Top 10 Relaxing Games

[@gamera2351]

I'm loving Mike. I felt you could never replace Sam in the Top 10s, and Mike is very different from Sam... .... but he's great. He's really great. Love him on these videos.

[@jamesheintz5685]

I really like him, however, I sometimes get frustrated when he spends too much time setting up his comments.

[@gamera2351]

Yeah he does. But if you remember, Sam would talk about a game for 3 minutes before revealing what it is. So im used to Dice Tower top 10s doing that. 😄

[@Acroherd]

I met mike and played with him at the last DTC. He really is a great dude and the persona you see on camera is the same i saw in person which for me gives me that genuine feel.

[@ZachLorton]

Right? Mike is very chill himself, it feels like. This list must have been right up his alley.

[@LilBoyHexley]

@@jamesheintz5685 It's funny you say that when that was basically Sam's *thing*.

[@ninajiron5488]

Zee's description, about three minutes in, is how I feel about relaxing games. I think he hit the nail on the head.

[@notmynamedammit]

I think "top 10 rules we ignore" or "top 10 games where we ignore the rules" might be an interesting list

[@GayestWinston]

Amazing idea!

[@GayestWinston]

Have they made one?

[@LEGnewTube]

@@GayestWinston they just released a top 10 annoying rules!

[@grantofat6438]

"Top 10 games where we don't know the rules, but we play them online anyway to annoy anyone who is watching".

[@pubsociology2945]

I am a grad student who was been working on his PhD dissertation and navigating the academic job market. I have relied heavily on board games to destress and relax.

[@bensgoogle]

10. Herbaceous 9. Qwirkle 8. Lanterns: The Harvest Festival 7. Bloom 6. Sagrada 5. NMBR 9 4. Carcassonne 3. Patchwork 2. Cribbage 1. Tokaido

[@scottmcloud257]

You have obviously never played cribbage with anyone like my family. I love Lanterns.

[@larrye]

Isle of Cats Family Mode is fairly relaxing. Nice, simple and not overly competitive.

[@markstamp3937]

I find Tsuro relaxing, choices aren’t difficult and it’s so short that losing doesn’t matter because you just play again.

[@intrepidmeeple7353]

Totally agree. The pieces are tactile, the colours and artwork soothing, the play easy and quick. A great game to end a board game evening on.

[@mardel5466]

Interesting, I actually find thinking about the right track can get frustrating

[@donteatpoop4689]

We use a house rule on this that kind of makes it stressful. You can assassinate other dragons by making a path to intercept another dragon. If you successfully do so, your turn ends on the tile where the assassination occurs and you may choose any one path on that tile as your new path for the game. But game as-is is pretty non-stressful, I agree.

[@paulraggett6105]

If you like Tsuro, try Indigo.

[@jamesheintz5685]

I find Love Letter relaxing. It is easy to keep track of what's been played. If you lose, it was a quick game, so no big deal.

[@dhowes]

I agree with this 100%

[@dapineaple]

For as long as I can remember I’ve used video games as a way to destress and relax. Whether it’s Call of Duty, WoW, Doom Eternal, or Stardew Valley, coming home and turning on a video game has always helped me relax. Board games accomplish the same thing. Sometimes I’ll even pull out a solo game instead of a video game.

[@Steve-kr3zj]

Everdell solo and with family is actually quite relaxing. Baren Park is also very chill.

[@kyleparthum3494]

My favorite dice tower trio. Great list.

[@sluggo562]

Any game where you already know the rules.

[@Alittlefruitgoesalongway]

Yeah, this is so true. It's relaxing to be able to play a game without having to flip through the rulebook, even if the game is a little complicated.

[@tracieperez2629]

Sunset over Water and Silver and Gold are such great choices, I love playing these games to chill out.

[@e.l.2386]

If there was a top 10 list of top 10 relaxing top 10 lists...this video would be on that list.

[@angelarosano4598]

Updated version of this! I love relaxing light board games

[@jwspiker]

i personally think board games help me take my mind off of work/other areas and get me to think about something else.

[@BuckFu]

I can’t believe they left “silly putty with the funny papers” off this list. So relaxing. 😌

[@PaulRamen]

I watched these top 10 to relax

[@davegildersleeve4316]

Dixit is probably my number one. You just guess, no stress! Also Kodama, where you just build your little trees. Easy peasy! And original Carcassonne. You're hoping to get a tile you need, but no real stressful play to me anyway. I find Barenpark quite a bit more tense than Tom, once the tiles start disappearing.

[@Zaloomination]

I just ordered Carcassone hoping to have a calming, not very competitive game with my wife. Tell me more about how Carcassone is relaxing?

[@scottrenfer2735]

My family LOVES Dixit! Such a great fun and easy to play game!

[@bibleboardgames]

Playing most board games are destressing and relaxing to me and I would choose most over watching a movie. I think who you play with makes a difference so I wouldn't choose competitive mechanics if the group doesn't handle that well. Some very good picks guys! ok, gotta go to sleep now... hope I don't dream of competing with Bob Ross.

[@he2689]

My group calls Bob Ross Art of Chill "the most unchill chill game ever"! Totally agree with Zee, we're constantly yelling at Bob every time his face comes up on the die.

[@djmurp2]

H E Bingo! My wife and I think the game title was meant to be ironic. There’s a huge difference between watching Bob Ross paint and trying to paint like Bob Ross. This game was going for the emotional quality of the latter.

[@he2689]

@@djmurp2 Quite possible! It's a great little game, and we enjoy playing it. It's just not going to be a calm 20 minutes, lol.

[@mikaelhansson9260]

As important as the game itself is the company you play it with. If everyone is in a good mood and know the rules, many games can be relaxing.

[@sqorrox7364]

Having grown up playing those kind of traditional card games I totally get what Tom and the rest of them are saying. When I was too young to really play I'd be sat in front of my parent/sibling with them holding the cards in front of me/them. Then, as I got older I was able to play and for years when I'd stay with my Dad every other weekend and it would just be the two of us we could play cards for hours. I could play things like Gin (using family rules, ofc, as every single person seems to have grown up with a slightly different set of rules) and Cribbage in my sleep now and whilst newer games have replaced these sorts of games over the years I will still always travel with a deck of cards.

[@kayakbrent]

I think a solo game that you know very well can be relaxing. It's like a physical mantra.

[@ericdollarhyde3296]

top 5?

[@michaelhastriter3299]

Some find swimming relaxing some can't swim and find other things relaxing different strokes for different folks... am I the only one who died🤣

[@nicholasimholte7359]

I loved the pun.

[@thegamethemovie9605]

Perfect answer. I sink like a rock in water.

[@felixfryxell7529]

Playing a game, just like playing a piece of music, requires energy. But watching a game, just like listening to music, is relaxing. I love watching pros play games.

[@brantshepherd9387]

I think all games are relaxing. Games are low stakes. In the end it doesn’t matter who wins or loses. So, escape the real world for a little bit and set your mind to working on something that if you screw up doesn’t really matter in the end. No one will die or be harmed by a mistake you make.

[@garys4067]

My wife and I find Lanterns to be a very relaxing and fun game.

[@obsidianace9976]

I find single player wingspan to be the most relaxing game to play. It's such a nice simple game

[@arvi8843]

Yaaas! With the Wingspan Soundtrack on while playing it. 🦅🦉🦜

[@ekconley6429]

Some great choices on this list! Similarly, Tokaido, Bob Ross Art of Chill, Sunset over Water, and Herbaceous (pocket edition) are chill games for us. Kanagawa is for me as well (my wife and daughter are split on it though), but haven't played it in a while! I played Santa Monica only solo once, certainly enjoyable and one I'd like to get out again! I can't really think of others off the cuff, but certainly enjoy nature themed games as our relaxing ones! Thanks for the video!

[@hanseathl]

For me it is just the contrary as for one of the first comments you quoted. Gaming is one of the most relaxing activities I do. The way it engages my mind is perfect for me to relax from my day job and the chores of life. I guess it is just another way to look at it.

[@_Cervantez]

I find heavy and complex games the most relaxing. The more my brain needs to work during game play, the less I can think about my other worries. I just need games that fill my brain to the brim to flush everything else out.

[@benlauson555]

Agree 100%. Lignum helps me calm down.

[@MH-tl8bb]

Watching this late, but Mike is really great, glad to be seeing more of him

[@danielweil-brenner9261]

Most relaxing game, playing Coffee Roaster while having a cup of coffee

[@MrMaelstrom07]

Was Codex Naturalis not out yet? I find the artwork and gameplay to be very pleasant and relaxing.

[@chauveet]

I opened the video and was instantly pleased to see Mike in the middle!

[@Nikolus]

Herbaceous and Indian Summer came to mind immediately for me. Mike has the right idea. I also recently got Cartographers and find it extremely chill.

[@twinkle04evr]

I am glad Mike mentioned Sunset Over Water, we owned and enjoyed that game. It's definitely under radar.

[@selfthinker]

Has anyone noticed that the list has three games each of Antoine Bauza and Phil Walker-Harding?I guess that means they are the most relaxing game designers. ;-) Also, three games were graphically designed by Beth Sobel.

[@JayChampagne]

Mike's just getting drunk and painting whenever he's off the camera.

[@steelman774]

How do you make my grandma swear? Yell “BINGO!”

[@rickthompson3843]

I'm surprised how relaxing I find abstracts to be. First game that came to mind for relaxing is Santorini, especially base game, no gods. For me a lot of the tension (in a good way) from games comes when there is a random element. In a good abstract, with streamlined rules, everything is in my control. Drafting games, which I really love, are some of the least relaxing games because I'm trying to remember what was taken and I'm sweating the choices much more.

[@delija66]

Lanterns and Carcassonne: Over Hill and Dale

[@bev542]

My #1 relaxing game - a solo play of Axio, a game by Reiner Knizia. On a board, with the physical game, of course, not online gaming, never online.

[@ichirofakename]

Thanks for this relaxing review. I don't game for relaxation, quite the opposite. I jump down the KZbin rabbit hole to relax.

[@jherrenor]

Love how much stress they all have in their disagreements talking about what makes a relaxing game and what should not.

[@FANK6o3]

I love you so much Zee

[@benjizt]

Am i the only one who noticed a big Z behind Zee?

[@timoo6197]

The Z didnt age well 😢

[@arcubal]

Yeah, Tokaido would be my first guess (hence my backing of Namiji!) but also Vindication and Tang Garden are rather Zen

[@JJenkify]

I like when Mike is a part of these

[@kirkwagner461]

I and my friends play Apples to Apples without keeping score. Very relaxed, very chatty.

[@sernity230]

I agree with Mike Tokaido is my #1 game of all time. It’s so relaxing. I have actually been painting the mini’s and that had also been relaxing. I just 100% love this game!!!

[@modemacabre]

In general, the heavier and deeper the game the more I am able to relax. When I become completely submerged within the game I can forget about all the stresses and worries of the world. If a game is too light I end up having my current life's stressors distract me. (Of course maybe I'm just odd. I find it far easier to focus on reading a book in a public place like coffee shop or library than sitting at home alone.)

[@JosephFlemming]

tokaido is much more cut throat or at least can be with competitive players. and it does really matter what stuff you get you can have widely varying scores

[@cassandracastro2759]

Totally agree, that game is a wolf with a sheep skin, every time I playd it has been really cutthroat.

[@cartergreen2309]

That game is just one big knife fight imo

[@Boomerang161286]

I always played Concept competitively, or even cooperatively like they did on Tabletop, but I always use the scoring system in the game AND a one-minute timer, so it's really stressful! Really fun, but really stressful!

[@mkietzmann]

I usually play Takenoko as a 2 player game and I find it to be highly competitive and stressful. Once 5-6 objectives are completed, you know you'll have two turns at the most before either player finishes all the ones from their hand in a row. Love it. :)

[@lostnfound4125]

Tom is so high energy, he can't even pretend to be low energy!

[@chimster1234]

For me, Scythe is probably the most relaxing (as long as you dont engage in combat). I find the Top Row/Bottom Row mechanic so satisfying.

[@AthexTube]

A relaxing top 10 for the top 10 relaxing games. Well played.

[@BassForever]

7 wonders stresses me out since I never feel like I have a good idea of what I should be drafting. I'd much rather play a lighter drafting game like Sushi Go if I were trying to relax.

[@bencapili1955]

we play Sushi Go with the Cutthroat selection. We are shouting furiously around the table, daring each other to play Miso or Tofu and boy it can get messy.

[@mydemon]

I find Sushi Go super stressful lol. You have to carefully watch what people are picking and playing, what are the different ways to make points this game, whether to pick fruits of not... Can be a lot ;)

[@dwdillydally]

Loved this list! Lists?

[@benjizt]

There are a few games that almost actively tell me not to sleeve them -- not because the box or insert is too small, but because the card art is so pretty that they must not be hidden behind even clear plastic. Herbaceous is one of those games. And if Dixit was as affordable to replace, the cards would have stayed unsleeved too. Herbaceous is my top solo relaxing game, and Dixit is my top group relaxing game.

[@jameswoodard4304]

My dog and I regularly have competitive napping competitions.

[@alecj3454]

That was a darn fine hat, Tom. Super sharp, dude. You looked tip top today.

[@stevecratchley3224]

Photosynthesis and Planets are relaxing games to play. One you grow a forest and harvest it, the other you design a land base for a planet and attract lots of different animals to your world.

[@melski9205]

Photosynthesis is a war game in our house, I'd not call it relaxing in anyway. People putting trees to block your light is a clear mandate for not talking to them for the rest of the week.

[@dancondonjones]

The moment Tom said his list was very personal, I knew Dominion would be top. And totally agreed oh Silver & Gold. Never a stressful moment in that game.

[@cassandracastro2759]

In no particular order: Tsuro, Lotus, Kanagawa, 51st State, Oh My Goods! (base game), Telestrations, Snake Oil, When I Dream, One Night Ultimate Werewolf, Galaxy Trucker (as long as you accept the fact that s**t WILL happen).

[@garyfaust6769]

I like Hearts as well! I almost always shoot the moon in each game even though everyone knows it's my favorite thing to do in the game. Every round I am either bluffing to or actually going for it. I do not like trying to duck taking points.

[@tarndra1234]

I would say the least relaxing game I have ever played was sushi go party with 8 people. Some people flipped their cards to early and people got confused where we were up to, we had to recount our cards and figure out what happened so many times, at the end we all just looked at each other like 'never again!'.

[@ktotheramer]

#1 Blood Rage. My favorite game and I don’t care if I lose!

[@Bonecrusherdl]

I agree with Toms opinion on Just One but it might depend on the group. When we played it the first time everyone was like "yeah just guess something doesnt matter if its wrong" but it still was fun

[@GlennKarlsenCurlyfied]

I agree with Dominion as a relaxing game. There is also the feedback loop that Animal Crossing / Stardew Valley has. And even when people have attacks or draw what you want it really is just part of a flow. Another element i a game that i find relaxing is just the exciting escape. It might be tense, but it distracts me from real life things. Mage Knight gives me this. Tense and big disitions that doesn’t matter trains my mind to handle IRL choices better.

[@Old_Dirt]

I find playing Gloomhaven solo to be relaxing in a decompressing kind of way

[@ichirofakename]

My mom once shot the moon in hearts two hands in a row, successfully.

[@larrytedmcbride]

Your mom is the bomb! :)

[@ballsmckinley2443]

One time when I was younger, I shot the moon to a bunch of babes in a car next to us on the road. One of them shot the moon back. It was awesome.

[@Jackrabbit9961]

Just starting this video months later and wondering how Zee will work in Pandemic on this topic :)

[@sluggo562]

Tom: Feeling Mike: Theme Zee: Mechanic

[@adelfaidah3224]

I find netrunner to be extremely relaxing especially against a jinteki

[@ComodinZero]

My eye is twitching from your comment

[@donadavs]

We play Concept where the the clue giver gets points according to the number on the card they pick and the correct guesser gets 2 points. Everyone goes twice. Count points. Not relaxing, but very fun.

[@1981dardar]

Whether a game is relaxing or not depends on the group playing it

[@vinclash7763]

I agree with Mike about The Bob Ross The Art Of Chill Game. Mike is right. It's a good relaxing game. 🙂👍

[@dandurkin9735]

About Parks: I think there's too much going on to make it relaxing. I agree with Zee - too much turn angst. Fun game, though.

[@Sajatzsiraf]

Zee, where is the HATE box?!

[@roaldfurstenberg5267]

what's the game on Zee's shelves in die background? the one with pink shapes on it and that looks huge?

[@MrGoandrush]

Brains, Gift of enlightenment, Dixit / Imaginarium (Russian Dixit), Before there were stars, Chess, Kingdomino, The Mind, Nmbr9, Funghi, Patchwork, Scrawl, Herd mentalitym, Keltis, Hive, Indian summer, Tsuro

[@jameswoodard4304]

Also, if Tom thinks playing Dominoes is relaxing, he's obviously never played with a bunch of elderly Baptist ladies. I swear I almost lost some fingers that day. It's all sweetness and light until someone starts rattling bones.

[@davidhitchcock6398]

I find Tokaido very cut throat when we play. For me, brewcrafter card game and picnic blitz are relaxing. Also Canvas, surprised it didn’t pop up.

[@user-yw5oj1dk7o]

Canvas came out the year after this video was uploaded

[@susanjohnson318]

Zee, since I bought Sunset Over Water because of your review, I will check out Herbaceous. Tom, I thought of Tales of Arabian Nights before you mentioned it and it was for all the reasons you said!

[@sethchiles]

Shouldn't this have been called a "Top Zen List"?

[@sethchiles]

and, I'm surprised there was no Call to Adventure. I love the story-telling aspect of this game and immersing myself into that really relaxes me.

[@ericdollarhyde3296]

Seth Chiles 😂😂😂

[@danacoleman4007]

nice.

[@Valcurdra]

Dominion is a great pick, that is a very relaxing game. My top pick would be Luxor, simple turns, but enough going on your still engaged

[@kimoro9643]

Eeek! Thank you for using my photo of PARKS, I just uploaded it onto BGG and what a thrill to see it here! Love that game, don’t agree that it is relaxing though because I am always desperate to get as many of the beautiful cards as I can. And the solo version is even more stressful 😜 I agree that Near and Far is very relaxing and satisfying and also I like playing Sagrada to relax... but the best are memory games like ‘Arctic Animals from Cape Dorset Memory Game’ just matching beautiful images.

[@gamera2351]

I think a lot of what makes games relaxing are games where you do not care one bit if you win. You just enjoy the experience. And that happens most commonly in random games. That's why Uno is relaxing. I'd say my #1 pick for relaxing is Talisman. You could find a bag of gold. You could find a dragon that whups you. It doesn't matter and its just a time waster and an enjoyable night with friends.

[@sebastiantrost6409]

I prefer heavier games for relaxation: TerraformingMars/RisingSun/ForbiddenStars relax me because of their intesity. My work doesn't stop when I go home in the evening or when it's weekend, so playing something that occupies my mind is actually refreshing and relaxing. Mostly because it is something different to think about and potentially because I have a rather complete understanding of what a want/need to do. Obviously this is an extremely diverse top10, even for a singlular person. Games are relaxing for a plethora of different reasons and many different ways. Some games are relaxing because of their colours and artstyle - like Yamatai - or their simplicity and brevity - Quadropolis - or silliness - partygames in general - which most of my friends will gravitate towards for relaxation.

[@Alittlefruitgoesalongway]

I agree. Sometimes heavy games can be really relaxing for me, and sometimes very light ones are nice too if I'm a bit tired. One of my favorite games is Warhammer Age of Sigmar. It takes some time to set up, and has a lot of miniatures to move, but at least with my play group, it's all about having fun and just playing. Silly things happen sometimes and sometimes dice give amazing results and laughably bad ones, and it's fun for me. I also love the painting part of that hobby, but I could see why some people may not find that kind of game relaxing, with all of it's rules and things.

[@Chenzana]

KanaGawa is amaizing. So chill and nice. I love this game

[@chrismusix5669]

There's a variant in the original Lost Cities boardgame that lets you go up or down in the numbers.

[@elysesmith4292]

Anyone who would say dominoes is relaxing has never been in the same building as a group of south Americans playing dominoes!!😆

[@flobbablopp630]

No particular order: Tapestry, Wingspan, Neom, It's a wonderful world, Terraforming Mars, Caverna, Everdell, Space Park

[@cartergreen2309]

Terraforming Mars is an excellent pick. I just can't imagine a worker placement game being relaxing lol everdell is in my top 30 and caverna is my favorite game of all time so I love them but I am never relaxed in a wp game. To each their own

[@tomasxfranco]

It always feels weird seeing hatless Tom.

[@TheMattvf16]

Tom Franco, but that blue hat/shirt/tie combo in this video is stunning.

[@aljohnson5601]

Dominion is also my #1! Part of the reason is the clear rule set.

[@katstar1982]

Hahaha Zee as stalker Bob Ross had me rolling.

[@ngvot]

is there a list of all the games they mentioned in the video? :) or timestamps?

[@corvus418]

Always at the end

[@ngvot]

@@corvus418 cheers!

[@corvus418]

@@ngvot :)