A recent Reuters report affirmed what many gamers already know to be true: playing video games can lower levels of anxiety and stress. While an aggressive Mario Kart 8 Deluxe match can be a great outlet for stress, the “cozy games” subgenre is capturing the attention of seasoned gamers and newbies alike.
These casual, low-risk games run the gamut from satisfying power-washing simulators to cutesy sticker shops, and many titles’ simple mechanics appeal to those largely unfamiliar with the video game industry as a whole. If the state of the world’s got you down, these calming, charming releases can become effective outlets for stress.
Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge (2024)
Science fans and animal lovers alike can turn a charming wetland property and its cherub-like frogs into a thriving conservatory. Collect various patterns, customize your sanctuary, and use Punnett square-like tools to breed different amphibians. With the help of this cute and casual title, gamers of all skill levels can craft critter habitats and learn about real-world wildlife conservation and restoration.
Love, Ghostie (2024)
Unfortunately, you’ve just died. But don’t worry! In your cute new ghost form, you are responsible for lifting the spirits (see what I did there?) of an expansive manor’s residents. Steal trinkets and toys and place them in a neighbor’s room, saying they’re from the tenant downstairs. Eavesdrop on intimate conversations, observe dates from afar, and learn what — and who — each neighbor likes.
PowerWash Simulator (2022)
Love to watch those ultra-satisfying hoof-trimming and rug-cleaning videos on TikTok or Instagram Reels? Finally, feel like part of the action in PowerWash Simulator! Players can strategically hose down playgrounds, subway tunnels, and even lawn gnomes using customizable nozzles and cleaning products. Grab a nearby stepladder and get to work, because that muddy penny-farthing isn’t gonna clean itself.
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Animal Crossing: New Horizons (2020)
The COVID-19 pandemic kept millions of Americans on the couch, many of whom turned to the nearest video game console as a distraction. New lockdown measures were enacted around the same time Nintendo‘s Animal Crossing: New Horizons hit shelves. The island life simulator received widespread acclaim, and its commercial and critical success greatly contributed to the newfound widespread interest in cozy games.
A Little to the Left (2022)
All the satisfaction of cleaning and organizing with none of the annoyance. Stack, sort, and align tchotchkes to your heart’s content in A Little to the Left, a simple puzzle game that makes “junk drawer” reorganization seem like a treat. The game rewards each correct item placement with a satisfying chime. After that, much like a puzzle, the rest will (neatly) fall into place.
Sticky Business (2023)
Run your own sticker store in Sticky Business. Channel your inner artisan as you design, manufacture, sell, and ship your adhesive artwork to clamoring customers. This game is perfect for non-committal gamers and newbies, as all sticker-making small business owners can play at their own pace. You’re your own boss, and not beholden to time limits, high scores, or challenging combat.
Little Kitty, Big City (2024)
Just like the title implies, players assume the role of a small (and devious) black cat navigating through a busy world. Trudge through wet concrete in construction sites, knock plants from ledges, knock cell phones from hands, and chase birds to your heart’s content. Try not to annoy passers-by, though, as workers and pedestrians have no time for stray cat shenanigans.
Botany Manor (2024)
Green thumbs, rejoice! In Botany Manor, gamers can cultivate elegant fauna and flora in a sprawling Victorian manor. Point-and-click your way through educational texts, applying lessons learned to your growing plants. Bring up the lights, increase the temperature, and proceed with caution — plants have magical properties, too!
Unpacking (2021)
Who knew a video game with virtually no dialogue could tell such a story? In Unpacking, help the unnamed protagonist pack and unpack boxes of belongings as they settle into new spaces and leave others. Keep an eye on where things go, who they belong to, and the feelings they evoke, as each and every item reveals more about your character’s personal life and personality.
Coffee Talk (2020)
This fantasy coffee shop simulator puts players behind the counter in a barista role. At this supernatural Seattle shop, whip up delicious drinks, catch up with customers, and eavesdrop to stay abreast of your town’s goings-on. Communicate with clientele and craft relationships over coffee using numerous dialogue options and the ability to apply overheard information to new conversations.
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Source: Reuters.
A lifelong gamer raised on classic titles like Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, and Croc, Stephanie brings her expertise of gaming and pop culture to deliver unique, refreshing views on the world of video games, complete with references to absurd and obscure media.
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