Four Cosy Games You Should Consider Playing
Four Cosy Games You Should Consider Playing.
It’s fair to say that the cosy game genre has become over-saturated recently, a trend that begun emerging during the COVID-19 pandemic which encouraged people of all kinds to turn to video games as a form of safe and fun entertainment. These cosy games typically don’t require any mechanical skill like aiming and reaction time, which make them perfect for gamers who are searching for a more calming experience, or those who need a break from the first-person shooter grind.
As a self-proclaimed games expert, I have curated a list of my personal favourite cosy games to help you sort through the seemingly endless waves of potential new favourites.
1. Stardew Valley
My Stardew Valley Farm! (Stardew Valley by ConcernedApe, 2016).
For those already familiar with the genre, seeing Stardew Valley on this list is not at all surprising. Developed by ConcernedApe, Stardew Valley has seen consistent updates since release, which has seen it bloom into a truly excellent game.
Upon your grandfather’s death, you inherit his old farm in the rural town of Stardew Valley. Years later, as you struggle to keep up with the demands of your corporate job, you decide to pack up your life and move into the small community of around 30 people and start your new career as the town’s farmer. During the day, you can plant seeds, water plants and watch them grow, talk to members of the community and learn about them by giving them gifts. You can also explore a local mineshaft to gather ore and fight monsters or go fishing in the lakes, rivers or beaches surrounding the town.
The brilliance of Stardew Valley is the choices it lets you make. You can choose to do any combination of these things, focus solely on community or choose to maintain a healthy work-life balance. It also offers many romanceable options for those looking for love. Stardew Valley is a fun, beautiful and cheap choice for those entering the cosy game genre.
Stardew Valley is available on PC, Switch, PlayStation 4/5 and Xbox Series X/S.
2. Potion Permit
(Potion Permit by MassHive Media, 2022).
With a similar art style to Stardew Valley, Potion Permit, developed by MassHive Media, may seem like any other cosy game but with a unique concept, it really holds its own. Upon moving to a rural town (I’m sensing a theme here), you move into a house attached to a hospital. Much like Stardew Valley, you forage for resources and communicate with the villagers, discovering their stories and helping them with quests. In Potion Permit however, you use the materials you gather to brew potions in your cauldron to unlock new places to forage, become stronger in combat and heal the villagers that become ill with various afflictions.
While the game can become a little bit grind-y when played for long periods of time, the potion crafting, cute characters and fun exploration elements certainly make this cosy game worth playing.
Potion permit is available on PC, Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S (and more!).
3. Animal Crossing: New Horizons
The start of my new life on Persephone Island (Animal Crossing: New Horizons by Nintendo, 2020).
Another ‘heavy hitter’ of the cosy game genre, Animal Crossing; New Horizons, developed by Nintendo, has everything a cosy gamer could want.
In Animal Crossing; New Horizons you move to a deserted island (wow this really is uncanny), along with two anthropomorphic creatures known as ‘villagers’. Together, you work to pay off your debt, build stores and landmarks, register all the local fauna and flora in the museum and decorate your island to your liking.
While all cosy games include well thought out customisation options to decorate your land, the Animal Crossing franchise takes it to a whole new level. In your role as Island Representative, you have absolute control over everything. Where every building is, furnishings, plant life, even the shape of the island or the rivers and streams. Everything is in your control. The creativity this game enables is truly unmatched by any game on this list.
This does come at a cost however, as the story of Animal Crossing; New Horizons is especially shallow. Unlike the other games on this list, there really isn’t much to the residents of the island, no cutscenes where you learn about them, no options to romance, and in general, a lack of individual personality. In saying this, the Animal Crossing series had stood the test of time for a reason: with hundreds of different fish to catch, seasonal events and beautiful music, Animal Crossing will deliver you a sense of calm not many other games can provide.
Animal Crossing is available exclusively for the Nintendo Switch.
4. Coral Island
Exploring the underwater reef pre-mermaid transformation (Coral Island by MassHive Media, 2023).
A game still receiving major story and gameplay updates, Coral Island, developed by Stairway Games, has the potential to be one of the greatest cosy games of all time. The game begins with you moving to a rural farming and fishing island (yep, it’s a requirement!), which has recently experienced an oil spill disaster that has disrupted the local economy. As you arrive, so too does the mega corporation Pufferfish, looking to buy the island and its residents labour in exchange for helping clear the oil.
While the farming and fishing don’t really stand out, the social interactions and character development in Coral Island are, in my opinion, significantly better than any of the previous titles. The selling point of this game, however, is the ability to turn into a mermaid. Yes… you can turn into a mermaid. Take my money. As a mermaid you can explore a rich and beautiful underwater world, as well as interact with a whole slew of new merfolk characters, truly a dream come true.
As mentioned, Coral Island is not yet a completed title, still receiving major updates, and in combination with its pretty steep price tag when compared to some other titles, if you’re gaming on a budget, there may be better options for you.
Coral Island is available on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox series X/S.