Winter is here, and with it comes frigid winds, icy roads, and enough snowfall to last a lifetime.
It’s not everyone’s vibe—we totally understand if you wish to hibernate for the next three months and come back out in time for spring. Thankfully, as the cold settles in and winter knocks at your door, there are plenty of ways to keep busy indoors and stay as cozy as you can.
We’re here to help you find the best cozy games to make you feel warm and fuzzy during the holiday season. Here are our picks!
Unpacking
In Unpacking, you follow the life story of a couple by unpacking their belongings at different stages of their lives. It is such a cool game, as there is something quintessentially human about the little things you take with you throughout your life from childhood, as well as the things you get rid of.
Each item and scene tells its own story in Unpacking. Whether you’re unpacking a teddy bear with sentimental value, leaving items behind to move in with a roommate or significant other, or downsizing due to financial problems, the game doesn’t shy away from the charms and harsh realities of life.
Aside from its moving story, Unpacking also works as a calming puzzle game. There’s a satisfying degree of freedom as you choose where to place your belonging, as well as a Tetris-esque quality to finding space for everything in order to progress.
Unpacking is a short but sweet game that will certainly hit you in the feels this winter.
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5
The Wild at Heart
The Wild at Heart follows the story of a boy and his friend, both of whom have had a tough childhood. They escape their unstable toxic homes by going out and exploring the nearby forest. In the forest, they discover a special order and are tasked with protecting the forest.
The gameplay is a combination of Pikmin and Luigi’s Mansion. Armed with a trusty vacuum, you navigate the forest, cleaning up debris and recruiting cute little forest creatures to aid you. The more creatures you collect, the more help you’ll have to defeat enemies and overcome obstacles.
The Wild at Heart isn’t without its faults, but those willing to overlook its weaker tendencies will find a wholesome, cute, cozy game for the holidays.
Platforms: Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, macOS
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
How could we write a list of cozy games and leave off Animal Crossing? 2020’s New Horizons is the latest entry in the series, and even though it has been several years since it came out, it’s still as good as it was on day one (if not even better).
If you’re unfamiliar with Animal Crossing, here’s the skinny: The franchise is centered around social simulation, has the authentic Nintendo feel you know and love, and will give you near-endless hours of gameplay. As the newest resident of a tropical island, you must build and decorate your house, plant trees and flowers, grow trees and flowers, extract natural resources, catch fish and bugs, and so much more.
New Horizons supports both local and online multiplayer. Through the use of the in-game Dodo Airlines service, you can up to eight players can hop between islands, visiting each other’s creations. So, if a cozy winter to you means having fun with your closest friends, New Horizons is a great pick.
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Lake
Lake is a narrative-focused game that takes place in 1986. You play as Meredith Weiss, a young woman stressed from her day job who decides to go back to her childhood town and become a postwoman.
Be prepared to relive memories, meet up with familiar faces, and create new connections with Meredith’s old friends. The best way to describe the gameplay is “chill,” as almost everything in the game happens slowly and won’t be stressing you out in any way. As a game with dialogue-based gameplay, each decision you make will lead you to a different branch of the story.
Lake will try to deliver that unique feeling you get when you meet old childhood friends or visit the old neighborhood you grew up in. A truly cozy game, Lake is a wonderful way to keep yourself stress-free during the winter days.
Platforms: Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Google Stadia
Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is a massively popular farming-sim game, made entirely by a single developer, Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone.
You play as your own user-created character. When your father passes away, he leaves you with a mysterious envelope, asking you to refrain from opening it until the pressures of modern life get to you. After spending a depressing day at your corporate day job, you open the envelope and discover your dad’s message. He simply wants you to enjoy life to its fullest!
Stardew Valley tasks you with a bevy of activities besides just creating a farm. Fishing, mining, uncovering mysteries of the map, roaming through desserts… there are countless aspects to your wonderful, stress-free life. The game features a colorful world with plenty of equally colorful characters.
Whether you’re tending to your farm or romancing the sweetheart of your dreams, Stardew Valley is the perfect way to spend the winter.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation Vita, iOS, Android
Abzû
Abzû is a breathtaking, beautiful underwater adventure game with a focus on atmospheric exploration. You are a diver set to explore and restore life in the reefs. The story is told visually, but the plot is vague, as it is more open to your own interpretation.
The gameplay is the real star here. You’ll navigate the deep depths, admiring your surroundings before moving forward to the next area. Ride animals, discover new pools of marine life, swim quickly through water streams, meditate while observing nearby fishes, and even swim along giant whales.
If you miss the ocean and the charm of the summer, Abzû might be your best way to recall both. This is one adventure you don’t want to miss.
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows
Closing Thoughts
There’s nothing like a cozy game to help you kick, back, relax, and forget the cold weather outside. We hope this list introduces you to your newest gaming obsession, so you can get through even the harshest of blizzards.
What games do you enjoy the most during the winter? Share you picks in the comments below! And remember to get some PSN gift cards from OffGamers here, so you can get some cool games for your gaming buddies this holiday season.
