Video games have always helped me relax. Whenever I’ve been stressed or needed a break from reality, I turned to gaming. Some of my favorite games to destress are “cozy” games. I love all types of games, but the cozier ones just hit different. These top five games that I have for you I absolutely adore, and anyone can play, even if you’ve never picked up a controller before!
- Night in the Woods
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Finji LLC/Amazon This is one of my favorite games I’ve played in my life! It is so cute. It follows the story of a cat moving back to her hometown after leaving college because she is not quite sure what she wants to do in life (sound familiar?). There’s an air of mystery, a disappearance maybe….It’s a game that entails so much, but with easy controls. With so many townsfolk to interact with, places to visit, and even concerts to play there’s never a boring moment. It takes place in the fall around Halloween so grab a hot beverage, a blanket, and some candy to dive right in.
- Stardew Valley
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Fangamer/Amazon Now, I know what you may be thinking…”A farming simulator? Boring.” Do not let the cover deceive you! This is more than just the typical Facebook farming games. You start out as a character (customizable) who just inherited their grandfather’s old farm. Between all the plants and crops you can grow, you can have animals like pigs and cows, build connections with the townsfolk (you can even marry one), and if you feel up to it, delve into the mines where you may have to fight off Slime. This game can be as laid back or fast paced as you want it to be. The world of Stardew Valley is in your hands!
- Spiritfarer
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iam8bit/Amazon In this game, you play as a ferry master that guides the deceased to the beyond. While the game is about death, don’t count it out on being cozy just yet. You have to genuinely care for the deceased by building a boat, explore the world, befriend the spirits, and release them into the afterlife. Discover the secrets of mystical seas as you farm, mine, fish, harvest, cook, and craft your way across them. Embark on an emotional journey filled with unforgettable moments. This game had me captivated for hours. It was perfect for rainy fall days to curl up in a blanket and help others, even though they’re virtual others.
- Journey
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MarrattLANGKY/Amazon Who doesn’t love a good scenic adventure? This is a game with amazing art and music that will put you in a trance from the moment the game starts. What can be nice about this game is that it’s not too long, only about four hours max, so it can be started and finished all in one day. Another bonus is there is no set object to this game. While many of our daily lives seems to be that we have to get something done, this game doesn’t share the same pressure. Explore the dunes and landscape as you please. Take as much time as you’d like wandering into the forgotten ruins. I recommend this game on a day where you’re feeling rushed and anxious so you can give your brain a break and allow it to slow down and just enjoy the journey (pun intended).
- spirit of the north
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Merge Games/Amazon This game is relaxing just for the artwork alone. You play as a red fox going through Iceland in a world of Nordic Folklore. There is no dialogue or narrative, no stress of interactions to make with people; the game just relies on the surroundings for the player to solve puzzles. Your journey will take you across mountains, under red skies, and reveal more about your companion and the land left for ruins. Cold days and warm sweaters creates the perfect atmosphere for this game.
I hope you all try out these games or at least one of them, even if you’ve never played before! I know with the last half of the semester I’ll definitely be replaying some of these. Time to grab a snack, hot chocolate, and a game!
HCXO,
Brianna