Lately, I’ve been paying more attention to how I rest.
Not the kind of rest where you scroll endlessly or collapse at the end of the day, but the kind that actually softens your nervous system. The kind that makes your shoulders drop without you realising it.
Not every game needs intensity
I didn’t pick up Shiro of Coal Town expecting challenge, speed or adrenaline. I picked it up because I wanted something gentle and something familiar.
And that’s exactly what it offers.
This isn’t a game about winning.
It’s a game about being.
Walking through town.
Helping with small tasks.
Observing quiet routines.
Letting the day unfold slowly.
There’s no pressure to optimise. No need to rush. No penalty for pausing.
Why it works when you’re mentally tired
What surprised me most was how calming it felt, not in a flashy way, but in a subtle, grounding one. I like to just take a walk wherever I want, go fishing, looking at nature and doing all this in the game itself was extremely relaxing.
The pacing is slow.
The environment is cosy.
For fans – and for adults who grew up with Shin-chan
If you grew up watching Crayon Shin-chan, there’s an added layer of comfort here. The characters feel familiar, almost like revisiting something from childhood but without nostalgia being forced.
And if you didn’t grow up with it, the game still stands on its own. You don’t need backstory or context. You just need the willingness to slow down.
This is especially comforting if:
- your days are mentally heavy
- your work requires constant decision-making
- you want a game that doesn’t demand emotional energy
A quiet form of de-stressing
I’ve come to see games like this as a form of active rest.
You’re engaged, but not overstimulated.
Present, but not pressured.
Occupied, but not drained.
In a world that constantly asks us to be faster, louder and more productive, Shiro of Coal Town does the opposite, and that’s precisely why it works.
Who I’d recommend this to
You’ll probably enjoy this game if you:
- like cosy, low-stakes games
- are looking for something to unwind with after work
- enjoy slice-of-life storytelling
- want a game that feels kind to your nervous system
A small reminder
Rest doesn’t always mean stopping.
Sometimes, it means choosing experiences that don’t ask too much of you.
For me, this game was one of them.
With clarity,
– Elian Sage
theslowedit.org