5 Great "Casual" PC Games
There sometimes comes a point when gaming where you want to put down the blaster, unload the rocket launcher, and just relax a little with something a bit more leisurely. Collectively, online game distribution platform Steam tends to refer to these as "casual" games, although that catch-all term covers a wildly different array of gameplay. They range from card games to life simulators, to automation and puzzles. You could also try your hand at online slots, although we would advise checking you visit best-slots-sites.co.uk before playing online. Here are some of our suggestions for some more "casual" PC games when you're tired of all the killing.
You can't talk about "casual" PC games without mentioning the grandfather of life simulators, 'The Sims'. Created by Will Wright in 2000, the game lets you create and take control of a bunch of virtual characters, from birth, through those awkward teenage years, to adulthood, working life retirement, and death (although that isn't always the end in a Sims world!) Now on its 4th iteration, this massive franchise has sold nearly 200 million copies worldwide, and it is one of the best-selling video game series of all time. Known for its wide array of expansion packs, you can now add pets, learn magic, investigate aliens, or even head into the world of Star Wars!
Cities: Skylines is somewhat the spiritual successor to the SimCity series. A modern take on the classic city simulation, the game allows the player to realise the thrill and hardships of creating and maintaining a real city whilst expanding on some well-established tropes of the city building experience. Much like 'The Sims', this is also a game that comes with a multitude of DLC, adding in extra building types/styles, radio stations, and travel options for your digital metropolis. Additionally, there is a huge amount of mod support on the Steam workshop, adding even more content options for you to spend hours (or weeks…) crafting a virtual paradise.
The mini-game which was so popular in 'The Witcher 3' they spun it out into its own standalone esport series! Gwent is a card game of choices and consequences, where skill, not luck, is your greatest weapon. The turn-based card game pits two players against each other, with each game taking three rounds. Each player must play one card each turn from a deck of cards, placing the card in one of the two tactically distinct rows – either melee and ranged. The objective is to get more points than your opponent and win 2 out of the 3 rounds.
What makes the game so clever and addictive are the card decks. Each deck can be handcrafted by the player from a variety of possible factions, each with a different playstyle, and a multitude of possible deck compositions. The better combination of cards you can stack in your deck, the better chance you have of winning. However, the game is well balanced, meaning if you don't refine your deck based on your opponent, you could come unstuck very easily!
Sooo… yes, this game does have some killing in it, but given the cuteness of the graphics, and the time-limited length of the games, it does fit securely into the "casual" category. The player joins "matches" of 4-10 people online or via local WiFi as you attempt to prepare your spaceship for departure, but beware… one or more random players among the Crew are Impostors bent on killing everyone! After a crew member is murdered, the rest of the team can call a meeting and try to guess which player is the suspected killer (launching a million memes about which player is "sus"), giving them the option to vote on whether to eject the "sus" player into space! It's wonderfully silly, murderous, fun.
Ever wanted to try your hand at farming? While now you can (albeit in pixel format). Stardew Valley sees you inherit your grandfather's old farm plot. Armed with hand-me-down tools and a few coins, you set out to begin your new life. Can you learn to live off the land and turn these overgrown fields into a thriving home? You can play online with friends, or play with the 30 unique NPC characters living in the valley. Raise animals, grow crops, even get married or go fishing.
There are so many great casual games for PC out there, you can find a full list here on Steam if you want more.
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