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.
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.
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).
Figment
Figment takes players on a journey through the mind, exploring themes of fear, courage, and the complexity of human emotions, set against a backdrop of whimsical landscapes and original musical compositions.
Dive into a dreamlike adventure filled with puzzles, music, and a narrative that soothes the soul above all else. A masterpiece, and even though it’s a bit more challenging that other games on this list, it’s still very relaxing overall.
Figment is available on PC, consoles and mobile.
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.
Gris
A visually stunning game where you bring color back to the world, offering a journey through grief and hope.
Gris is a platformer that stands out for its hand-drawn art, animation, and orchestral score, representing the protagonist’s emotional growth through the restoration of color to her world, and even though it’s a bit more challenging than other games on this list, it’s still nice and relaxing overall.
Gris is available on all platforms out there, from PC to consoles and mobile.
Illustrated: Every Picture Tells a Story
One of the newest games on the list, Illustrated is available only on mobile now, but it’s really cozy and nice for those who like playing puzzle games with a twist.
Solve jigsaw puzzles featuring famous artworks, learning about the artists without the clutter of physical pieces. A perfect blend of learning and having fun playing a game.
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.
Donut County
Play as a mischievous hole in the ground in this humorous game that’s all about swallowing objects and solving puzzles.
Donut County combines quirky storytelling with puzzle-solving mechanics, resulting in a satisfyingly chaotic adventure. It’s one of my 10-year-old son’s favorite games (he completed it a few times already), so it’s definitely great for the younger ones, not just adults.
The game is available on all platforms, including mobile.
Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley is a farming simulation game that goes beyond agriculture to include social elements, exploration, and combat.
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.
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. A perfect, satisfying and relaxing open-ended game.
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’s no longer as new as its name suggests, New Pokémon Snap 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 Portia
This game offers a modern spin on Harvest Moon, filled with activities ranging from farming to combat, all set in a beautifully animated world. I also like to compare it to Stardew Valley, so you know you’re looking at the perfect game.
My Time at Portia challenges players to restore their father’s workshop and build relationships with the townsfolk, blending crafting, farming, and social elements in an otherwise cute post-apocalyptic setting.
Coral Island
Coral Island reimagines the classic 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.
What Remains of Edith Finch
An interactive movie with a story that’s both grim and hopeful, featuring immersive gameplay and narrative twists. But do take the “grim” part into consideration – some might not consider this relaxing, in the end.
What Remains of Edith Finch explores the tragic stories of the Finch family through a series of short stories, each with unique gameplay mechanics reflecting the life and death of a family member, making it a profound experience on memory, fate, and the fragility of life.
The game is available on all consoles, as well as PC.
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.
The Witness
The Witness is a puzzle adventure game set on a mysterious island filled with natural beauty and intricate puzzles. Each puzzle you solve leads you deeper into the island’s secrets, revealing a world rich in history and intrigue.
The game’s open-world design encourages exploration at your own pace, while it still challenges the mind while soothing the soul.
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.