cozy games

05 Mar, 2025

a few years ago, i discovered my favorite genre of video game: the cozy game 🧣. what do good cozy games have in common?

1. they're best played on the small screen, curled up in a blanket.
2. you can tell that they are made with love 💕.
3. the characters are all lovable.
4. because of #3, you're invested in the drama between the characters.
5. the art style is pretty.
6. fishing is usually involved even when it's not necessary.
7. customization is involved and you're willing to drop too much money just to buy some fancy gear.
8. the story and universe expands further than you realize. (stardew valley is queen of this.)

if you're new to the cozy game genre, here are some recommended by yours truly in the style of friends episodes:

1. the one that will consume months of your life

stardew valley

stardew valley is by far the most classic cozy game. you play as a burnt out city girl who decides to move to your grandfather's farm and live a romanticized life in the small town. you can date all the single villagers, attend cute events, and farm/fish/mine/gather/explore. there's so much lore packed in this game: little magic spirits, secret affairs, a wizard. even when you think you've conquered the game, you'll unlock a whole new universe. 100/10 no notes.

2. the one that will only consume 4 hours of your life

a short hike

this is the cutest game ever! you're a little bird who's living at a park for the summer. you have no cell reception and need to climb the mountain to get an important call. this one is perfect for a bicoastal flight.

3. the one where you're a cult leader

cult of the lamb

so parts of this game aren't very cozy because you need to fight some scary creatures in the dungeons, BUT most of it i would say is definitely a cozy game. (and there's randomly fishing!) basically, you're a cult leader who recruits cute animal followers and develops rituals for your cult. what impressed me most about this game is how the rituals are designed. you're faced with questions like: "would you rather create a ritual of feasting or fasting?"

4. the one that will make you cry

spiritfarer

this is one of the most beautiful games i've ever played. you're a guide that helps spirits in the afterlife process their lives until they're ready to pass on. although the core theme of the game is death, the story is told in a way that feels heartwarming and authentic 🥺💖

the ones that got an honorable mention

• unpacking: you follow the journey of someone's life through unpacking their belongings through a series of moves.
• roots of pacha: if you love stardew valley, this one is a variation of stardew valley set in prehistoric times. the game is not as polished as stardew valley, but still fun for a shorter period of time!
• pokémon snap: the best pokémon game! you travel by boat and take pics of pokémon doing cute poses and interacting with each other. tbh i wish all pokémon games were like this.
• turnip boy commits tax evasion: super short cute game about a little turnip.
• animal crossing: this is the classic cozy game. the reason it's not higher on my list is because i'm too scared to open my island after abandoning it for 5 years.

my final warning is that cozy games can be addicting. please play with caution and adequate boundaries ⚠️.