The best cozy games are there for you at the end of a long day or if you need something relaxing to take your mind off the real world
Cozy games are there for you at the end of a long day or if you just need something relaxing to take your mind off the real world for a while, when something more demanding just won’t cut it. Stardew Valley’s launch and meteoric rise to popularity opened the gates for a flood of games, indie and otherwise, that prefer a laid-back approach to leisure, all with something unique to offer. Some give you a relaxing life on a farm, others scratch that desperate itch to clean something with power tools, and a few even let you bring color back to a drab world. We’ve picked out some of the best cozy games you can play, most of which are available on every modern platform.
A popular new Stardew Valley mod brings the farm sim’s inspiration to life in a substantial expansion
A new Stardew Valley mod brings the farm sim’s original inspiration to life in as a brand-new expansion, recreating Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town in Stardew Valley down to the marriage candidates, fish, and even iconic locations such as Goddess Hill. The “Welcome to Mineral Town” expansion comes from modder rexstrife2 on NexusMods and quickly became one of the site’s most popular mods for Stardew Valley barely a week after it first appeared.
“Welcome to Mineral Town” adds the Game Boy Advance classic’s 16 marriage candidates, including Ann, Kai, Mary, and Cliff, all redrawn in Stardew Valley’s signature pixel style, though you’ll have to wait a bit longer if you want romance events. Rexstrife2 plans to add those at a later date.
Meanwhile, you can explore Mineral Town and its surrounding environs, also recreated in Stardew Valley style, pick up some new forge and crafting recipes, and cast your line for a chance to hook Mineral Town’s original fish and add to your Stardew collection. Rexstrife 2 plans on adding even more to the expansion in the coming months, in addition to the marriage candidate romance events.
Like most mods, this Stardew Valley mod is only available on PC, so it won’t work on the game’s console versions. It also works with other modded expansions, including Stardew Valley Expanded and Ridgeside, adding Mineral Town as an area accessible near the bus stop that you can introduce in your game at whatever point, even if you’re well into your farm life.
Fish games aren’t at the beating heart of the video game industry, unless you count COD.
Fishing video games aren’t at the beating heart of the video game industry, it’s fair to say. Well, not unless you count COD.
But this ancient activity crops up quite a lot in games that don’t otherwise profess to be simulators of it, often providing a welcome diversion from the tiring business of saving worlds. Then there are the more laser-focused titles that accept their niche appeal and simply do their damndest to convey every detail of the sport in a palatable and enjoyable fashion.
Not to mention the unfathomable spike in fishing minigames that have popped up over the years in even the most high-budget titles. It’s a practice that started off as a bit of a meme, but so many games have done it that the whole thing has come full circle and people really like them.
Like a trawler using banned EU nets, we’ve scoured the very depths and then picked out only the very best depictions of fishing in games for your delectation. Please enjoy, and forgive that earlier COD pun. Just be thankful I scrapped my first idea about It Takes Tuna.
There’s a good chance that you or a family member is really into Stardew Valley. Seriously, everyone is in love with Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone’s adorable farming sim — at least if the sales figures are any indication.
According to an update on Stardew Valley‘s website, the game has sold more than 20 million copies across all platforms over six years as of March 2022. Of that staggering number, 13 million were on PC, while the PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation Vita, iOS, and Android versions made up the rest.
Despite how ludicrously successful Stardew Valley is, Barone hasn’t let fame and fortune go to his head. Last fall, he helped fund a $40,000 esports tournament. Yes, competitive Stardew Valley is a thing.
Barone is also working on Haunted Chocolatier, which is all about making candy and fighting ghosts. Well, at least that’s what we can glean from what little information is out there about it.
Stardew Valley‘s journey from indie darling into a mainstream mega-hit is quite the sight to behold. Who knows if Haunted Chocolatier will be as big, but we’ll see.
If you spent countless hours harvesting turnips in Stardew Valley, then candy shop simulator Haunted Chocolatier should be on your radar.
Stardew Valley creator Eric “ConcernedApe” Barone announced Haunted Chocolatier on Thursday after many years of secrecy about his next game. Well, now we know! It’s a sickeningly adorable simulator about making chocolate and selling it to the masses. Also, you live in a haunted castle for some reason. Exactly what you would expect from Barone, to be honest. There also appears to be some social and combat elements even cause nothing screams “chocolate” like hunting animals in a forest! Snark aside, it looks brilliant.
Check out an early gameplay video for Haunted Chocolatier for yourself below.
Barone hasn’t released any concrete details about Haunted Chocolatier yet, though it looks like a spiritual sequel to Stardew Valley. Which is plenty enough to make indie enthusiasts go wild, considering how popular that game still is, even five years on from its release.
Barone also posted screenshots from Haunted Chocolatier that you can check out below.
Haunted Chocolatier is likely already well on its way to being the most anticipated indie game in recent years. Yes, even more so than Choo-Choo Charles.
