By now, you likely have heard ofASMR–Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response– and how it’s quiet and emphasises soothing sounds, which has relaxing effects on people. Namely, it can cause satisfying tingles that radiate throughout the back of your head.
It may sound insane, but it’s real – because I’m ASMR sensitive. Genuinely, my bedtime routine includes listening toGentleWhisperingand getting relaxed from the tingles.
The great thing about ASMR, too, is that it blends wonderfully in a video game setting.
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Instead of tapping or crinkling from a video, it could be the soft footsteps of your character or hushed voices in a horror game. You can’t help what triggers your tingles, so yes, you can still feel ASMR from horror, action, or some other stressful gaming experience.
Regardless, you’ll be feeling those coveted tingles (or an overwhelming, soothing sense of relaxation) by playing certain video games. These games in particular tend to have many ASMR triggers.
10Dark Souls
The Power of Little Sounds
Dark Souls
Sound design is without a doubt one of the most crucial components in a video game – this holds true for ASMR videos as well, where every single sound is the subject of the video. While at first glance,Dark Soulsmay not seem like it would trigger ASMR, it surprisingly does using the power of that sound design.
If you’re not counting theoutrageously difficult bossesor enemies, exploring the world can be quite peaceful, especially since there’s no music accompanying this. Instead, all that’s heard are the little sounds of footsteps, clinking of armour, and other muted noises.
The crackling sounds of a bonfire are particularly soothing, enough to make players want to rest beside the dancing flames for hours. Essentially, the sound design comes front and centre inDark Soulsin the best possible way.
Of course, all this relaxation is immediately thrown out the window when you have to start panic rolling, but those moments of quiet are definitely memorable.
9Ghost of Tsushima
Looting Scratches Your Brain Just Right
When it comes to looting in video games, there’s something about the wayGhost of Tsushimadoes it that just scratches something in the brain.Every little item you pick up, regardless of how it’s used (whether toupgrade armor, your weapons, etc), has a distinct, satisfying sound.
Picking up flowers, for example, results in a crisp, almost leafy sound. Each sound is distinct to the item, with linen having fabric sounds and bamboo being the clinking of soft, hollow wood. It’s so satisfying, in fact, that I get tingles nearly every time.
Needless to say, most of the ASMR in this game comes fromits looting system, and that very system takes up a good portion of the gameplay loop. If anything, you’ll find yourself craving those sounds, getting an itch in your brain that onlyGhost of Tsushimacan scratch.
The only downside is the fact that once everything is upgraded, there’s really no point in looting other than to max out your capacity – but thankfully, that’s an incredibly satisfying endeavor.
8Unpacking
Sort and Declutter for Fun
Cleaning and decluttering a room may sound like a bad time, but in the case ofUnpacking,it’s actually an incrediblyrelaxing and comfortingexperience, complete with several different ASMR triggers while unpacking your belongings.
It’sa cozy puzzle gamethat’s gained indie superstardom for the pixelated zen that players experience, including a little story that’s uncovered as you open each box. By the time you’re done cleaning, you’re in a neat and organized room, adding to the satisfaction that players feel.
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The entire point of the game is to move into your new home and unpack your boxes in order to decorate each room. You’re in a quiet, low-stakes environment that is full of gentle sounds and peaceful music; it’s everything that ASMR thrives on.
Not to mention,cleaning is shown to be beneficial for your mental health, and that’s the exact kind of goal that ASMR is reaching for.
7Solitaire
A Classic Across All Ages
3D Solitaire
Office workers everywhere have found countless hoursembracing the brainrotof playingSolitaire, the classic gambling game.MicrosoftSolitaire, in particular, comes pre-downloaded with essentially every PC, making it one of the most played games of all time.
It’s so infamous that it wasadded to the World Video Game Hall of Fame in 2019, cementing itself in history beyond Las Vegas.
Not only that, but the game is incredibly satisfying to play, the perfect distraction from all the work that you’re definitely not doing. The flipping and shuffling sounds of cards is immensely soothing, combined with a lack of music makes for a tingly time.
It’s a game that not many people expect to be relaxing until they start to play it for themselves to pass the time, and it’s then that players begin to realize just how calming it can be.
A Relaxing and Stunning Game Experience
From the creators ofJourney, the stunning gameFlowerhas you playing as literal petals, controlled by gentle gusts of wind. It was originally released for thePlayStation 3, and it’s actually really short, being able to becompleted in only two hours, and platinumed in five.
Seriously,Flowerisone of the most beautiful gamesyou’ll ever play. You go through different, just-stunning levels as you progress. It’s stunning, awe-inspiring, and unspeakably relaxing. The sounds only add to this, as you’re only exposed to the gentleness of nature.
Theviews in the game are breathtaking, as you float between the different blades of grass, gathering other petals in your path, you’re completely captivated by the beauty around you. Aesthetics are also crucial in ASMR, not as much as sound, but both are prominently featured inFlower.
This is one of those games where it goes beyond just tingles, it’ll relax you enough to outright put you to sleep.
5Animal Crossing: New Horizons
The Best Chore Simulator
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Doing chores does not seem like a fun time, but for some reason, when it’sAnimal Crossing,the chores don’t even feel like chores at all. Instead, it just feels like living a simple, comfortable life, rich in friends and calming scenery.
Animal Crossing: New Horizonsis without a doubt themost popular game in the franchise, perfectly capturing all the fun and relaxation into theNintendo Switch. It revolves around you moving to a new island (ortown, in the other games), and developing it all on your own.
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The sights and sounds of this game are unlike any other, withNew Horizon’sUI, in particular, being distinctly satisfying.With the inclusion of theNookPhone, the UI is full of unique sounds and visuals thatNintendohas been loving in their modern systems – a UI full of tingles, I say.
Not to mention, each little sound in the game is soft and muted, somehow coming off as more realistic and ten times more relaxing, inducing tingles throughout not just the back of your head, but through your entire skull.
4Coffee Talk
Be a Barista in a Fantasy World
Coffee Talk
The thing withvisual novelsis that players either love them or hate them, but in the case ofCoffee Talk,love is definitely in the air (along with the smell of espresso).
InCoffee Talk, you play as a barista in a modern, fantasy world, listening to your customers' woes while warming their hearts with a soothing latte.With the impeccable ambiance and apeaceful, cozy setting, the tingles are practically guaranteed – and you bet I was blessed with them.
Theinteractive storyis oddly fitting given current events, dealing with themes of racism (among fantasy races, so yes, the elves are racist again), societal pressures, and the importance of social interaction. Yet, all you have to do is provide comfort through your coffee, and it’s enough.
Personally, this game is best played with the café music turned way down (I outright mute it at times), with the ambiance and sound effects turned up. You’ll thank me later.
An Incredible World of Sound
What hasn’t been said aboutSkyrimat this point?
Seriously, this is a game that has transcended time itself, resonating with all kinds of gamers from all across the globe. More recently, many are starting to look back on the game with a tinge of nostalgia (especially withJeremy Soule’siconic soundtrack).
While not in combat, walking through Skyrim is one of the most aesthetically pleasing experiences you’ll have in a game. Not just that, but the sound design is grounded and realistic, which makes the moments where you’retrying to sneak aroundall the more heightened.
The creaking of floorboards underneath you and the ambient weather are enough to relax you even in the most suspenseful moments.
Now I just wonder if there’s a mod that turns theshoutsinto whispers, and then the ASMR will really stick out.
2Minecraft
A Perfect Visual With Sound
Not only isMinecraftjust immensely relaxing to play, but the experience is unique and invigorating in every new world that you create.
From thevarious biomes(that result in various nature sound effects) tosettings that allow you to make the game peaceful, players are in for a good time if they’re ASMR sensitive.
Not to mention, it’s become synonymous withpicture-in-picture brainrot that Gen Z is becoming infamous for. First off, as a Gen Z (1999), sorry, and second, typically, in these videos,Minecraftis the satisfying B-roll to the audio.
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Because of this, playingMinecraftwhile listening to something (a podcast, a video, radio – or even ASMR) is just as common of an experience as playing the game vanilla.
The in-game sound design can be a bit crunchy if you’re not a fan of sharper noises in ASMR, but there’s an audience for that.
Either way, playing the game, with sound or not, provides enough visual ASMR that you’ll be feeling tingles either way.
1The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
A Pure Ghibli Film Experience
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
When it comes to a video game that is one of the best for triggering ASMR, to me, nothing tops that more thanThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
This game oozes relaxation and comfort, withtasty cookingmechanics (and equally tasty sounds), incredibly calming music, breathtaking visuals and more. It turns into a game of tingles, withoutTinglehimself causing a ruckus.
Simply put, playing thisZeldagame feels like watchinga Studio Ghibli film, with an ambience that perfectly matches this vibe. The entire open world is beautiful, honestly, and regardless of how you choose totravel the map, Nintendo (once again) shines with the game’s UI’s sound design. Nothing tops it.
Of course, everyone’s ASMR triggers are different, with some having distinct sound preferences that others can’t stand. Thankfully,Breath of the Wild’ssound design is simplistic and natural, making it possible to be enjoyed by everyone.
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