As the gaming industry grows, so too does the demand for more slow-paced, relaxing games. While first-person shooters and challenging platformers are certainly popular, they’re not to everyone’s taste. Indie developers across the world have recognised this and continue to answer the call for a cosier gaming experience.
The notion of a ‘cosy game’ is nothing new, but their popularity in recent years – and an increased desire for developers to expand the genre – invites the question: what exactly is a cosy game?
What is a cosy game?
The definition of a cosy game is quite broad, but it’s generally understood to be a sub-genre of video games that aims to create a calm and comfortable environment for players. Games are generally slower paced, technically simpler and bonus points if they include a cute animation style or relaxing soundtrack. They usually offer players a chance to escape from daily stressors and immerse themselves in a peaceful world of gardening, cooking, crafting, creating and exploring.
In other words, think of a ‘cosy game’ as something you would want to play when its raining or you’re sipping a mug of chai tea while wrapped up in a warm blanket.
Where do I start?
There are hundreds of cosy games to try your hand at, each with their own appeal, so it can be difficult to know where to start.
I’ve compiled a list of the ten best cosy games for beginners who want to venture into the genre. All ten games provide a relaxing and inviting experience that is sure to get you hooked on cosy games.
1. Ooblets
Ooblets is a relaxing, quirky and certainly unique game about farming, town-life, creature collection and dance battles. Ooblets sees you move to the vibrant community of Badgetown, filled with friendly residents and a host of adorable critters known as Ooblets. Your goal is to build up an old farm and restore the town’s image all the while collecting as many Ooblets as you can to learn about the strange critters. You’ll engage in dance battles to acquire Ooblets which sees card-based battle mechanics taken into the world of dance. The card-based mechanics are easy-enough for beginners to grapple with and serves as a nice introduction to what can sometimes be a complex gaming system. Ooblets also introduces newbies to many staple cosy gaming mechanics like farming, exploration, foraging, creature collection and deck building.
If you’re interested in cosy gaming but don’t know where to start, Ooblets is the perfect gateway into a world of warmth and fuzzy feelings.
Released: 2022
Platform: Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PC
2. Stardew Valley
A cosy game roundup would not be complete without mentioning Stardew Valley. If you’ve ever googled ‘cosy games’, you’ve heard of this title. Created by developer Concerned Ape, Stardew Valley is an adorable pixel art mix of farming sim and adventure game. The plot follows the typical farming sim formula: your character moves away from the big city to restore the rundown family farm that was once an important pillar in a charming small town.
There are many different paths players can take – saving the community centre from destruction, funding a hostile corporate takeover, delving into the mines for treasures or simply befriending the local townspeople. And the best part, there’s no set time limit to complete the main story! You can spend hours playing exactly how you want, whether you’re farming, fishing, fighting monsters or pursuing that special someone, Stardew Valley allows players to live life at their own pace.
Released: 2016
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Playstation, Xbox, iOS, Android and PC
3. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the perfect game for taking life at a slow place. And what’s more slow-paced than a game which syncs up with real time?
The tenth instalment in the Animal Crossing series, New Horizons follows the same premise as the previous games but with a more expansive catalogue of content. In New Horizons, you play as a human living amongst a group of adorable anthropomorphic animals while working to build up and decorate a deserted island.
The main goal of the game is to expand your village so animals will want to move in or set-up shop to sell their wares. While the main storyline of the game is relatively short, there is still plenty to do after your island reaches a three-star rating. You’ll be managing a museum, terraforming your island, befriending a colourful cast of over 300+ characters, visiting Brewster’s café or catching butterflies until your heart’s content. New Horizon’s laid-back atmosphere and easy-to-learn mechanics makes this game great for everyone, from beginners to the cosy game world or more seasoned players who want a game that can keep their interest for hundreds of hours.
Released: 2020
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
4. Unpacking
Unpacking is certainly one of the more unique concepts for a cosy game. What is usually a stressful activity of moving house translates into a surprisingly relaxing gaming experience. Every level introduces the player to a new house or apartment that the protagonist moves into, where your task is to put away all her possessions to create an inviting living space.
Unpacking is part block-fitting puzzle game, part home-decoration simulator where every item tells a story. Beloved childhood teddies are constantly broken and patched, careers are advanced and important lessons are learned about living with others. The game’s soundtrack features calming acoustic sets, creating a relaxing atmosphere that pairs beautifully with the heartwarming narrative.
Released: 2021
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Playstation, Andorid, iOS, PC.
5. Disney Dreamlight Valley
Just like its catalogue of films, Disney Dreamlight Valley is full of magic and fascination. The life simulator lets the player fully immerse themselves in a fantasy world with their favourite childhood heroes and villains.
Your goal is to restore Dreamlight Valley, a village once inhabited by familiar Disney characters before it was torn apart by an event known as The Forgetting, which caused widespread memory loss. Dreamlight Valley’s addictive homesteading tasks such as gardening, fishing and decorating can easily take up most of your time, but the expansive narrative provides plenty of incentive to befriend characters in the world. The sheer amount of customisable content and quests may appear overwhelming at first, but the games’ play-at-your-own-pace style allows for a chilled out experience.
Released: 2022
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Playstation, Xbox, iOS, macOS, PC
6. Spiritfarer
Spiritfarer describes itself as a “cosy game about dying” and that isn’t an exaggeration. You play as Stella, a spiritfarer who helps spirits settle their unfinished business before preparing them to move on to the afterlife, but not before building their dream home on your ferry and sailing to gorgeous far-off lands.
A hotel-style management game, your goal is to make the spirits feel at home aboard your ship, whether that involves cooking exquisite meals, weaving clothes, growing vegetables and providing much-needed hugs.
With a beautiful soundtrack, stunning hand-drawn characters and a fully fleshed out narrative, Spiritfarer will appeal to those who enjoy task-based gaming or simply want to experience an immersive narrative that pulls on the heartstrings.
Released: 2020
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Playstation, Xbox, iOS, Android, macOS, PC
7. Cosy Grove
Cosy Grove is a charming life simulation that certainly lives up to its name. You play as a spirit scout, sent to a far-off island inhabited by adorable ghost bears (yes you heard that right) to help them find peace by completing their unfinished business. You’ll spend your days exploring, fishing and befriending the friendly spirits that call the island home. Every single soul has a story to tell and by helping them out, you’ll uncover the secrets of Cosy Grove while restoring colour to the black-and-white island.
With friends to make, homes to decorate, fish to catch and animals to take care of, Cosy Grove is the perfect game to sink a few hours into on rainy afternoons.
Released: 2021
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Playstation, Xbox, iOS, PC
8. Coffee Talk
Coffee Talk sees you play as the barista of a coffee shop in a fantasy version of Seattle, making and delivering orders to the likes of dwarves, elves and orcs while listening to their stories. The world is similar to ours, with the same modern cities and technology, but with just enough difference to draw your interest while still being relatable.
The game progresses and branches off based on how you treat the patrons and the quality of the coffee you deliver. With several different endings to Coffee Talk, there is certainly plenty of replay value in this pixel-art visual novel.
Released: 2020
Platform: Nintendo Switch, Playstation, Xbox, macOS, PC
9. Coral Island
Coral Island sets itself apart from most farming sims with its tropical setting and a dedication to diverse representation. The game sees you trade big-city life for a tropical paradise which needs a bit of help restoring its polluted environment. You’ll help revitalise the nearby town, restore the plant life and coral reefs and forge relationships with the local townsfolk.
Full of vibrant colours, a charming cast, and cute animals, you’ll soon find yourself spending hours growing crops, cleaning up pollution and exploring the island’s beaches as well as an underwater mermaid kingdom. Who knows, you may even end up dating a mermaid!
A farming sim, dating game, and tropical paradise all in one, Coral Island is an ideal cosy game for fans of more traditional farming games like Stardew Valley and Harvest Moon.
Released: 2023
Platform: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, PC
10. Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion
Delivering on its impeccable title, Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion sees you take on the role of a mischievous turnip who has fallen on hard times after he was evicted from his home after failing to pay taxes. The storyline sees you set out on a quest to pay back Mayor Onion, solve puzzles, battle vegetable foes and meet other garden residents all the while exposing the corruption behind the vegetable government.
Perhaps the most intense game on this list, Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion has its fair share of action and cartoonish combat, but with beginner-friendly combat mechanics and a silly narrative filled with vegetable puns, it serves as a great introduction to more fast-paced games while still delivering a cosy gaming experience.
Released: 2021
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Xbox, macOS, PC