Best Cozy Games That Are Not Farming Sims

Although cozy games are usually defined by how they make someone feel, they must contain other elements too. Cozy games should be non-stressful, give the player warm and comforting vibes, and have a calming aesthetic. There should be no combat and hardly anything to make the heart race.

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Many of the most popular cozy games involve raising animals and planting crops, but not all gamers want that sort of gameplay. Beyond the world of farming simulation games, there is a host of fantastic cozy games that are often overlooked. From magical plant stores to mystical bathhouses, there are some amazing cozy games to choose from that aren’t farming sims.

Updated on December 30, 2024, by Mark Sammut: When the stress of everyday life becomes too much, nothing hits the spot like a cozy game with almost no tension. These escapes from reality are the definition of relaxing, allowing players to just forget their troubles for a few hours and just enjoy the warm scenery or pressure-free gameplay loop. Farming sims are synonymous with “cozy,” but they do not have a monopoly on the term. Consequently, two more recommendations have been added that do not involve any farming.

12

Dungeons of Hinterberg

A Much-Needed Escape From The Daily Grind

7/10

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Dungeons of Hinterberg

Action RPG

Puzzle

Hack and Slash

Systems

Released

July 18, 2024

Developer(s)

Microbird Games

Publisher(s)

Curve Games

• Relaxing Gameplay Loop
• Warm and Vibrant Visuals
• Laid-Back Pacing

Dungeons of Hinterberg is a hack-and-slash RPG that tasks players with completing 25 dungeons, all of which are filled with enemies and puzzles. On paper, this might not sound particularly relaxing, but Microbird’s project is surprisingly therapeutic. In-universe, the protagonist needs a break from her daily life as a lawyer, which has left her directionless and unfulfilled. Wanting to reignite her passion and imagination, she heads to Hinterberg, a place in the Alps that has become a hub for magic and dungeon crawling.

While the story throws out a few twists and turns, the main gameplay loop revolves around casually exploring four regions, completing the occasional dungeon, and then heading back into town to enjoy a fun night out. Even the combat is quite laid-back, while still offering enough of a challenge to be engaging. This 2024 game is a delightful escape, and it is even available on Game Pass.

11

Spirittea

Be A Spirit Problem Solver

• Life and management sim
• Cute and funny dialogue
• Relaxed and evenly-paced quests

Spirittea combines the aesthetic of Stardew Valley with the soul of Spirited Away in a sweet and cozy life sim. Players take on the role of a bathhouse manager who has recently drunk some spirit tea, allowing them to see into the world of the dead.

These troublesome spirits are lost and agitated, and it seems there is only one person who can help. Spirittea is a sweet game set against a gorgeous East Asian backdrop, perfect for playing on a rainy day.

10

Strange Horticulture

Delve Into Dark Delights

• Intriguing mystery
• Interactive story
• Satisfying puzzles

Strange Horticulture is a darkly delightful game in which players discover and collect plants to sell in their new store. This is beyond any regular shop simulation game, however, as players soon realize this new town is full of mystery and intrigue.

As folk appear in the store, it is up to the player to decide what each of them requires. They may want something simple like a sleep aid, or perhaps they are desperate for something to break a curse… The Strange Horticulture plant store has exactly what the people of Undermere need.

9

A Little To The Left

Tidy Puzzle Fun

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A Little to the Left

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Released

November 8, 2022

Developer

Max Inferno

Publisher

Max Inferno

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

• Relaxing music
• Engaging puzzles
• Optional DLCs

A Little To The Left is the perfect cozy game for cat-loving puzzle players. Each level has deeply satisfying puzzles to solve by sorting and stacking household items.

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There is no stress if a puzzle has a player stumped, however, as hints are offered and there is even a ‘Pass’ option. That way, players can move on and decide to go back at their leisure. This is a charming, casual game perfect for playing on a quiet evening before bed.

8

Beacon Pines

Casual, Cute, And Creepy

• Interactive story
• Beautiful artwork
• Mysterious characters

Beacon Pines is a cozy interactive story with a twist, as the player is taken on an emotional journey with cute but mysterious characters. The game is visually appealing, with gentle, spooky music to really draw a player in.

Beacon Pines has gamers play through the story, but then choose to return to key points for a replay. This unique and interesting gameplay means no moment is lost in this darkly whimsical game. It is a wonderful title to jump into to escape a difficult day.

7

Unpacking

A Surprisingly Touching Tidy-Up Game

• Sweet story
• Quick gameplay
• Calming aesthetic

Unpacking has surprised players with its subtle story, which runs through this simple game’s wordless puzzles. Players are taken on the journey of a faceless young woman leaving home for the first time. The game starts in a small, single bedroom, then moves to apartments and, finally, a family home.

As players move to each new location, there are boxes to unpack and items to store away. The unpacking and tidying elements of the game are charming enough, but the poignant plot is what draws a player in. Who is this young person, and where will she end up next?

6

Wytchwood

A Spellbinding Fairytale

• Foraging ingredients
• Magical spells
• Spellbinding fairytale story

In Wytchwood, players live as the witch of the woods, spending their days foraging and crafting spells and potions. This storybook-style adventure is full of surprises as the witch meets the forest’s strange and wonderful creatures.

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The dialogue and characterization in Wytchwood are smart and funny, making it more than any ordinary fairytale adventure game. This is a great game for players who enjoy magical adventures set in beautiful worlds.

5

Duck Detective: The Secret Salami

Crime Buster Of The Pond

• Crime-solving
• Funny voice lines
• Short adventure

Step into the mysterious world of the Duck Detective. Play through the mysterious case of the secret salami and solve the mystery as the great detective in his iconic trench coat and fedora.

This adventure game is full of quirky characters to interview and clues to uncover as Duck Detective tries to crack the case. It is a short game, but it packs in a lot of crime-solving fun.

4

We Love Katamari

A Relaxing Royal Roll

• Meditative
• Great soundtrack
• Revamp of a classic game

We Love Katamari is a completely revamped and polished version of the original 2005 game. This time around, players have new challenges and shiny new worlds to roll around in. The idea is to start small and collect items in the right order to make the ball as large as possible.

There is a sweet and meaningful story accompanying the game, and adorable characters to meet, so it is far more than just a mindless ball-rolling game. Players can try it as a solo gamer or with friends in multiplayer. It’s the perfect game to help players forget about a stressful day at work or school.

3

Sky: Children of the Light

A Gorgeous And Cozy MMO

• All About Exploration
• The Power Of Social Connections
• Beautiful Visuals and World

MMOs can be kind of cozy. While most of them focus specifically on combat and can have high-stakes storylines, their gameplay loops can be quite relaxing in their own right, offering a way to spend hours grinding without having to put too much thought into things. That might sound like a criticism, but it is not meant to be.

Sky: Children of the Light is, however, quite different from the typical MMO, which is to be expected considering it is by the developer behind Journey. Focusing on exploration and social connections, Sky has no combat and encourages players to fly freely, interact with other people, and just embrace the moment-to-moment experience. The result might not be something that hits the mark with absolutely everyone, but it is unique. While not a farming sim, Sky players will need to farm some candles.

2

Little Kitty, Big City

Be A Cat About Town

• Feline fun
• Cute quests
• Charming characters

Little Kitty, Big City is set in a colorful world where players control a cat who must find their way back home. Despite being a little kitty lost in a big city, there is no jeopardy, unless the barking dog counts.

Instead, this is a short, relaxing adventure set in a soft cartoon environment. Players must make a journey across the city, completing quests and getting achievements. Little Kitty, Big City is full of charming little details that cat lovers everywhere will enjoy!

1

Untitled Goose Game

Causing Chaos

• Mischievous goose
• Honk!
• Seemingly endless fun

Untitled Goose Game has become a modern classic since its release in 2020. The gameplay can be chaotic one minute and then stealthy the next. Being a horrible goose has never been so much fun.

The new two-player co-op mode creates a whole new level of fun, as players team up against the long-suffering villagers. Pull pranks, steal their things, and generally be a honking nuisance in Untitled Goose Game. This is a great game for taking out stress on unsuspecting townsfolk.

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