On a tough day, sitting down with a warm drink and a relaxing game is a release many players search for. But many fast-paced, story-heavy video games make settling a busy mind after a long day feel impossible. So, this is where cozy games that take little to no thought to play come in so handy.
Nothing says cozy like spending a night under the stars or taking a long walk in the woods. Although this may seem intimidating and ominous to players, there can be some wonderful adventures awaiting within the trees.
10 Bear & Breakfast
Taking on the role of Hank, a bear who lives in the center of a desolate woodland, players are tasked with bringing life to a derelict building that Hank and his friends decide to make a Bed & Breakfast out of. While exploring the surrounding area in search of materials and inspiration for the new business, a cast of critters introduce themselves to Hank and offer help in return for tasks and favors.
But there’s more than just creating a cozy B&B, Bear & Breakfast presents a world of rich lore to uncover, and as the business grows, more forest secrets are unlocked. It’s an easy game to lose yourself in for hours, and it certainly helps that everything is adorable.
9 Cozy Grove
Although camping in a new area may not be every gamer’s cup of tea, Cozy Grove’s stunning, hand-drawn landscape and charming cast make the situation much less intimidating. This real-time synced life sim is about returning color to an almost forgotten land and helping to calm the local ghosts who have been caught up in the chaos.
Each day Cozy Grove presents the player with 30 to 60 minutes of fresh quests and content, but after that, the world is open for fishing, exploring, or decorating the woods. Additionally, each character who comes into the story along the way has a unique backstory to unravel, so it’s hard to find a quiet moment despite the nature of the title.
8 Night in the Woods
Night in the Woods follows the story of Mae Borowski, a college dropout who has returned to her hometown Possum Springs. With every intention to reconnect with old friends and resume the life this little black cat had before moving away, the story quickly diverts into more of an exploration and investigation into why things have changed.
This cozy title heavily emphasizes the characters Mae Borowski meets along her journey through the forest and is full of fun mini-games and puzzles during its primary campaign. In addition, it has a beautifully unique art style and a gentle yet tense soundtrack to accompany the journey of a lifetime.
7 Little Witch in the Woods
Ellie, an apprentice witch, is commissioned to move to the woods to help the nearby village and its inhabitants as part of her training. In doing so, she learns new spells and logs new species into a stunning journal, all while exploring the woodlands she must call home. Additionally, a selection of potion-based puzzles is a breath of fresh air while wandering around for hours.
Little Witch in the Woods is an adorable, chibi-style game with an expansive map that can consume any player. And the charming, pixelated townsfolk presents engaging gameplay outside its five-hour campaign.
6 Hoa
For any fans of Studio Ghibli, Hoa is teeming with a similar appearance and energy regarding its gameplay. This puzzle platformer will enchant any gamer searching for a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere by taking on an unforgettable, hand-painted art style and a gentle piano-led soundtrack.
Adopting the role of Hoa, a tiny fairy with a forgotten past, this game explores various landscapes posing little threat. Characters gently talk through the storyline, and every mechanic runs incredibly smoothly. There’s no need for stress, no time-based challenges, and a few simple solve puzzles to keep progressing. Hoa is the epitome of stress-free gaming.
5 A Short Hike
Although not directly based in woodlands, A Short Hike explores a wide mountainside area while promoting the idea of taking life slowly. This game allows players to explore at their own pace and opens the opportunity to take whatever path without missing integral points to the story.
The color palette gives the entire title an incredible autumnal feel, and gentle storytelling allows players to spend hours exploring, fishing, climbing, and gliding around Hawk Peak Provincial Park. It's vast mountainscape paired with a mass of woodlands makes A Short Hike an unforgettable experience through a journey of patience and learning.
4 Wytchwood
This crafting adventure title is set in a picture-perfect fairytale landscape filled with gothic fables and a gathering of eerie inhabitants. Wytchwood is a relaxing game of potion crafting, puzzle solving, and exploration within the area while uncovering tales and spreading the word to the local town.
Playing as the old witch in the woods, players must learn to harvest the goods from the world around them and complete tasks given by the intriguing inhabitants of the town. Utilizing the grimoire of forgotten spells, Wytchwood is another unforgettable experience without being incredibly tense and fast-paced.
3 Beasts of Maravilla Island
Beasts of Maravilla Island focuses on the beauty of the natural world and introduces magical ecosystems where breathtaking creatures reside. Rather than focusing on combat or quest completion, this 3D adventure game takes the player on a journey through photography. With the main aim to record as many creatures as possible, it’s hard not to let hours slip by unnoticed with this title.
This game focuses more on learning about the island's inhabitants rather than how they can be utilized for the players' benefit. With minimal platforming, puzzle-solving, and quest resolving, Beasts of Maravilla islands' sole intention is to promote paying attention to the little things in life. Especially the wildlife, which can so easily be ignored.
2 The Last Campfire
The Last Campfire is an intriguing tale of a character called Ember, who is on a long journey to discover the past of its species and light the final campfire beyond the dark woods. This adventure-themed title is filled with puzzles, platforming, desolate ruins, and deep woodlands, which Ember takes on solo. But the entire journey isn’t necessarily faced alone.
The central idea The Last Campfire promotes is spreading kindness. Several of Ember’s kind are scattered around the map, and all need the player's help to return to their campfire. It’s integral to help them before the next area is unlocked. But once one is supported, any player will feel compelled to return and help them all.
1 Lumbearjack
Lumbearjack is a wholesome yet amusing tale of Jack, a bear with an axe that has a straightforward goal and dream. Following the wish to return nature to the wonder it once was, Jack faces the industrialization of the woodlands alongside his animal companions.
The game aims to knock some sense into destructive humans by destroying the tools they use to destroy Jack’s home. Solve environmental puzzles to progress and recycle Jack’s destruction to upgrade tools while saving critters in distress who will later join the team of vagabonds. Lumbearjack takes a humorous approach to a relevant topic, supported by its cutesy art style and an upbeat soundtrack.