Turns out 2020 was—for many of us—one of the worst years on record.

If you are feeling stressed and need somewhere to escape for a little bit, this is a thread about some short, calming games that I hope will help you relax.

Starting with...

https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇" title="Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten" aria-label="Emoji: Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇" title="Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten" aria-label="Emoji: Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇" title="Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten" aria-label="Emoji: Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten"> https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🧵" title="Thread" aria-label="Emoji: Thread">

"A Short Hike" is without any doubt the best indie title of the year. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🏔️" title="Schneebedeckter Berg" aria-label="Emoji: Schneebedeckter Berg">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🐦" title="Vogel" aria-label="Emoji: Vogel">

@adamgryu has truly crafted something that can soothe your soul for a good few hours. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1055540/A_Short_Hike/">https://store.steampowered.com/app/10555...

"Kind Words" is a game like no other. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💌" title="Liebesbrief" aria-label="Emoji: Liebesbrief">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤗" title="Umarmendes Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Umarmendes Gesicht">

You can write about your own issues, and read anonymous replies from other players.

It& #39;s warming and empowering. @popcannibal created one of the few experiments on empathy that actually worked. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1070710/Kind_Words_lo_fi_chill_beats_to_write_to/">https://store.steampowered.com/app/10707...

"Townscaper" is a small town-building toy. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🏡" title="Haus mit Garten" aria-label="Emoji: Haus mit Garten">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🏠" title="Haus" aria-label="Emoji: Haus">

An incredibly relaxing experience, powered by @osksta& #39;s procedural goodness and shader wizardry. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1291340/Townscaper/">https://store.steampowered.com/app/12913...

"Fugl" is a bird-flying game, with hundreds of animals you can morph into.

The way in which @melodive renders voxel animations is simply stunning, and unlikely any other voxel game out there. https://store.steampowered.com/app/643810/Fugl/">https://store.steampowered.com/app/64381...

"Donut County" is (possibly) the only (good) game in which you play as a hole in the group.

@torahhorse and his team made @donutcounty into a short, funny and light-hearted experience. https://store.steampowered.com/app/702670/Donut_County/">https://store.steampowered.com/app/70267...

"Cloud Gardens" is a minimalist game about reclaiming abandoned dioramas using plants. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🌱" title="Setzling" aria-label="Emoji: Setzling">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🏚️" title="Verfallenes Haus" aria-label="Emoji: Verfallenes Haus">

@noio_games crafted a relaxing, almost meditative experience which will—literally—grow on you.

Supports the ability to export time-lapses of your creations. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1372320/Cloud_Gardens/">https://store.steampowered.com/app/13723...

"Islanders" is a minimalist strategy game about building cities on colourful islands. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🏙️" title="Stadtbild" aria-label="Emoji: Stadtbild">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🏝️" title="Einsame Insel" aria-label="Emoji: Einsame Insel">

The folks at @_grizzlygames created a perfectly paced game, which is both challenging and relaxing. https://store.steampowered.com/app/1046030/ISLANDERS/">https://store.steampowered.com/app/10460...

"Tiny Islands" is a small masterpiece in emergent storytelling. Build your island in the game, while building its story in your mind. https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤏" title="Kneifende Hand" aria-label="Emoji: Kneifende Hand">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🏝️" title="Einsame Insel" aria-label="Emoji: Einsame Insel">

A tiny game by @dr_d_king that will stay with you for a long time. https://dr-d-king.itch.io/tiny-islands ">https://dr-d-king.itch.io/tiny-isla...