to the game to make an even more realistic gameplay experience.

Haven Park

In Haven Park, players will help Flint take over his family's park. The player will need to gather resources as they explore the map and rebuild the broken features. Players will also have to fill each campsite with various amenities to make guests happy. Haven Park also has plenty of side quests hidden around the park such as hunting for treasure. There are also plenty of campers to meet along the journey each with their own unique personalities.

Cozy Grove

Cozy Grove is a life simulation game that takes place on a constantly changing haunted island. Players take on the role of a Spirit Scout and must wander the island every day in search of hidden secrets. Players will also be tasked with helping the local ghosts around the island find peace.

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In addition to camping and helping spirits, players can collect spirit animals, craft decorations, and much more. Cozy Grove also has plenty of side quests that are designed to provide months of entertainment.

Stardew Valley

The widely popular country-life sim Stardew Valley gives players the chance to run their own farm. While building and maintaining the farm is one of the primary elements in the game, there are plenty of other things to do around the world. Players can talk with and potentially date and marry some of the NPCs in the game. There are also plenty of festivals to attend and mysteries to uncover. Stardew Valley also offers couch and online cooperative options, meaning players can experience the entire game with friends.

Bugsnax

Players will explore a whimsical island full of adorable creatures made of food in Bugsnax. Players will take on the role of a reporter, whose contact Elizabert Megafig has vanished leaving her camp in shambles. The residents of the camp have spread out around the island due to personal grievances with one another. It is up to the player to help them overcome their disputes and personal hurdles, as well as to feed them Bugsnax. In Bugsnax players can explore the island at their own pace, cataloging the various creatures in every region. While exploring there are plenty of mysteries and the occasional boss fight to stumble across.

Slime Rancher

In Slime Rancher players take on the role of Beatrix a young rancher who sets out for life on a distant world. The world is inhabited by colorful smiling slimes, and it is up to players to collect as many of the adorable creatures as they want. Players can grow crops and raise chickadoos to feed the hungry slimes. There are also daily quests that offer bonus rewards. The world is full of hidden secrets waiting to be found.

A Short Hike

In A Short Hike, players can explore a small island and are free to choose whichever path they want. The game encourages players to hike at their own pace. There are plenty of characters to meet along the way, who can help on the journey. Players can stop to fish, search for hidden treasure, or use cliffs to soar over the island.

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