5 Comfort Games That Get Me Through a Gaming Slump

Picking up a new game is often great, even if that does mean learning a new system, new gameplay mechanics, and new lore. But I’m sure that everyone, at some point, just wants to turn their brain off and return to the comfort of an overly familiar title. We all have slumps, and I generally use comfort games to get over mine.

Brotato and Slay the Spire: Strategic Comfort

I’ve been playing Brotato since I found it by word of mouth in late 2022. It’s a true roguelike where the only progression you earn involves unlocking new characters, each with their own perks and weaknesses. The gameplay is simple: survive until the round ends, kill enemies, and collect materials to purchase loot between rounds. If you play as the masochist with a sound strategy, it becomes a total cakewalk.

Slay the Spire might seem like an odd choice given its difficulty, but the trick is to choose a strategy and stick to it. I use the Defect and focus on building insane amounts of shield. If I don't get the right cards and end up dying, it’s a roguelike—I just restart. I usually play on Ascension level one now just to get more relics from the increase in Elites.

The Sims 4 and Stardew Valley: Low-Pressure Escapes

The Sims 4 remains a perfect escape when you want to outsource your life to a pixel universe where chores are just a click away and writing a novel happens in a day. It’s a game where you don’t have to think too much; you can just do whatever feels right and enjoy the experience, no pressure. Just make sure to read a cookbook or two before you accidentally burn the house down.

Similarly, Stardew Valley has evolved from a game where I obsessed over maximum profit to one of pure relaxation. These days, the Community Center can wait. I don't care about the most profitable crop; I just want to grow food for my own cooking, gift the locals, and take a stroll. I’ve even gone years in-game without visiting the mine.

New Additions and Team Favorites

My latest addition is Ball X Pit, a brick-breaker that features base building, unlockable characters, and various construction options. It’s a refreshing take on the genre that has successfully knocked others like Kenshi and Faster Than Light off my comfort list.

Behind the scenes, the Destructoid team shared their own comfort picks:

• Slay the Spire 2: Editor-in-Chief Rachel Samples suggests this one for those who love the winning formula of the first title.
• Pokémon Pokopia: A chill, cozy game where you befriend Pokémon while building a town, playing as a Ditto.
• Dorfromantik: A peaceful strategy puzzle game about placing tiles that is perfect for winding down.
• Final Fantasy 8: Senior Staff Writer Scott Duwe notes that once you understand the Junction system, the game becomes very easy and serves as a great grind.
• Kenshi: While notoriously difficult, it can be a cozy escape for some once you are comfortable—just avoid Skinbandit country.
• The Witcher 3: A vast world with enough side quests to keep you lost for hours, making it a reliable comfort pick for many players.