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In the bustling world of gaming, sometimes you crave an escape from the adrenaline-pumping action, the high-stakes battles, and the fast-paced adventures. You yearn for something different—a tranquil and heartwarming experience that offers solace and respite.
These are the moments when cozy games come to the rescue, providing a warm and inviting virtual space where you can unwind and immerse yourself in serene, often heartwarming narratives. Here are eight of the best cozy games on Steam if you’re looking to put your feet up, unwind, and relax.
1. Stardew Valley
Arguably one of the best games to come out in the last decade, Stardew Valley is a delightful farming and life simulation game that lets you escape to the countryside and build your dream farm. Plant crops, raise animals, mine for resources, and build relationships with the quirky townsfolk.
The charming pixel art and soothing soundtrack create a cozy atmosphere that will keep you engrossed for hours. The fact that it was created by a one-man team is even more surprising, considering the hundreds of hours’ worth of content and insane replayability.
2. My Time at Portia
Those looking for something more of a roleplaying game with charm should try out My Time at Portia. As the child of a famous builder in a post-apocalyptic world, you’ll need to restore your father’s workshop, befriend the townspeople, and explore a vibrant landscape if you intend to become the next best builder.
With a blend of crafting, farming, and relationship-building, this game offers a comforting experience that lets you escape into a world of possibilities. If you do enjoy My Time at Portia, there is already a sequel titled My Time at Sandrock that you should definitely check out.
3. Spiritfarer
Spiritfarer is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant game where you take control of Stella, a “Spiritfarer” guiding spirits to the afterlife. Complete tasks, build relationships and sail a beautifully hand-drawn world with a touching narrative.
It’s a cozy journey filled with heartfelt moments and has a unique art style that you’ll be hard-pressed to find anywhere else. This game is both relaxing and slow-paced, making it perfect for someone looking for one of the best cozy games on Steam.
4. PowerWash Simulator
We all enjoy watching those TikToks and YouTube shorts of people pressure washing concrete or houses. There’s just something so satisfying about watching years of grime and dirt fade away, revealing the clean slate underneath. If you’re one of those people, too, you might want to give PowerWash Simulator a try.
It has Overwhelmingly Positive reviews and is perhaps one of the best ways to relax after a long day. Just load up the game, fire up your pressure washer, and get to work. Every time you clean an object or surface, you get a satisfying glow, letting you know the job is complete.
5. Slime Rancher
Just take one look at the page for Slime Rancher and try not to fall in love. You’ll step into the shoes of Beatrix LeBeau, a young rancher who sets up shop far away from Earth on the fringes of the galaxy. Beatrix is in the business of raising slimes, and business is good. Grow crops, wrangle new slimes, and build habitats for them as you try and become the best Slime Rancher out there.
Slime Rancher 2 was recently released to rave reviews, too, and you don’t have to play the first one to understand the second. If you’d rather jump into the brand-new game with updated graphics and mechanics, you might want to give that one a try. Otherwise, the first game is still a classic that deserves to be played by anyone looking for a cozy game on Steam.
6. Firewatch
Firewatch is an engaging walking simulator set in the remote Wyoming wilderness. You play as a fire lookout, exploring a visually striking environment and uncovering a compelling story that won numerous awards upon its release. The game’s beauty and narrative make it an engrossing and cozy experience.
As you set off on your journey, your only other contact is someone on the other end of your handheld radio. Eventually, something strange draws you away from your tower during a particularly hot, dry summer and forces you to explore a wild and unknown environment.
7. Planet Zoo
Those of us who grew up with Roller Coaster Tycoon and other park sims would do well to check out Planet Zoo. You’ll be surprised just how quickly you can get lost in this zoo sim. Build the ideal world for the animals in your care, ranging from creatures from the boreal forests to the wide-open savannas.
The base game has everything you need to relax, but if you end up enjoying it more than expected, you’ll be happy to hear that there are DLC packs that add tons of different animals, giving you even more replayability and fun.
8. Cities: Skylines
If zoos aren’t you’re thing, but you’re still into the whole simulator thing, Cities: Skylines might be what you’re looking for. It’s almost impossible to lose, and every map is a blank slate ready for you to turn into the city of your dreams.
From a sprawling metropolitan giant to a smaller town focused on forestry or mining, there are really endless choices. Perhaps the most stressful thing in Cities: Skylines is dealing with traffic that grinds your city to a halt, but there are ways around that. Cities: Skylines II was released recently, but it has mixed reviews so far, so you might want to stick with the original game with mods instead for now.
