Spry Fox's hit game Cozy Grove is calm, comfy, and just the right amount of creepy. Players take on the role of a scout, scouring a haunted island for resources in order to aid the ghosts who live there. Cozy Grove is a charming game no casual gamer should miss out on, and is a great game for anyone who needs a break from the action of fast-paced games.
Players looking for the same chill buzz that Cozy Grove gives are in luck! So many great charming and chill games have been released over the years. From AAA games to indie darlings, there's no shortage of games with cozy vibes to play.
Updated June 16th, 2022 by Russ Boswell: There have been a ton of great relaxing, narrative-driven experiences released throughout the Indie gaming world over the last few years. Players that spent a lot of time with Cozy Grove may be craving something with a similar feeling. Although there are tons of games out there that really ramp up the action, Coz Grove is proof that a relaxing, calming experience can be just as enriching and rewarding. To better showcase some of the other options out there for games like Cozy Grove, the following list has been updated to include even more entries and recommendations.
13 Wytchwood
Those looking for more hijinks in the woods should check out Wytchwood. This indie adventure follows a witch as they explore their colorful surroundings, brew magical potions, and interact with a slew of curious NPCs. Although there is a lot to see and do in Wytchwood, the adventure isn't nearly as action-packed and combat-based as some other Indie releases. Instead, players will strap in for a rather relaxing story-filled adventure that features some incredible art and some pretty chill magic-based vibes.
Wytchwood is a great way to relax after a long day and is a great foil to some of the higher-energy games out there.
12 Unpacking
Those that want to chill out with a calming experience should definitely look into Unpacking. One of the best Indie puzzle games to release in recent years, Unpacking is all about taking items out of boxes after a move and finding the correct placement for them. The end result sees players decorating a room and following along to a series of interesting bite-sized storylines. Unpacking is part puzzle game, with a great underlying narrative that rewards players for progressing each level.
It can actually be quite challenging too, serving as a pretty good brainteaser for those that want a relaxing experience that will make them think.
11 A Short Hike
Those looking for a pretty simple and short adventure can hop into A Short Hike. This adorable little micro-adventure follows a penguin protagonist that must make it to the top of a mountain to take a very important and mysterious phone call. Along the way, players will encounter various other animals that they can help, completing miniature quests as they attempt to climb the summit. According to many players, the adventure should only take around 3 hours to complete, but it's a ton of fun and visually striking. With solid writing, interesting mechanics, and some fun gameplay loops that will have players flying through the skies, A Short Hike can be a great way to unwind without sinking a ton of time into a narrative.
10 Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Nintendo's cuddly franchise Animal Crossing came to the Switch last year with the latest entry in the series, New Horizons. The game has crafting, exploration, and of course a wide cast of animals to befriend. Players looking for a robust game full of activities to do and a fully customizable island to play with should consider picking up this incredible title for their Switch.
9 Story Of Seasons: Pioneers Of Olive Town
The iconic farming simulator series, Story of Seasons, released a new main series title this March. Pioneers of Olive Town is the latest installment in the simulator sensation that tasks players with harvesting crops, taking care of their animals, and befriending (or romancing) the local townsfolk. With plenty of characters, animals, and crops, there's no shortage of content in this entry of a beloved series.
Players wanting a more magical approach to farming simulators should check Story of Season's companion franchise, Rune Factory. The series brings the genre into a fantasy world akin to JRPGs.
8 Stardew Valley
From the mind of Concerned Ape comes a farming simulator for an older audience. While other farming franchises like Story of Seasons target younger crowds, Stardew Valley has more mature storylines and quests anyone of any age can enjoy. The cast of characters is well-rounded, all with unique lives and dialogue. And of course, the farm animals are the cutest ever. Players looking for a deeper and more mature take on the farming simulator should pick up Stardew Valley for a comfy farming experience.
7 Kingdom: Two Crowns
Gorgeous pixel art and an amazing soundtrack make the addicting gameplay of Kingdom: Two Crowns all the more enjoyable. Players wear the crown of a monarch seeking to build their kingdom from the ground up. Hire villagers as archers, builders, farmers, and more to expand the kingdom and protect it from monsters that come at night. While fighting off monsters can be intense in the game, the atmosphere of Kingdom: Two Crowns is calm and serene.
In Kingdom: Two Crowns, players can have a friend aboard to play as a dual ruling monarch. Work together with a friend to make the most powerful kingdom across the land.
6 Gris
For players looking for a beautiful and artistic adventure full of relaxing music and visuals, Gris is the perfect game. The story follows a singer who has lost her voice, making all colors in the world disappear. Players must take her on a journey to find herself and bring color back to the gorgeous lands players interact with. Solve puzzles using unique abilities to make it to the end of this beautiful and calming platformer.
5 Littlewood
Ever wondered what happens to RPG heroes after they defeat the big bad guy? Littlewood answers that question. The customizable protagonist is the legendary hero who has saved the land! However, they don't remember much, and just want to settle down and start a new life. Build a town, invite quirky characters to live in it, and uncover the mysterious gaps in the protagonist's memory involving their past. Just like any life simulator, there are plenty of characters to befriend and romance along the way.
4 Slime Rancher
Slime Rancher is the gooey and adorable farming simulator of players' dreams. This 3D adventure has fun mechanics and slimy creatures to collect. Bounce around islands in a crisp sci-fi fantasy world full of color and fun. With dozens of types of slimes to bring to players' ranches, there's a slime for everyone in Slime Rancher!
3 Spiritfarer
A journey to the afterlife, a gigantic boat, and animal companions that will stick with characters for a lifetime. This is the core of Spiritfarer, a narrative-based management game about helping the dead pass on. This heartwarming tale about grief and moving on is a welcome addition to the library of cozy games.
Spiritfarer boasts incredible 2D animated graphics and a robust customization system. Players make the trek to the beyond a comfortable one for their charming passengers by customizing their boat to the passengers' needs or wants.
2 Monument Valley
Monument Valley is a mobile puzzle adventure that tells a beautiful story with no words at all. An isometric puzzle solver that follows Princess Ida on a journey through beautiful worlds straight out of abstract illustrations. Players manipulate the world around them to get Princess Ida through the obstacles in her path and travel to new lands.
1 Coffee Talk
Players looking to get that sit-down cafe experience can find it in Coffee Talk. Make drinks for customers and learn their stories over a cup of joe in this modern fantasy world. Full of intriguing characters with unique narratives, there are plenty of cozy conversations to be had in Coffee Talk.