Get Cosy or Let off Steam: Our Top 5 Games to Decompress After the Uni Year

Take your pick and have a well-earned break from 2024.

No matter what you’re studying or whether you’ve just finished high school or uni, once we overcome that last exam we’re all ready for a break.

We surveyed over 1000 Gen Z's and discovered you guys have definitely found the time to game. Spanning over a week period, only 27.4 per cent of students said they gamed for less than an hour, 35.4 per cent said they gamed for 1-5 hours and 17.7 per cent gamed for 6-10 hours. And there were some serious gamers among you, 11.7 per cent said they gamed for 11-20 hours a week and 7.8 per cent said they gamed for over 20 hours a week. 

Whether your high-intensity studies have you hankering for a cosy getaway or you’re about ready to snap after Year 12 ATAR took you to your breaking point - this list of games has something for you.

Stardew Valley.

PC/Mac/Linux/PS4/Xbox One/Switch/Mobile

PS5/Xbox Series X/S (Backwards Compatibility)

Single Player/Co-op (Local, Online) - Up to 8 Players

You know it, I know it, and if you don’t know it then you’re welcome. Stardew Valley is possibly the most iconic indie game of the 2010s, and deservedly so. It’s a farm-life simulator that’s easy to pick up, heartwarming, and insatiably addictive. Become a master of the valley by scouring the wiki while you play, or forgo the path of efficiency and simply enjoy the ride.

In case you missed it in the haze of this year, the 1.6 update released in March brought tons of new content to the game. If you’re looking to quiet your mind at the tail end of this year, Stardew Valley is the game for you.

Doom Eternal.

PC/PS5/XBox Series X/S/PS4/Xbox One/Switch

Single Player/Online Multiplayer (2v1 Battlemode)

Now if your brain is screaming for a release, Doom Eternal may be what you’re looking for instead. Sequel to 2016’s Doom, the franchise’s modern reboot, Doom Eternal was favourably received by both critics and audiences and remains one of the best single player shooters on the market four years after its release. From personal experience, nothing soothes the wound of carrying a group assignment quite like crushing demon heads. Challenge yourself by taking on Nightmare mode or turn it down to the easiest difficulty and rip through the hordes with ease.

Planet Coaster 2.

Image: Frontier.

PC/PS5/Xbox Series X/S

Single Player/Async Co-op

Want to scratch that Minecraft itch but feel like trying something new? Planet Coaster 2 may be for you.

This rollercoaster tycoon sim was created by Frontier Developments and led by the team behind the iconic Rollercoaster Tycoon series, and its pedigree shows. Planet Coaster 2 offers you unprecedented levels of control over every little detail of your theme park, so you can work out those creative muscles that might be aching for use after exam season. With stunning visuals, beautiful water physics, and adorable guests, you can create a theme park which’ll rival Adventure World. And if theme parks aren’t quite your thing, you can check out Planet Zoo and immerse yourself in the world of animal attractions.

Throne and Liberty.

PC/PS5/Xbox Series X/S

MMO

Did Baldur’s Gate 3 spark a love of the fantasy RPG genre in you? Ready to sink hours upon hours of the summer holidays into a brand-new MMORPG? Throne and Liberty has you covered.

Developed by NCSoft, creators of other well-received MMORPGs such as the Guild Wars series, Throne and Liberty places you in the striking mountainous world of Solisium where you can customise your character with a variety of weapons and magical abilities. With a focus on guild-based combat, this is a great one to play with your friends and forget about the academic year.

Red Dead Redemption.

PC/PS3/Xbox 360/Switch

PS4/PS5/Xbox One/Xbox Series X/S (Backwards Compatibility)

Single Player/Multiplayer (PS3/Xbox 360/Xbox One Only)

Some would say (me, I would say) that the original Red Dead Redemption is in many ways superior to the sequel.

One of Rockstar’s best games ever, this cowboy ‘em up features the loveable rogue John Marston after the events of Red Dead 2 (a prequel to this Red Dead). The original has been making waves this year with its port to the Switch in August, an update to the PS5 version enabling 60FPS, and its long-awaited PC release in October. Now available on more platforms than ever, if your idea of decompression is tearing up the Wild West (and why wouldn’t it be?), Red Dead Redemption is waiting for you.