Cozy games are entering a renaissance, with titles like Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing pioneering the genre. As the gaming industry grows, the demand for relaxing, therapeutic gameplay becomes more and more apparent. Indie developers across the globe have answered the call, putting out titles that pride themselves on meditative gameplay while prompting emotional attachment to NPCs.

Whether the ideal cozy game consists of task-based satisfaction or projecting personal feelings onto a melancholy storyline, there are options suitable for gamers of all backgrounds. The genre is very flexible, populated with RPGs, platformers, point-and-click adventures, life sims, and much more. These are the games to play after a long day of work, on rainy days, and when you just don't feel like crawling out of bed.

Unpacking

A Delightful Puzzle Game With A Powerful Story

Unpacking was an immediate success upon its debut toward the end of 2021. There's immense attention to detail, the underlying story prompts emotional involvement, and the block puzzle aspect of the game is a relaxing act of repetition, sure to help with de-stressing.

With no timers or high stakes, the gameplay of unpacking boxes and organizing rooms is the perfect way to unwind and leave busy day-to-day stressors behind. What more could you want out of a cozy game?

Behind The Frame: The Finest Scenery

An Emotional Adventure About A Painter

Though not well-known, Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery is a work of art — Literally. The entire environment is hand-drawn and reminiscent of a Studio Ghibli film.

With a charming, cluttered apartment for you to explore as you set to work on half-finished paintings, the entire atmosphere of this game is soft and warm. Even as the mysterious past of the main character slowly unravels itself, there is a sense of comfort to be found through challenging puzzles and melancholic cutscenes.

Stardew Valley

An Iconic, Cozy Farm Sim

A staple in the farming simulation genre, Stardew Valley employs a host of mechanics that are sure to get your brain producing batches of serotonin and dopamine.

Harvesting crops that have finally ripened? Boom, dopamine. Spending a rainy day on the farm with your Stardew Spouse? Boom, Serotonin. Cracking open a geode and getting a gem you've been trying to find for ages? Dopamine again. Decorating your farm with all of the neat things you've collected? Serotonin again. Nothing says cozy like a brain firing off happy chemicals.

Abzu

A Relaxing Deep Sea Adventure

Abzu gives you the tranquility of being alone as you control a solitary diver in a vast ocean. Dolphins spring past the sea's surface, schools of fish swarm together, and manatees laze around in kelp forests. The marine environment in Abzu is massive and fleshed out beautifully for such a short game.

Abzu is exploration for the sake of exploration. There is no dying, no hostile fish, and no time limit. Think of this game as Subnautica's non-evil twin.

Spiritfarer

A Heartwarming Journey Through The Afterlife

Spiritfarer describes itself as a "cozy game about dying," which isn't an exaggeration. You follow the adventures of Stella, a ferrymaster for wayward spirits of the deceased, as she branches out and builds connections with the residents of the afterlife.

Though there are a few heart-wrenching moments throughout the game, Spiritfarer is notorious for warming the souls of all who play it. When there aren't tears to hold back, there are plenty of tasks for you to attend to, including fishing, gardening, cooking, decorating, and weaving.