Sometimes all you need to unwind is a good game. We’ve put together the best collection of relaxing games for Switch, PC, and other platforms—perfect for a quiet gaming session.
Amidst the fast-paced gaming world of horror and action-packed titles, cozy games provide a much-needed respite. They offer a unique experience that is both soothing and engaging, perfect for unwinding.
The genre has seen exponential growth following the launch of the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch, making cozy games more sought after than ever. This is certainly a win for most gaming enthusiasts, yet it does make it pretty tricky when searching for the finest cozy games.
But fret not, whether your preference is a simple game on the switch or a trending title on your PC, we’ve got your needs addressed. Here are the best cozy games to delve into in 2024.
Best cozy game on Steam: Disney Dreamlight Valley
Disney Dreamlight Valley Key Features
- Disney Characters
- Worldbuilding/decorating
- Quests
- Multiple jobs
- Free-to-play on Xbox Game Pass
- Early Access
- Available on PC / Switch / Console / Mac
Disney Dreamlight Valley is perfect for anyone looking to have a nice calm experience, whether you like Disney or not. Through this customizable and directional title, you’ll be able to design your village, home, and character, all while completing quests and helping the adorable characters around the village.
Whether you love to cook, mine, fish, or collect fruits around the many regions, you’ll never be stuck with jobs to do in Disney Dreamlight Valley. Combine that with the multiple updates, Star Path, and hundreds of Recipes to find and you’ll never be bored.
A cozy game about grief: Spiritfarer
Spiritfarer Key Features
- Quests
- Intense storyline
- Side jobs
- No time pressure
- Exciting optional minigames
- Available on PC / Switch / Console / Mac / Mobile
Despite being primarily about grief, Spiritfarer is a calm and cozy game on Steam providing an engrossing experience where love, adventure, and acceptance are the main focus.
Essentially, you play as the captain of a boat, tasked with bringing loveable characters to the doorway between life and death, but only when they’re ready. On this boat, you complete their last requests and craft your way into better rooms, equipment, and certain characters’ favorite meals.
It’s an explorative title where the story is just as pivotal no matter how long it takes to complete. It’s perfect for those players that want to be guided through an experience without needing to rush the journey.
Best cozy Switch game: Animal Crossing – New Horizons
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Key Features
- Multiplayer capabilities
- No quests
- Lovable characters
- Free to explore and play as you like
- Collections and decorating
- Available on Nintendo Switch
When it comes to finding a fantastic cozy game on your Switch, or really any other platform, none are as popular as the likes of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. This title took over the gaming world upon release and still continues to be that perfect escape many players are looking for.
Create your own home, catch bugs, craft items, explore your island, and make friends with the adorable villagers in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Ultimately, no matter what you want to do, this game has it all, allowing you to fully escape from the world around you.
Perfect for story lovers: Coffee Talk
Coffee Talk: Key Features
- Story heavy
- Fantasy
- Atmospheric sound design
- Immersive barista gameplay
- Easy to learn and explore
- Available on PC / Switch / Console / Mac
While many cozy games have the player constantly moving around, Coffee Talk prefers to keep players relatively still, instead of having the world around them moving in and out of their cafe.
Coffee Talk is all about brewing delicious coffee and having heart-to-hearts with your unique characters. Through small conversations and some well-made drinks, a delightful story begins to unravel, enveloping any player and allowing them to fully be emersed in the small world of this adorable coffee shop.
Ultimately, whether you’re a sucker for a good story, or just love making coffee, Coffee Talk is a wonderful cozy game to try out.
Best cozy farming game: Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley: Key Features
- Open adventure
- Quests
- Character engagement
- Multiplayer capabilities
- A variety of activities
- Available on PC / Switch / Console / Mac / Mobile
A lot of cozy games on Steam are either made to be a few hours long, or endless in their nature. Stardew Valley is one of the titles that can go on forever, with players farming to their heart’s content and fully embedding themselves into the adorable town around them.
You play as a tired worker who was left a farm by their grandfather. Upon reaching the farm you are tasked with building it up to fruition and making the world around you a true paradise.
Whether you want to mine, farm, bring up animals, or find love in the local town, Stardew Valley has it all. No matter whether you play alone or with friends, this experience will keep you cozy for weeks.
Cute creepy camping: Cozy Grove
Cozy Grove Key Features
- Create friendships
- Crafting
- Large exploration
- Sketched art-style
- Side quests / main story
- Hours of gameplay
- Available on PC / Switch / Console / Mac
Cozy Grove feels a lot like Animal Crossing in its style and story based around an ever-changing island but still manages to bring something different to the life-sim genre.
The story behind Cozy Grove places the player on a haunted island where you camp, explore, and speak to the local ghosts. It’s a perfect blend between calm and creepy and manages to encompass the joy and creation many cozy games have. If you like Animal Crossing or Stardew Valley, Cozy Grove is a must-buy.
Farming done differently: Slime Rancher
Key Features
- Addictive gameplay
- Colorful design
- Single-player
- Simple controls
- Available on PC / Switch / Console / Mac
Slime Rancher takes a new perspective on the traditional cozy game and instead brings a little chaos and fun into the calming exterior.
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You play as a farmer, but rather than planting crops, you collect adorable slimes to feed and take care of. Armed with what is essentially a vacuum and a world of slime, your only objective is to make a fortune wrangling different slimes and being the best rancher out there.
This is a great cozy game for those who want something they can jump in and out of without feeling like they need to dedicate hours to catching creatures.
Stardew Valley in 3d: My Time at Sandrock
Key Features
- Exploration
- Crafting
- Interact with townspeople
- Upcoming multiplayer
- Quests
- Available on PC / Switch / Console
As one of the more recent cozy games to release, My Time at Sandrock quickly garnered a sizeable following with many fans thrilled at the 3d experience.
You play as a fledgling Builder who arrives at Sandrock with their trusty toolbox, dedicated to making a life for themselves and saving the town from economic ruin. Throughout the story you can craft, explore, make friends, and even fall in love, making it strongly resemble the likes of Stardew Valley.
However, this game is still unique in its own right, sporting a more construction-based experience filled with beautiful art design and thrilling stories.
Farming Down Under: Dinkum
Key Features
- Exploration
- Crafting
- Online co-op
- Sandbox building
- Available on PC
If Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley had an Australian baby it would probably look something like Dinkum. This cozy farming game has you start a simple life in the Australian Outback as you explore everything The Land Down Under has to offer.
On your journey, you’ll be tasked with building up a community with like-minded characters. The best part of Dinkum is that it has sandbox building letting you make your town exactly how you want to. It’s extremely well done and easy to use too letting you just kick back, relax, and build whatever you want.
It’s an early access title so there’s still room for improvement, but don’t let that make you think it’s lacking polish. Dinkum is a wonderfully crafted game that can deliver on all your chill gaming needs.
History meets cozy: Roots of Pacha
Key Features:
- Romance
- Great cooperation
- Town interaction
- Pets
- Mounts
- Exciting events
- Available on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 & Mac
Roots of Pacha is essentially Stardew Valley if it was set in the Stone Age. You’re part of a clan and it’s your job to help them grow in prosperity.
What really sets this game apart is its promotion for collaboration. Rather than earning money, you earn prosperity. The more prosperity you earn and contributions you make, the more the town learns from taming animals to irrigation for plants.
Add that with the thrilling events that keep all players happy, and you have yourself a fantastic cozy game.
A stunning sequel: Coffee Talk Episode 2
Key Features
- Story heavy
- Fantasy
- Atmospheric sound design
- Immersive barista gameplay
- Easy to learn
- Available on PC / Switch / Console / Mac
If you enjoyed the original Coffee Talk, then you’ll love its sequel. It brings back beloved characters, touching stories, and some great coffee making.
One of the best elements of Coffee Talk Episode 2, aside from its immersive sound design, is its hands-off nature. If you choose to, you can simply watch the texts scroll by on the screen, listening to the customers’ tales and only really reaching for your controller or device to make drinks. It almost feels like a cozy movie with all your favorite characters.
Venba
Key Features:
- Cooking
- Story driven
- Distinct retro graphics
- Engaging gameplay
- Available on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S PC
Set in the late 80s, Venba is a narrative-driven cooking game that follows the story of Venba and her family who migrate from South India to Canada. What follows is a cultural shock as Venba and her family face problems coming to terms with the new language and culture.
You as the player take on the titular role of Venba, a homemaker who tries to instill the values of her culture in her son as he grows up in Canada. Each chapter in the story is beautifully told showcasing a different year in Venba’s life.
Ori and the Blind Forest
Key features:
- Calming music
- Interesting platforming puzzles
- Heartfelt story
- Beautifully detailed environments
- Available on PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Ori and the Blind Forest is quite an old game but still looks incredible by today’s standards, be it its music, whimsical setting, or the story that tugs on your heartstrings as it leaves you craving for more. It’s evident that Moon Studios’ team really put their heart and soul into the game with everything it offers.
Gareth Coker, the composer for Ori and the Blind Forest who has produced music for Halo: Infinite and various other titles delivers a masterful score that goes hand in hand with the profound story players get to immerse themselves in. The game even has a sequel, Orie and the Will of the Wisps, if you find yourself wanting more.
Those are the best cozy games you should try out on your Switch, console, or PC. While waiting for the next one to load, take a look at some of our handy guides for your next favorite cozy game:
All Realms in Disney Dreamlight Valley | Stardew Valley cheats | Best Stardew Valley farm ideas | How to get Iron Nuggets fast in Animal Crossing | Animal Crossing island names
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