Simulators for slow evenings

There's a category of game I only play when I want to do nothing in particular, and simulators own it. No stakes, no fail screen, just a little world ticking along at my pace.

Meadow Keepers is my current pick. I rebuilt a sleepy valley over a couple of weeks, planting things and nudging townsfolk back home, and never once felt rushed. Because it runs on a local clock, I never came back to a punishing backlog after a few offline days.

The best sims understand that pressure ruins the vibe. If a farm game makes me anxious about wilting crops, it's missed the point. I want a space to tidy and build, not another thing to manage.

If you're new to the genre, don't min-max it. Plant what looks nice, arrange things how you like, and let the pace be the reward. These games are more pleasant when you stop optimising.