I’m all about hidden object mystery games and puzzle adventures, but sometimes you just want to play a cozy game, relax and take a break from the real world without necessarily having to get into a massive challenge in virtual worlds.
For those moments, I have the perfect list for you today, sharing my 30 favorite cozy and relaxing games to play when you want to take a break and just enjoy time indoors – from classics to newer releases you might have not heard about!
Journey
Journey is an evocative adventure game that stands out for its stunning visual style and emotional depth. Players traverse vast deserts and ancient ruins, aiming to reach the distant mountain on the horizon.
The game’s minimalist approach to storytelling and interactions encourages players to forge their own path and find meaning in the journey itself. It almost feels like meditating when you’re playing this game.
The game is available on all platforms – PC, consoles, and mobile. And it’s definitely worth playing.
Coffee Talk
Coffee Talk simulates the comforting routine of a barista, where you listen to customers’ stories ranging from daily chatter to life-changing revelations, all while crafting the perfect cup – and helping them get on with their life.
This will resonate with many people – I guarantee that – even if it sounds a bit strange at first. But trust me, it’s like that perfect latte: refreshing and relaxing at the same time! It gets bonus points for its amazing, pixelated art style.
This game is available on PC, iOS and PlayStation consoles.
And if you end up loving the vibe, be sure to check out its excellent sequels, Coffee Talk Episode 2 and Coffee Talk Tokyo, which perfectly carry on the lo-fi barista legacy.
Townscaper
Townscaper is more of an artistic tool than a real game, allowing for the construction of idyllic island towns with vibrant colors and quaint architecture, making it a relaxing experience devoid of objectives or stress.
An open-ended city builder that lets you create whimsical towns with ease, it’s perfect for those moments when you want to let your mind wander and do something relaxing in the mean time.
The game is available on PC and mobile, as well as consoles, and it even has a free web browser version.
For more game recommendations – and relaxing times – make sure to check out the top word games for PC or Mac, or the best ones you can play on Facebook.
Dorfromantik
This game is a serene board game-like experience, perfect for unwinding and creating picturesque landscapes, somewhat similar to Townscaper recommended above.
Dorfromantik challenges players to strategically place tiles to build ever-expanding villages, forests, fields, and waterways, fostering a zen-like focus and appreciation for gentle strategy and aesthetics.
The game is only available on PC and Switch, and it will be a delight for those who play Settlers of Catan (just in style, not gameplay).
Urban Jungle
If you enjoyed Unpacking, this is the next game you need to try. Urban Jungle is a brilliant little puzzle and simulation game where your main goal is to beautifully arrange a wide variety of houseplants across different apartments.
I find it incredibly satisfying to cultivate a lush indoor oasis here (and the fact that I love houseplants definitely helps). The game perfectly scratches that itch when you already enjoy tending to a balcony garden, caring for lavender, or growing fresh herbs – or makes you fall in love with the concept.
It is short, sweet, and wonderfully green.
Firewatch
Explore the solitude and beauty of the wilderness in a narrative-driven experience that combines a deep story with stunning visuals that make up for an overall relaxing gaming session.
Firewatch unfolds in a remote Wyoming wilderness, where players, as a fire lookout person, uncover a mysterious conspiracy through exploration and interaction with their distant supervisor.
The game is available on all consoles and PC, but not on mobile.
Starsand Island
I have to admit that this game always gave me Pokemon vibes (probably through its art), although it has nothing to do with collecting them all.
Instead, it takes the life-sim formula of games like Stardew Valley and transports it to a stunning, laid-back coastal setting.
You can spend your in-game time exploring the beaches, engaging with the local community, or cultivating a gorgeous farm (or doing all of these together).
It perfectly captures the feeling of a slow, restorative getaway – an ideal digital retreat for when you want to just soak in the idyllic scenery at your own pace.
Tales of Seikyu
If you want a farming simulation with a brilliant, mystical twist and Asian influences, but also with plenty of relationship options, this is the game you should play.
Set on a peaceful island where humans and yokai live side by side, you play as a fox spirit tasked with restoring an old ancestral farm. The coolest part? Instead of using standard farming tools, you shapeshift into different spirit forms – like a boar to till the soil or a crow to fly through the air.
It beautifully blends the comfort of Stardew Valley with rich Japanese folklore and a great town community to befriend.
Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery
Live out the life of an artist, blending interactive painting with a story that unfolds in rich emotional layers.
Behind the Frame: The Finest Scenery allows players to express themselves through art, making decisions that not only affect the visual outcome but also reveal deeper narrative paths and emotional journeys.
A bit of a hidden gem, and definitely a unique experience that everybody has to try out!
Good Pizza, Great Pizza
Manage a pizzeria and cater to a variety of customer requests in this charming and addictive game that you will love even if you are not a fan of Time Management games.
Good Pizza, Great Pizza challenges players with the culinary demands of pizza making, balancing speed, ingredients, and customer satisfaction in a bustling pizza kitchen. It’s a bit intense, it’s true – but definitely worth it!
The game is available on PC, Nintendo Switch an mobile devices.
Librarian: Tidy Up the Arcane Library!
I have to admit that I’m not a huge fan of tidying my house, but there’s something truly addictive about cleaning up an arcane library.
It’s that type of game you can’t really consider enjoyable until you try it. You are dropped into an incredibly messy arcane library and tasked with returning over 3,000 scattered books to their rightful shelves.
As you figure out the categories and organize the room, you unlock satisfying magical abilities – like auto-shelving and book teleportation – that make the process even smoother. It is a brilliant, low-stress organization simulator that beautifully transforms pure chaos into a perfectly ordered space.
Stardew Valley
Probably the most cliche title to have on such a list – but without a doubt one that has to be here, although most likely everybody has played it or at least knows about it. Still, this doesn’t mean it should no longer be recognized.
Stardew Valley is a farming simulation game that goes beyond agriculture to include social elements, exploration, and combat.
Inherit a dilapidated farm, cultivate crops, raise animals, mine for ores, and become a part of the community by forging friendships and possibly romances with the townsfolk.
Thanks to years of massive content updates from its solo developer, the game feels endless. It is a perfect, satisfying, and relaxing open-ended world.
PowerWash Simulator
Find zen in cleaning and transforming dirty surfaces into pristine states, offering a surprisingly meditative gaming experience.
If you watched power washing videos on Youtube, you know what I’m talking about. If not, you’re in for a pleasant surprise!
PowerWash Simulator delivers the satisfaction of power washing to perfection, turning the mundane task into a source of tranquility and accomplishment. It’s so cool that you’ll probably want to buy a real one and start getting some work done.
The game is available on all platforms, except for mobile.
A Short Hike
Embark on a relaxing hike through Hawk Peak Provincial Park, engaging in activities like fishing and shell collecting.
A Short Hike offers a slice of exploration and freedom, encouraging players to take the scenic route, meet quirky characters, and discover hidden treasures at their own pace.
The game is available on all platforms, except for mobile.
Melatonin
A rhythm game set against lo-fi beats and dreamy visuals, perfect for unwinding before sleep. I mean… with such a name and created by a studio named Half Asleep, you can’t have other expectations.
Melatonin intertwines the rhythms of sleep and wakefulness in gameplay that is as much about pattern recognition as it is an exploration of the boundaries between consciousness and dreams.
The game is only available for PC, Mac, and Switch.
Astroneer
Explore vibrant outer space with the freedom to craft, build, and discover, all in a pressure-free environment.
Astroneer sets players on a procedurally generated planet with a terrain that can be deformed and manipulated, fostering a sense of discovery and creativity in the vastness of space.
Available on PC and consoles, we can consider it the cute, more casual version of No Man’s Sky.
Abzû
Immerse yourself in a beautiful underwater adventure filled with ancient ruins and vibrant marine life, complete with a meditation mode.
Abzû takes players on a poetic journey beneath the sea, where the connection between nature and narrative creates a profound experience of exploration and wonder.
The game is available on PC & Consoles.
New Pokémon Snap
While it has been out for a few years now, New Pokémon Snap remains the ultimate cozy creature-capturing experience. It invites players on a safari-like adventure across diverse ecosystems, capturing Pokémon in their natural behaviors for research and memories.
It’s basically a Pokémon game that’s turning photography into a therapeutic endeavor.
The game is only available for the Nintendo Switch.
My Time at Sandrock
I decided to replace the original on this list (My Time at Portia, which still remains a solid alternative) with the newer one.
My Time at Sandrock takes the building and farming simulation genre to a beautifully animated, post-apocalyptic desert and makes it more fun and cozy than it might sound.
Sandrock challenges you to restore a struggling oasis town by gathering resources, building complex machines, and befriending (or romancing) a huge cast of characters.
Coral Island
Coral Island is a massive, incredibly polished farming sim with a deep commitment to environmentalism, where players can dive into the ocean to clean up coral reefs while managing their farm on land.
It focuses on ocean preservation alongside farm management, adding an eco-friendly twist to the farming simulation genre.
Alba: A Wildlife Adventure
A game that mixes adventure with environmentalism, where you embark on a summer vacation with a purpose and you end up learning a thing or two when you’re done playing.
Alba: A Wildlife Adventure combines exploration with conservation, encouraging players to take action in preserving wildlife, all within a charming and vibrant island setting. Perfect for children and adults alike.
Ooblets
A unique blend of life simulation and creature collection where kindness wins battles through dance. It can’t get any cuter than this!
Ooblets combines all of the above in a quirky universe filled with fun characters and ooblets, creatures that players can grow, collect, and compete with.
Unpacking
A game about organizing and discovering a character’s story through the items they keep.
Unpacking is a zen puzzle game that unfolds through the seemingly mundane task of unpacking boxes, revealing a deeper narrative about life’s transitions and the memories attached to personal belongings.
A Little to the Left
Organize household objects in this puzzle game, finding the perfect place for everything.
A Little to the Left sorts through the everyday chaos of home, inviting players to create order and find satisfaction in the arrangement of everyday items, all while dealing with a mischievous cat. Plenty of DLCs available for the game for endless challenges.
If you want to make sure that you get everything right, you can also check out the A Little to the Left walkthrough.
Terra Nil
A strategy game focused on restoring the Earth to its lush, green state, emphasizing environmental restoration, so coming with a bit of an educational vibe too. It’s also much cooler than it might sound!
Terra Nil flips the city-building genre on its head, focusing on ecological revival through purifying soils, cultivating ecosystems, and bringing life back to barren landscapes. Very cool, relaxing and captivating at the same time.
The game is available on PC, Mac, mobile devices and Nintendo Switch and is, probably, the most challenging game on this list.
If you are into city building games, make sure to check out my previous article listing the Top 10 iPad & iPhone City Building Games.
Spiritfarer
Spiritfarer is a management sim about dying, where players care for spirits before they pass on, crafting a moving tale of friendship and letting go.
In this beautifully animated and emotional journey, players gather resources, craft items, and develop relationships with their spirit passengers, uncovering heartwarming stories along the way.
Tiny Bookshop
If you have ever dreamed of leaving it all behind to sell books out of a customized seaside caravan, this super cozy game helps make your dream become reality.
Tiny Bookshop is an incredibly cozy, low-pressure management game where you travel to different scenic locations, curate your book inventory to match the local townsfolk, and build relationships along the way. It is the ultimate rainy-day comfort game, and even though it’s “tiny” you will love it!
Eastshade
Eastshade is a captivating exploration game where you play as a traveling painter exploring the island of Eastshade.
Capture the world’s beauty on your canvas, meet intriguing characters, and uncover mysteries hidden within this lush, peaceful world.
The game can be played on PC, PlayStation and Xbox.
Night in the Woods
Night in the Woods is a narrative-driven adventure game focusing on Mae, a college dropout returning to her hometown and reuniting with old friends.
The game beautifully tackles themes of mental health, existential dread, and the struggles of small-town life, all while offering engaging exploration and mini-games. It’s a cozy, yet thought-provoking experience.
The game is available o PC, PlayStation and Xbox, but also Switch and iOS.
Tales of the Shire
Ever dreamed about living the life of a Hobbit? If you ever had (or if you find the idea appealing now), this is the game you should play.
It’s a cozy life simulator that drops you into J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, but completely ignores the rings, the wars, and the dark lords.
Instead, you spend your days foraging, decorating your Hobbit hole, gardening, and cooking massive meals to share with your neighbors. In other words – pure, unadulterated comfort.
Wrapping up
You have plenty of options to play above and I am sure that you will enjoy any or all the games on my list. If you want even more, check out the Top PC & Mobile Games Based on TV Detective Shows.
If you have additional suggestions for similarly cozy, relaxing games to play when it rains outside or when you just need to take a break, let me know by commenting below.