The best FPS games for people who hate first-person shooters

Dear Polygon

Recently, I was confronted with a medical issue which, to use another word, made my flight or fight instincts go on high alert. I’ve pretty much had to re-teach my body what things are normal stressors and that not everything is trying to kill me. Games are generally a point of release and relaxation for me (except when they’re so intense that I catch myself slowly moving from the couch to pacing in front of the TV – but that’s a good thrill usually). High stimulation environments, such as playing video games, are sometimes a bit much. [for] me still. When I attempted to play GT7, my adrenaline kicked in to such an extent that I had no choice but to shut down the computer and take a break to let it cool off.

I’ve been able to play less action packed games such as Pokémon SoulSilver and Sword without any issue. Today I picked Miles Morales again and found my body going less crazy when racing. But, this session only lasted about 20 minutes, with a lot of cuts. What are your suggestions to ease yourself back into racing?

— Glitch in Matrix

Hi Glitch, in the Matrix! First off, I’m sorry you’re dealing with that. That sounds like a jarring and maybe scary change to experience, and I hope I’m at least able to help you with some solid recommendations. Good news: I believe I can recommend a few options that you will find engaging and that won’t spike your adrenaline.

I see that you’ve played a lot of shooters. As a person who isn’t always into violent games, I’ve really appreciated just how much the genre has diversified over the past few years to include different sorts of mechanics and aesthetics that aren’t violent or stressful. Three recommendations from me, ranging in chill factor to most: PowerWash SimulatorThis is the Slime Rancher Series. Neon white.

Let’s start with PowerWash Simulator.

This game lets you, it’s no surprise, replicate the feeling of using a pressure-fed power washer. The idea is that you use your power washer to clean whatever mess you can find, including cars and homes. You wield this nozzle like a gun — but your enemy is dirt. You can choose from different technical levels. However, harder tasks will require more attention and time, or be just more difficult overall.

Nothing can beat the sensation of spraying water at high pressure to remove a layer of dirt. The crisp lines reveal the playground’s colorful slides and swings. Playing PowerWash SimulatorIt steams my brain to the core. It’s great on its own, but also an entertaining way to relax after playing a particularly stressful game. Also, it’s available on Xbox Game Pass, so you can go and download it now if you subscribe to that.

Monomi Park

Then there’s Slime Rancher Slime Rancher 2.. These games let you discover a whimsical, colorful world by grabbing slimes. I like it because there’s an enormous map to explore, ranging from caves to erupting volcanoes — and each area has a different species of slime that lives there. It’s really cute to see the big, squishy slimes get vacuumed up into your character’s little vacuum pack. Arranging them into their pens can be a bit tedious, since they easily bounce out of place, but it’s a relaxing game for anyone who wants a shooter where you spend time collecting, arranging, and harvesting resources. It’s on Xbox Game Pass as well.

Finally, Neon white would work well if you’re looking to kick the level of action up a notch. It’s a fast-paced shooter and speedrunner that is difficult to master. You will need various special abilities in order complete the levels accurately and efficiently. It’s about going fast, and getting gold and ace medals requires precision. Despite this, it’s the chillest shooter I’ve played in a long time.

Image: Angel Matrix/Annapurna Interactive

The game is great at getting me into a “flow state” where I’m acting on instinct and not thinking too hard. When the stakes are high, other games can give you an adrenaline rush. These games include Neon whiteThe risk of falling precariously is very low because each level can be restarted quickly and they are so brief. “Messing up” just means repeating a minute-long (or even shorter) level. These levels will take you to a world of precision platforming and transport you in just a few seconds. I recommend them highly.

Before I go, I’d like to toss in a few honorable mentions: If you don’t want a shooter, you could also try Neon white developer’s completely different game, Donut CountyThis is an oddly relaxing and peaceful game that involves engulfing an entire city with a hole. Try and enjoy PowerWash SimulatorYou could also try Flip a HouseThe enables you to renovate a house; they work in a similar way.