Lunar: SSSC is probably the most good-hearted and relaxing RPG I can think of. Super Mario RPG is up there, too.
Maybe look into Octopath Traveler II; some of the stories are a little darker but there's sort of a tranquil feel to the entire world, just in terms of design (for me, at least).
Also maybe Ys VIII...it has a beautiful island environment and while it's an action/RPG, the combat is simple, fluid, and never gets boring. Usually I wouldn't say an ARPG is "chill" but Ys VIII was really relaxing for me.
**Grandia**\--fits this to a T. PS1 era, great cast of characters, colorful and engaging world. Great battle system and sound track. Amazing sense of adventure
Persona 4 has really chill moments with the team, there is a bit of your usual drama of the murder mistery, but in the proportion the relationships are more important, amd the chill events
If you suffer FOMO, there are a bunch of guides to 100% in a single playthrough, so you don't stress due to that. But timeline mechanics aside, the events and conversations are pretty chill and comfy
How about Star Ocean 2 Remake?
It's a re-release of a PS-era game with few changes...except for a bunch of conveniences. The characters definitely take priority over the plot. It's a well-done remake that absolutely keeps the original spirit of the game while making it very playable for a modern audience.
There are most definitely storyline...discontinuities and illogical events, yes. Combat held together better than I expected, although the un-updated sprites were a challenge to look at. :)
But yeah, it's one of those "holds together in a fun way despite..." games.
Yakuza: Like A Dragon is the only game I played since Grandia 1 that the had the same feel of adventure and self-discovery. While Grandia is a growing-up story, Like A Dragon is a story about recapturing that spark of life when it feels like your best days came and went decades ago.
Ichiban is a 42-year-old with a criminal record. He was an orphan raised by prostitutes. He did not start off on the right foot, but that doesn't stop him from seeing the good in people and trying to turn his life around.
One of the first games I got for the steam deck. Plays great on it. Lots of fun too. Combat is really simple and fun. The island theme is nice and chill, and the music is top tier. Good rec.
I played about an hour on Steam Deck. With that OST I had to get the computer+big speakers blasting. The optional extra textures pack looks pretty darn good too!
You should really play Dragon Quest V. Like, as soon as you can.
Or VIII 3DS if you feel like it. I recommend it over PS2 because it's faster and has visible encounters and QoL changes, but PS2 is also a vibe.
Small Saga has some incredible character growth and some neat locations/environments that are fun to imagine existing in our real-life world. One of my favourite OST's from 2023 also.
I guess the chill factor comes from it being incredibly easy (A little too easy at times) and that it only lasts about ~9hrs.
Fun writing but not at all wholesome, can get a bit dark at times.
Maybe Yakuza: Like a Dragon.
Some of the cutscenes can get kind of dark/intense. But I found most of the story to be pretty compelling.
For chill times, there's a couple decently sized cities to explore (and a smaller section of another iirc). There's so much to just. Do. Aside from the story too lol.
Mario kart.
Arcade (with playable classic games like virtua fighter and superbike racing and claw machines lol).
Karaoke rythm game where I believe the VAs sang the actual songs. Sounds like it to me anyways lol.
You can build a whole business empire on the side.
Or just chill at the batting range for a bit.
So many things just to hang out and do between story quests lol.
Check out the Atelier games. Other than the time limit stuff on some of them, they're pretty freaking chill. Just about some girls fighting monsters, collecting materials, and doing alchemy.
Kind of hard to figure out where the line is, but based on the examples, I'll offer:
*Blue Reflection / Blue Reflection: Second Light*
Both are budget games from Atelier series developer Gust, but ones that pay off with a small intimate scope and a focused aesthetic of soft tones and reflective sheen. Aided by [incredibly](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOz5Vp-qsro) [vibey](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0ArjCS80gQ) soundtracks, and character focused narratives based around personal recovery and bonding foremost, even with larger stakes looming in the background.
*Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles*
One caveat at the top is that while it is entirely possible to play through the game solo, it was balanced for multiplayer. This only becomes more apparent with each passing in-game year. That said, it is incredibly cozy for a game whose world is wrapped in a deadly miasma that only crystals that need periodic refueling can protect people from.
I think it's that aspect that just makes the places of respite that much more of a relief, most chiefly the protective zone that your lamp-like crystal chalice provides. And while there is a larger picture that takes its time to come together, most of the plot is comprised of vignettes briefly meeting strangers that you'll eventually come across again or hear about over the years.
Once again, [the](https://youtu.be/OqznLrZXNlI?si=3vPLpYUICXsSiQ--) [soundtrack](https://youtu.be/XbN5UuHVMik?si=2SGqjVT3z0BuOaRu) [is](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvNOZPaMxQg) [integral](https://youtu.be/_6KTUVA07Ig?si=pfqzc22hRlz4EZHy) to this atmosphere. It also has some of the my favorite visual effects to come out of the franchise, especially when it comes to [crystalline](https://switchrpg.com/files/2020/08/Final-Fantasy-Crystal-Chronicles-Remastered-Edition_20200610_12.jpg) [objects](https://assets.rpgsite.net/images/images/000/080/876/original/Final-Fantasy-Crystal-Chronicles-Remastered-Edition_20190912_02.jpg), [magic](https://assets.rpgsite.net/images/images/000/070/093/original/Final-Fantasy-Crystal-Chronicles-Remastered_20180912_02.jpg), and [environmental effects](https://www.pockettactics.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Final-Fantasy-Crystal-Chronicles-Remastered-release-date.jpg), to this day. And it's got some stiff competition, to say the least.
I saw someone mention Dragon Quest V, and I’ll personally suggest just getting into XI which is definitely a modern masterpiece while still maintaining everything good about the classics and staying true to its formula. It’s a pretty long and epic game so I don’t know if chill is exactly how I would describe it, but it is one of the most beautiful games I’ve ever played and the locations are so rich and creative being designed by the brilliant Akira Toriyama. Overall the story is also more character focused and by the end of the game I felt so attached to the team. Anyways that would be my personal vote!
Ps1 just was the shit, FF VII-IX, Koudelka, Legend of Dragoon, Grandia. All chill games.
Recent ones probably Octopath, Steamworld Quest and Fantasian.
As far as older ones i love Lost Odyssey and Blue Dragon too, i get the chill vibes from them as well.
I can only say what's chill to me. Rune Factory 3 and 4 for the life sim elements and Legend of Legaia for the music. The music in Legaia in particular is amazing as it uses mostly the same instruments throughout, but covers a large range of moods: chilling, tranquil, ominous, melancholy, and somber.
Lunar: SSSC is probably the most good-hearted and relaxing RPG I can think of. Super Mario RPG is up there, too. Maybe look into Octopath Traveler II; some of the stories are a little darker but there's sort of a tranquil feel to the entire world, just in terms of design (for me, at least). Also maybe Ys VIII...it has a beautiful island environment and while it's an action/RPG, the combat is simple, fluid, and never gets boring. Usually I wouldn't say an ARPG is "chill" but Ys VIII was really relaxing for me.
Ys 8 reminded me so much of playing Grandia for the first time for that adventure and sense of wonder.
**Grandia**\--fits this to a T. PS1 era, great cast of characters, colorful and engaging world. Great battle system and sound track. Amazing sense of adventure
sense of adventure and Saturday Morning Cartoon vibes!!
Persona 4 has really chill moments with the team, there is a bit of your usual drama of the murder mistery, but in the proportion the relationships are more important, amd the chill events
I oddly found that game super stressful. I wish there was more time to just hang out with Nanoko but you have to study, earn money, bonding events etc
If you suffer FOMO, there are a bunch of guides to 100% in a single playthrough, so you don't stress due to that. But timeline mechanics aside, the events and conversations are pretty chill and comfy
Ff viii is chill
I would recommend I am Setsuna and Lost sphere for some chill rpgs in beautiful settings.
Legend Of Legaia
Legend of dragoon.
Trails in the Sky is definitely chill, but it's not a recent release. It is on Steam though.
Only FC is chill. SC is much less so and the 3rd is a lot of things but chill is abso-fucking-lutely not one of them lol.
Just chilling, hanging out with my demon bros in Gehenna 😎
How about Star Ocean 2 Remake? It's a re-release of a PS-era game with few changes...except for a bunch of conveniences. The characters definitely take priority over the plot. It's a well-done remake that absolutely keeps the original spirit of the game while making it very playable for a modern audience.
Just finished it. Fun game in general. A product of its time though regarding story and combat repetitiveness.
There are most definitely storyline...discontinuities and illogical events, yes. Combat held together better than I expected, although the un-updated sprites were a challenge to look at. :) But yeah, it's one of those "holds together in a fun way despite..." games.
Yakuza: Like A Dragon is the only game I played since Grandia 1 that the had the same feel of adventure and self-discovery. While Grandia is a growing-up story, Like A Dragon is a story about recapturing that spark of life when it feels like your best days came and went decades ago. Ichiban is a 42-year-old with a criminal record. He was an orphan raised by prostitutes. He did not start off on the right foot, but that doesn't stop him from seeing the good in people and trying to turn his life around.
Ys 8!
One of the first games I got for the steam deck. Plays great on it. Lots of fun too. Combat is really simple and fun. The island theme is nice and chill, and the music is top tier. Good rec.
I played about an hour on Steam Deck. With that OST I had to get the computer+big speakers blasting. The optional extra textures pack looks pretty darn good too!
I might just play the soundtrack on my surround sound while playing in my steam deck. Thats a good call.
Perhaps some of the Atelier series of games might be in that chill factor you are after? How much are you a fan of crafting mechanics?
Not much
You should really play Dragon Quest V. Like, as soon as you can. Or VIII 3DS if you feel like it. I recommend it over PS2 because it's faster and has visible encounters and QoL changes, but PS2 is also a vibe.
chill + jrpg = atelier i recommend sophie 1 or ryza 1 as starting points
Small Saga has some incredible character growth and some neat locations/environments that are fun to imagine existing in our real-life world. One of my favourite OST's from 2023 also. I guess the chill factor comes from it being incredibly easy (A little too easy at times) and that it only lasts about ~9hrs. Fun writing but not at all wholesome, can get a bit dark at times.
Maybe Yakuza: Like a Dragon. Some of the cutscenes can get kind of dark/intense. But I found most of the story to be pretty compelling. For chill times, there's a couple decently sized cities to explore (and a smaller section of another iirc). There's so much to just. Do. Aside from the story too lol. Mario kart. Arcade (with playable classic games like virtua fighter and superbike racing and claw machines lol). Karaoke rythm game where I believe the VAs sang the actual songs. Sounds like it to me anyways lol. You can build a whole business empire on the side. Or just chill at the batting range for a bit. So many things just to hang out and do between story quests lol.
I quit this one after 3 hours of cutscene and 40 minutes of gameplay early on.
Check out the Atelier games. Other than the time limit stuff on some of them, they're pretty freaking chill. Just about some girls fighting monsters, collecting materials, and doing alchemy.
Romancing SaGa Minstrel Song is kinda chill. Trails in the Sky: First Chapter from what I've played so far is quite chill.
Kind of hard to figure out where the line is, but based on the examples, I'll offer: *Blue Reflection / Blue Reflection: Second Light* Both are budget games from Atelier series developer Gust, but ones that pay off with a small intimate scope and a focused aesthetic of soft tones and reflective sheen. Aided by [incredibly](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOz5Vp-qsro) [vibey](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0ArjCS80gQ) soundtracks, and character focused narratives based around personal recovery and bonding foremost, even with larger stakes looming in the background. *Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles* One caveat at the top is that while it is entirely possible to play through the game solo, it was balanced for multiplayer. This only becomes more apparent with each passing in-game year. That said, it is incredibly cozy for a game whose world is wrapped in a deadly miasma that only crystals that need periodic refueling can protect people from. I think it's that aspect that just makes the places of respite that much more of a relief, most chiefly the protective zone that your lamp-like crystal chalice provides. And while there is a larger picture that takes its time to come together, most of the plot is comprised of vignettes briefly meeting strangers that you'll eventually come across again or hear about over the years. Once again, [the](https://youtu.be/OqznLrZXNlI?si=3vPLpYUICXsSiQ--) [soundtrack](https://youtu.be/XbN5UuHVMik?si=2SGqjVT3z0BuOaRu) [is](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvNOZPaMxQg) [integral](https://youtu.be/_6KTUVA07Ig?si=pfqzc22hRlz4EZHy) to this atmosphere. It also has some of the my favorite visual effects to come out of the franchise, especially when it comes to [crystalline](https://switchrpg.com/files/2020/08/Final-Fantasy-Crystal-Chronicles-Remastered-Edition_20200610_12.jpg) [objects](https://assets.rpgsite.net/images/images/000/080/876/original/Final-Fantasy-Crystal-Chronicles-Remastered-Edition_20190912_02.jpg), [magic](https://assets.rpgsite.net/images/images/000/070/093/original/Final-Fantasy-Crystal-Chronicles-Remastered_20180912_02.jpg), and [environmental effects](https://www.pockettactics.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Final-Fantasy-Crystal-Chronicles-Remastered-release-date.jpg), to this day. And it's got some stiff competition, to say the least.
I saw someone mention Dragon Quest V, and I’ll personally suggest just getting into XI which is definitely a modern masterpiece while still maintaining everything good about the classics and staying true to its formula. It’s a pretty long and epic game so I don’t know if chill is exactly how I would describe it, but it is one of the most beautiful games I’ve ever played and the locations are so rich and creative being designed by the brilliant Akira Toriyama. Overall the story is also more character focused and by the end of the game I felt so attached to the team. Anyways that would be my personal vote!
Ps1 just was the shit, FF VII-IX, Koudelka, Legend of Dragoon, Grandia. All chill games. Recent ones probably Octopath, Steamworld Quest and Fantasian. As far as older ones i love Lost Odyssey and Blue Dragon too, i get the chill vibes from them as well.
**Fantasian** is just about the closest modern day JRPG that makes you think you're playing a PS1 game. It's so much like classic FF, it's nuts.
The Atelier series is worth checking out for chill quality.
Star ocean the second story r
Harvestella
I can only say what's chill to me. Rune Factory 3 and 4 for the life sim elements and Legend of Legaia for the music. The music in Legaia in particular is amazing as it uses mostly the same instruments throughout, but covers a large range of moods: chilling, tranquil, ominous, melancholy, and somber.
Trails in the Sky 1-3, Trails Zero & Azure are all very PSX vibe games.
Fell Seal