In the year 2023, cozy games have become more popular than ever. From adventuring as a little mushroom in Smushi Come Home to tarot-reading witches in The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood, there’s surely a game for everyone within this comforting sub-genre. Amid the overwhelming and never-ending list of new releases, it’s been a challenge to make time to play everything there is to offer this year. Looking back at the list of games I’ve played in 2023, I found that the majority have been what most would consider “cozy.”
In an uncertain world and challenging times, cozy games are here to help you feel warm and loved. While the definition of a cozy game may be subjective, the six games on this list are ones I’d recommend to both newcomers and fans of the genre as they invoke a sense of community, kindness, or just make me feel fuzzy inside.
Before we start the list…
Cozy Games I Started This Year But Didn’t Finish
- Coral Island (2023), pictured above: I have been playing Coral Island on Xbox and am a couple weeks into Spring of Year 1. While I really enjoy the game, the mechanics are all too familiar compared to classic cozy games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Stardew Valley. Additionally, despite the official 1.0 release being out, the frame rate drops regularly and the game has crashed on me three times. Here’s hoping a patch comes soon!
- One Night: Burlesque (2023): Initially the art style is what drew me to this game. However, the narrative and mini-game elements have yet to make me want to come back to the title.
- Smushi Come Home (2023): David’s review convinced me to play this cozy indie. At the time of this writing, I had just started the game and hope to finish in the near future.
Allison’s Top 6 Favorite New Cozy Games
6. Saltsea Chronicles
Saltsea Chronicles is a colorful point-and-click narrative mystery set in the islands of the Saltsea Archipelago. Along with your crew, you explore the post-flood world and uncover the conspiracy of your captain’s disappearance. In it, players can make their own choices on where to go, who to investigate, and how deep they want to explore. Throughout your journey, you meet new friends and discover secrets to aid in your investigation.
I reviewed Saltsea Chronicles a while back, and was overjoyed by the connection I felt with the characters and how quickly I became invested in the story. Furthermore, Saltsea has a lot of replay value as it takes multiple playthroughs to earn all your achievements and view alternative endings. Saltsea Chronicles is a perfect bedtime game for those who seek a cozy mystery.
Platforms: Windows, Mac, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch
5. Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly
One of my favorite jobs I have ever had was when I was a barista at a small bookstore cafe. So, when I first heard of the Coffee Talk franchise, a casual narrative where you play as a barista, I was sold. The story in Coffee Talk Episode 2 continues; you’re still the owner of a small coffee shop with customers old and new. Reviewed by Amanda earlier this year, Coffee Talk Episode 2 is even better as characters you loved from the first game grow and develop as beings.
From helping an elf and a succubus plan their future together, to listening to a banshee vent about her dreams of becoming an opera singer, you’re all ears as your customers open up about their lives to you (as long as you provide them a warm drink!). In Coffee Talk Episode 2, I found that the addition of new customers, drinks, and mechanics made the storyline more intriguing than before.
Also, if I ever come across a Butterfly Pea tea anywhere, I am definitely going to try it because of this game! Coffee Talk Episode 2 is like a cozy hug from an old friend and I recommend playing if you love warm drinks and charming characters.
PS: comment below if you’re like me and are terrible at creating latte art in Coffee Talk!
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4 & 5, Nintendo Switch
4. Suika Game
Also known as Watermelon Game, Suika Game was a 2021 release that recently took the cozy gaming community by storm when it ported to Switch this year with its addictive physics-based falling and merging puzzle mechanics.
The object of the game is to drop randomly-selected fruit (with faces!) into a box one by one to merge two matching fruits. Once you merge two of the same fruit, they advance to a new fruit, until it becomes a watermelon. Each advancement raises your score, leading you to want to beat your highest score with each session. One tricky part about the game is that as each fruit drops, it bumps around other fruits in the box, sometimes causing your box to overflow and end the game.
Your overall goal is simple and sweet: have the biggest watermelon, and aim to beat your high score. It’s one of those games that is great when you are short on time, or want to keep busy while watching television. The game is only $2.99 on the Nintendo eShop but you can play it for free via your favorite browser. I personally play the browser version on my phone, and appreciate the touch screen mechanics. Additionally, on the Switch port, there are occasional holiday updates which change the background and aesthetic of your fruit to make them even cuter!
Platforms: Browser, Nintendo Switch
3. Venba
I know I am not the only one here at The Punished Backlog who has enjoyed Venba this year. At a length of about an hour and a half, Venba takes you on a beautiful journey of a young couple who immigrated from India to Canada in the 1980s. The story follows the main character Venba, as she works to recover delicious Indian recipes from her mother’s cookbook that was tattered during its journey from India. In this cozy narrative cooking game, you work to cook these dishes, which are authentically South-Indian.
As the game advances, Venba and her family experience changing dynamics and struggles as they aim to make a home in a foreign country. This is one of the most heartfelt storylines I have ever played through and I dare you not to cry as you complete the game (or get hungry).
Platforms: Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch
2. Dordogne
It’s been over a month since I’ve played Dordogne, and I still find myself thinking of this game every day. Going into it, I knew I was going to be drawn in by the mesmerizing watercolor art (I’m a sucker for a game’s art style). However, after playing through Dordogne, it was the unique grandmother-granddaughter relationship that had me wanting more.
In Dordogne, you play as 32-year old Mimi whose grandmother recently passed away and is visiting her home in Dordogne, France to collect her belongings and sell the house. ue to her father and grandmother’s rocky relationship, Mimi hasn’t seen her grandmother since she was 12-years old. That was the summer before Mimi and her parents left their home in Paris to move to the United States. As a 12-year old, Mimi had spent the summer with her grandmother but no longer has any memories of that experience. It’s up to you to help Mimi recover her memories and discover why she hasn’t had a relationship with her beloved grandmother in 20 years.
The family narrative in Dordogne is one that is frustrating, complicated, and beautiful. The game has you switch between adult Mimi and child Mimi. Dordogne is a gentle reminder of just how precious family can be. While the game overall has a serious tone, there are still many moments where you’ll want to laugh or revisit your years of glorious childlike wonder. If you haven’t experienced Dordogne, I recommend you add it to your 2024 backlog of cozy games.
Platforms: Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4 & 5, Nintendo Switch
1. Mineko’s Night Market
At the time of this writing, I am almost finished with Mineko’s Night Market and loving it. While I was turned off by the silliness of the writing for the first couple hours, I have grown to adore its chaos. In Mineko’s Night Market, you play as a young girl named Mineko who moves to a new village and it’s up to her to bring new life into the village’s weekly night market. Through villager fetch quests and foraging new areas, you uncover unique items and recipes to create crafts to sell at the night market on Saturday evenings.
Fair warning—Mineko’s Night Market does get repetitive and grindy as you progress. Just like traditional farming sims, there are four seasons you play through, each with its own unique characteristics. For example, while playing through autumn, I find myself sleeping through weeks as I wait for winter to find the items I need to progress the storyline. Despite the fluctuating rate of progression, the game has a wonderfully wacky dialogue, mini-games, and a beautiful art style. Mineko’s Night Market has become my latest cozy game addiction and I can’t wait to see the rest of what this cozy title has in store.
Bonus: If you love cats, there are tons in this game!
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch
Read More
- Our recent list “16 Best Cozy Video Games (and Why the Genre Works)”
- Our Best-of-the-Year Coverage
