While the holiday period is often considered a time for rest and reflection, we know what it’s really about – finally having time to play some excellent video games. And what better match for the season than cozy games – titles built for relaxation, lacking in stress, but just as inventive as their action-oriented cousins.
Whether the cold weather has you peeking into a shameful backlog or browsing the Xbox storefront for something new, we’ve got a mighty fine selection of tried and tested titles that are great to cozy on up with – divided into categories to ensure you find the exact right fit for your mood. So, grab yourself a hot drink in your favourite oversized mug, fetch a big ol’ blanket, and dive on in here.
Farming sims are effectively the ancestral home of cozy gaming, offering respite in peaceful worlds where we can grow produce, hangout with friends, and adventure to our heart’s content. Whether you’re looking for a combat-free space or a light challenge to your adventures, we’ve got you covered.
Cloud, Console, and PC
After inhering your grandfather’s old farmland in Stardew Valley, you’ll embark on a journey to transform this overgrown plot into a gorgeous home. Along the way, you’ll level up key skills to improve your farming, fishing and fighting abilities, and unlock new items and recipes to craft and cook. You’ll meet the locals of the town, make friends, and even fall in love. Stardew Valley also recently received the 1.6 update with lots of new content and features, the perfect time for both new and returning farmers to jump in, either alone, or with up to 8 friends via co-op mode.
Cloud, Console, and PC
If you’re looking for peaceful farming on a galactic scale, Lightyear Frontier has you covered. An open-world adventure that lets you build the interstellar homestead of your dreams, equipped with your fully customisable mech companion. Explore a mysterious world, discover the planet’s secrets and help the ecosystem in the process. It’s the ultimate cozy simulator for farm and big robot enthusiasts alike, and up to three friends can join in your adventure via the online multiplayer.
Cloud, Console, and PC
In this vibrant, laid-back take on farming sims, ditch the bustling city life and put together a dreamy tropical paradise on Coral Island. Here, you’ll tend to crops, nurture animals, and become part of a lovely community of over 70 unique characters. The island also offers plenty of exciting outdoor activities such as insect hunting and fishing, as well as diving in the local coral reef to hunt for hidden treasures. Take life as it comes in this relaxing simulator full of charm.
If the farm life isn’t quite for you, perhaps this selection of lovely puzzle games will sate your interest. We’re not talking brain busters here, just cozy exploration and peaceful, satisfying puzzling that you can take at your own pace, all bundled up in gorgeous art styles.
Cloud, Console, and PC
This quaint puzzle game sees places you in the wellington boots of Arabella Greene, a retired botanist on a quest to restore the gardens of her stately home. As you explore the manor, you’ll uncover clues that aid in growing forgotten flora and fauna, use your green thumb to solve puzzles to unlock more of the manor’s grounds, and uncover the tale of Arabella’s life and research.
Cloud, Console, and PC
Settle in for a calming time with this wonderfully charming puzzle game that makes tidying up fun. Stack and organise a wide array of household items, from loose screws to pantry shelves, in over 100 unique and intuitive scenarios. If you’re someone that gets a burst of satisfaction from a well-organized space, A Little to the Left is for you.
Cloud, Console
In this occult-themed puzzle game, you’ll assume the role of the proprietor of a local plant store on the hunt to discover new species of plants. Balancing “calm” and “creepy” in a way very few games can manage, you’ll wield your growing knowledge of flora and fauna to influence Strange Horticulture‘s story, and unravel the dark mysteries surrounding the quaint but spooky town of Undermere.
Perhaps you’re looking for something a little more interactive than a puzzle game but without the pressures of combat or big decisions? A place to explore fun environments, enjoy some light questing, and engage in some action is sometimes necessary to keep your mind occupied. Roam around a big city as a cat or challenge yourself to an atmospheric climb in these easy-going adventures!
Cloud, Console, and PC
Explore a lovingly crafted island full of new friends and hidden secrets as a lil gator in this joyful, low stress platformer. Quests are nestled in every corner of the island, and you’ll make new friends as you adventure through forests and mountaintops. It’s an adorable cozy time if you’re looking for a joyful game to take on at your own pace.
Cloud, Console, and PC
Dungeons of Hinterberg combines exciting dungeon delving with cosy social systems. As protagonist Luisa, you’ll venture to the picturesque town of Hinterberg that is, quite curiously, now full of perilous dungeons serving as tourist attractions. Each day, you can choose between exploring these locations or relaxing in town and spending with the locals. There’s no pressure to go either way, which makes for a lovely, relaxing experience with some light challenge here and there.
Cloud, Console, and PC
Experience the big city through a cat’s eyes in Little Kitty, Big City, a cozy exploration game with plenty of fun areas to discover. As a curious little kitty with a big personality, make your way home via the streets at your own pace, befriend stray animals, complete quests, and of course, leave a little chaos in your wake. You can even wear a little hat!
Cloud, Console, and PC
Despite its macabre theme, Spiritfarer is a cozy management affair that explores mortality. As Stella, you’ll sail across an atmospheric world and encounter new spirit friends to look after, before finally releasing them into the afterlife. All the while, enjoy farming, mining, cooking and crafting new discoveries that’ll aid your journey. You can even invite a friend to play alongside you as Stella’s pet, Daffodil the cat.
Cloud, Console, and PC
Ascend to new heights in Jusant, a meditative action puzzle adventure game. Equipped with a trusty set of climbing tools, your goal is to reach the peak of a tall tower, but the real joy comes from the journey, not the destination. As you climb, you’ll uncover new paths, discover beautiful biomes, and master your abilities as you reach higher areas. Conquer the tower at your own pace (and without fear of falling), with plenty of freedom to take in the sights and relax to the atmospheric surroundings and music as you go.
Cloud, Console, and PC
Keeping to the outdoor adventure theme, A Short Hike presents a peaceful jaunt through the mountainous landscapes of Hawk Peak Provincial Park. As a little bird, enjoy a calming adventure though vibrant scenery, discover secrets and chat to other kind characters on the trial as you make your way to the summit.
Cloud, Console, and PC
If you’re looking for an adventure on the magical side, come down and meet the inhabitants of Dreamlight Valley! In this hybrid of life simulator mixed with exploration, you’ll befriend iconic Disney and Pixar characters and take on new challenges from heroes and villains. You’ll also have the opportunity to decorate your own home, create custom designs, and help restore Dreamlight Valley to its former glory for all of your new friends.
If you’re hankering for a good story alongside some low energy cozy gameplay, these narrative-driven titles may be for you. Jump into a hand-drawn journey as a photographer or a stylish claymation adventure in space – there’s stories to be found everywhere.
Cloud, Console, and PC
Discover your inner artist in Chicory, a top-down adventure game full of vibrant characters. On the hunt for superstar artist Chicory, who has mysteriously gone missing, you’ll wield your creative powers to solve puzzles, help your friends, and discover the poignant story behind the mystery.
Cloud, Console, and PC
In Toem, you’ll see the world through a new lens, literally. Pack your trusty camera and embark on a delightful expedition to uncover the hidden mysteries nestled inside a magical world that is all about finding the perfect angle. Meet quirky characters, flex your creative muscles taking photos, and enjoy a relaxed jaunt through a gorgeous hand-drawn landscape.
Cloud, Console, and PC
This point-and-click adventure set under the sea places you in the squeaky shoes of its titular protagonist Harold, a lab assistant working aboard an underwater spaceship. As Harold, you’ll encounter numerous weird and wonderful creatures as you learn more about humanity’s past, in a cozy narrative adventure brimming with retro futuristic charm.
If the validation of clearing up a big mess is your idea of a calming time, why not do it from the comfort of your sofa? Here, you’ll find a cozy selection of titles that will have you putting off your own chores in favour of scrubbing, sorting and styling a range of vibrant virtual worlds.
Cloud, Console, and PC
If you’re searching for stress-free satisfaction, PowerWash Simulator has you covered. Suit up and embark on a cleaning adventure, blasting away every speck of dirt across levels ranging from a simple van to an entire subway platform. As you progress, you’ll unlock bigger levels and better equipment. Plus, if you’re paying close attention, you’ll unravel a fun story about the town of Muckingham and its inhabitants as you make their surroundings sparkle.
Cloud, Console, and PC
Become a one-person renovation crew in House Flipper. Take on a series of contracts to build up funds, then buy abandoned, rundown properties to transform into spectacular new homes. With a vast range of tools at your disposal, you’re free to knock down walls, apply a lick of paint, and furnish every room down to the smallest details.
Cloud, Console, and PC
In this cozy narrative puzzle game, you’ll follow the life of an unseen protagonist as they move through numerous homes. As you unpack possessions and place them mindfully around numerous environments, you’ll uncover their story, their memories, and other clues about their life as you curate satisfying living spaces full of personal treasures.
Sometimes, nothing beats the warm embrace of familiarity, and returning to a beloved series from your youth is the perfect way to experience it. The holiday season is all about reconnecting and sharing memories, and this selection of reboots of seminal 90’s games will have you reminiscing in no time, whether you’re revisiting a favourite for yourself or introducing a loved one.
Cloud, Console, and PC
Save the Dragon Realms from the clutches of evil in this stunning remastered collection of the original Spyro trilogy. As the titular purple dragon, glide across the world once more freeing your kin from crystal prisons, collecting treasure, and rescuing dragon eggs from peril. It’s a cozy platforming adventure for all ages, and what’s even better is you’ll now be able to explore these lovingly crafted remakes via Xbox Game Pass.
Cloud, Console, and PC
Relive your youth and rediscover your favourite marsupial in this collection of the first three iconic Crash Bandicoot games. Packaged up with entirely remastered visuals, all three games offer a nostalgic platforming experience with a modern twist as you adventure to take down Dr. Neo Cortex and his villainous crew. Whether you’re jumping back into an old favourite or experiencing Crash for the first time, you’re sure to have a wonderful time jumping and spinning your way through this shiny new version of a classic trilogy.
Cloud, Console, and PC
Reprise the role of the iconic Guybrush Threepwood in this exciting return to the revered Monkey Island series. Melee Island has taken a turn for the worst, and is now led by the hip, young Captain Madison. This new entry to the series brings classic point-and-click gameplay to the modern day, with all the familiar elements that made the original games so special. Banter with friends old and new and uncover clever puzzles as you venture across the high seas and confront the new leaders of Melee Island.
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