40 Best Games To Play When Bored (Xbox, PlayStation, PC) in 2023

It’s that time of the year again. Days are getting shorter, and we find ourselves spending a lot of time inside. And no matter how many means of entertainment we have at our disposal, boredom clings to us. Now would be a good idea to fire up your gaming console, but somehow, you don’t have enough willpower to start playing something in a serious manner. You’re likely preferring something merely to kill time, and due to that, this list was created for you.

This list will bring you the 40 best games to play when you’re bored, from exploration to short pvp matches. It has everything for every platform, no matter whether you play on PC, Xbox, or PlayStation.

Editor’s Note: This list was updated in November 2023, some games were kicked of the list to make space for fresh releases worthy of attention!

1. Stardew Valley

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Stardew Valley is a relaxing and very engaging game with a laid-back pace due to its endless number of tasks, such as farming, customization, and social interactions. Its seasonal changes and exploration elements keep the gameplay fresh, while the absence of time constraints allows players to progress at their own leisure. This is what makes it perfect to kill some time and alleviate boredom.

2. Civilization VI

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

3. Minecraft

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Minecraft is an excellent boredom remedy with its open-world sandbox, allowing players to unleash their creativity by building, exploring, and surviving in a virtually limitless environment. Its versatile gameplay and endless possibilities provide a dynamic and engaging experience that can easily stave off boredom.

4. Subnautica

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

Subnautica is an immersive game because it allows you to explore an underwater world filled with mystery, exploration, and survival challenges. The game’s stunning visuals, gripping narrative, and the thrill of discovering the depths make it a captivating and time-consuming experience.

5. Outer Wilds

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

Outer Wilds encourages exploration and unraveling of the mysteries of a dynamic, interconnected universe. The game’s intriguing story, coupled with the sense of wonder and discovery, makes it a compelling and immersive adventure that captivates players for extended periods.

6. Sims 4

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

The Sims 4 is an ideal boredom antidote, offering players the opportunity to create and control virtual lives, build dream homes, and engage in endless social simulations. The game’s open-ended nature, diverse customization options, and simulated everyday activities provide a satisfying and entertaining escape.

7. Diablo IV

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

Diablo IV is all about action, dungeons, and a dark and immersive world that you get to explore. The game’s loot-driven progression and cooperative multiplayer options will allow you to sink hours upon hours into playing the game without getting bored.

8. No Man’s Sky

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

No Man’s Sky is a boredom-busting game due to its vast, procedurally generated universe that allows players to explore countless planets, creatures, and landscapes. The game’s continuous updates, adding new features and improvements, ensure a dynamic and evolving experience that keeps players engaged and entertained.

9. Call of Duty Warzone 2.0

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

Call of Duty is a popular choice for killing boredom because of its fast-paced and immersive gameplay. The game has multiple game modes and plenty of action to go around. The matches also don’t have to necessarily last long, so you don’t have to commit to it.

10. Battlefield 2042

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

Battlefield 2042 is a compelling choice for alleviating boredom due to its large-scale, dynamic battles that offer a sense of epic warfare. The game’s innovative features, such as the introduction of specialists with unique abilities and massive maps, provide a diverse and immersive gaming experience.

11. Terraria

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Terraria is an excellent game with unlimited means of playing due to its expansive, procedurally generated world that encourages exploration, creativity, and discovery. The game’s mix of sandbox building, resource gathering, and challenging combat against diverse creatures offers a dynamic and engaging experience.

12. Football Manager 2024

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

Football Manager is a great boredom remedy as it puts players in the role of a football manager, allowing them to strategize, make decisions, and lead their team to success. The game’s depth, realistic simulation of football management, and the thrill of building a winning squad offer a strategic and immersive experience that can be highly engaging.

13. Forza Horizon 5

Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Forza has realistic and visually stunning racing simulations, offering a thrilling experience for car enthusiasts and gamers alike. The game’s extensive car customization options, varied tracks, and the immersive feel of high-speed races provide an engaging and entertaining escape.

14. Medieval Dynasty

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

Medieval Dynasty portrays a world ruled by nobles and clergy, where trade brings both prosperity and conflict. As young man escaping war, players in the game develop from inexperienced individuals into skilled leaders, navigating challenges such as hunting, resource gathering, and building to establish a lasting and prosperous dynasty. The open world offers a unique gameplay experience, allowing players to explore, build a thriving village, and ultimately craft their legacy amidst the challenges of harsh winters and unexpected events.

15. Cook, Serve, Delicious! 3

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch

Cook, Serve, Delicious! 3 is a time-management and restaurant-management game. The challenge is to manage a bustling food truck, preparing various dishes, and satisfying customer orders, providing an engaging and entertaining experience. It sounds easy enough, but you will tank hours in it.

16. Assassins Creed Mirage

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

Easily, any Assassin’s Creed title can be put on this list, but we’ve decided to go with the latest one – Mirage. It’s not about the story; however, it’s about exploration and simply immersing yourself in this vast world without advancing through the main story at all if you don’t feel like it.

17. Warframe

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

Warframe is an excellent choice for killing boredom because of its dynamic and fast-paced gameplay. The game offers a variety of missions, diverse characters (Warframes), and a constant stream of updates that keep the experience fresh and engaging. Whether you’re into cooperative missions, intense combat, or simply exploring the expansive sci-fi universe, Warframe provides a thrilling and immersive escape.

18. Path of Exile

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Path of Exile has, at this point, become synonymous with grind. Players navigate through a series of interconnected areas, battling hordes of monsters and completing quests to gain experience and loot. The game is known for its challenging gameplay, intricate item crafting system, and strong emphasis on PvE.

19. Medieval Delivery

Platforms: PC

Medieval Delivery is an immersive simulation and adventure game set in the mysterious medieval town of Thornridge. Players take on the role of Alistair, a courier with a hidden past, as they explore picturesque landscapes, interact with diverse inhabitants, and unravel secrets that threaten the town’s tranquility. The game’s expansive world offers hidden treasures, alternative routes, and engaging side missions, with the player’s horse serving as a valuable companion for swift exploration.

20. Farming Simulator 22

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

Farming Simulator can be a great game to play when bored for several reasons. Firstly, it offers a relaxing and meditative experience as players engage in virtual farming activities, tending to crops and managing a farm. Additionally, the game provides a sense of accomplishment as players witness the growth of their virtual farm, and the variety of tasks and equipment available adds depth and engagement to the gameplay, making it a satisfying and enjoyable way to pass the time.

21. Microsoft Flight Simulator

Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S

Microsoft Flight Simulator allows players to explore the world from a pilot’s perspective. The vast open-world exploration, attention to detail in aircraft and landscapes, and the freedom to fly anywhere contribute to an immersive and captivating experience.

22. Starfield

Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S

Starfield is a massive game with loads of quests and missions to complete; however, if you really don’t feel like doing anything in particular, you can always explore the vast universe, craft, collect, and loot, all without paying attention to anything concrete.

23. Red Dead Redemption 2

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Red Dead Redemption is a perfect choice to play when you’re bored for much the same reason as Starfield. Don’t feel like doing something specific? Fine, you can hunt, fish, play poker, and just about anything else as long as it fits with the cowboy theme.

24. Surviving Mars

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Surviving Mars is a city-building survival game set on Mars, using real Martian data. Players choose a sponsoring nation with unique benefits, land on Mars with robotic drones and rovers, and prepare the colony for human habitation by establishing infrastructure, domes, and resource facilities. The goal is to create a self-sustaining colony, balancing resource importation from Earth and local production, with considerations like farming becoming crucial for sustaining human life on the red planet.

25. Hearthstone

Platforms: PC, Android, iOS

I’ve sunk hundreds of hours in Hearthstone with nothing to show for it, which is why it’s a perfect game to add to this list. Hearthstone is your classic card-game re-imagined in a digital world. Featuring the beloved heroes from WoW and Warcraft games.

26. Frostpunk

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Frostpunk’s unique setting in a frozen, post-apocalyptic world where players must manage a city’s survival against harsh weather conditions adds an immersive and intense element. The strategic decision-making, resource management, and moral dilemmas presented in the game provide a thought-provoking and engaging experience, making it a compelling choice to pass the time.

27. My Time At Portia

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

My Time At Portia is a simulation RPG set in a charming post-apocalyptic world. Players inherit a workshop and must restore it to its former glory by farming, raising animals, and mining resources. The game also features crafting, exploration, and building elements, along with interactions with the vibrant residents of Portia. It’s like Stardew Valley, but different.

28. Slime Rancher 2

Platforms: PC, Xbox Series S/X

In Slime Rancher, you take control of Beatrix LeBeau, a rancher on a distant planet, focusing on ranch construction and exploration to collect, raise, feed, and breed various slimes—gelatinous organisms. The gameplay involves feeding slimes to produce “plorts,” which can be sold for currency (Newbucks) to upgrade the ranch.

29. Superliminal

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch

Superliminal is a first-person puzzle game that revolves around the concept of forced perspective and perception. Players navigate through surreal and dream-like environments, solving puzzles by manipulating objects’ sizes based on how they are perceived. The game challenges players to think creatively and use optical illusions to overcome obstacles, creating a unique and mind-bending experience.

30. Apex Legends

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

Apex Legends is a free-to-play battle royale game set in the Titanfall universe. Developed by Respawn Entertainment, it features squads of three players, each selecting unique characters known as “Legends,” each with their own abilities and playstyles. Teams compete against each other in a shrinking play area, scavenging for weapons and gear while aiming to be the last squad standing.

31. Escape From Tarkov

Platforms: PC

Escape From Tarkov is a hardcore and realistic online first-person shooter with strong survival elements. The game is set in the fictional Russian city of Tarkov, which has been plunged into chaos due to political turmoil and conflict. Players take on the role of mercenaries trying to escape the city, exploring various environments, engaging in intense firefights, and collecting valuable loot. It mainly found itself on this list beacuse it allows you to grind for hours. It’s also highly stressful.

32. DayZ

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

DayZ is everything simulator at this point. The game allows you to scavenge, hunt, cook, survive, drive, fight other players, build things. The game’s mechanics include realistic survival elements like hunger, thirst, and injuries, as well as the potential for intense pvp encounters and cooperation in the quest for survival.

33. theHunter: Call of the Wild

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

TheHunter: Call of the Wild is the most realistic hunting simulation game you will find. Set in various open-world environments, players embark on hunting expeditions to track and harvest a variety of wild animals. The game emphasizes realism in terms of animal behavior, tracking, and environmental elements, providing an immersive and challenging hunting experience for players.

34. Call of the Wild: The Angler

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

From the same creators as TheHunter: Call of the Wild, Angler is well, a fishing simulator. Each fish species exhibits unique behaviors, influencing bait preferences and escape tactics. Master various fishing techniques using a diverse selection of rods, reels, lures, and more to land impressive catches. Customize your angler, complete challenges, and explore the open world through meaningful story missions, whether in solo mode for a peaceful experience or with friends in online co-op multiplayer for up to 12 players, creating lasting memories in the virtual fishing realm.

35. Overcooked 2

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

Overcooked 2 is a sequel to incredibly popular game. The game introduces new challenges, dynamic kitchen environments, and recipes, requiring effective communication and teamwork as players navigate the bustling kitchens to fulfill customer orders and score points.

36. The Outer Worlds

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

The Outer Worlds is in an alternate future where mega-corporations have colonized space, players awaken from cryosleep to find themselves in the midst of a conspiracy that threatens the entire colony. As a character with customizable skills and attributes, players explore various planets, make impactful decisions that shape the story, and engage in dynamic combat with a focus on player choice and consequence.

37. Starbound

Platforms: PC, Xbox One

In Starbound players take on the role of a customizable character who finds themselves in possession of a spaceship after escaping from Earth. The game involves exploring procedurally generated planets, gathering resources, completing quests, and encountering various creatures and factions while uncovering the mysteries of the universe.

38. Roblox

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

I’m sure that Roblox needs no introduction, it’s one of the most popular platforms for playing and creating games in the world. It found itself on this list due to literally infinite posibilities.

39. Euro Truck Simulator 2

Platforms: PC

In Euro Truck Simulator, players take on the role of a truck driver and embark on a journey across Europe, delivering cargo from one location to another. The gameplay involves navigating realistic road networks, managing fuel, following traffic rules, and completing various delivery contracts to earn money and expand your trucking business. The game is known for its attention to detail, realistic driving physics, and the immersive experience of being a long-haul truck driver, besides it has numerous expansions you are basically able to visit all of Europe.

40. GTA Online

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

In GTA Online, players can engage in various activities, such as heists, races, missions, and free-roaming mayhem. They can also purchase properties, vehicles, and participate in a dynamic, player-driven economy. The game is continually updated with new content, keeping the experience fresh and that’s why it’s also great for killing boredom.

Have a game to add to the list? Let us know in the comments below!