Often, when players think ofcozy games, they tend to think of indie titles likeStardew ValleyandUndertale; but they also forget that there areAAA gamesthat fit the coziness to a T.
Not only were these games immensely comforting, but they’re among some of the most popular IPs in gaming as a whole. These are games that defined eras, all while being the equivalent of a perfect cup of hot chocolate.
Just because a game was made by a massive studio doesn’t mean that it can’t be comforting to players.Nintendoespecially seems to have nailed this style down, but other developers didn’t hesitate to dip their toes into the genre.
One thing is for sure, when you open these games up, though: you’re in for a relaxing, wholesome time. So, if you’re looking for some heavily financially backed titles in a snug world, these are the 10 Best Cozy AAA Games.
It just so happens that these cups of hot chocolate were made by the most gourmet chocolatiers in the market — in this case, gaming’s most colossal publishers.
10Tomodachi Life
Then, Wacky Hijinks Ensue
Tomodachi Life
Tomodachi Lifeis a special kind of game in the sense that there aren’t really any others like it. It’s a life sim, but not in the way to where you have full control. Sure, you may control the simulation, but it’s more encouraged that you watch, staying on the sidelines to guide your Miis to their hopes and dreams.
Not to mention, the sheer nonsensery that happens in this game borderlines on hysterical, but the chaos isn’t too much to handle. It’s vibrant with humor and personality, and it’s a genuinely fun time, primememe material before memes evolvedinto what they are today.
Players are in for a treat with Tomodachi Life, with countless little games and storylines that they can pursue and enjoy.
If anything, this just makes me all the more excited for the recently announcedTomodachi Life: Living the Dreamthat will be released next year. If there is already tons of replayability in this funny little 3DS game, we can only imagine how that will be expanded for the Switch.
So Many Friends to Make!
Pokemon Red
The thing is withPokémon, many can easily forget how cozy of a franchise it actually is. You’re not just battling different pocket monsters - you’re making friends with them. After all, you have to catch them all.
There aredifferent generations and different games that can appeal to everyone, regardless of who your favorite is. If you prefer the simpler graphics and Chiptunes notes, you’d enjoy the classics; but if you’re wanting something with smoother gameplay and graphics, you’d enjoy the newer titles that are for theSwitch.
Exploring the wide open world of Pokémon in order to discover all the new friends you could keep is an adventure in and of itself, but it’s equally an adventure to watch these Pokémon evolve and grow beyond your wildest dreams.
Not only that, but there’s acard game version(andan app version of the card gameversion) for those who want to take their friends on the go. Just saying, the summerPokémon Go!came out was the closest we’ve ever had to world peace, and its coziness has a major part to play in that.
Simply Vibe in the World
On the surface,The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrimisn’t the pinnacle of cozy gaming. However, once you start playing, you end up becoming sucked into therich warmth of the world around you. While Skyrim isn’t meant to be cozy, it becomes cozy as soon as you load it up.
Simply wandering around and exploring the world of Skyrim is more than enough to bring feelings of peace to players, but additional areas such as taverns and homes expand that feeling above and beyond. It’s comforting without trying to be.
This is why, regardless of players and their lives,we keep coming back to Skyrim. Sure, the dragons are cool, and it’s fun trying out different builds, but the world itself is where the game really shines.
Like sitting next to a warm, crackling fireplace during a raging snowstorm, Skyrim is the game that will bring players back to who they are and who they want to be.
7Infinity Nikki
The Power of Fashion
Infinity Nikki
Playing dress up has been a staple in young girls' lives ever since pretty, frilly dresses have been around. InInfinity Nikki, dress up goes one step further by includingplatformingin asemi-open world.
The entire premise of the game is to explore the world in order to put together the best outfits. There’s not much of a story other than that, but this isn’t a game that you play for the story - you’re playing the game to put cute clothes on cute characters and forget the world around you.
Not to mention, the beautiful graphics of the game really help bring the world and its aesthetics together. It’s not like you’re playing dress up in a prison setting, you’re surrounded by stunning landscapes and with even prettier clothes.
Infinity Nikki is a cutesy game that is well worth it if you’re a lover of cute clothes, or just want to respect the drip.
6No Man’s Sky
A Vast, Endless Universe
No Man’s Sky
The vast, endless void of space is actually a terrifying thing — however,No Man’s Skymanaged to reignite the childish wonder we feel every time we look up at the stars.
In No Man’s Sky, you play as an astronaut, gathering resources in space, documenting new life forms that you encounter and overall working to stay alive. There’sa creative mode, if you don’t want to deal with combat, and it makes the space exploration all the more fantastical.
It’s anopen world sandbox, essentially, one that doesn’t shy away from being massive either. It’s basically its own galaxy, just made of binary code rather than quirks and elements. You can discover planets, scanning every little inch to learn everything you can, just as any space explorer would.
The sky is the limit in No Man’s Sky — and that sky doesn’t have an end.
5Harvest Moon
Stardew Valley’s Predecessor
Harvest Moon
Before Stardew Valley was even a concept,Harvest Moonwas the go-tofarming simulator. Running a farm ishard work, yet, in Harvest Moon, it’s a simple and even enjoyable endeavor.
It’s basically the grandfather of all farming simulators, coming before most of the titles we know and love — and yet, Harvest Moon isn’t being hyped up the way it used to. If anything, it’s practically falling into obscurity.
There are countless different Harvest Moon games that span multiple years and consoles, allowing players to pick up any title in the franchise and just jump right in. Thankfully, you don’t have to know anything about the other games, as they all operate very similarly: you inherit a farm, and it’s up to you to take care of it.
It’sa concept that defines the entire genre, and it’s even cozier when played. And yeah, back in the 90s, every game was either indie or Nintendo-backed.
4The Sims 4
It’s Your World, Everyone Else is Just Living in It
The Sims 4
The Simsis one of the most iconic video game franchises of all time, appealing to a wide variety of audiences due to the sheer amount of content that can be customized.The Sims 4, likelythe last of the series, takes the cake with the content collection.
In The Sims 4, it’s literally your world and everyone else is just living in it. You create your sim, their home, their lifestyle and how they live it. Theycould work, be jobless,do chores, monetize hobbies, or not have to worry about anything since their overlord is typing “rosebud” into the cheat bar.
Not to mention, the relationships that you’re able to form with other sims is simply something else. You can live a humble, happy life, or go all out with messiness and drama — or take it a step further in your insanity byromancing Death himself. The possibilities are simply endless.
Either way, you’re in complete control, and you’re in for a hell of a time.
3Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Try to Avoid Pandemic Flashbacks
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
When it comes to cozy mainstream games, almost everybody and their mother brings upAnimal Crossingas a prime example. It’s well-founded, too, as the entire franchise is one big cozy-fest of fun and wholesomeness.Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the most recent and best entry in the series, is spectacular about it.
Coming out during the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, New Horizons ended uphelping millions of players not feel alone. I was among those players, even writing about it for mythen-university’s magazine. Because of this, the connotation from the correlation is pretty prominent.
Even still, to this day, it’s a wonderful distraction against the outside world, all while providing a source of comfort and comraderie. Even when I was miles apart from friends, they felt close with my Switch — and even when I was playing alone, my villagers were perfect company, even throwing me a birthday party on my 21st.
It’s the perfect escape, on your own little peaceful island where nothing ever goes wrong.
2Minecraft
An Absolute Classic
Minecraftcontinues to be an absolute powerhouse in the gaming industry, managing to tick off every box it can in every possible genre. Minecraft can be action-packed,horrific, or the most charming and peaceful gaming experience you’ve ever had.
Simply put, the possibilities of Minecraft are endless, and almost always, this blocky little world ends up becoming a second home. You willeasily sink hundreds of hours into the game, either in survival or creative mode, and be in bliss every second of it.
The simplicity is what makes the game work, and what makes it so alluring to players needing their next hit of comfort and coziness. Theentire world is literally your oyster, and every pearl is the result of your own creations, and it’s all the more rewarding because of it.
It’s so iconic in gaming that many players will have semi-annual Minecraft binges, with the urge to play nothing else until the blocky craving is gone.
1The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Live in a Ghibli Film
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zeldais among gaming’s most iconic IPs, coming up right behindSuper Mario Brosin notoriety. These are games that ooze adventure, but none capture the tranquil serenity of Hyrule better thanBreath of the Wild.
In Breath of the Wild, you’re basicallyplaying a Ghibli film, surrounded by some ofgaming’s most stunning viewsand the most unique soundtrack of the franchise. Everything is comforting, quiet and gentle, immersing players in a world that’s healed from the apocalypse and bouncing back as best it can.
It’s without a doubt thebest game in the franchisefor this very reason, perfectly balancing solitude and story, engulfing players in a coziness that no other game can replicate quite the same. Just saying,Tears of the Kingdomlost the plot.
Even though it’s likely future Zelda games won’t replicate this formula, that won’t stop players (including myself) from coming back to a Ghibli-inspired game and get lost in the beautiful world of Hyrule.
