Games can offer thrilling adventures and action, but sometimes you just want to slow down and play a game to relax. The best cozy games have a way to make you forget your wows and destress.
Cozy games are a general term that applies to various genres of games, aiming to provide a tranquil or relaxing gameplay experience. Whether it’s to explore a beautiful world or let you play at your own pace.
Techopedia presents the best cozy games of all time for every type of player, no matter what platform you’re on.
Key Takeaways
- Cozy games are a general term in gaming that refers to calming or relaxing gameplay.
- Cozy games can be played on any platform, including Xbox, PlayStation, PC, and mobile.
- Power Wash Simulator, It Takes Two, and Astroneer are the best cozy games on Game Pass.
- Stardew Valley, Minecraft, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons are the best cozy games.
- Open Roads, Dave the Diver, and Townscaper are more of the best cozy games to play.
10 Best Cozy Games to Play in 2024
There are a plethora of cozy games available to help bring a warm feeling inside, from games to play on the go to huge sandboxes to play on the latest hardware.
Here is a list of the best cozy games of 2024:
10. Ghost Giant
Ghost Giant combines relaxing gameplay with virtual reality. Source: Zoink games
- Highlights: Interactive gameplay, virtual reality, cute cartoon art style
- Developer: Zoink Games
- Publisher: Zoink Games
- Availability & Cost: $24.99 on Meta, $24.99 on PlayStation
Ghost Giant is one of the best cozy VR games because it combines an interactive experience with captivating storytelling and a charming art style. Players control a giant who aids a boy named Louis in saving his family’s farm, interacting with the character and the world in virtual reality.
9. Astroneer
- Highlights: Colorful planets, varied exploration, base building
- Developer: System Era Softworks
- Publisher: System Era Softworks
- Availability & Cost: $29.99 on Steam, $29.99 on PlayStation, $29.99 on Xbox, $29.99 on Switch
Astroneer is a sandbox experience in space and one of the best cozy games on Xbox. It is available to download and play for anyone with an Xbox Game Pass core subscription. Due to its colorful worlds, resource management gameplay, and in-depth base-building mechanics, it is one of the best space games to play.
8. Power Wash Simulator
- Highlights: Variety of levels, satisfying mechanics
- Developer: FuturLab
- Publisher: Square Enix Collective
- Availability & Cost: Game Pass or $24.99 on Xbox, $24.99 on Steam, $24.99 on PlayStation, $24.99 on Switch
Power Wash Simulator washed away the competition when it first launched on July 14, 2022, and still remains one of the best cozy games in 2024. Take on a variety of jobs, from the neighborhood backyards to cleaning a space rover on Mars. It’s a hilarious title that offers silly yet relaxing gameplay.
7. Potion Craft
- Highlights: Stunning aesthetics, satisfying potion brewing, in-depth management
- Developer: Niceplay Games
- Publisher: TinyBuild
- Availability & Cost: $19.99 on Steam, $19.99 on Xbox, $19.99 on Switch, $19.99 on PlayStation
Potion Craft is the best cozy game on Steam because of its aesthetically pleasing visuals and highly interactive gameplay. It involves creating magical brews by combining ingredients, experimenting with different combinations to discover new potions, and managing resources to enhance effects.
6. Sims 4
- Highlights: Customizable experience, large modding community
- Developer: Maxis
- Publisher: Electronic Arts
- Availability & Cost: Free on Xbox Game Pass, Free on PlayStation, Free on EA Play
Sims 4 is the best cozy PC game as you manage the everyday lives of sims in this social simulator. Players can also download a variety of mods to customize the game to their preferences, whether it’s to make the game more immersive or add some flair to the Sims lives. Check out our list of the best Sims 4 mods to enhance your experience.
5. Stray
- Highlights: Beautiful settings, interesting premise, great soundtrack
- Developer: BlueTwelve Studio
- Publisher: Electronic Arts
- Availability & Cost: $29.99 on Xbox, $29.99 on PlayStation, $29.99 on Steam
Stray is a linear exploration game that leaps its way into one of the best cozy games on PS5. The dystopian world is beautiful to gaze at and explore as a small feline, where you can jump, climb, and meow your way through its streets. The haptic feedback and adaptive triggers on the PS5 DualSense controller help bring the immersion to a whole new level.
4. It Takes Two
- Highlights: Fun aesthetic style, compelling story, accessible
- Developer: Hazelight Studio
- Publisher: Electronic Arts
- Availability & Cost: Game Pass or $39.99 on Xbox, $39.99 on PlayStation, $39.99 on Nintendo, $39.99 on Steam
The 2021 Game of the Year winner is one of the best cozy co-op games to play with friends and family. Those who purchase It Takes Two can offer a friend pass to another player, even if they don’t own the game, to share the adventure together. It’s filled with fun puzzles, hilarious moments, and a beautiful story to experience.
3. Minecraft
- Highlights: Procedural worlds, calming gameplay, mods and servers
- Developer: Mojang Studios
- Publisher: Microsoft
- Availability & Cost: $19.99 on Xbox, $19.99 on PlayStation, $29.99 on PC, $6.99 on iOS, $6.99 on Google Play
Over the years, Minecraft has evolved to become many things: among the best survival games, the best open world games, and one of the best multiplayer cozy games. Mining and building with friends can be a pleasant experience, and its series of mods and online servers can vary the gameplay.
2. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- Highlights: Progression, relaxing pace, charming characters
- Developer: Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Availability & Cost: $59.99 on Nintendo
Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the best cozy switch game because it offers a relaxing, slow-paced experience where players can build and customize their island at their own pace. It was one of our top picks for the best Nintendo Switch games to play.
1. Stardew Valley
- Highlights: Pixel graphics, relaxing farm simulator, interesting characters
- Developer: Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone
- Publisher: Chucklefish
- Availability & Cost: GamePass or $14.99 on Xbox, $14.99 on PlayStation, $14.99 on Nintendo, $14.99 on Steam, $4.99 on iOS, $4.99 on Google Play
One of the best cozy games of all time is an indie game combining farming simulator gameplay with retro pixel graphics. Stardew Valley puts you in charge of a farm, allowing you to play at your own pace and interact with its cast of characters. Read more about the upcoming 1.6 update coming to Stardew Valley in November.
More of the Best Cozy Games to Play in 2024
One of the best cozy games on Android that lets you build your own virtual town. $5.99 on Steam, $5.99 on Google Play, $5.99 on iOS.
The mystery thriller is the best new cozy game to play. Gamepass or $19.99 on Xbox, $19.99 on Steam, $19.99 on PlayStation, and $19.99 on Nintendo.
Among the best cozy mobile games that let players guide a princess through optical illusion mazes. $2.99 on Google Play, $3.99 on iOS.
The award-winning MMO is the best cozy iPad game to play, allowing exploration of beautiful sky kingdoms. Free on Steam, Free on Google Play, Free on iOS, Free on Nintendo.
One of the best cozy games for Steam Deck, where players dive into the sea to collect fish, solve quests, and manage a restaurant. $19.99 on Steam, $19.99 on PlayStation, $19.99 on Nintendo Switch.
The Bottom Line
This article outlines the best cozy games in 2024 that help you unwind after a hard day’s work or simply leave you feeling warm after completion. However, what determines the best game is entirely dependent on personal preferences.
Our best cozy games list covers all kinds of platforms, meaning there’s peace and enjoyment to be had for every type of player.
FAQs
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References
- Ghost Giant on Meta Quest | Quest VR Games (Meta)
- Ghost Giant (Playstation)
- ASTRONEER on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- ASTRONEER (Store.playstation)
- Buy ASTRONEER | Xbox (Xbox)
- ASTRONEER for Nintendo Switch – Nintendo Official Site (Nintendo)
- Buy PowerWash Simulator | Xbox (Xbox)
- Save 30% on PowerWash Simulator on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- PowerWash Simulator – PS4 & PS5 Games | PlayStation (US) (Playstation)
- PowerWash Simulator for Nintendo Switch – Nintendo Official Site (Nintendo)
- Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Buy Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator | Xbox (Xbox)
- Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator for Nintendo Switch – Nintendo Official Site (Nintendo)
- Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator (Playstation)
- The Sims 4 | Xbox (Xbox)
- The Sims 4 – PS4 games – PlayStation (US) (Playstation)
- The Sims™ 4 – Download free – Electronic Arts (Ea)
- Buy Stray | Xbox (Xbox)
- Stray – PS4 & PS5 Games | PlayStation (US) (Playstation)
- Stray on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Buy It Takes Two – Digital Version | Xbox (Xbox)
- It Takes Two – PS4 & PS5 Games | PlayStation (US) (Playstation)
- It Takes Two for Nintendo Switch – Nintendo Official Site (Nintendo)
- It Takes Two on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Minecraft: Play with Game Pass | Xbox (Xbox)
- Minecraft – PS4 Games | PlayStation (US) (Playstation)
- Minecraft: Java & Bedrock Edition for PC Deluxe Edition (Minecraft)
- Minecraft: Play with Friends on the App Store (Apps.apple)
- Minecraft: Play with Friends – Apps on Google Play (Play.google)
- Animal Crossing™: New Horizons (Nintendo)
- Buy Stardew Valley | Xbox (Xbox)
- Stardew Valley (Playstation)
- Stardew Valley for Nintendo Switch – Nintendo Official Site (Nintendo)
- Stardew Valley on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Stardew Valley on the App Store (Apps.apple)
- Stardew Valley – Apps on Google Play (Play.google)
- Townscaper on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Townscaper – Apps on Google Play (Play.google)
- Townscaper on the App Store (Apps.apple)
- Buy Open Roads | Xbox (Xbox)
- Open Roads on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Open Roads (Playstation)
- Open Roads for Nintendo Switch – Nintendo Official Site (Nintendo)
- Monument Valley 2 – Apps on Google Play (Play.google)
- Monument Valley 2 on the App Store (Apps.apple)
- Sky: Children of the Light on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Sky: Children of the Light – Apps on Google Play (Play.google)
- Sky: Children of the Light on the App Store (Apps.apple)
- Sky: Children of the Light for Nintendo Switch – Nintendo Official Site (Nintendo)
- Dave the Diver on Steam (Store.steampowered)
- Dave the Diver – PS5 and PS4 Games | PlayStation (US) (Playstation)
- Dave the Diver for Nintendo Switch – Nintendo Official Site (Nintendo)