The best cozy games to play right now
“Cozy games” are a huge phenomenon right now, because at the end of the day, who doesn’t like being cozy? While some games focus on visceral combat or thrilling narratives, cozy games often focus on creating a comfortable or fulfilling place for players to hang out. Instead of swinging a sword or slaying foes, players can focus on creating the perfect flower bed, or befriending the kind golem next door.Coziness is still a subjective experience, and the finer differences in a game can make or break immersion. Some people love to fish, whereas I find it to be one of the most stressful things a game can include. We’ve rounded up a list of the coziest games around beyond Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing: New Horizons (we figured you’ve played those, if you’re here), so you can pick your particular flavor of comfort. If you’re looking to relax, unwinding with any of these games is a fine choice.Our latest update added Wanderstop.Wanderstop$22$2512% off$22Where to play: PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox Series XWanderstop is centered around routine — specifically, the routine of brewing tea. You’re collecting tea leaves then drying them and planting and harvesting fruit to add flavor. Brewing the tea is it’s own beast itself, requiring the use of a large contraption that heats water to brew tea leaves before dispensing it. In that way, it’s a very traditional cozy game; there’s no rush to complete daily tasks or arbitrary time limits. But Wanderstop is no ordinary game.Behind the cozy facade, Wanderstop is about failure, labor, and a dark past. The dichotomy between the light and dark of the game makes Wanderstop one of those games you’re going to keep coming back to, even after you’ve stopped playing. —Nicole CarpenterPikmin 4$57$605% off$57Where to play: Nintendo SwitchThose who have only played the early Pikmin games might be wondering what a high-stress and difficult strategy game might be doing on this list. To that, I say: Hear me out! The process of playing Pikmin is pretty straight forward: Gather Pikmin, explore, collect objects, and repeat. Pikmin 4 goes all in with the idea of “dandori,” the process of organizing tasks strategically in order to execute a plan. While this might not sound cute or cozy, it’s undeniably relaxing to ease into. Every flick of a Pikmin feels oh-so satisfying, and managing dozens of teeny-tiny characters feels surprisingly great. Quality-of-life features like underground dungeons with no daily time limit and the ability to rewind time if you lose Pikmin make for a more relaxed and smooth gameplay experience in Pikmin 4. Within the Rolodex of Nintendo’s gorgeous and thoughtfully created games, Pikmin 4 stands out. Every detail — from a gorgeous sun-dappled forest floor to a shimmering ocean pool — appears to be crafted with care from the development team. That, coupled with the irresistible charms of the goofball Pikmin and the faithful pup Oatchi, make for an adorable miniature adventure. —Ana Diaz$60 at Best Buy$57 at GameStopLoop Hero $15$15Where to play: Android, iOS, Mac, Nintendo Switch, Windows PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series XIn the cold and dark days of January, I need a game that both matches the current mood and brings a sense of comfort. Loop Hero does just that. The game starts with a sole adventurer who sits on a tiny square of land, surrounded by complete darkness. In the world of the game, the Lich ensnared everyone in an endless time loop and wrought never-ending chaos. Enter our hero, who slowly seeks a path in a cruel world. To play, your hero walks automatically along a set and looping path. Instead of controlling the adventurer, the player chooses where to place tiles that spawn enemies and other resources to use. Rich textured sound effects, crunchy pixel art, and medieval monsters all help set a dark tone. It’s not your typical cozy game, but Loop Hero reminds us that even at the end of the world, you can still find a bit of warmth. —AD$15 at Steam$15 at NintendoYolk Heroes: A Long Tamago$8$8Where to play: Windows PCIf you want an adorable game to play in your free time, look no further than Yolk Heroes: A Long Tamago. This idle game puts a fresh spin on the pet sim genre. Instead of having you take care of a creature, Yolk Heroes makes you the guardian of an RPG hero in training. As you play, it’s up to you to see to their proper development and make sure they become a true hero. I adore Yolk Heroes, because you can play it on a small window on your desktop as you do anything. Just like a Tamagotchi, the game progresses based on how much time passes in real life, so you’ll check in on it, make sure it goes potty, and maybe even send it on an adventure of its own. I just love watching my hero snuggle up on the couch and read in the corner of my monitor as I go about my day. Easy to pick up and play, it brings an adorable and cozy touch to any desktop. —AD$8 at Steam$15Where to play: Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series XA Little to the Left is a puzzle game about organizing household items. It’s inherently satisfying while also being low-stakes, making it a perfect game to play when you’re looking for something cozy. The puzzles are stuff like organizing tools, removing labels from fruits, and stacking books — all while keeping an eye on a mischievous cat doing cat things. —Nicole CarpenterA Short Hike$8$8Where to play: Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows PC, Xbox OneDespite its name being an accurate description of its offering — it clocks in at just a few hours before the credits roll — A Short Hike stands as tall as the mountain you’re summiting in the pantheon of cozy gaming classics. This 2017 charmer from developer Adam Robinson-Yu helped ignite the cozy game craze and, for me at least, really “peaked” (haha) my interest in shorter games as a format. You play as a young bird on summer vacation on an island, tasked with reaching the summit to take an important phone call. Over the course of your short hike, you’ll meet friends, take on quests, and generally just hang out. Rendered in big chunky pixels and viewed from an isometric camera, A Short Hike leaves a dreamlike impression of long summer days, childhood anxieties, and the thrill of autonomy. My only criticism is that, like all core memories, I can’t go back and experience it anew. —Chris GrantCoral Island$30$30Where to play: PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox Series XCozy gaming always includes farming sims, and there are very many out there (most chasing the glory that is Stardew Valley). Coral Island doesn’t seek to reinvent the formula, but expands it. The basic gameplay mechanics are familiar: you farm, you fish, you mine. But you also explore an underwater kingdom full of merfolk and the town events all have a Southeast Asian flair to them, like mooncakes at the Harvest Festival. Also, there are so many gorgeous, datable characters. —Petrana Radulovic$30 at SteamDorfromantik$12$1520% off$12Where to play: Nintendo Switch, Windows PC“Dorfromantik” is a German word, expressing a kind of aching nostalgia for the countryside, and Toukana Interactive’s game is like a peaced-out Catan — a game about placing hexagonal tiles with no goal other than to make pretty maps of forests, winding rivers, jolly towns, and patchwork fields. There’s no economy or tech tree to worry about, no population making demands of you; it’s just you, searching for harmony in the growing landscape. But as aimlessly cozy as that sounds, and as tasteful as the pastel shades of its seasonal changes are, Dorfromantik is an exquisite, hard-edged design that blends the best of strategy and puzzle gaming, and finds a perfect balance between mental challenge and mindfulness. —Oli Welsh$14 at Steam$12 at NintendoDredge$16$2741% off$16Where to play: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series XIf you like your coziness with a little bit of horror, Dredge is for you. The fishing mechanic is a bit of a rhythm game, and generally satisfying when you reel up the fish you want. You play as a fisherman exploring a mysterious cluster of islands. It seems pretty straightforward during the day, but when night falls, creepier and creepier things begin to happen. There are sea monsters, a strange occultist, and corrupted fish. Each area of the map offers different challenges, like navigating windy mangroves and speeding your boat away from vicious creatures, and while each is super beautiful, there’s also an eerie undertone to it all… But fishing is so relaxing! I understand why grandpas love it so much. —PR$16 at Steam$16 at Nintendo$20Where to play: Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series XI suppose you could describe Lil Gator Game as Baby’s First Zelda, except I’m the baby and I’ve (exhaustively) played every Zelda game since 1986. But Lil Gator Game hits different, unencumbered by the very complexity that makes a Zelda game so satisfying. In its place is a pared down, speedrun version: a concentrated, potent play cocktail that finds you, the titular little gator, in the woods with friends trying to drum up some adventure… if only to relive your memories of playing with your big sister, home from school and too busy to play. This framing — of nostalgia and play — is a perfect mirror for the emotions you’re likely to run through as you explore the island, smash cardboard “enemies,” and take on quests for your friends. Very few games have captured this feeling of play for me, which makes Lil Gator Game an easy recommendation, and a game I return to more often than you’d think. —CG$20 at Nintendo$1888 at SteanSea of Thieves on Safer Seas mode$20$4050% off$20Where to play: PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series XSea of Thieves is a pirate sandbox defined by the possibility of chaos. Not only do players have to worry about skeletons and sea creatures, but other pirate ships mark a significant threat. The new Safer Seas mode finally offers a much less stressful Sea of Thieves experience. Safer Seas disables PvP, allowing the player to explore at their own pace. While some regions are inherently dangerous, others are perfectly serene.I have rarely felt more relaxed than when I set out on a sloop, listening to the sounds of the ocean. Sea of Thieves has some of the best sound design I’ve ever heard, and it’s soothing to listen to the waves and the creaking of the ship. You can also play the hurdy gurdy with your pals, go fishing, and explore a bunch of gorgeous environments. If you’ve ever been turned off on Sea of Thieves due to the betrayal and battles on the high seas, the Safer Seas update should be right up your alley. —Cass Marshall$27 at Amazon$20 at XboxSpiritfarer$30$30Where to play: Android, iOS, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox OneYou might have heard of Spiritfarer before, the game that’s self-described as “a cozy management game about dying.” You might be wondering, How could a game about death be cozy? Spiritfarer takes the topic head-on and confronts fear and the unknown as a way to comfort friends whose time it is to move on. You do this by taking care of them, building up a boat in ways that make everyone comfortable. These acts of labor and kindness are so touching; while it may be emotional, it’s still got a lot of warm feelings. —NC$16Where to play: Android, iOS, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series XLike Dredge, Strange Horticulture offers a spooky edge to the cozy gaming experience. It’s less of an adrenaline rush, though, and instead the sinister feeling slowly builds up as you uncover more and more. You play as the owner of a plant shop, and identify plants in your care, which are often medicinal in property. Customers come to you for help, and you must figure out which plant they need. It all takes place within your shop, with outside excursions detailed in text. It’s a cozy organizing game that escalates gradually into something more macabre. —PR$16 at Steam$16 at NintendoSummerhouse$5$5Where to play: Mac, Windows PCSummerhouse has no rules. You simply build, using a bunch of pre-made, pixelated pieces created by developer Friedemann. You can build big houses or little houses, ones in the country or cityside. Every so often, when placing a door or window or roof, you’ll unlock a character — maybe a dog hanging out by a stoop, or a grandma sitting out front of a café. What makes Summerhouse truly charming is that everything is designed to look lived-in, real; these are no McMansions or prefabricated houses. Summerhouse’s sounds are delightful, too. The satisfying snap of clicking a window into place is made all the sweeter with birdsong in the background. —NC$5 at Steam$20Where to play: Android, iOS, Mac, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series XUnpacking follows one young woman’s life through all the places she lives and the objects she owns. You unpack various boxes containing all her items and place them around her living spaces, from her childhood bedroom to her first apartment after college. It’s methodical to fit all these objects in places, and also offers a little bit of freedom and creativity in how you place them (for instance, I always always put her stuffed animals on the bed). The brilliance of Unpacking is how it tells a story without any dialogue or seen characters, and only through these objects and where you’re able to place them. —PRVenba$6$1560% off$6Where to play: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series XIs there anything more cozy than walking into a kitchen where something fragrant is cooking? Venba is a narrative cooking game that takes the nostalgia for food and uses it to tell a story about a family that immigrated from India to Canada in the 1980s. It’s a moving story about family and food that uses cooking mechanics to explore love and loss. —NCSee More:
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