Post-Apocalyptic or ‘End of The World’ games are typically about degradation of civilizations and worlds as a result of wars, pollution, disease and even supernatural creatures or entities. Understandably, this content rarely coincides with lighthearted, relaxing gameplay. However, not all ‘End of The World’ games are perilous, high-stakes experiences but instead quite the opposite.
It may not be an earth-shattering revelation that some of the most popular games set in post-apocalyptic worlds such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild or Telltale’s The Walking Dead have a certain magic for being stress-relievers. Stockpile supplies and take shelter with these post-apocalyptic games that tackle the ‘End of the World’ while embracing breathtaking landscapes, whimsical music, wholesome characters and combat-light, stress-free gameplay.
10 Nier Automata
Humankind has taken sanctuary on the moon while deploying androids to fight off an extraterrestrial invasion and restore their home planet; Nier Automata is the perfect post-apocalyptic game set in Japan for wandering the urban ruins of a former civilization, unafraid to engage in warfare at every turn while taking in the views.
The gameplay consists of a rotation of combat styles from hack-and-slash to melee to long-range attacks to flying projectiles and back again. Even the fixed camera angles for each new fight or the ability to lock cameras to target one enemy makes the ever-changing combat throughout Nier Automata feel refreshing and unpredictable. Pair the stunning visuals with the nebulous message about the meaning of existence and the combat-heavy Nier Automata has a breathtaking shine to it.
9 Death Stranding
When the 'Beach' (aka purgatory) became intertwined with the living world, hostile souls attacked the living, causing explosions of mass destruction; the surviving human population relies on transporters to deliver supplies, resulting in the protagonist of Death Stranding embarking on fetch quests across the remnants of the United States of America.
Death Stranding is criticized rightfully for its frustrating luggage management, deliveries that could be more fun and a borderline amusing, incomprehensible plot. However, watching the familiar faces of famous actors Norman Reedus and Mads Mikaelson figure out how to soothe BB has an element of endearing parenting simulator gameplay. Dark and confusing, Death Stranding can still render cynics speechless with its hyperrealistic graphics and its slow-paced gameplay that has an inexplicable relaxing escapist quality.
8 Rain World
An unlikely choice for a relaxing post-apocalyptic adventure, Rain World is a survival platform game about clawing through environmental hazards while being hounded by the disturbing creatures that evolved within the warped ecosystem. There is a haunting beauty to the bleakness of Rain World and the cruelty of its predators, contrasted by its sweet-natured protagonist with a tragic backstory: the Slugcat.
The Rain World:Downpour DLC leans into the cuteness with the ability to adopt ‘Slugpups’, adorable baby Slugcats for players to protect, reminiscent of 2013 Indie game Shelter. An additional comfort is the ability to tame lizards in Rainworld and befriend them as fierce bodyguards; with an army of loyal Lizards and a nursery of baby Slugcats by the player’s side, Rain World can be appreciated for the idea that shelter can be found even in the most unforgiving post-apocalyptic landscapes.
7 Outer Wilds
Players who fear death and the unlimited potential of the universe may find Outer Wilds a strange kind of exposure therapy. Stuck in a time loop in a Solar System destined to be decimated repeatedly by a supernova every twenty-two minutes, Outer Wilds challenges players to not only face multiple deaths but to enjoy every second of consciousness while exploring a beautiful galaxy.
Set to a calming soundtrack, players can make discoveries, solve puzzles and gaze around at strange yet mesmerizing landscapes. Rather than being a hopeless “end of the world” game, Outer Wilds has the shining hope that players will solve the mystery to create a new, long-lasting solar system if they are brave enough to face both the darker and lighthearted aspects of an open-world galactic adventure.
6 Bastion
Bastion is a floating platform game where colorful tiles rise up under the protagonist’s feet as they smash boxes, fetch weapons and blast through enemies in a search for a way to restore the city of Caelondia. As is typical of many post-apocalyptic games, the protagonist of Bastion wakes up in the desolate remains of a devastated by an unknown catastrophe; what is atypical in these games is the great ASMR accompaniment of a gruff, sarcastic narrator who provides amusing commentary on the player’s actions as they happen.
The consensus as to whether the storytelling is a masterpiece or lacking is divisive; however, gamers who enjoy platformer combat, steadily uncovering mysteries and a dry-wit narrator will likely embrace Bastion wholeheartedly as a relaxing, worry-free post-apocalyptic game.
5 Hyper Light Drifter
Arriving in a world strewn with dead bodies as a result of an unknown disaster, the protagonist of Hyper Light Drifter is immediately thrown into a quest to seek out the cure to their terminal disease. Indie developers Heart Machine chose to pay homage to 2D pixilated art styles with a color palette that is nothing short of breathtaking. This game offers regular combat with relatively difficult boss fights, made easier with various weapon and ability upgrades as gamers work their way through the eye-catching levels.
For players who become frustrated with endlessly skipping trivial dialogue, Hyper Light Drifter is an entirely wordless game with no dialogue even during story-driven cutscenes. This silence creates a peaceful, yet mysterious ambiance as players attempt to uncover this game’s secrets.
4 Shadow of The Colossus
The Shadow of The Colossus offers a calming post-apocalypse game, where the map consists of potential post-apocalyptic ruins of an ancient world with architecture reminiscent of the Aztecs. There is no endless fighting or never-ending hordes of enemies to slash through in Shadow of The Colossus. Players must resurrect the protagonist’s loved one by successfully tackling half animal, half stonework towering colossi in Shadow of The Colossus, each with their own unique features and weaknesses to use in order to swiftly defeat them.
This game can easily become a long, peaceful horse ride through a lost civilization, from the grassy mountains to dense forests, wave-washed coastlines, and sand-strewn desert that are a delight to explore in the player’s own sweet time.
3 Submerged: Hidden Depths
Submerged: Hidden Depths lives up to the developer Uppercut Games' label of a “relaxploration game” by opening on the mesmerizing sight of Miku and Taku sailing on cool blue water, accompanied by an orange sunset and a melancholic, yet touching violin sonata. After a black substance called ‘Mass’ led to cities being swallowed up into the ocean, the siblings fled their troubled home life to restore their world to its former beauty.
While criticized for perceived shallow gameplay and limited improvements on its 2016 prequel, Submerged, fans insist on savoring every light puzzle, scouting out all the collectibles and reading the lore found in book entries to glean the most from this game. Whether players admire the music, the low-stakes no-combat gameplay, the gorgeous scenery or the curiosities of animals and people wrapped in glowing vines, Submerged: Hidden Depths offers something for any gamer seeking a rewarding and relaxing post-apocalyptic game.
2 Everybody’s Gone To The Rapture
Everybody’s Gone To The Rapture is set in a deserted yet stunning English village, where players must wander to understand why its residents are mysteriously missing. Secrets are uncovered via flashbacks featuring disembodied voices and glimmering golden lights where people would have stood, an eerie yet beautiful way of witnessing the villagers’ most distressing moments.
Early reviews criticized this game for being a slow-paced walking simulator, but perhaps its merit was prematurely cast aside. In light of recent years, gamers may have a soft spot for a town of well-meaning people caught in the despair of a wide-spread pandemic. For players used to imminent danger and constantly looking over shoulders for enemies, Everybody’s Gone To The Rapture is a refreshing change of pace. The main goal is an idyllic stroll through countryside peppered with cottages and flowery gardens with a hint of sadness underneath.
1 My Time At Portia
Although clearly not the most realistic post-apocalyptic depiction, My Time At Portia is a hopeful, lighthearted game about a world rebuilding after disaster and ruin. Similar to popular open-ended, country and farming simulator games like Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing, My Time At Portia is perfect for players who love to build, farm and resource manage. Socializing with locals leads to unlocking mini-games and choosing to date or marry a local often results in a partner who provides benefits, discounts and a helping hand.
Not entirely devoid of darkness, players still tackle the environmental challenges caused by toxic waste and can engage in combat against the monsters created by pollution. However, the visuals are relentlessly bright, happy and colorful, and players can choose what they pursue in Portia without catastrophic negative consequences attached to most apocalyptic games.