Summary
Cozy gaming is now a massively popular genre. Many players are looking to slow down and relax and start a farm, run a coffee shop, or decorate a home instead of slaying a dragon. Still, it is nice to have a few dragons around! Enjoying a fantastical setting from a more relaxed perspective as opposed to a fast-paced, fighting-focused one can be great for mental health and stress relief. Plus, these games use innovative mechanics, narratives, and aesthetics that more traditional, adrenaline-chasing titles don’t have, creating a different kind of story-telling experience.
These games provide maximum relaxation for players looking for the ultimate slow-life fantasy experience. Don’t confuse a slow life with a boring one: these games have their own secrets to unlock for players willing to put in the time (and maybe do a few virtual chores).
10MySims Kingdom
Animal Crossing But With Princesses
Bring happiness back to a kingdom in this story-driven sequel toMySims. Fans ofAnimal Crossingand theaccompanying DLCHappy Home Paradisewill enjoy this game centered around renovating a kingdom and completing tasks for a variety of charming characters.
Newly re-released on the Switch alongside the originalMySims,this game is a great no-combat cozy game, though both the narrative and the characters are a bit simple.
Paliais an MMO game with farming, crafting, and exploring in a bright fantasy setting. There is great character and home customization,though some options require purchasing in-game currency to do so(a reasonable ask for this free-to-play game - and don’t worry, all buy-ins are cosmetic). There is no combat - instead, players are encouraged to build their relationships with both charming NPCs and with each other via tasks like bug catching, fishing, farming, and exploring.
While the MMO aspect ofPaliasets it apart from other cozy games, it is also a drawback for any players expecting to go in as a lone wolf: teamwork is required to get the best resources. However,Paliahas an active online community, and it is easy to connect with other players.
Players looking for the authentic peasant-grind experience will find the fun inMirthwood:a dark fantasy resource management simulator and RPG. This game allows for both adventurers and farmers to build a thriving homestead in a beautiful hand-drawn setting. Combat can be tricky and progress is slow, but players won’t lack for tasks to complete or NPCs to bother inMirthwood.
Unfortunately, there are some persistent game-breaking bugs in this indie title, including frame rate drops, players freezing in place, and missing UI. The potential is there, but patches are needed.
Another MMO,Fae Farmputs a cutesy-fantasy spin on the farming sim formula. Players can gather friends for some challenging dungeon crawls, farming, or resource gathering, or go it alone: the game allows for both.
The game isn’t making any revolutionary changes to the farm, mine, combat, upgrade items loop so popular in games likeStardew Valley,but it still provides a ton of fun gameplay with great aesthetics and combat brings in a level of genuine challenge.
Sick of farming?InPotion Permit,players cure charming NPCs of illnesses and injuries as they search the surrounding magical wilderness for potion ingredients. This game has some great puzzles and mini-games that get more challenging as progression moves forward and some of the best character writing in the genre.
While the mini-games have great replay value, some of the combat and resource gathering can get old over time. Still, the star of the show here is the charming narrative and setting.
This charming visual noveltakes place in an alternate Seattle full of fantasy creatures. These creatures all have two things in common: complex emotional journeys and a love for hot drinks. Players can learn all their favorites as they help these characters navigate family relationships, love, and identity.
The writing is earnest and clever and the soundtrack makes this the perfect choice for a cozy night in. Just one night in, however, as this game can be completed in about four hours. Still, there is a free coffee-making mode for those who love the barista mini-game.
Even more drink-making and advice-giving are waiting in fantasy Seattle in this sequel that retains all the charms of the original. New characters are introduced, old favorites return with updates to their stories and to their looks, and there are new drinks to make!
The playtime of this visual novel clocks in at around 12 hours, so there is plenty of additional content for those who loved the firstCoffee Talk.
Fans ofHarvest Moonwill love this title that has recently been updated for new consoles.Rune Factory 4includes all the classicHarvest Moonelements like farming, resource gathering, and marriage, with the addition of dragon gods, monster raising, and combat.WhileRune Factory 5is newer and is a ton of fun,Rune Factory 4has more content overall and would be a better place to start for players new toRune Factory.
The new version for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Switch also includes new and updated cutscenes for players already familiar with the franchise.
Fields of Mistriahas great animation, character design, and dialog, plus rewarding combat and farming mechanics. This game has taken the formula set by games likeHarvest MoonandStardew Valleyand perfected it. It is a beautiful romp withcharacters that feel fleshed outin ways that other games in the genre don’t quite manage.
There is lots of customization, players can save in the middle of the day, the characters are all super charming, and there is a dragon marriage candidate. What more could a farmer ask for?
Players looking for the slow life have likely already made the journey toStardew Valley,but this is a game worth a revisit. With the new 1.6 update now available on consoles, this classic indie hit still has more to discover.
Farm, fight mummies, go fishing, befriend a bear, decorate your home, enter a volcano, and get to know your neighbors in this sleepy seaside town all over again. This one is a cult classic for a reason.
