Top 5 Cosy Games to Play Tonight
I've loved gaming since I was 9 years old on my XBOX 360, playing Minecraft and Plants VS Zombies - I've never been very skilled at high energy shooter games or puzzle strategy games, but I love how games can tell stories or make us feel all kinds of emotions. Whether you're looking for a way to relax, or a new game to obsess over, This is the article for you. All of these games I have personally played, and i can say they have shaped who I am as a person and how I view the world around me, or they have been a great comfort during some lonely dark nights.
Spiritfarer
Spiritfarer is easily my top game of all time, featuring characters i adore with my whole heart, calming management and building mechanics, and gentle platforming - but beware! This game will make you sob. In this cosy game about letting go, you play as Stella - and your job is to ferry spirits to the everdoor, and learn how to say goodbye.
The art in this game is simply gorgeous, and it's worth playing just for the graphics - the music is just as good, matching every place and character so perfectly that if I hear the music I can picture where it's based. There's no time limits, no stressful missions and no pressure, meaning you are free to work your way through this beautiful story at your own pace, collecting memories and treasures as you go.
I cannot emphasise how much this game means to me, as it taught me a whole new outlook on death and the people we love. I replay it again and again, and it really needs more recognition in gaming circles. On top of that, it's ridiculously cheap!
Unpacking
This cosy puzzle game is worth a play on the default puzzle mode, where you have to find the correct places for items, but if you're after a more laid-back experience then there is also a free-play mode, where there are no wrong answers.
Through the game of unpacking, you discover a sweet story and a beautifully crafted character, alongside smooth mechanics and satisfying puzzles. Everything has it's place, and your job is to find those places. The music is soothing, the sound effects are pleasant to the ears and the graphics are adorable and easy on the eyes. This game is less story focused, but it's definitely there when you look for it.
Whether you want to play for 5 minutes or 5 hours, this game is an excellent way to unwind after a long day.
House Flipper
In house flipper, you take charge of a small redecorating business and work your way through a lot of very different clients, cleaning and painting and decorating as you go. There's also a more creative mode, where you have complete control over the houses you buy and your home/office space. The mechanics are smooth and satisfying, and you can be as creative or uncreative as you want!
This game comes with a wonderful soundtrack, funny personalities for your clients and a peaceful experience. you can start and stop jobs at any time, and there's a lovely checklist on certain jobs for all the completion-ists out there. The style options are endless, the lore is subtle but cute and the overall experience is wonderful to relax with.
House flipper is one of my go-to games when I have that creative itch but no realistic energy to output it - at a cheap price that's frequently on sale, and with a wonderful sequel on my Wishlist, I can't wait for more people to fall in love with this game.
Slime Rancher
Slime Rancher is an adorable game about exploring new lands, discovering cute creatures and farming slimes - there is so much to do in this bright and happy game, and while it may be slightly more intense than others on this list, it's still relaxing and forgiving. There's no pressure or time limits, and the only stressful event (tar slimes) are easily toggled off to your liking. There's a ton of customisable features, a wide array of charming creatures and some quirky cute characters to read up on - there's even notes to discover dotted throughout the game if you wish to uncover the beautiful story of your player character. I love the variety of features to discover, and how deep everything goes if you want it to - From basic plort selling to the lab, there's new ways to play no matter how far into the game you are.
The sound effects are delightful, and the graphics never fail to make me smile no matter how bad my day has been - This makes Slime Rancher, and subsequently it's sequel Slime Rancher 2, a wonderful cosy game to relax and uplift you.
Stardew Valley
Last but certainly not least, is one of my favourite games of all time - Stardew Valley. It starts with you inheriting your grandpa's farm and building it up to your liking, and with so many things to do, secrets to unlock and different playstyles there's something for everyone to enjoy. It's a farming game, but there's also wonderful characters with deep stories, hidden lore to uncover, challenging tasks to tackle if you're ready and new things to learn every time you play. The graphics are adorable and the soundtrack is beautiful. and the only stressful thing i find that you can't avoid is being back at your farm before 2am - but this is a forgiving system, and is only really a minor inconvenience - and as you progress through the game it becomes less and less of an issue.
Stardew Valley was completely made by one person - ConcernedApe - and i just wanted to say how incredible that truly is. Triple A game studios couldn't replicate the love i have for this game if they tried.
In conclusion
All of these games offer a wide variety of ways to spend your time, and a wide variety of benefits and stories for you. I hope you at least check out these games, and if you really enjoy them please let the studios know! Passion in gaming is more important than ever, and supporting indie games and smaller studios is one of the best ways to get beautiful, quality games to enjoy.
© 2024 Ashley Peters
