Best Casual Games – Top 10 Picks
Sometimes, it’s not about grinding the game until you have accomplished 110%. Sometimes, you just want a casual game you play with friends or alone to experience a whimsical world, virtual reality, or an excellent cooking simulator. There are minor to no casual multiplayer games. The entry bar is extremely high in most cases, and it seems like if you don’t put 80 hours a week into a title, then it’s almost impossible to enjoy and play against others. So, you go for a plain mobile tower defense game or simple puzzle game where it’s just you and your phone.
In this article, we will review the most notable casual games for you to check out if you want to play a full-fledged title and enjoy some incredible graphics, gameplay, and fun from the top tags. We assure you that you will find your perfect casual game in no time in this top 10 must-play picks from the popular casual games. And – they are all available for a great price at Royal CD Keys! Let’s dive in!
Among Us
Release Date: June 2018
Developer: InnerSloth LLC, PlayEveryWare
Platform(s): PC, Switch, Android, iOS
Meta Score: 85
First up, we have the internet sensation – Among Us. It’s one of the best games to play, with a virtual world full of impostors in the end. As you don’t need many skills to enjoy this particular title, only your sense of justice and being clever, we feel like it’s the perfect start to the world of casual games, especially since you can play it on almost any device.
The basic concept is pretty simple – you, among others, are on the spaceship, And, as it usually happens, there are a couple of things to do there. You need to repair something, check stuff, murder everyone else on the ship, and take control of it as an alien being that you are – usual stuff!
You play either as crewmates or impostors. Crewmates are your typical Joes, going about their days, who do not yet know about the potential horror that is about to commence. On the other hand, impostors are unfriendly alien beings aiming to murder everyone and eliminate all the Crewmates without being detected. There are usually from 1-3 of those, so there is a lot to worry about.
After each kill, the meeting will commence, where you will decide whether or not to throw someone out. Each group member will explain why a particular individual of the night should be ejected. If the group comes to a satisfying conclusion, the potential impostor will be thrown out.
The best thing about this title is that it does not require any abilities expected from some logical thinking. For example, if you have seen John’s dead body and saw that John and Stacy went to the same room minutes before, it’s safe to assume that Stacy may have been involved in that killing.
It’s all based on the stories people tell to each other, so if you can master the “golden tongue”-achievements IRL, then it’s the perfect game for you to enjoy. The rounds are short, so it won’t be a significant commitment. You can just begin at 8 p.m., play a match or two, and return to your business as usual. It’s been a phenomenon in recent years, so you can try it just for that. What’s the worst that could happen?
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Release Date: March 2020
Developer: Nintendo
Platform(s): Switch
Meta Score: 90
Next, we have our first farming sim and one of the most addictive games ever created – Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The list features plenty of casual games, but you can bet that none is as seductive in its efforts to lure you in time after time again as this gem.
It’s not only a farm simulator; it’s a real-life simulator where you own a house, take people in, and enjoy the simple satisfaction of just greeting your neighbor and planting crops. You don’t need special abilities; you don’t need to spend lots of money to play a little bit after a long day at work. It’s the Sims done in a completely different way.
The game got lots of recognition during the pandemic, as people tried to mimic real life in gaming and started empathizing with those cartoon characters. The basic concept is simple – you are one of the many people/animals that got a gateway package from Tom Nook to move to a deserted island full of peacefulness and fun.
At least – that’s what they told you… Well, in this case, they were right. You are free to play however you want, with dozens of customization options for your house, characters, decorations, etc. Animal Crossing allows you to modify almost everything there is to change!
But, the most significant emphasis is on the community-building aspect. There are dozens of players who you can interact with, have fun with, and more! The island is living based on how you interact with your community, if you visit each other’s home and give each other gifts. It’s a living and breathing community that does not limit themselves to only playing the game. They are living it.
Additionally, there are plenty of seasons and events where you can get some extraordinary tools and resources that will allow you to create decorations and have fun with your friends. Different weather conditions are happening all year round, corresponding to the real-life seasons/situations, and it’s an overall – entertaining game for casual gameplay.
But you need to be careful. In the game, you can earn what are called Bells – items that can help you pay off the mortgage on your house and buy new items for your home. Something that felt casual initially can quickly become a daily addition to your calendar, with dozens of things to find, collect, and sell for profit. And there are, of course, Nook Miles, a unique system of challenges that can help you get the best rewards for your efforts.
Animal Crossing is the epitome of casual gaming that can sometimes get pretty addictive. Nevertheless, it’s a plus in our book, and we encourage you to explore the wonderful world of miniature animals!
Castle Crashers
Release Date: August 2008
Developer: The Behemoth
Platform(s): PC, PS4, PS3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Switch
Meta Score: 85
The next game on our list is Castle Crashers. Although it has been a few years since the release of this game, Castle Crashers is getting increasingly popular every year due to its fantastic, fun world, hilarious humor, and great gameplay. And, due to the cartoon style of animation, it did not hurt the eyes when playing. So, if you want to play one of the funniest co-op games on the market – you come to the right place.
The basic concept is pretty simple. You are a knight; you must rescue princesses, and there is also a crystal stolen by some old dude – pretty standard stuff. It deviates from the “normal” storytelling because you are these small, funny-looking, colorful knights fighting with giant enemies, spilling joke after joke. It’s basically as if Shrek was a game. Additionally, your beloved characters have many abilities to develop, so you can grind them as long or as little as you want. It all depends on your needs and wants in the end.
You collect new items during the game to help you in this beat ’em-up-style combat, with big bosses and fast-paced attacks. The best thing about this title is the mix of humor; up to four players in co-op mode so that you can have fun with your office buddies, for example, and – it’s a simple game that does not need a lot of introduction to be enjoyable. So, if you are looking for something that is not demanding that you can finish in a day or two – Castle Crashers is something for you!
Human: Fall Flat
Release Date: July 2016
Developer: No Brakes Games, Codeglue
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, Android, iOS
Meta Score: 73
Next, we have Human Fall Flat, a Fall Guys game before it ever happened. This time – it’s all about solving fun logical puzzles for you and your friends! What is it all about? You are this white blob that can move similarly to how it would in real life. Of course, without the constitution of it, as we all have in real life. Here, you need to go limb-by-limb to survive.
In this game, you control Bob, a white humanoid substance, through a beautiful maze of puzzles and potential roadblocks. Everything Bob does is awkward, fun, and highly entertaining. It all aims to make it as funny as it is humanly possible. The fact that physics plays a significant role in this game makes it so that Bob’s movements are pretty precise, and you can interact with many things in the world, making it that much more immersive and exciting.
You can play it in co-op mode, which we surely recommend, but if you don’t have anyone interested in falling flat, you can try it by yourself. Trust us, you will be glued to the screen with or without a partner. The game makes it so hard to leave, as there are multiple modes to play and a whole world to travel through, full of puzzles! And it’s not a significant time investment. Each level can be easily traveled through in minutes, and you can decide whether you want to play more or just leave it at that. It’s a great game to decompress after a long day of working.
LEGO: Star Wars – The Complete Saga
Release Date: November 2007
Developer: Traveller’s Tales
Platform(s): PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, Wii, iOS, Android
Meta Score: 80
Our next pick is LEGO: Star Wars – The Complete Saga, one of the most entertaining games ever created. For some reason, those LEGO blocks are amusing to play with. Whether they are authentic or appear on the screen as a movie or a video game – you just can’t look away. And, with this bundle, you get a lot to look at. From the two LEGO Star Wars games that started it all, LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game and LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy, you will be breathing and dreaming of Force.
The games take on all the first six Star Wars movies in a fun and entertaining way, great for kids and older players alike. You go through levels quickly, learning all the most critical moments of the saga through hilarious cut-scenes and creative mini-games. Of course, those are not board games, like the Jackbox Party Pack case; it’s more of a visual novel that you go through to have fun and learn a little bit about the Star Wars universe. You have all the characters from the movies with unique abilities that you unlock with what you can call a career mode.
Essentially, LEGO: Star Wars games are some of the more fun times you can have for casual gameplay, especially if you are sitting with another Star Wars fanatic like yourselves. Then – it’s an excellent treat for everything. And, you can play it with your girlfriends, boyfriends, kids or parents. The games are straightforward, but there are some roadblocks, so it would not be easy, especially with the occasional platforming elements in the game.
So, if you like the LEGO movies, Star Wars, other LEGO games, or just having fun with friends – this is a perfect game to do it in.
Minecraft: Java Edition
Release Date: November 2011
Developer: Mojang Studios
Platform(s): PC, PS4, PS3, Vita, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Switch, Wii U, Android, iOS
Meta Score: 93
Our next spot on the list is the one and only – Minecraft: Java Edition. It is one of the most popular games in history. Players worldwide have created a whole new world in Minecraft, with their levels, various mini-games (they even have mini-golf games!) within the game itself, and thousands of add-ons to make the game even more enjoyable.
So, what’s the hype all about? Why are people talking about this game constantly? Well, the answer is pretty simple. You can create an entirely new life in this game. Whatever your imagination tells you to do – you can do it in Minecraft. We have spoken about LEGO games before. This is the ultimate LEGO game. You create blocks from the resources you have gathered, and whatever idea comes to your mind – you can fulfill it and build it.
Not many games can allow you so much freedom as Minecraft does.
Your only job in this game is to survive and not let yourself get killed by one of the zombies that come out mainly during the night or the famous dragon from the depths of another dimension.
There are a couple of modes you can choose from in Minecraft. First is Survival Mode, where you gather resources and try not to die from attacks or hunger. The second one is the creative mode, where you have whatever resources you want and build structures in Minecraft. We highly recommend you googling some of those, as each one gets more spectacular. And finally, we have the Multiplayer mode where you can play with friends and have fun together.
Another big thing about Minecraft is customizing. The modding community is exciting, as it allows you to experience a new world each time you add modding to it. It’s one of those games that you can even show to your parents and explain to them that they use these in teaching in STEM fields. So – take that, parents who still think playing Minecraft is good for nothing!
In conclusion, Minecraft is everything. It’s a game that encompasses so many fields that you just can’t say it’s not for you or you wouldn’t find a place for yourself. It has many modes, mods, and things to explore – it’s a perfect casual game. Think about it this way – what if it was your canvas that you come to every night and just brush a few strokes to finally see the result after weeks of work – a Mona Lisa holding a giant donut? Who would not be into something like that?
Overcooked
Release Date: August 2016
Developer: Ghost Town Games
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Google Stadia
Meta Score: 81
Overcooked is a bit of a hit-and-miss on this list because – it is a casual game in the heart. But it’s not a simple game. It breaks people. It destroys marriages. And – it’s so good you can start frantically yelling at the beloved ones that they did not cut the carrot fast enough. This is OVERCOOKED!
The concept of this game is that you, and preferably a friend (potential foe and criminally slow person), are cooks. And you need to cook as fast as possible to deliver the goods to the customers. It’s a mini-game, but when it gets wild, there are the competitive elements of offline or online multiplayer. The amount of cursing and screaming when someone did not cut tomatoes fast enough or scrubbed the dishes on time is astonishing. And – it’s in the best type possible.
So, how does it work? Well, you cut things, cook them, put them together, and serve them out. The only catch is that you have little to no time to do so, and with every stage, you get more advanced roadblocks in front of you. So, you need to think fast and cooperate with your friends. Mainly through insults and yelling, as we have mentioned before. But jokes aside, the game is just highly entertaining. Even people who have never played video games are reporting increasing interest in Overcooked, significantly if someone did not cut the tomatoes fast enough.
Ultimately, we highly recommend getting Overcooked as your casual game for the week. It may not feel like that at the moment, but it is one of the best games when it comes to just getting there, feeling a little excitement, and going back to your evening. You get to feel the rush from ranked matches in Call of Duty without having to spend hundreds of hours of your time in order to perfect your aim. So, it’s a win-win in our book!
Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2
Release Date: February 2016
Developer: PopCap Games
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Cloud Gaming
Meta Score: 82
Speaking of Call of Duty, here we have the next-best thing – Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2. If you prefer zombies and plants facing each other in a murderous rampage for the glory of the garden, then just, you know, saving the world from atomic warfare, Plants vs. Zombies is definitely a series you will enjoy. It’s the sequel, but you don’t really need to know the story from the first game other than – plants were fighting zombies there, and that’s the second installment of that. So, you know, that’s it.
There are plenty of things to do in the game, so let’s go over those first. For starters, you can play Solo if you want, although – it’s recommended to go into the online world from time to time and shoot your seeds at your enemies. Literally! There is a story for you to go through, special quests to unlock customizable and new characters, and the whole wonderful lore of Plants and Zombies alike!
Then, there are many multiplayer game modes to choose from. It has the Team Vanquish (AKA Team Deathmatch), Herbal Assault (secure location and do the X), Garden Ops, and many, many others!
The game features some of the most insane characters to choose from on both sides. Despite playing as Zombie basics, like Soldier Engineer and All-Star, you get to experience some real fun by playing as plants. You can choose a powerful Cactus to fight the dead, a swift Sunflower, a Chomper, or a Peashooter. Each character has some unique abilities to use to fight against the zombie plague.
If you like to play some classic PvP FPS/TPP games, this is the lite version of it. You will not have to spend hundreds of hours to perfect your skills or to learn the map, but as a break between chores or a single-player journey – it’s a perfect fit for those who want something more casual. So, grab your copy and test it out! And remember, the future of the garden is up to you. Only your seeds can save the whole Plantverse.
Slime Rancher 2
Release Date: September 2022
Developer: Monomi Park
Platform(s): PC, Xbox Series X/S
Meta Score: N/D
…or you can just hop on the alien planet and hunt for some slime. And that is our next pick – Slime Rancher 2! The new and fresh edition of an older title is packed with slime-ranching activities, colorful graphics, and just chill vibes. There is no greater story here. There is no saving the world's stress on your shoulders. There’s just you, the slimes, and the whole world of potential upgrades.
The game is an open-world experience. You are Beatrix LeBeau. You were living a normal life on Earth, and one day you thought to yourself – what if I was catching some gigantic slimes on an alien planet and just leaving it all behind, not worrying about anything? You wanted to live the simple life of a slime rancher, and that is everything you got.
The main concept is pretty simple: you go around the planet, catch those slimes, raise them, take care of them, sell them, and even – bread those slimes with other slimes in order to, you guessed it, have more slimes! It’s a hard-slime world for us! Then, it’s basically a ranch simulator but in space. You collect the slimes and feed them the food they like so that you can get “plorts.” They can be then exchanged for Newbucks, for which you can buy some advancements to your ranch and equipment.
And that’s pretty much it. Fans all over the world love this game for how simple and easy to navigate it is. So, if you are also a fan of this kind of entertainment – be sure to give this one a chance! The worst thing that can happen is you will have some fun with slimes. And trust us – they are adorable!
Stardew Valley
Release date: February 2016
Developer: ConcernedApe
Platform(s): PC, PS4, Vita, Xbox One, Switch
Meta Score: 89
The next title on our list is Stardew Valley. It’s one of the most popular games ever, with 20 million copies sold. Why is it so popular? Well, there are some speculations on that. In the end, it seems like a simple game where you don’t really have to do much, and there’s lots and lots of talking and human interaction – it seems that it can be a great title after all!
The basic concept is pretty simple. You are a farmer in a small village. You got this from a relative, and now it’s up to you to make it work. So, you need to interact with your neighbors, see how your crops are doing, farm, explore, and even ask people out!
The game changes seasons, there is a lot of crafting and mining for you to explore, and there are even missions around farming that you can get your hands on. It’s one of the more interesting games when it comes to mixing farming and Sim-like games. Additionally, it has one of the greatest modding communities in the world, with hundreds of thousands of additional items that you can download and put into the game. And, there is even a multiplayer mode, where you can show your collection of fine materials to your friends, go fishing together or just brag about your farm.
This game lets you relax, sit down, and play the adventure at your own pace. It’s not as challenging as many games on this list, but if you want to progress at your own pace, this is definitely a title for you. The environment is yours to take, and exploring and managing the farm can be a challenge, but it’s nothing you can’t do!
Best Casual Games – Conclusion
And here we are, at the end of our article! Thanks so much for stopping by, we hope that you, as a casual gamer, can find something to suit your casual needs. There are plenty of games on this list; some are simpler, some are more advanced, but one thing remains the same – you can play it or not; it doesn’t really matter; it’s chill, no pressure.
Many of the games on this list can actually be played in multiplayer mode, so you can experience gaming with friends or foes, or whomever. There are plenty of fun things to do there, but they don’t take too much time to prepare, so it’s a rather chill experience in the end.
We hope that you enjoyed this one. We have many more articles for you to check out, and by the volume alone, we are sure that you will find something for yourself. We hope that you have a great time with those titles and we will see you in the next one!