Long story short I started watching the Handmaid’s Tale, just finished episode 3 and it’s terribly depressing and too real for me. I’ll keep watching but I need to counter all this negativity.
Hence why I’m looking for some “aftercare” games that will help me cope. Something easy, where I don’t have to think and just follow along good vibes.
I have played the following games, which kind of fit what I’m looking for:
- a short hike
- carto
- frog detective (all 3)
- islanders
- helltaker
- spec ops the line (just kidding)
- mini metro / motorways
- dave the diver
Thank you !
Because you mentioned Islanders, maybe Dorfromantik?
Good idea, I’ll reinstall it, thanks!
A nice aspect of survivor games on the deck is that you can play them single handed (for the most part). I like to clone the left stick onto the right one so I can play with either hand.
Brotato is my current pick for this.
- Cult of the Lamb
- Vampire Survivors
- Halls of Torment
I didn’t think of survivors games but they fit perfectly, thank you!
- Lost in Play - adorable game about two siblings and their imagined adventure…or is it?
- Tinykin - platform puzzler collectathon with zero enemies. Just cozy vibes.
- Freshly Frosted - Want to feel personally encouraged by a soothing narrator while making donut machines?
- Tiny Glade - make cute castles. That’s it!
- KeyWe - kiwi mail delivery. Literally.
- The Were Cleaner - werewolf janitor.
- Little Inferno - silly game where you burn things to get more things to burn. Also, Sugar Plumps!
- A Hat in Time - puzzle platformer collectathon that’s cute and creative
- Dangeresque: The Roomisode Triungulate - silly point and click adventure. Looks like I’m gonna have to jump…!
- Hidden Through Time - Where’s Waldo but more animated.
- Thomas Was Alone - platformer where Thomas might not be as alone as he thinks (in a good way).
While Little Inferno is a great game, and starts light and breezy it turns pretty dark later on. May not be exactly what OP is looking for.
thomas was alone is the most i’ve cried at rectangles
Same. I should replay that one.
Fantastic list, thank you!
If you like english humor, check out “Thank goodness your here”. Alternatively “Tiny terry’s turbo trip” or “Untitled goose game”.
Oh I remember playing the Goose game, will check out the British one, thanks!
My list of endorphin-boosting games:
Dorfromantik
Unpacking
A Little To The Left
Tiny Glade - though this one barely qualifies as a gameIf you want something a little more gamified: Balatro is amazing and addictive.
TOEM is usually the game that I suggest for this sort of genre. I got it from someone who had an extra key from a humble bundle, and in hindsight I wish I bought it because they deserve the money.
Check out Natsu-Mon: 21st Century Summer Kid. It’s not Deck verified, but it’s platinum on ProtonDB, so it should work. I played it on Linux (albeit not on Deck) with no issue.
You just get to be a kid in the summer in a small Japanese town. I grieved when it was over because I wouldn’t get to see all the friends I had made anymore or go fishing or hunt treasure or catch bugs…
So wholesome!
I’m a huge fan of Mice Tea (nsfw), it’s more comic than game (it’s actually a choose-your-own-adventure) but I read it on my Deck <3
It’s an erotic romance about a nerdy girl, a bookstore, and some magic tea that turns you into a furry. Tons of literal and metaphorical aftercare.
Update: 15ish hours in, I’m voicing like four characters and my partner is voicing all of the others. We are absolutely loving it so far. Thank you for the recco!
hell yeah! don’t forget to wishlist Coffee Buns and Crossed Signals, a couple of other stories being worked on by the same team :)
TF me into a furry? Uhhhh how have I not played that yet
Ill give you some more fast paced than the other recommendations. Games that really suck me in for hours zoned out.
Nova Drift helped me zone out for hours and is good on the steam deck. It’s an Asteroids style game. It’s just shoot up fun with more upgrades the longer you survive.
Crab Champions is a silly shooter with the same basic recipe. Survive, get upgrades. It’s silly though because you are a crab, fighting other crabs. It’s fun.
Comedy option - Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy. Face your life frustrations head on and play a game designed to make you angry.
What I’ve played on my Deck over the last months and would consider more of the type of games you listed:
- Tiny Terry’s Turbo Trip
- Paper Trail
- Smushi Come Home
- Little Kitty, Big City
- Slash Quest
- Haven Park
- Loddlenaut
Edit: Formatting
The rookie
Cat fishing (maybe it’s called fishing with cat?) glad you already did for detective, cat quest 1-3, trine is pretty laid back, Thomas was alone, undertale,
Reus2 has been most of my deck commuting playtime if I’m honest. Great little game with endless replayability.
Never heard of it, sounds fun!
- terra nil
- what the golf
Unpacking (if mouse control via touch pads is ok for you)
