Paper Boats is a free simulation video game wherein you can just relax and send messages to the void. Developed by Harry Alisavakis, this is a short experimental indie game with contemplative themes, letting you simply bask in your surroundings. You can even interact with other players in a way by sending random messages filled with either encouraging words or deep secrets. Despite its visuals, however, it’s not an exploration game and your environment will be limited.

Share some kindness

Similar to contemplative games like Watercolors, The Things We Lost In The Flood, and Kind Words (lo fi chill beats to write to), Paper Boats is all about immersing yourself in the background and simply enjoying the solitude. There are no battles to fight or tricky puzzles to solve. You can just look around and admire the scenery, interact with some of the objects, and even take pretty screenshots. This game is all about the ambiance.

You begin by standing on the dock by a lake. In the distance, you’ll see quaint houses, a sailboat, and even a train. Turning around, you’ll see a little shore. However, you can’t walk and explore. The only thing to do is look around and play with some of the items near you. Every once in a while, though, a little paper boat floats by—with a random message written by a stranger online.

You can’t reply but you can write your own by clicking on the boat on the dock. It doesn’t have to be kind thoughts, as instructed, but the atmosphere will make you feel like following it. The game’s controls are easy despite the lack of a tutorial. Played in the first-person perspective, you just look around with the mouse, left-click to interact, right-click to zoom, and press P to take a screenshot.

Stay still and bask in peace

Paper Boats is a nice change of pace if you’ve been playing hectic games lately or would just like to take a break. While it’s too bad that you can’t explore, the day-night cycle of the game offers various scenic views that really get you relaxing and just typing away the words you’d like to share. There’s no end goal to achieve and you can leave and come back anytime you like.