There’s a very particular feeling to the days between Christmas and New Year.
In my little house in Scotland, the decorations are still up, the fridge is packed with leftovers, and time feels… a bit wobbly. I’m not quite ready to jump back into normal life; in fact, I don’t have the energy for anything much at all.
‘Betwixtmas’ is prime low-energy gaming season.
So if low-energy hobbies are what you’re craving, here are nine low-energy cosy games that I’ve found to be perfect for this quiet stretch of the year.
1. Dorfromantik
Dorfromantik is my absolute go-to game for chilling out my brain. It is especially good if you are listening to a podcast or audiobook, as it’s easy to keep your hands busy without taking up too much bandwidth.
You place tiles to build landscapes (forests, rivers, villages) with lovely music and no pressure to optimise. You can play endlessly, dipping in and out without needing to remember what you were doing last time. Easy to set down for a quick nap and get back to later.
Available on:
- Nintendo Switch
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X|S
- PC (Steam)
2. Log Away
Log Away feels less like playing and more like stepping away from everything and going on holiday without anyone else. Goodbye.
You choose a quiet retreat and decorate your cabin (inside and out) as the weather changes outside. There are no objectives to complete, and no pressure to do anything at all, really. You can decorate, listen to the acoustic soundtrack, revisit keepsakes you’ve collected, or just sit and watch the world go by.
It’s perfect for those in-between Christmas days when your brain is done for the year and even low-stakes gameplay feels like too much. Log Away meets you exactly where you are.
Read my Log Away review to see what you think.
Available on:
- PC (Steam)
3. Coffee Talk
Coffee Talk is perfectly named, as it really does feel like a mug of coffee in game form.
You play as a barista in a late-night café, listening to customers talk about their lives while you make them drinks. No thinking is really required; just conversations with a whole host of characters while the rain taps against the windows of your Seattle café.
Available on:
- Nintendo Switch
- PlayStation 4 & 5
- Xbox One & Series X|S
- PC (Steam)
4. Unpacking
In Unpacking, you unpack boxes and place belongings into rooms, gradually learning about a person’s life through what they own and where it ends up. There’s no right or wrong way to play, although you do need to place certain items where they belong (you can’t put a cushion in the bath, for example).
This one is especially good if your brain feels cluttered and you want to help calm it down.
Available on:
- Nintendo Switch
- PlayStation 4 & 5
- Xbox One & Series X|S
- PC (Steam)
5. A Little to the Left
If your idea of relaxation is tidying a drawer to tidy the mind, A Little to the Left is a lovely choice.
Each puzzle involves organising everyday objects (books, stationery, kitchen bits) with a sense of humour (and a mischievous cat). You can solve puzzles at your own pace, and most can be approached in more than one way.
Available on:
- Nintendo Switch
- PlayStation 4 & 5
- Xbox One & Series X|S
- PC (Steam)
6. Undusted: Letters from the Past
Undusted: Letters from the Past is a low-energy game that is made for those ‘be-twixt-mas’ afternoons.
You explore illustrated spaces, uncover objects and piece together memories through letters and storytelling. There’s no pressure to be quick or precise. You can take as long as you like, pausing whenever your energy dips.
It’s ideal if you want a game that lets your mind wander while still feeling absorbing.
Available on:
- PC (Steam)
7. Assemble with Care
Assemble with Care is a short game about repairing objects like radios, cameras, and clocks, and learning the stories behind the people who own them.
The puzzles are simple and tactile, and the narrative isn’t heavy. It’s ideal if you want something you can finish over a few afternoons, without committing to a massive game world. This one is low stakes, with lovely storytelling, and very easy on overstimulated brains.
Available on:
- Nintendo Switch
- PC (Steam)
8. Spiritfarer
Spiritfarer is a beautiful game about dying that is still low-energy to play.
You are a ferrymaster to the deceased who cares for spirits, completes small tasks, and finally releases them into the afterlife. There’s no punishment for going slowly; in fact, the game encourages it.
This one is gorgeous if you’re feeling reflective at the end of the year and want something meaningful but still relaxing to see you into the first weeks of January.
Available on:
- Nintendo Switch
- PlayStation 4 & 5
- Xbox One & Series X|S
- PC (Steam)
9. Lake – Seasons Greetings
I always recommend the game Lake, but I wanted a special mention for the DLC (downloadable content): Lake – Seasons Greetings.
It’s Christmas time, 1985. You take on the role of Thomas Weiss, and will be treated to a warm reunion with Providence Oaks and its inhabitants. Get answers to questions that were teased in Lake, meet five completely new characters, and find out which role an almost-retired postal worker can play in delivering the Christmas spirit to Providence Oaks.
Available on:
- PlayStation 4 & 5
- Xbox One & Series X|S
- PC (Steam)
The week between Christmas and New Year should be for rest, and doing things that feel kind to your nervous system. Low-energy games like these let you stay connected to your hobby without demanding too much from you… And sometimes that’s exactly what we need.
If you’ve been feeling a bit foggy or overstimulated, I hope one of these games gives you a soft place to land before the new year begins.
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