The world of cozy games has quickly turned into its own rich community filled with great relaxing titles to pass the time. Whether it be a hugely successful indie hit like Stardew Valley or AAA relaxation fests like Animal Crossing, this genre of game has become one of the most popular ways for both longtime gamers and newcomers to enjoy a low-stress pastime. Cozy games differ in their approaches, but they all have the same general goal of giving players a good, relaxing time.
Games like Stardew Valley, Unpacking, Disney Dreamlight Valley, and even PowerWash Simulator all bring a touch of coziness to players’ lives. Some of the best cozy moments in gaming aren’t even found in cozy games, though. There are plenty of relaxing moments found in games that many wouldn’t expect. From the post-apocalyptic to the Wild West, these games prove that great cozy vibes can be experienced in any genre.
Cozy Games You Can Play for 20 Minutes or 200 Hours
These cozy games offer a satisfying experience for those who only have a few minutes to play, but also feature hundreds of hours of content to explore
Red Dead Redemption 2 is the Blueprint for Surprisingly Cozy Games
This is one of the more obvious choices for cozy moments found in non-cozy games, but this list wouldn’t be complete without it. Red Dead Redemption 2 is a deeply moving action adventure tale about the quickly fading Wild West era, but it’s also a wonderfully relaxing cowboy simulator. Red Dead Redemption 2‘s graphics are still some of the best in the industry. Taking Arthur Morgan from Point A to Point B quickly turns into a visual feast for the eyes, making every step or horse trot feel like a stress-relieving nature walk.
Guess the games from the emojis.
Guess the games from the emojis.
Easy (120s)Medium (90s)Hard (60s)
A World That Truly Feels Alive
Rockstar is no stranger to building realistic game worlds, but Red Dead Redemption 2 is the developer’s most lifelike so far. Players can sidestep the main story and just roam around. Exploring the vast wilderness and local towns, fishing, hunting, playing poker, or simply sitting by a campfire makes it easy to sink hours into the game. There are tons of extra activities and side quests in Red Dead Redemption 2 that breathe extra life into the world.
The Last of Us Part 1 and Part 2 Feel Almost Idyllic When Taking a Break From the Cordyceps Chaos
When it comes to the best zombie games, The Last of Us franchise may have one of the worst worlds to live in. It’s a masterclass in storytelling, but very few players would actually want to live in a world overrun by the Cordyceps infection. For the most part, The Last of Us games are incredibly bleak. There are some wonderful moments of coziness, though, that offer a little break from the heart palpitations experienced after a run-in with a Bloater.
The Giraffe, the Jackson Community, and the Science Museum
The Last of Us giraffe scene is still an iconic moment. In Part 1, Joel and Ellie stumble upon a giraffe herd that has still managed to thrive in the ruins of Salt Lake City. One giraffe approaches Ellie, and she gets to pet it. The scene is a simple, but profound, moment that gives players hope for humanity thriving again. Ellie and Joel both get a much-needed break from survival, and The Last of Us Part 2 takes this cozy moment even further.
The Last of Us Part 2‘s Jackson community is a far cry away from the first game’s desperation. Much like the giraffes, people have managed to build up a sustainable and relatively safe community in Jackson, Wyoming. Getting to walk around the town as Ellie introduces a sense of community and comfort that the first chapter lacked. Jackson is packed with cozy small town vibes that make it seem like a pretty great place to live, despite the apocalypse looming outside. The second chapter also features a flashback scene that’s reminiscent of Ellie and Joel’s giraffe moment. The Last of Us Part 2‘s museum scene lets players explore the Wyoming Museum of Science and History, and it’s another instance where Ellie gets to just be a kid and enjoy her surroundings.
The Last of Us Part 2‘s guitar mini-game also adds an extra cozy touch.
Death Stranding and Its Sequel Are Cozy in the Most Kojima Way Possible
Death Stranding has been accused of being a walking simulator, but that’s also what makes it so cozy. Getting from Point A to Point B can be a little treacherous at times because of the BTs, but Sam’s journey to each new delivery can actually be really relaxing. Before the story speeds up around the 10hour mark, Death Stranding‘s delivery simulation vibes force players to slow down and take in the world around them. It’s a really beautiful world, too. Lush green moss and black sand make Kojima’s version of a post-apocalyptic United States a beautiful journey worth soaking in. Death Stranding 2‘s environments are just as breathtaking, but one of the coziest scenes from the game is during the opening moments. Sam has built a comfy hideout near the Mexican border so he can raise Lou in peace. This doesn’t go according to plan, but the few moments that Sam and Lou get to spend as father and daughter in their quaint little home is the definition of cozy.
Death Stranding 2‘s photo mode is also basically its own relaxing min-game.
Fallout 4 and Fallout 76 Make a Post-Nuclear World Not Seem So Bad Sometimes
Fallout‘s nostalgic 1950s aesthetic seen throughout the franchise is comforting in its own way, but Fallout 4 and Fallout 76 are the coziest of the series. One of the main reasons these two are the best options for cozy gamers is because they are an important mechanic: in-depth base building. Fallout 4 and Fallout 76 may not be perfect, but they are still on the list of games with the best base building.
Fallout 76 also added fishing last year with the Gone Fission update, adding to the cozy possibilities.
Cozy gamers who love creating a home away from home that are also in the mood for a unique setting might find Fallout 4 and Fallout 76 to be a great surprise. Of course, there are plenty of wasteland hazards to be wary of. Fallout‘s lore is far from cozy, but Fallout 4 and Fallout 76 can easily become more of a post-apocalyptic base building game than an RPG.
