7 Games I Like To Play On My Days Off

Hello Everyone!

It’s been a while since I’ve tackled a lifestyle post like this, and when I sat down to write it, I honestly wasn’t sure what I wanted to talk about. Of course, that’s not to say I don’t have something to talk about (I always have something to talk about), and as you can probably tell it’s going to be all about the things I like to do on a lazy day. For this particular post, it’ll be all about the games I like to play, when I’m not busy making videos, doing things with the family, or working on other projects.

As some of you know, I love my video games (if my Sims Builds aren’t evidence enough, I also play D&D!), and on my days off, when I don’t feel particularly creative, or motivated to organise my YouTube channel and social media accounts, or even this website and blog, I play these games. From The Sims 4 to League of Legends to even playing good, old fashioned D&D, I love playing games. So, which ones do I play? Well, let me show you the top 7 games I like to play on my days off.

1.   The Sims 4

It goes without saying that I play The Sims 4, and it’s not just for my house builds. I do have an actual gameplay save file, with a few Sims already fleshed out in that world already. Guys, meet Calanor, Demineela, Gelemir, Faraseth, Kenaratir & Tidua. Now, for those of you who are very close to me, you’ll know some of these names. If you don’t, don’t worry, I’ll explain it all, much later. Just know, that they’re names of people, who are involved in a project I’m working on.

Anyway, back to The Sims 4, these Sims are the first of a community I’m building in my personal gameplay, and so far, it’s going well. Calanor & Demineela are together, and living in a beautiful estate, complete with a butler’s cottage and stables. They even own a brewery together and are about to start looking into expanding their business, particularly in the jewellery trade. Gelemir, on the other hand, downsized his very expensive city apartment and moved into a cottage, with a smithy shop beneath. Faraseth is working towards her own jewellery shop, somewhere in Ciudad Enamorada, and Kenaratir is soon going to run Windenburg, as queen. She will also eventually employ Tidua as her noble advisor. Like I said…fleshed out.

Now, from these screenshots, you’ll see there are a few things that are not in the game itself (i.e. not made by Maxis and EA). If you guessed that these are mods and CC, you’re right, I do play with mods and CC. Of course, most of them are CAS based (Create A Sim), but many of the Build Mode mods and CC are actually functional objects that I downloaded, for a full immersion type gameplay. What I mean by that is that the game itself doesn’t offer the skills, functionality and gameplay features that make my gameplay true to my style (particularly with Calanor, Demineela, Faraseth and Gelemir). If you know me, you’ll know I’m a big fantasy fan, and while there are some good aspects to the base game & its DLCs that work with the story I want to tell, it doesn’t have everything, and that’s where my mods come in. They add that extra spark that really make my gameplay come alive.

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Now, I know there are those who’ll ask, so, for those of you who are interested, I play with mods by Littlebowbub, Janesimsten, Icemunmun & Pied Piper (care of Ricky’s Mom), to name a few. There are plenty of other creators I’ve downloaded from, like Magic Hand, S-Club, Serenity CC, Sentate, Sifix, and many other CAS CC creators, but I have a long list of mods and CC that I can’t remember the names of, for now, and in all honesty, I’m not going to go back and search it all up again, since I still have quite a few things on my plate. But just know that I am subscribed to many amazing mod creators on Patreon and The Sims Resource, and maybe one day, I’ll list them all out for you.

Of course, I have to also say that when I wasn’t playing with mods, I still loved the game, particularly for its build mode (obviously), but I don’t think I’ll be going back to playing without mods any time soon. Right now, I’m having too much fun. Nevertheless, I still play this game, and I highly recommend it, not only for the nostalgia of playing with a life simulation game, but because it has that touch of whimsy that allows you to play in your own fantasy world, mods & CC added on or not.

2.   Genshin Impact

If you’ve not heard of Genshin Impact, you need to look it up. I love this game, and I play it every chance I get! The game itself, like The Sims 4, is a single player role-playing game, but with scope to make it multiplayer, because you have that “open world” option. Essentially, you can invite players to your version of the game and play with them. It’s actually really fun, especially with friends you know.

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One of the things I love about the game is the visuals and the music. For me the 2D on 3D look is absolutely gorgeous, and the colourful outfits and scenes are just breathtaking. I mean, come on, look at Mondstat, it’s such a beautiful little city, even I want to explore it in real life! Not only that, but the music that accompanies each culture on the world map is so well thought out, like the Chinese instruments for Liyue, or the haunting styles of traditional Japanese folk music for Inazuma, or even the Parisian waltz style for Fontaine. I am absolutely in love with music, I even listen to it in my car, when I feel like I need to! Yu-Peng Chen was a master of his craft (unfortunately, he no longer composes for Genshin Impact or Honkai Rail). The music for Genshin alone makes it worth the hours of gameplay. Honestly, I could just pull the game up, and just listen to the music, without actually doing anything in-game.

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For those who are curious, the game follows a single character that you choose at the beginning of the game, the female or the male character, who travels through the world of Teyvat, searching for their sibling (so, if you chose the female character, you’re looking for the male one, and vice versa). Along the way, you meet several different characters, who you can choose to play as, with its party system. Honestly, it’s a unique way of playing, and I absolutely love it! It means, if I don’t want to stick to one character alone, I can always switch it up, even in the midst of a battle!

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It also has to be said that the storyline of the actual game is mind-boggling! I love just how intricate and detailed it is. It also has references to the other games made by Hoyoverse, which I have yet to play, but if the graphics and trailers I’ve seen are anything to go by, I know I’m going to love them too. If you’re looking for a cosy game that has some action in it, as well as some slow and idle systems, this is one to play. It has everything you want. It even has customisation options too, once you get your teapot (if you’ve played the game, you’ll know what I mean)!

3.   Dungeons and Dragons

This has been a recent addition to my repertoire, and I am obsessed! I was introduced to D&D by my cousin and her husband a couple of years ago (I think back in 2024), and I love it so much, especially because one of the campaigns I’m in is so good that I always ask for, like 10 more minutes, even though we’ve played to about 1am (I just can’t get enough!). Now, of course, there will always be different opinions about D&D, after all, there are those who’ve played since it was first released in the 70s (that is 1974), and those who are like me, only discovered it when Critical Role became a thing. Granted, I’m off by a few years. I actually discovered D&D about 2 years ago, but whether you’re new to playing, or have been playing for years, decades even, it’s such a fun game.

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If you want to start playing, just be warned, you may end up playing with DMs (Dungeon Master) and players from all walks of life, and by that, I mean there will be newbies (like me), veterans who stick to the rules, and those that are in that happy middle ground. Essentially, D&D is all about playing with different people and finding the ones that really make the game enjoyable for you. I’d highly recommend by starting as a player, before thinking about becoming a DM. Matt Mercer & Brennan Lee Mulligan might make it look easy, but it takes a lot of greater cosmic, philosophical, metaphysical, theological and psychological thinking, to make a campaign really stick and be worth playing. If you jump right into the DM seat, just know that while you need to make things up on the fly, there are a few rules you need to set or remember, so that your players don’t run away from what makes your campaign a good story.

Believe me, I’ve read horror stories about DMs who couldn’t control their players, and let them run the show, without setting some ground rules first. There have also been stories about some DMs who have very strict rules that they stick to and eventually make the whole thing tedious for their players. I have luckily never encountered any in my last few campaigns, but I know that if I ever do venture into a campaign that don’t involve good storytellers, or those who I know I won’t vibe with, I’ll know what to do, to get out of those campaigns, in an amicable way.

Of course, don’t let those horror stories put you off. Like I said, playing D&D is supposed to be fun, and it’s supposed to bring out the inner actor in you, or better yet, help you unlock a part of yourself that you never knew you had, because you’re improvising in ways that make you think outside yourself. You’re not just playing a game, you’re living in an entirely new world, full of magic, monsters and yes, dungeons and dragons.

4.   Hogwarts Legacy

I cannot tell you how nostalgic it is to be back at Hogwarts. I almost miss being an actual student, at school, and going to classes, and do you want to know what the best part of Hogwarts Legacy is? It’s the magic, the music and the environment. Growing up, I read the Harry Potter books, and for someone who really visualises what she reads, it really felt like I was there, running from Dementors, with Harry, or fighting off Death Eaters with Ron and Hermione, and now that we’re all grown up, it’s so difficult to live without that magic. That’s why I play Hogwarts Legacy, I get to relive and revive the magic that I’ve missed having in my life, since finishing school.

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While you don’t get to play with Harry and his friends, you still get the little references and easter eggs that are hidden all throughout the game. From stumbling into the bathroom, with the sink that leads to the Chamber of Secrets, to frolicking in Hogsmead and the Three Broomsticks, Hogwarts Legacy really brings out the young student in you, when you just want to get away from it all (I’ll meet you at the Room of Requirement, with Deek and a nice hot cup of tea).

Now, I have to tell you the truth, I have not finished the game, although I know what happens in the end (no I won’t spoil it!), but that’s because I’ve been having too much fun, just exploring the world that it’s set in. I love collecting the many ingredients you need for your potions. I love hunting and catching pets for my Vivarium, and I really love just exploring Hogwarts Castle. I’ve travelled down its many twisting hallways, ended up in the same classrooms multiple times, and yet, still the scenery never gets old. It’s just like stepping through your old school, touring the different areas that you once found fun, or used to hang out at, with your friends. It’s nostalgia in a video game, and I’ll never stop playing.

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Of course, I can’t talk about Hogwarts Legacy, without talking about Hogwarts Legacy II. Yes, I’m excited for it, but like I said before, I haven’t finished the game. So, when Hogwarts Legacy II comes out, I’ll need to wait a while, before playing it. Yes, the first game may not be connected at all, to the second game, but like with most of my projects, I like to finish one, before I start another. There’s less pressure on me, that way, to complete it. On the other hand, you get to fly the car!

5.    Secret Hitler

This one is a fun one, once again, introduced to me by my cousin and her husband. The board game is simple, you have 2 factions, the liberals and the fascists. The liberals are the good guys (obviously), and the fascists are the bad guys. The number of players you have in a game will dictate how many fascists there are, compared to the liberals. Normally, there are more liberals than fascists. One of the fascists plays as Hitler, and has to stay alive and be elected Chancellor, by the end of the game, to win. Essentially, as a liberal, you need to oust Hitler, by the time all the cards are dealt, and the game ends, but as a fascist, you need to stay alive, and ensure Hitler becomes Chancellor, in order to win the game. Of course, there are rules, but I'm not one to list them out here, you can check them out on their website, or by actually playing the game.

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It really is fun, especially when you’re playing with friends who have good humour and know how to lie very well. It really brings out the competitive spirit in you, and makes you suspicious of everyone around you, but not so seriously. As my sister and cousins would say, whenever we play, “it’s the game that makes or breaks a family”. If anything, it’s a bit like Among Us, except it’s not done on a digital screen, you have to sit around a table, talk, ask questions, and make guesses, in order to play it, instead of carrying out side tasks until someone is killed.

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Whenever I’ve played Secret Hitler with my sister and my cousins, we have a great laugh about it, and although it may get heated, it never goes too far, because we all know it’s a game. Although, it does teach you how to think quickly, and learn how to defend yourself, so your fellow players don’t suspect you, or even better yet, learn how to deflect heat from you, before you get found out, especially when you’re playing as a fascist or as Hitler.

6.   Cabo (Pronounced Ca-boo)

This card game is hilarious, and all you need is a deck of cards! The aim of the game is to get the lowest score from a deck of 52 cards, plus the Joker cards (so, a score of 2 would be the most ideal – 2 Joker cards and 2 Ace cards). It’s honestly so fun, especially when you play several rounds, you begin forgetting the cards you have, and with so many swap outs, swap overs and checks, it’s really difficult to keep track, but that’s what makes it so fun.

When playing the game, you are given a set of 4 cards, set in a grid of 2x2, you can look at the bottom two cards, but cannot peek at the top two. Then when play begins, you take turns pulling from the middle pile of cards and can choose to swap that card out for one of the ones you have in your grid. If not, then you discard it. There are a few other rules, which you can take a look at here. Essentially, you need to get the lowest score in your grid, to win.

I’ve won this game a few times, and it’s so fun trying to fake out the other players, because you never know what card they’ll pull, and what cards they have in their decks. As my sister and cousins always say, when we play, it’s all about putting your trust in the “heart of the cards” (thank Yu-Gi-Oh for that one). It’s so much fun, I know that the next time I’m at a party or on a trip, I’m playing this game. From now on, I’ll have a deck of cards tucked into my bag.

7.   Kingdom Hearts

I can’t make a post like this and not include Kingdom Hearts. I have played this game since I was in school. I have played every iteration of it and cannot wait for Kingdom Hearts 4. This game has seen me through both good and bad days. Why? Disney, of course! Combining the Final Fantasy franchise, with the Disney one is pure absolute genius. I love Kingdom Hearts, always have, and always will. No matter how far they take the franchise, I know I can always go back and relive my childhood.

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Of course, it goes without saying that I have played these games multiple times. I’ve collected all the treasure chests, unlocked all the world maps, beaten all the mini quests and side games, and I would still go back and do it all over again. What keeps bringing me back is the nostalgia of Disney and the mystic fantasy of Final Fantasy. Now, I’ve not played Final Fantasy myself, I will eventually get around to it, but as of the day I upload this post, I haven’t played it yet. I’ve seen bits and pieces, and I’ve tried to play Final Fantasy X, but school, other games, work, and life just got in the way. Nevertheless, for me, Kingdom Hearts is a good starting point, to get me interested in the franchise’s games.

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So, if you aren’t sure about playing the Final Fantasy games, try Kingdom Hearts first, you’ll be introduced to their characters, like Cloud, Cid, Tifa, Yuffie, and Sephiroth, to name a few. Not only that, because Kingdom Hearts is a “smash X” type of gameplay, you won’t get bored, unlike some of the Final Fantasy games, which are turn-based. So, if you’re not quite ready to play Final Fantasy, try Kingdom Hearts. You won’t regret it!

Of course, it’s not just about understanding some of the aspects of Final Fantasy, that Kingdom Hearts is good for. Its story is just about as detailed, complicated and nuanced as Final Fantasy. Honestly, I sometimes get lost while I’m playing and just play for the vibes. In the game, you play as Sora, and travel across all the different worlds of the Disney universe, with the help of Donald Duck and Goofy, to find your friends and defeat the great evil that control the Heartless (the game’s constant monsters) and the Nobodies (introduced in Kingdom Hearts 2). Along the way, you make friends with each world’s denizens and level up with powers specific to each world that will eventually help you combat the big bad, at the end.

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Honestly, each game is a real treat, and while they connect to each other in some way, you don’t really need to play all the games to have fun (although it does give you a little bit of insight into the greater story arc that encompasses the entire franchise). Each one is a contained story of its own, whether you’re playing the first game, and you’re trying to find Kairi and Riku, or you’re playing Kingdom Hearts III and you’re trying to regain the power you lost in a previous game. It’s such fun to play.

Finally, Those Are The 7 Games I Like To Play On My Days Off!

Now, like I said, these are my top 7 games that I like to play on my days off. I do play other games as well, but I’ll sound those ones off another time. For now, I think you’ll like the ones I’ve picked here, if not for the camaraderie and chaos of the tabletop games, then the cosy nature of the video games. There’s something for everyone, both at home or at a party. Why not play Secret Hitler at the next family gathering, or challenge your friends on game night with Cabo, or if you don’t feel like going out, download the Sims 4 and live your fantasy life, or battle it out on Genshin Impact or Kingdom Hearts. The possibilities are endless. It’s up to you, which ones to choose.

Right, I’ve rambled on for a bit, I’m going to go play The Sims 4, and build my next house! In the meantime, please don’t forget to like, subscribe, comment, share and follow me, here on this website, on my YouTube channel, on my social media channels and on Patreon. Your support really helps me make more content like this, for you guys!

 And as always, be kind, be creative, and be unique!

I’ll see you later!

Feather, out!