18 Cozy Games I've Played for Hours, Plus Fun Accessories (2025)

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• Adventuring, but Cozy

  

  Courtesy of Sprout Studios

  If Stardew Valley (it's listed below!) was bigger and had more of a magical, fantasy feeling, you'd get Sun Haven. The map is immense, and there are many characters you can build relationships with. The storyline is rich and also very much play-at-your-own pace—if you don't have potatoes growing on your farm in Spring 1, you're not going to be set back by a year. My favorite part of Sun Haven is the skill tree. If you'd rather use a bow and arrow than a sword, there's a skill for that. Or if you'd like to focus on foraged goods instead of farming, you can tailor to that play style.

  Even though I hate the fishing minigame with all of my might, if you've put a lot of hours into Stardew and you're looking for something new, Sun Haven is definitely worth a playthrough. Just beware of giant, path-blocking Snaccoons.

• Farming, but Cozy

  

  Screenshot courtesy of Nena Farrell

  A cozy game roundup would be completely remiss without Stardew Valley. It’s iconic—a certified classic—but this farming game received recent updates to keep things feeling fresh. The formula is probably one you’re familiar with: Your character leaves the Big City to take care of the family farm. But while Stardew Valley is a wonderful farming simulator, it’s so much more than that. You can go fishing, dig up treasures, build relationships with other characters, take part in seasonal events, and take down a capitalist regime. All in a day’s work.

• Dating, but Cozy

  

  Courtesy of Chap Games

  Date Everything! isn't for everybody, especially given the fact that it's a dating simulator with potential NSFW content. But I found it super cute and fun to play, and happily spent many hours navigating the narrative-based title. You're playing as a character stuck in their house, and thanks to a pair of special glasses, you suddenly find yourself able to date … well, everything. From your wallpaper to your nightstand to your washing machine and dryer, half the fun of this game is unlocking new dateable characters. The rest of it is somewhat monotonous—you go find a dateable, talk to them, uncover more of their story, and build relationships with them. But the dialogue is well-written and oftentimes hilarious, and other times it's surprisingly poignant. And yeah, some characters are cringe, but that just makes it feel more realistic to me. (Do not ask me about my relationship with my closet hangers.) And I appreciated the content filters, so if you don't want to see overtly NSFW or potentially triggering content, you can still play this game and enjoy it.

• Pizza, but Cozy

  

  Courtesy of TapBlaze

  If we're in the same TikTok algorithmic circles, you've probably seen game streamers playing this title live. Good Pizza, Great Pizza is a cute cooking game on its surface, but there's a compelling story behind the characters that are ordering. It's just hectic enough to keep things interesting, and there's a huge online community if you get stuck or want some advice.

  Unlike most other games, GPGP doesn't suffer on a tablet. I like playing on my iPad with my Apple Pencil. The game is available for the Nintendo Switch, but the controls are wonky and it doesn't get as many updates. We've linked it, but you may want to consider playing on another platform.

• Hello Kitty, but Cozy

  

  Courtesy of Sunblink

  Hello Kitty Island Adventure

  I really didn't think I'd like this game as much as I do. But I do! I'm not even the biggest fan of Hello Kitty or its associated universe of characters (though now I've formed opinions on which is the best, and of course by that, I mean I'd die for Pompompurin.) Hello Kitty Island Adventure is cute and fun regardless. There are all the usual cozy game mechanics—you can go fishing and swimming, grow crops, run around and collect loot, and make friends. But there are also mysteries to unlock, plenty of seasonal events, and even some puzzle mechanics that feel like something out of a Legend of Zelda game. There's enough going on at any given moment that there's a near-constant flow of dopamine from achievements big and small. This title almost scratched the itch in my brain that's been craving another game like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, so if that one was a favorite of yours, I'd recommend giving it a try—even if you don't know how cute Pochacco is yet.

• Dungeons and Dragons, but Cozy

  

  Courtesy of Larian Studios

  When you think about Baldur’s Gate 3, the first thing that pops into your mind probably isn’t “cozy,” but hear me out.

  Whether you spent your day battling mind flayers or goblins, or you went trekking through dangerous dungeons, each day in Baldur’s Gate 3 ends with a campfire, pajamas, and snacks. It’s a bit of game design that provides a sense of safety, and a sense of home even though our heroes spend the bulk of the game on the road. And it gives you a dedicated place to just unwind, talk with your companions about the latest goings-on (and hot goss).

  Not to mention, the game features really granular difficulty options, so your time outside camp can be as chill or un-chill as you want it to be. I like to play it at a brutal, punishing difficulty level, because it makes returning to camp every night feel that much more relaxing—like when you go into a warm, cozy café after a long walk in bitter winter cold. —Jaina Grey

• Island Development, but Cozy

  

  Courtesy of Nintendo

  Animal Crossing: New Horizons

  I already wrote an entire love letter about this game, and you've probably heard about it or already played it for hours, but suffice it to say that Animal Crossing: New Horizons is one of the coziest games in existence. Your character is in charge of developing a deserted island. There are seemingly endless customization and decoration options, and as you progress, you’ll meet more neighbors and unlock more activities. (I've got lots of starter tips here!) Highlights include collecting bugs and fish, renovating your home, and decorating your island to perfection. It kills me that Nintendo stopped adding new content to the game, but if you haven’t put hundreds of hours into it like I have, welcome to your new favorite hobby. (As with all things, it might not be for everyone.)

• Moving, but Cozy

  

  Courtesy of Humble Games

  This sweet title is only a few hours long, but it is so, so worthwhile. The narrative-driven gameplay revolves around unpacking boxes and sorting their contents into various environments. It’s a masterpiece. The sound design is incredible, as is the story. It made our list of the Best Nintendo Switch Games. I can’t go into too much detail without risking spoilers, but if a genie came out of a lamp and granted me three wishes, one of them would be to play this game again for the first time.

• Detective Work, but Cozy

  

  Courtesy of Iceberg Interactive

  It’s one of the simpler options on the list, but no less fun. You play as the proprietor of a plant store. Collect and identify maps, solve puzzles, and piece together the eerie storyline bit by bit. The point-and-click gameplay isn’t too intensive, and it’s refreshing to play a detective title that doesn’t have too much pressure or intensity as a motivational factor. It's also a little bit creepy.

• Memories, but Cozy

  

  Courtesy of Nintendo

  Many WIRED staffers love this game. It's similar to other life sims, but the NPCs are various Disney characters. Lest you feel like the game will be too childish, the dialog is grown up and sometimes a little dark. There are oodles of quests and decoration items, plus hours of unlockable content. The game is frequently updated with new features and quests. There are some microtransactions, but they're not essential—once you purchase the base game, you won't need to buy anything else. It's worth every penny in my opinion (even if I'll be planting pumpkins 'til I’m 50).

• Life, but Cozy

  

  Courtesy of EA

  Okay, maybe your experience with The Sims has been more about removing pool ladders and forcing your crushes to marry you than it has been about being cozy. But have you considered making your Sims knit? Or raise farm animals? Or grow plants? If you remove some of the pressures the game tries to place on you, then The Sims can be extremely cozy. I’ve spent hours just building houses. With oodles of inexpensive expansion packs, plus the option for mods, you can achieve that comforting feeling in many different ways. Best of all, the base game is free.

  Note that recently, a proposed sale of EA to Saudi Arabia-backed investors has embroiled the company in controversy, and you may want to read about it before purchasing.

• Cooking, but Cozy

  

  Courtesy of Cozy Bee Games

  In her dedicated rave, former WIRED reviewer Brenda Stolyar described Lemon Cake as “a mixture of Stardew Valley, Cooking Mama, and Diner Dash in one—but more subdued.” Your goal is to fix up a bakery while keeping your customers happy. It's not too hectic or frenzied, but there are some strategy elements and unlockables to keep things interesting.

• Spell-Casting, but Cozy

  

  Courtesy of Studio Drydock

  This title is similar to other life simulators on this list. You control the main character, Tara, as she navigates life in a new town. You’ll take care of a farm, mine in dungeons, develop relationships with the townspeople, and unravel a mystery with your coven. (Surprise! You’re also a witch!) The magical vibes of this game lend a fresh feel to the genre, which—while still fun—can feel a bit formulaic. But if you've played all the games on your wishlist and or you want a cozy game that feels a little too familiar at times, it's definitely worth a shot.

• Pen Pals, but Cozy

  

  Courtesy of Popcannibal

  This chill and relaxing game is all about writing kind letters to real-life people. Strangers will share a concern or ask for advice, and you’ll write anonymous replies, customizing the letters with stickers or different stationery. You can also request letters and receive some kind words in return. Every note is different, but in my experience, they’re all touching. Lo-fi beats playing in the background complete the vibe. If you like giving advice, or you just want to spread kindness, this cozy game is as feel-good as it gets.

• Ghosts, but Cozy

  

  Courtesy of Nintendo

  Sometimes life simulation games give you too many options at once. Your character sprints from farm to general store to fishing hole and back again, and somewhere along the way, you burn out. Cozy Grove actively encourages you not to play too much. The game only progresses so much in a given day, so unless you want to cheat (and risk bricking your save file), you can’t overdo it. Nobody will get mad at you. Nobody will guilt trip you. Your ghost bear friends will be there to give you badges and ask you to collect their mail or some seashells. What could be cozier?

  There's also a counterpart to this game available on iOS and Android via Netflix gaming, and it's a fine game if you're already subscribed to Netflix and don't mind playing on your phone. I found it to be a bit clunky and I think the original is better.

• Death, but Cozy

  

  Courtesy of Steam

  It's difficult to explain what I felt when I played Spiritfarer for the first time. The game is visually arresting—downright gorgeous—and has one of the best sound designs I've ever encountered. You play as a ferrymaster to the deceased, guiding their spirits along. You can build and manage your boat, and complete all the requisite cozy gaming tasks, like farming, fishing, and cooking. There's even an optional co-op mode. The real magic of this game is in talking to your passengers. I don't want to give too much away, but this game managed to make me feel better about dying—and I didn't even realize it was doing that until I finished my playthrough.

• Mythology, but Cozy

  

  COURTESY OF SUPERGIANT GAMES

  Hades is not your traditional cozy game. I've waxed poetic about it before, but Hades was a pleasant surprise. You play Zagreus, son of Hades, on a mission to escape the underworld. The gameplay can be intense—you're literally hacking and slashing your way through a host of monsters—but somewhere between the fifth and 50th escape attempt, I found myself zoning out. Kind of like you do when you're on a long drive or taking a shower. It may not seem cozy on paper, but if farming sims aren't your jam, this game is worth a shot. I also highly recommend the sequel, though you should really play the first game … well, first.

• Organizing, but Cozy

  

  Courtesy of Steam

  A Little to the Left is a cozy puzzle game. The whole experience is about organizing various drawers and piles of things. You'll sort, stack, and scatter everything from the contents of a drawer to a mountain of video game cartridges. And sometimes, like in real life, a mischievous cat comes by to cause a little chaos. Each puzzle has multiple solutions, and the hint system is tweakable, so you don't reveal too much information if you'd like to keep things a little difficult. There are more than 100 puzzles to solve with the base game, and optional DLC bundles add more.