9 Video Games That Are Absolutely Perfect Stress-Relievers

8. Flower

Flower - released in 2009 - was the second game on the Playstation 3 from thatgamecompany and the spiritual successor to 2007's Fl0w. Taking the same abstract qualities that made that such a success, thatgamecompany crafted a truly unique experience with Flower. This abstract quality defines games by thatgamecompany and Flower is a truly special moment in a medium filled with blood, violence and angry children screaming at you down a microphone. The premise is simple, but its execution is so perfect and polished. Gameplay could not be simpler, you take control of a single petal and guide it towards un-blossomed flowers using the Dualshock 3's 'Sixaxis' motion control, and pressing any other button on the controller makes the wind blow faster. This simple control scheme accomplishes so much though, there is no need for any other functions. Flower is purely meant as a sensory exorcise. You sit back in your chair, put a pair of headphones on, and let the experience take you. Watching the colours on screen is memorising and there's a peaceful serenity to just guiding some petals over a breeze. As a purely passive experience, Flower can not be beaten.