Action-based, relaxing games?

[ninjainspandex]

skirym would be my ultimate relaxation game.

[KillerJuan77]

Child Of Eden is my choice. It can get intense and at the same time it's incredibly beautiful (Specially the PS3 version which supports Move, 5.1 uncompressed audio and 3D).

[MrPopo]

-Donkey Kong Country 1

I don't think you've played the same Donkey Kong Country that I've played. Maybe the first few levels are relaxing, but the game gets sadistic fast.

[dogman91]

-Donkey Kong Country 1

I don't think you've played the same Donkey Kong Country that I've played. Maybe the first few levels are relaxing, but the game gets sadistic fast.

Heh, perhaps that might be because I've been pretty much playing that game my whole life since it came out. I can see there being tricky bits for some people, such as the barrels and mine cart levels... with me though there is something about the graphics, music, etc. all combined with the simple hop-and-bop gameplay that is really "relaxing" to me, especially in the underwater stages, but also everything else like the jungle, cave, etc. There isn't too much to worry about in the way of powerups and complex game mechanics like a lot of other platformers either, which I think helps.

Seems like a lot of great choices from everyone btw; really puts me outside the box on what to look for!

[BurningDoom]

especially in the underwater stages

The music from those levels are especially impressive in the both presentation (considering it's on the SNES especially) and in providing the right soothing atmosphere for the water levels.

[lisalover1]

I totally agree with the Jak & Daxter recommendation. Naughty Dog has always been good at establishing flow in their games by making easy-to-find objectives. Also, the buttery-smooth animation, genuinely entertaining commentary from Daxter, and the OCD nature of the Collect-A-Thon subgenre make it a really enjoyable experience. Shame about Jak 2, though.

[o.pwuaioc]

especially in the underwater stages

The music from those levels are especially impressive in the both presentation (considering it's on the SNES especially) and in providing the right soothing atmosphere for the water levels.

I would go so far as to say that they are simply the best underwater levels ever made. The underwater levels and the snow levels truly are really relaxing.

I also find the majority of Secret of Mana to be relaxing.

[lisalover1]

especially in the underwater stages

The music from those levels are especially impressive in the both presentation (considering it's on the SNES especially) and in providing the right soothing atmosphere for the water levels.

I would go so far as to say that they are simply the best underwater levels ever made. The underwater levels and the snow levels truly are really relaxing.

I also find the majority of Secret of Mana to be relaxing.

I simply adore the music in the snow levels of DKC2; the whole soundtrack is phenomenal, but this one stands out. Who would have thought that Pink Floyd-esque ambient music would fit so well in a game about monekys jumping on crocodiles' heads?

http://grooveshark.com/s/In+A+Snow+Boun ... ahFa?src=5

[Xeogred]

While we're at it, here's a nod to the waterfall stages in DKC3, always stood out a lot to me. You can't beat the original, but DKC3 had a pretty good water stage theme too, a bit darker and mysterious.

Overall DKC1 gets my vote, it's the most atmospheric of the three to me by far and the most relaxing. DKC2 definitely has a much stronger darker vibe throughout the whole thing, almost kind of depressing at times. DKC3 is a little all over. But yeah DKC1 is so out there. The slow buildup for both the caves and snow level themes is incredible.

I'd say most of the Zelda games fit the bill, along with Metroid for something a bit darker.

[Pulsar_t]