I really liked playing Talos Principle 2 the past days. makes you think not just about logic but also some aspects of philosophy. which, at least to me, is pretty relaxing.

Terraria. I started a new character/world probably 200 times. Music is also bang on.

Brotato

Recently got back into my childhood favorite, Simcity 2000.

It's just a classic for me. Amazing city builder with a chill soundtrack. Super rewarding planning out your city and watching it develop across the map. And it's super stress free if you just play with disasters off

The Hunter: Call of the Wild. I have nothing to do with hunting. I'd never thought a hunting simulation could be my type of game, but putting headphones on and running through the woods is so relaxing.

I think I understand what you mean lol.

Lately for me it's been: Mass Effect legendary edition, Mount & Blade 2, Crusader Kings 3, Dishonored 1 and 2, and Hitman 3.

Splatoon. Don't ask why, I don't know. My gf calls it "yelling at 12 year olds"

But seriously it's like watching your own team score against you in soccer ;___;

I’ve gotten really into Grand Theft Auto San Andreas for unwinding after a long day. Something about the low poly graphics while I can just be a menace in the game feels right.

I find most games can be relaxing if Ive already played them a lot, even comp shooters. Quake Champions is relaxing for me at this point

Age of Empires 2 custom games. Can't beat a classic, and you can save whenever you're done

Skyrim was my chill game for years, but now I'd say Elder Scrolls Online. Everyone I know who plays ESO is super non-competitive and chill. It's just got a great vibe.

Slay the spire

Elder Scrolls Online for me.

Forza and Rocket League

Cities Skylines 2 has been great for this. Just log in and tinker with your city! Very relaxing creative problem solving..

Caves of Qud is something I love to relax with. It's full of stuff to explore and you can take your time since its turn based. I don't even mind so much when I die, because you get to create a completely new weird mutant and try again.

Minecraft. Sky Factory 3 - a void world modpack. Nothing exists without my having created it. I can allow mobs to spawn on my platform or not, depending on how I feel.

I've just started Snake Pass and it's a no bullshit old-style puzzle platformer (think PS1 platformers such as Croc, Crash Bandicoot or Rayman) with a unique movement mechanic that feels very chill. There's little in the way of worldbuilding though

Nethack or DROD

Just starting to get into genshin impact, though, and it seems pretty cool.

C&C Generals World Builder. I just make maps while I'm in discord.

It's stimulating enough that it keeps my mind from wandering from a conversation, but brainless enough to be engaged in the conversation.

I'm also partial to Minecraft. Just decorate a little section then log off until tomorrow

Any of the building/management games like Factorio or Dyson Sphere Program or RimWorld. You can definitely make those games extremely challenging (speed runs, achievements, ultra hard modes/challenges). But for me they're cozy games where I can chip away at a small project or part of a larger project, like, I don't know, slowly building a scale model or something.

Timberborn is always nice,

so is Minecraft.

Subnautica is also very relaxing after you know your way around it.

But Red Dead Redemption 2 is the most "chill" game for me. You can simply go out to hunt, enjoy the nature, etc.

Honestly, some visual novels like Ace attorney, Katawa shoujo, Steins Gate, Clannad are very chill.

World of Warcraft Retail.

Mars First Logistics & Animal Crossing

Why are there so many suggestions of Zelda BotW over TotK imo this thread? I've only played the latter but my understanding is it's pretty much the same game with more to do. And since Nintendo games rarely go on sale you are probably looking at a very similar price tag.