The cozy gaming sub-genre is one that already one that is largely made up of indie games. Mainly because AAA games have too many corporate overlords to appease and can’t quite find an authentic and endearing way to offer cute and cathartic gameplay.
Due to this, you could argue that almost all cozy games are underrated gems due to their indie status.
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Everyone’s played at least one Final Fantasy, but in this list, we are only considering the deep cuts!
However, there are definitely some standout hits that have entered the mainstream. Everyone has managed a farmstead inStardew Valley, and lots of players have led spirits to the Everdoor inSpiritfarer.
However, there are plenty of deep cuts out there with equally immaculate, cozy vibes that deserve your attention just as much.
But due to the saturated field of Indies vying for your attention, some won’t ever make it into your library. So, hoping to add to your ever-growing backlog, here is a list of ten underrated cozy games you need to try.
10When The Past Was Around
Learning How To Move On
Point and click
Opencritic Score
We kick things off with a point-and-click adventure with picture book visuals and a subtle but deeply affecting story that tugs at the heartstrings.
In truth, while satisfying and appropriately challenging, the puzzles aren’t what will stay with you after this game ends. Instead, it will be a gripping narrative that deals with themes of loss and grief in the most touching and beautiful way imaginable.
Plus, if you’re into indie game soundtracks, you’ll adore this incredible score which repeatedly uses a recurring violin melody to somehow create distinct tunes that evoke different emotions.
It’s proof that point-and-click titles still have their place in modern gaming, and one you should check out when you get the chance.
9Season: A Letter to the Future
Get On Your Bikes And Ride
Scavengers Studio
Despite the fact that I adorewalking simulator games, I understand that the slow, plodding pace is not everyone’s cup of tea. So what about a game with all the narrative brilliance of a walking sim, but with a snazzy little bicycle to roam around on?
Season: A Letter to the Futureis a compelling title that sees you leave your hometown to document history, as you know it before the seasons change, and all that was there before is washed away.
It’s a title with beautiful visuals, a pocket-sized open-world to explore after the first few linear areas, and it happens to be a game with ASMR adjacent sound design, allowing you to truly immerse yourself in your surroundings.
Whether you get a kick out of scrapbooking, or just riding downhill with your feet off the pedals, Season has something for you, making it a good option for your next narrative-driven adventure.
8Alba: A Wildlife Adventure
Eliza Thornberry Who?
A cozy game can be labeled as such for many reasons, but some are more obvious than others. For example, when a game such as Alba offers an environmentally conscious adventure where you may snap pictures of wildlife and save your quaint little island from commercialization, you can guarantee you’re in for a cozy time.
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Alba is a gorgeous little wildlife-focused indie where you explore a pocket-sized open world, handle a series of quests, and document the local wildlife, all in a bid to raise the profile of the Wildlife Rescue League and see every animal on the gorgeous fictitious Spanish island you find yourself visiting.
It’s short and simple, but well worth playing if you have a lazy afternoon to kill.
7Amber Isle
A Dino Delight
Amber Isle
Perhaps this one is a little premature, as it’s hard to say if it has already achieved enough to cast aside the ‘underrated’ label, but we shall include it regardless if only to get more eyes on it.
If you were a fan of the glorified mobile game that was Paleo Pines and thought to yourself ‘I would love another cute dinosaur-themed indie.’ Well, you’re in luck.
Amber Isle is a breakaway title crafted by the original artists forPaleo Pines, but after a dispute, they took their designs, left, and made their own game which is, for our money, a step-up in every way. The sales pitch is ‘its basicallyAnimal Crossing, but with dinosaurs’. And if you can’t get behind that, then I don’t know what else we can say.
But rest assured, Amber Isle is the best dino-themed indie around, so check it out.
6Beacon Pines
Turn The Page
Beacon Pines
As was proved rather recently by the excellent The Plucky Squire, indie games that go with a storybook format tend to be excellent.
This is further proved by Beacon Pines, a wonderfully illustrated interactive storybook experience with a captivating story, lovable characters, and pivotal moments where you, the reader, will be able to shape the fate of the very characters you’ve grown to love.
It’s a game that doesn’t push the envelope in terms of mechanics, but thanks to branching narrative paths, enchanting visuals and a beautiful score, the game has more than enough to offer gamers looking for a low stakes, accessible adventure.
So, don’t just judge this book by its cover. Crack the spine and dive into this charming story.
5Paper Trail
Become An Origami Master
Newfangled Games
I’m not about to lie to you and say I’m some sort of origami wizard, but with games like Paper Trail around, I can pretend I am, and that’s enough.
This puzzle title sees you play as Paige, a young girl leaving home for the first time, and along her journey of discovery, you’ll need to use the art of paper-folding to solve puzzles.
This clever gimmick allows you to uncover new paths, divide and reposition the world at will, and makes for some of the finest modern puzzle sections in recent memory.
It’s a great game on paper, and a great game about paper. So, give this one a try, and watch out for paper cuts, they’re nasty!
4Strange Horticulture
These Plants Can Kill
Puzzle/Mystery
Bad Viking
For all you green thumbs out there,we have a cozy little mystery gamethat’s well worth checking out. Strange Horticulture is a game where you inherit one of the most peculiar little plant shops in the land, and your job will be to identify and sell your various unusual flora. However, there’s more to this game than tending shop.
As you get to know the surrounding area and the locals who visit your humble garden center, you’ll come to find that there is a tale of murder and intrigue afoot.
you’re able to aid or quell it depending on what botanical medicines you choose to share with the locals or keep just out of reach. It’s a slow-burn narrative with a lot to offer, so grab your best gardening gloves and watch out for thorns!
Find Out Who You Are
I think every gamer, no matter what generation you fall into, will have at least oneZeldagame that they would call a comfort game.
For many, that might beBreath of the Wild. However, due to the variety of intricate systems and the tricky combat, it can be more of a high-stakes affair than you are in the market for. So how abouta BOTW game with no combat,no fail states, and no stress?
Sableoffers exactly that as you take off on a journey of introspective discovery in a vast open world. You’ll get to enjoy sublime world design, an intriguing intentional low-frame art style, a variety of gripping quests, and Star Wars pod racing adjacent sand-gliding.
There are a few performance issues to bear, but if you can get past that, you’ll uncover an underrated gem that deserves more love.
2Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles
Survival Without Stress
Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles
A list of cozy games wouldn’t be complete without a farming simulator, and I would argue that Yonder is one that even the most dedicated veterans of the genre have probably never heard of.
Yonder is a very chill experience where you’ll wander around an island blighted by a curse, and through gathering resources, fixing the place up, trading with locals, and collecting magical sprites, you’ll be able to restore the place to its former glory.
It’s essentiallylike Stardew Valleywithout the complexity of systems, or a survival game without the jeopardy and constant fear of death.
It’s the perfect recipe for a casual, cozy classic, and for that reason, you need to check outYonderwhen you get a chance.
1Wandersong
Sing To Save The World
Wandersong
One of the best ways to create a great cozy game is to make a compelling game in which Pacifism is a realistic option while still maintaining all the fun that a game with combat can offer.
This is something thatWandersongmanages to offer, placing you in the shoes of a bard who intends to heal the world through song. A mechanic that translates to a musical combo wheel, allowing you to explore the world to the fullest.
It’s a game that offers a heartfelt story that will make you laugh, make you cry, and make your heart soar. All the while offering simple gameplay, fun side quests and a colorful cardboard cutout aesthetic that fits the tone perfectly.
It’s a hidden gem that shines brighter than most, so be sure to do your vocal warmups and belt out the Earth Song with pride in this lovingly crafted indie.
