It’s been a long day, and you need a casual game you can play with your brain off. You don’t want to play something new, or you’ll have to actively listen to the plot to fully enjoy the experience. Other times, you just want to pull up a show on the side and catch up on that while you play something at the same time. That’s a gamer's multitasking ability at work.
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Posts By PJ MolloyThere are plenty of good games out there where you don’t need to pay too much attention. They also fall into different genres, from shooter games, simulators, and even horror games. So, which games do it best?
10 Call Of Duty Black Ops 6
A Chill Shooter
4.0/5 Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Like Follow Followed FPS Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 83/100 Critics Rec: 91% Released October 25, 2024 ESRB Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Suggestive Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs Developer(s) Treyarch, Raven Software Publisher(s) Activision Engine IW 9.0 Multiplayer Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op Cross-Platform Play Yes - PlayStation, Xbox, PCWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONOut of all the competitive first-person shooters that exist, Call of Duty tends to be the least intensive in terms of brain power. You can simply run around the map and kill enemies for a few hours while watching something on a different monitor.
There's not much strategy that goes into this other than getting the right stats on your weapon. Most of the time, you’re simply relying on your reflexes. With game modes such as free for all, team deathmatch, and other casual games like prop hunt, Call of Duty Black Ops 6 is good for killing time.
9 Minecraft
Yearning For The Mines
Minecraft Like Sandbox Survival Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 90/100 Critics Rec: 84% Released November 18, 2011 ESRB E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence Developer(s) Mojang Publisher(s) Mojang Engine LWJGL, PROPRIETARY ENGINE Multiplayer Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer Franchise MinecraftWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALMinecraft is simple to learn and even simpler to play. Just punch trees, dig holes, and explore caverns. It’s a gameplay loop that never gets old and is even more fun with friends. Minecraft also has calming music to help you turn your brain off and relax.
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Posts By Sophia LeeWhile there is an end goal of defeating the Ender Dragon, it isn’t necessary to enjoy the game. You can simply explore the overworld and discover buried treasure, abandoned manors, and biomes that make you want to build a summer home there.
8 Left 4 Dead 2
Just Point, Shoot, And Run
Left 4 Dead 2 Like Follow Followed Shooter Systems Released November 17, 2009 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language Developer(s) Valve Publisher(s) Valve Engine Source Multiplayer Local Co-Op, Local Multiplayer, Online Co-Op, Online Multiplayer Franchise Left 4 Dead Number of Players 2 (Local Co-Op), 4 (Online Co-Op) Split Screen Orientation Vertical Or HorizontalWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALThe modding community for Left 4 Dead 2 makes it one of the most content-filled games of all time. This game also has no leveling up mechanic, gachas, or unlockables that force you to think about your loadouts.
Just get from the start of the level to the safe room, and you’re good to go. With plenty of maps to choose from in the base game and even more through mods, you can customize your gameplay as much as you like, yet continue to play casually.
7 The Tetris Effect
Let The Music Consume You
Tetris Effect Like Follow Followed Puzzle Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 90/100 Critics Rec: 97% Released November 9, 2018 ESRB E Developer(s) Monstars Inc, Resonair Publisher(s) Enhance Engine unreal engine 4, unreal engine 5 Multiplayer Online Multiplayer Franchise TetrisWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALDespite being a puzzle game that might require you to use your head a little, it has an effect if you play it long enough. The visuals mixed with the life-changing soundtrack are perfect for taking you out of your chair and immersing you in the sounds of the planet.
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Posts By Quinton O'ConnorAs the Tetris pieces get faster, you only get more entranced in the gameplay. Eventually, you’re not even thinking about where the pieces are going. It simply becomes a reflex as you get absorbed into the game itself.
6 Death Stranding
Strolling Through The World
3.0/5 Death Stranding Like Follow Followed Action Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 83/100 Critics Rec: 79% Released November 8, 2019 ESRB M for Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Partial Nudity, Strong Language Developer(s) Kojima Productions Publisher(s) Sony, 505 Games Engine Decima Cross-Platform Play Yes! Players will share the same server as Steam and Epic users Cross Save yesWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONPlot-focused games tend to force you to pay attention to what’s happening. However, Death Stranding gets a pass due to its gameplay. All you’re doing is delivering packages from one end of the map to another.
This is a literal walking simulator, yet it can be quite calming to play when you aren’t avoiding the BT. This makes it easy to get lost in your own thoughts or even turn your thoughts off entirely until the next cutscene starts playing.
5 Vampire Survivors
Take Back The Night
Vampire Survivors Like Follow Followed Roguelike Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 88/100 Critics Rec: 98% Released December 17, 2021 ESRB T For Teen // Blood, Violence Developer(s) Luca Galante Publisher(s) Luca Galante Engine unity Multiplayer Local Co-Op Franchise Vampire SurvivorsWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONShutting your brain off is sometimes not enough. You want to turn it off while knowing that you are dominating your enemies. Vampire Survivors has plenty of abilities that automatically trigger and demolish any enemy that comes close to you.
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Posts By Brody WooddellThis rogue-lite may throw hundreds of enemies at you, but the more upgrades you get, the more often you’ll be able to simply stand still and let your character do all the work. So shut off your brain and watch the carnage ensue.
4 Webfishing
Fishing Alone Or With Friends
Webfishing Like Follow Followed Multiplayer Simulation Indie Systems Released October 11, 2024 Developer(s) Lamedeveloper Publisher(s) Lamedeveloper Engine Godot Multiplayer Online Co-Op Number of Players 1WHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALFishing is simple. Just choose your bait, toss the line, and see what you reel in. Webfishing can be played with friends, so you can chat, mingle, and play little games. You can also just sit there in silence and enjoy each other’s presence.
Webfishing doesn’t require you to think. Yet sitting there and collecting new specimens can allow you to see everything that lies beneath the waters. From oceans to ponds, every body of water has its creatures to find. So bring out the tunes and enjoy.
3 Donkey Kong Country
Jungle Ambiance
Donkey Kong Country Like Platformer Systems Released November 24, 1994 ESRB e Developer(s) Rare Publisher(s) Nintendo Multiplayer Local Multiplayer Franchise Donkey Kong CountryWHERE TO PLAY
PHYSICALDespite being a platformer, Donkey Kong Country is built in a way where you can speed through the game if you don’t hesitate. Jumping on enemies will cause you to launch yourself forward and land on others. Meanwhile, obstacles such as bees have a path that is best avoided on the run.
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Posts By John WildermuthAfter a while, Donkey Kong Country becomes a familiar game where the ambiance of each level and the movement allow you to lose yourself in the environment. From aquatic reefs to the jungle canopies, just turn your brain off and explore one of the greatest games from the SNES era.
2 Fortnite
Games For All Types Of Players
Fortnite Like Follow Followed Survival Battle Royale Shooter Action Adventure Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 84/100 Critics Rec: 94% Released September 26, 2017 ESRB T for Teen - Diverse Content: Discretion Advised, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact Developer(s) Epic Games Publisher(s) Epic Games Engine Unreal Engine 5 Multiplayer Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op Cross-Platform Play All platforms (except iOS/Mac)WHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONAs far as battle royale games go, Fortnite offers the simplest experience. With a third-person view and hundreds of skins to choose from, you can get victory royales with your brain turned off. If you’re not into the battle royale formula, there are other games you can play.
Creative Mode offers many different experiences that range from simulators to horror games. You can even play casual games of team deathmatch using various weapons from across the game’s history. It’s simple, it’s fun, and it doesn’t need to be too complex if you don’t want it to be.
1 Mario Kart 8: Deluxe
Racing Games Are Easy
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Like Follow Followed Racing Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 92/100 Critics Rec: 99% Released April 28, 2017 ESRB E Developer(s) Nintendo EAD, Nintendo EPD Publisher(s) Nintendo Engine Unreal Engine 4 Franchise Mario KartWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALIf you’re looking for an entire genre that mostly lets you play with your brain off, then racing games will do the trick. Most of these games just focus on keeping your eyes on the road and performing some kind of disruption to send your opponents to the back of the line.
Mario Kart 8 is perfect for this since it is not only aesthetically pleasing, but has many maps and characters from across the Mario Kart series. It’s also a great game to play couch multiplayer on for the casual hangout, where no one wants to think too hard about strategies.
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