Games have slowly become an important part of the daily activities of many gamers nowadays. From different genres such as shooter, role-playing, strategy, and many others, games have taken different forms and have integrated themselves into the lives of gamers in multiple ways.
Some games, like Elden Ring and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, are so demanding skill-wise that their steep learning curves push players to master complex mechanics. On the other hand, some games are more relaxing, allowing you to simply turn your brain off and enjoy the experience.
These titles aren't limited to cozy games like Infinity Nikki. If you're looking for games to help you unwind and enjoy the moment, here are a few we absolutely love.
Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 is our social lead Kris Alfonte's go-to game whenever he wants to relax, zone out, and immerse using his PlayStation 5. Night City is one of the best places to get lost, according to Kris.
"Doing bounties, getting my cyber fixes and just feeling like Rick Deckard (Blade Runner) in my bedroom really helps me to turn my brain off and just live the fantasy!"
Cyberpunk 2077 had a rough launch but CD Projekt Red eventually made the game better through various updates and the Phantom Liberty DLC. If you want to get engrossed in a beautiful neon city while you drive around Jackie's ARCH, then Cyberpunk 2077 is your best bet.
Vampire Survivors
Kris' next recommendation is Vampire Survivors. A roguelike, shoot-'em-up, Vampire Survivors lets you control a character that automatically attacks, pitting you against hordes of different enemies as you try to survive as long as possible.
"If my wife needs to use the TV, I quickly switch to my ROG Ally and just load up Vampire Survivors. There’s nothing special about this Castlevania-esque survival game, it’s just mesmerizing to see your character going all ballistic with upgrades until the AI decides you’re too much and they’ll send Death to finish you off!", added Kris.
It's honestly enthralling to see your character face off against every little monster in Vampire Survivors. If you just want to casually play and be sure that you'll have a great time doing so, Vampire Survivors should be on your list.
Skater XL
If you're a fan of skateboarding or just want to be familiar with the sport, Skater XL is the game I'd recommend. While it isn't a cult classic such as Tony Hawk's Pro Skater franchise, Skater XL is a great game to scratch your skateboarding itch.
The game puts you in control of your character's feet instead of the skateboard, creating an incredibly immersive skateboarding experience. The left joystick controls the left foot, while the right joystick controls the right foot.
Popping for an ollie would require you to mimic how actual ollies are done, and the same goes with flips or grinds. Flicking a 360 flip will have you flicking the left stick while giving the right joystick a nice 360 spin. Skater XL is a great game if you miss skating outside and just want to turn your brain off for a good skate session.
Forza Horizon 5
Driving around the open world in Forza Horizon 5 feels like you are actually out on a road trip. It's a game I usually boot up if I want to get some warm-ups before actually playing my main game: Monter Hunter Rise. These two games are polar opposites but Forza Horizon 5's captivating open-world mechanic allows me to get in the gaming zone.
From flashy sportscars to leisurely cabs, the game also lets you choose what kind of vehicle you want to drive. Sometimes I'd choose one of the faster cars just to see how fast I could go without crashing into a different vehicle, or I'd choose a much slower BMW Isetta and pretend to be a pizza guy driving around.
If you love the sound of car engines and just want to drive anytime you want, Forza Horizon 5 is one of the best games to play. At least in this game, you can actually drive while your brain is switched off.
Arkham Knight
Ever wanted to just switch off and wear your superhero cowl? Then Arkham Knight is the best game for you. Our senior editor Alister Kennedy shared that this is his "I-can't-be-bothered-focusing-on-anything" game, and we can't blame him for that as Arkham Knight is possibly the best Batman game out there.
You can grapple around, drive the Batmobile, and just brood over Gotham in Arkham Knight, perfect for those moments when you just want to immerse and turn your brain off for a good gaming session.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
As a huge fan of Skyrim, Alister can easily sink in 4 hours straight in just one sitting when playing this fantastic video game. Skyrim is available in almost every console made after its release and you can just pick the game up anytime, anywhere, and just get lost easily in this Bethesda masterpiece.
Skyrim is so captivating that it leaves you interested in almost anything about it without forcing you to fully focus on things, allowing you to wander with your thoughts as you play.
"You can even live as a fisherman rising at dawn, selling your catches before heading to the local tavern for a beer after a hard day lakeside. There is simply nothing like it.", Alister added. Skyrim has so much to offer that it easily lets you switch off and get fully absorbed in what's happening around you.
If you want to play games without having to think about finishing urgent quests or whatnot, Skyrim will surely give you a great time.
Playing games does not necessarily require you to get good and focus on learning boss patterns or calculating your next character build, but sometimes just lounging around these amazing worlds is the best way to fully enjoy games. So next time you feel stressed thinking about what to play next, just switch your brains off and turn on your favorite game.
Whether you want to roam around Night City, go for a quick skate session, or roleplay as a Dragonborn fisherman, be sure to stay updated about the latest news and stories by following Gfinity Esports.