Video games are often seen as an escape from reality. Unlike books, films, and other forms of media though, video games allow the player full control of this alternate world. There are several genres to choose from, however, and it can be intimidating to decide just what might be the right fit. Here are six video games perfect for casual audiences who feel the need to dip their toes in first before diving head-on.

The Sims 4

There’s a popular meme going around lately about how some people spend tons of money to build up a beefed up gaming rig… Only to end up just using it to play The Sims 4. Who can blame them? The Sims franchise has always been a go-to for creating their own characters and controlling the world around them. You can use it to build that dream house you’ve always wanted and have your sim live the life you couldn’t. Others use it to play around with their imagination, creating characters with different backstories. Then there are those who play it for the chaos of making every sim’s life miserable. The Sims 4 is the best of the franchise to jump into as the base game is free to play. There are also several DLCs to pick from to change up the environment and play style.

Tabletop Simulator

Ever wanted to play a round of Monopoly or a game of chess with anyone from around the world? Tabletop Simulator is a game that allows players to simulate playing board games or any other type of tabletop game. It’s perfect for friend groups that are far off from one another but love to play games together. There’s a large tight-knit community that are always excited to teach new players how to play certain games. For solo players, you can use the in-game objects to play a round of Solitaire, solve a large puzzle, or just stack some dominoes to tip over. Plus, there are several mods available so you’ll never run out of new games to play. Just watch out, since there’s a game mechanic that allows players to tip the table at any time if they feel the need to do so.

Stardew Valley

Feeling tired of the corporate grind, your character in Stardew Valley escapes the city to live a simpler life as a farmer. Here you’ll find yourself transported to a quaint little province with a rich cast of characters to live out your Cottagecore dreams. You can plant crops on your farm, go fishing, fight monsters, and find rare treasures as you make your way around. Work your way to build up the community center for everyone to enjoy. Or, you can submit to corporate life and be a worker drone for the dreaded soulless Jojamart. You can progress through the game at your own pace and watch as you build yourself a mega farm after starting from scraps. A personal favorite play style of mine is to save up enough cash to buy dozens of pigs to jumpstart my own truffle empire.

Yakuza 0

Pure wackiness is one way to describe the Yakuza franchise. There are several entries to the Yakuza series but Yakuza 0 offers the best beginner experience. Set in the late 1980s in Japan, you play as Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima, switching between the two as the story progresses. While Yakuza 0 is primarily a beat ‘em up game, there are countless side stories and mini games to discover and enjoy. Tired of punching other gangsters around? Why not unwind at a bar, sing karaoke, play billiards, and befriend the bartender? Feeling lucky? Try your hand at the casino card games or try to be the ultimate mahjong master. There are even arcades where you can use crane machines and play classic SEGA titles like Space Harrier.

Dredge

Many fishing games have been given praise online for being easy to play and providing an enjoyable experience for all. Dredge manages to toe the line between being a happy Zen experience to ultimately panicking as you try to sail your way back to the nearest dock. There’s a good amount of lore to keep players intrigued as they explore the natural environment. Secrets from the past unravel as you unlock new clues and find new treasure for the mysterious collector hiding away in an abandoned mansion on a nearby island. You can treat it as a mystery game where you fill in the clues and try to discover what monstrosities lurk beneath the dark ocean or just live your life as a peaceful fisherman trying to make ends meet. When playing this game, we recommend loading up a number of sea shanties as you explore the area and find all sorts of fish.

Minecraft

We end this list with the godsend of worldbuilding, Minecraft. What hasn’t been said about the beloved sandbox game in its 13 years of existence? Create worlds as you see fit in creative mode. Want an added challenge? Build it the hard way by choosing survival mode and collecting every resource as you move along. Those hoping to find friends can join the multitude of Minecraft servers online to discover a place they vibe well with. In the world of Minecraft, you make the world as you see fit.