If you want a break from shooting at random video game characters or strategizing like high stakes poker players, the cozy game genre is what you need to try out. Cozy video games refer to games featuring cute characters and slow storylines – think farming or gardening plots. The trend has become quite popular in recent times, as more and more people are turning to cozy video games to relax at the end of a long day. Here is a list of our favorite cozy games ever!

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Available On: Nintendo Switch

This first entry on our list needs no introduction because it’s one of the pioneers of the cozy gaming genre. Animal Crossing: New Horizons is one of the latest games in this series, and the goal is for players to transfer civilization to a deserted island. But this is not the only Animal Crossing version we recommend! Here is a list of some of our other favourite games in this series:

1. Animal Crossing: New Leaf.
2. Animal Crossing: Wild World.
3. The Original Animal Crossing.
4. Animal Crossing: City Folk.
5. Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer.

Try any of these, and you’ll have the same cozy experience as with New Horizons.

Little Kitty, Big City

Available On: Windows PC, Xbox, Nintendo Switch

The entire purpose of this game is to help a little kitty find her way home, and you won’t be able to find something cozier than this. Follow this cat along the way as you make friends with other strays and get up to all the mischief that cats enjoy. A little chaotic and highly soothing – this is how we describe this game!

Stardew Valley

Available On: Windows PC, Mac, Linux, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation VITA, iOS, Android

This is the perfect example of a video game where you do nothing and yet everything. Stardew Valley follows you as you inherit the farm of your deceased grandfather and get up to everything, including farming, cooking, mining, and socializing.

Coffee Talk

Available On: Mac, Windows PC, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4

Coffee Talk showcases the story of a barista who works as the sole employee of a coffee shop based in Seattle, except that this version of the city is rooted in fantasy. Your job is to prepare beverages and listen to the problems of your customers, who include everyone from elves to werewolves.

Spiritfarer

Available On: Mac, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Android, iOS

Spiritfarer follows the story of Stella as she helps the deceased make their journey into the afterlife. Many might wonder how a game about a topic so morbid can be considered cozy, but the pleasing visuals and soothing soundtrack of Spiritfarer make it clear that death is nothing to be scared of. In fact, the game helps us understand that when it’s time for people to move on, all we can do is make sure that they’re comfortable on their way.

Unpacking

Available On: Mac, Nintendo Switch, Windows PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Android, iOS

Unpacking doesn’t tell you the story of a particular character. Instead, it hands you a few boxes to unpack as the character moves from one home to the next. The items you unpack are all the clues you have about the main character’s life. This space between you and the character you play is what makes this game so special.

Coral Island

Available On: Windows PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X

Much similar to Stardew Valley, Coral Island is a video game based around farming. The entire premise of the game follows life on a tropical island as you go about your everyday routine and interact with the game’s many characters.

TOEM

Available On: Windows PC, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5

This game is built entirely in black and white, which definitely adds to its main storyline. Players have to solve a bunch of riddles and puzzles, and they do that by taking pictures of the world around them. The game is built like an adventurous expedition and forces you to find magic in everything around you!

A Short Hike

Available On: Windows PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4

This game is exactly what the name suggests. Players play as a bird who’s on vacation on an island and is trying to reach the top of a mountain to attend a phone call. The game is just a few hours long, and as you undergo quests along your journey to the top, it leaves you wanting a lot more!

Dorfromantik

Available On: Windows PC, Nintendo Switch

Dorfromantik is a building strategy game where your goal is to build a beautiful village by laying tiles of various sorts. If you like exploring natural ecosystems and building new worlds, this is the game for you!

Honorable Mentions

These ten games might be our all-time favourites, but there are other cozy games that deserve mention as well. If you’re a fan of this genre, you must play these at least once!

Closing Thoughts

Whether it’s chilling with animals or taking a hike through beautiful islands, cozy games are always ready to offer you an escape from the stress of everyday life. Once you’ve played through this list of the ten best cozy games of all time, you’ll find yourself wanting to come back for more. But don’t worry – there will always be a new cozy game for you to try and fall in love with!