Desk-friendly fun
Casual Games for PC: Relaxing Picks for Short Breaks
Light, low-stress games for your laptop or desktop that are easy to start and easy to stop, including several that you can also play on your phone.
Sometimes you want a game on the computer you already have open: something that loads fast, does not need a gaming PC and is happy to be paused when a meeting starts. These casual games run on most laptops, and several of them also exist on phones, so you can continue on the go.
Mini Metro
Plays offline
Paid, one-time
PC, Android, iPhone
Plays beautifully with a mouse. Small download, runs on almost any machine.
Stardew Valley
- Plays offline
- Paid, one-time
- PC, Android, iPhone
The original platform for the game, with local and online co-op so you can farm with friends.
Slay the Spire
- Plays offline
- Paid, one-time
- PC, Android, iPhone
Turn-based, so you can stop at any moment. Very light on system requirements.
Shattered Pixel Dungeon
- Plays offline
- Paid on PC, free on Android
- PC, Android, iPhone
Turn-based dungeon crawling in a small window. On PC it is a paid release; the Android version is free.
Candy Crush Saga
- Plays offline
Free with in-app purchases- PC, Android, iPhone
Available as a Windows app and in the browser, and progress can follow you to your phone when you log in.
Among Us
Needs internet- Paid on PC
- PC, Android, iPhone
A great after-work game with friends. On PC it is a one-time purchase; mobile players can join the same lobbies.
How to keep PC gaming casual
- Pick turn-based games when you might be interrupted.
- Use windowed mode so a game sits next to your other work instead of taking over.
- Turn off launchers that start automatically with your computer.
Prefer playing on the sofa? Read our casual games for your phone.
