During the holidays, many people view it as a time to relax and unwind. But for gamers, it’s the perfect opportunity to dive into some fantastic video games. And what better way to enjoy the season than with cozy games – titles designed for relaxation, free from stress, but still full of creativity.
Whether you’re catching up on your backlog or browsing for something new on the Xbox marketplace, we have a great selection of tried and true titles that are perfect for cozying up with. We’ve divided them into categories to help you find the perfect game to suit your mood. So grab a hot beverage, snuggle up with a blanket, and let’s delve into the world of cozy gaming.
Fun on the Farm
Farming simulation games are the epitome of cozy gaming, offering players a peaceful escape to worlds where they can grow crops, socialize with neighbors, and embark on adventures. Whether you’re looking for a combat-free experience or a gentle challenge, we’ve got you covered.
Stardew Valley
Platforms: Cloud, Console, and PC
Inherit your grandfather’s neglected farm in Stardew Valley and transform it into a thriving homestead. Develop your farming, fishing, and combat skills, interact with the townsfolk, and even find love. Whether you’re a newcomer or a returning player, the recent 1.6 update offers lots of new content and features to enjoy with friends in co-op mode.
Lightyear Frontier
Platforms: Cloud, Console, and PC
Embark on a peaceful galactic farming adventure in Lightyear Frontier, where you can build your dream interstellar homestead with a customizable mech companion. Explore a mysterious world, uncover its secrets, and aid the ecosystem, all while enjoying the ultimate cozy farming experience with up to three friends in online multiplayer.
Coral Island
Platforms: Cloud, Console, and PC
Escape the city and create your own tropical paradise in Coral Island. Farm, raise animals, and immerse yourself in a vibrant community of over 70 unique characters. Dive into outdoor activities like insect hunting and treasure diving in the coral reef for a relaxing simulator full of charm.
Comfy, Cozy Puzzles
If farming isn’t your cup of tea, you might enjoy these delightful puzzle games for some cozy exploration and peaceful puzzling in beautiful art styles.
Botany Manor
Platforms: Cloud, Console, and PC
Step into the shoes of retired botanist Arabella Greene in Botany Manor as you restore the gardens of her stately home. Solve puzzles, grow forgotten plants, and uncover the secrets of the manor as you delve into Arabella’s life and research.
A Little To The Left
Platforms: Cloud, Console, and PC
Organize and stack household items in A Little to the Left, a charming puzzle game that turns tidying up into a fun experience. If you enjoy a well-organized space, this game is perfect for you.
Strange Horticulture
Platforms: Cloud, Console
Experience an occult-themed puzzle adventure in Strange Horticulture, where you run a local plant store and seek out new plant species. Balancing calm and creepy elements, unravel the dark mysteries of Undermere and influence the game’s story with your knowledge of flora and fauna.
Light-hearted Adventures
If you’re looking for interactive adventures without combat or decision-making pressure, these easy-going games offer fun environments, light quests, and engaging activities to keep your mind entertained.
Lil Gator Game
Platforms: Cloud, Console, and PC
Explore a charming island as a lil gator in Lil Gator Game, where quests and new friends await you in forests and mountaintops. Enjoy a joyful platformer at your own pace for a delightful gaming experience.
Dungeons of Hinterberg
Platforms: Cloud, Console, and PC
Delve into dungeons and socialize in the picturesque town of Hinterberg in Dungeons of Hinterberg. Choose between exploration and relaxation each day, balancing light challenges with peace and relaxation in a lovely narrative adventure.
Little Kitty, Big City
Platforms: Cloud, Console, and PC
Experience city life as a cat in Little Kitty, Big City, an exploration game with fun areas to discover. Befriend other animals, complete quests, and create chaos in a cozy, adorable adventure with a touch of whimsy.
Spiritfarer
Platforms: Cloud, Console, and PC
Manage mortality in a cozy way with Spiritfarer, as you sail the world and care for spirit friends before sending them off to the afterlife. Enjoy farming, crafting, cooking, and more as you embark on a heartwarming journey with a friend as Stella’s pet, Daffodil the cat.
Jusant
Platforms: Cloud, Console, and PC
Journey to the top of a tower in Jusant, an action puzzle adventure game where you explore beautiful biomes and master your climbing skills. Conquer the tower at your own pace and immerse yourself in the atmospheric surroundings and music for a relaxing gaming experience.
A Short Hike
Platforms: Cloud, Console, and PC
Embark on a peaceful adventure through Hawk Peak Provincial Park in A Short Hike, exploring mountainous landscapes as a little bird. Discover secrets, chat with characters, and make your way to the summit at your own pace.
Disney Dreamlight Valley
Platforms: Cloud, Console, and PC
Enter the magical world of Disney Dreamlight Valley, a life simulator where you befriend iconic Disney and Pixar characters. Decorate your home, help friends, and restore Dreamlight Valley for a heartwarming and cozy gaming experience.
Cozy Narrative Delights
Indulge in narrative-driven games for a cozy gaming experience with intriguing stories and low-energy gameplay. Whether you’re a photographer on a journey or exploring space in claymation style, these games offer captivating adventures.
Chicory
Platforms: Cloud, Console, and PC
Unleash your inner artist in Chicory, an adventure game filled with vibrant characters where you solve puzzles, help friends, and uncover a compelling story about a missing superstar artist.
Toem
Platforms: Cloud, Console, and PC
View the world through a new lens in Toem, a delightful expedition where photography is key to uncovering hidden mysteries in a magical world. Engage with quirky characters and explore gorgeous hand-drawn landscapes in a relaxed and immersive experience.
Harold Halibut
Platforms: Cloud, Console, and PC
Embark on a retro-futuristic point-and-click adventure in Harold Halibut as lab assistant Harold aboard an underwater spaceship. Encounter unique creatures, uncover humanity’s past, and enjoy a cozy narrative brimming with charm.
Satisfying Cleanups
If you find satisfaction in cleaning up messes, these titles offer a cozy way to scrub, sort, and style vibrant virtual worlds from the comfort of your sofa.
PowerWash Simulator
Platforms: Cloud, Console, and PC
Relax in the stress-free world of PowerWash Simulator, where you suit up and embark on a cleaning adventure across various levels. Blast away dirt and grime to reveal sparkling surfaces, and uncover the delightful story of the town of Muckingham.
House Flipper
Platforms: Cloud, Console, and PC
Become a renovation pro in House Flipper, where you take on contracts, buy rundown properties, and transform them into beautiful homes. Knock down walls, paint, and furnish rooms with meticulous detail in this satisfying and cozy home renovation game.
Unpacking
Platforms: Cloud, Console, and PC
Discover a heartfelt story through unpacking possessions in Unpacking, a cozy narrative puzzle game that reveals the life of an unseen protagonist as you curate living spaces and unravel their story through personal treasures.
Nostalgic Cozy Favorites
Revisit beloved series from your youth with these reboots of classic 90s games for a warm and familiar gaming experience. Whether you’re reliving your favorite adventures or introducing them to a new generation, these titles offer a trip down memory lane.
Spyro: Reignited Trilogy
Platforms: Cloud, Console, and PC
Save the Dragon Realms in the meticulously remastered Spyro: Reignited Trilogy, a collection of the original Spyro games. Glide through vibrant worlds, free dragons, collect treasure, and rescue dragon eggs in this cozy platforming adventure suitable for all ages.
Crash Bandicoot: N’Sane Trilogy
Platforms: Cloud, Console, and PC
Join Crash Bandicoot on a nostalgic adventure in the remastered Crash Bandicoot: N’Sane Trilogy, featuring the first three classic games. Spin, jump, and crash your way through levels as you battle Dr. Neo Cortex and his minions in this modern take on a beloved platforming series.
Return to Monkey Island
Platforms: Cloud, Console, and PC
Embark on a new adventure with Guybrush Threepwood in Return to Monkey Island, a return to the beloved point-and-click series. Banter with old and new friends, solve clever puzzles, and confront the leaders of Melee Island for a cozy and exciting journey across the seas.