7 Cozy Life Simulation MMOs Like Palia to Get Lost In This Year

Written byWendy Hours Last Updated on

I’ve played more cozy life simulation MMOs than I care to admit — from Palia to a few betas I probably wasn’t meant to talk about. So if you’re wondering what’s actually worth sinking hours into this year, I’ve got you covered. Yes, farming is involved. No, Hodari isn’t in all of them (sadly).

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Image: Singularity 6

There’s something special about cozy MMOs. They let you slip into a slower rhythm, build a little life for yourself, and bump into friends — all without the chaos of traditional online games. Palia might be the one that got everyone talking, but it’s not the only one worth your time.

Whether you’re after farming, fishing, crafting, or just pottering around a village full of charming NPCs, there are plenty of cozy life simulation MMOs to explore. Some are in early access, some are fully launched, and a few are still tucked away in development, but all of them offer that comforting mix of adventure, chill vibes, and meaningful progression you know and love.

Wait, what is the difference between a multiplayer game and an MMO?

Let’s clear something up before we go any further, because “cozy multiplayer” and “cozy MMO” often get lumped together (and they’re not quite the same).

  • Multiplayer games let you play with a few friends. Think of games like Stardew Valley or the upcoming game Witchbrook, where you can co-op with a small group of roughly 2-4 players. You’ll usually need to invite them directly or join each other’s sessions. It’s cosy, it’s fun, but it’s still a closed world.
  • MMOs, or Massively Multiplayer Online games, take things a step further. These are online worlds where you’ll often run into other players in real time… whether you know them or not! The world keeps ticking even when you’re not online. MMOs often include:
    • Public towns or hubs full of strangers
    • In-game events or festivals
    • Player housing in shared neighbourhoods
    • Optional guilds, trading, or even light combat

So, when I talk about cozy life simulation MMOs, I’m talking about games with farming, crafting, decorating, chatting AND shared worlds filled with other players. You can vibe solo, or cross paths with new folks along the way.

I just wanted to clear up this misconception before we continued because I get asked this question a lot.

A Closer look at Palia as an MMO

Released in 2023 by developer Singularity 6, Palia is a free-to-play cozy MMO available on PC and Nintendo Switch, with other platforms planned. Set in the idyllic Kilima Village, it blends elements of life sims and online multiplayer. You can farm, cook, fish, decorate your home, complete quests, and interact with other players — or play solo if that’s more your style. There’s no combat here, just gentle worldbuilding and shared adventures.

The key features that define Palia as a cozy MMO

  1. Relaxed life-sim mechanics with MMO structure
    You’ll gather materials, level up life skills like mining and cooking, and complete story-driven quests — all while sharing the world with other players. It’s a comforting loop that feels familiar to fans of Stardew Valley but in an open, always-online world.
  2. Character customisation and home building
    From clothing and accessories to wallpapers and garden plots, Palia lets you fully shape your character and their space. You can unlock décor through gameplay or cosmetic bundles.
  3. A welcoming, non-violent world
    There’s no combat in Palia. Instead, the focus is on collaboration, exploration, and creative expression. You can hop in with friends or quietly explore on your own.
  4. Beautiful art style with fantasy touches
    With a hand-painted, whimsical look and soft lighting, the game feels magical without losing that grounded cozy charm. Think Breath of the Wild meets slice-of-life fantasy.
  5. Ongoing updates and early access growth
    Regular seasonal content, story chapters, and limited-time items keep things fresh. It’s still evolving, with the developers actively responding to player feedback.

The Best Cozy Life Simulation MMOs Like Palia

If open world games are your thing, I’ve rounded up 7 cosy life-sim MMOs that are worth a proper look. Some lean into farming, some lean into fantasy, and a few might just surprise you.

This list covers a mix of platforms including Nintendo Switch, Steam, and a few consoles you might not expect. I’ll let you know where to play each one so you don’t have to go digging. And if you like my post today please share it with a friend or consider subscribing (scroll to the bottom of this post) to get all the latest posts sent to your email.

1

Loftia

Imagine settling on a bright floating island in a world powered by solar and wind, where you and your friends can farm, craft, and decorate to your heart’s content. Loftia is a cozy, solarpunk MMO drawing inspiration from friendly life-sims like Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing. In Loftia you work together toward a sustainable future: for example, players contribute to community projects and uncover hidden stories that help build a brighter and more sustainable world.

How is Loftia a cozy MMO game?

  • Community-focused collaboration. Players form neighbourhoods of floating islands team up on community projects, group quests and puzzles across sky islands. This emphasis on cooperation (rather than competition) means the game naturally feels supportive and friendly.
  • Relaxing, creative gameplay. Instead of combat, Loftia centers on farming, crafting, building and socializing. These laid-back, non-violent activities – much like in other cozy life-sims – make the game soothing and enjoyable.
  • Bright, inviting aesthetic. The visual style is intentionally cute and optimistic: Loftia’s colourful solarpunk world (vibrant plants, wind turbines, floating houses) and even the developers say “community, friendship and doing good for the world is at the heart of the game”.
Coming Soon on Steam, PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch

2

Book of Travels

The Book of Travels is a tiny MMO game… apparently they do exist! A serene, exploration-focused role-playing game developed by Might and Delight. Craft your character and immerse yourself in the enchanted lands of Braided Shore. Set your own goals and adventure alone or together with Travellers you meet on the road in this TMORPG.

How is the Book of Travels a cozy MMO game?

  • Emphasis on Exploration and Discovery. The game encourages you to explore its vast world at your own pace, uncovering secrets and stories without the pressure of combat or traditional quest structures.
  • Minimalist Social Interaction. Learn to use a unique set of symbols to communicate with other players, fostering organic and meaningful encounters.
  • Personalised Roleplaying. There are 12 unique “Forms” to choose from. Are you a danger-seeking adventurer, a stoic practitioner of magic binding, or a carefree tea drinking gambler?
Book of Travels is available on Steam
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3

Sky: Children of the Light

Sky: Children of the Light is a free multiplayer adventure from the creators of Journey. It’s a beautifully animated world where you fly through seven magical realms, connect with other players through emotes and light, solve relaxing puzzles, and join seasonal events… all without a hint of combat.

How is Sky: Children of the Light a cozy MMO game?

  • Shared, heartfelt moments. This isn’t your usual MMO, it’s about lighting each other’s paths, gifting hearts, and silently guiding friends and new players through the game.
  • Shared social spaces. Shared spaces build connections with other players through props which can be earned through game play or purchased.
  • No combat, pure exploration. Sky offers maze-like puzzles, treasure candle hunts, and emotional storytelling. No fighting here, just gentle progression and discovery.
Free to Play on PC via Steam Early Access, Switch, PlayStation, iOS & Android

4

Stars Reach

Stars Reach is a sandbox sci‑fi MMO from the creator of Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies . Set in a massive, single-shard galaxy of living planets, it lets players explore, settle, craft, build planets and interact with others. There is combat in Stars Reach but PvP is opt-in and localized.

How is Stars Reach a cozy MMO game?

  • Choose your progression. Players have a deep skill tree horizontal progression system, dozens of professions, and no classes, gender locks, or annoying rails. But if you decide you want to change your build, just let some skills fall out of practice and go learn something else.
  • Play however long you want. Have fun in a five-minute session – or spend hours decorating your house. It’s a modern online game that respects your time and preferred ways to play.
  • Modify your environment. Farming gets better when seasons and soil quality matter. And making a place your virtual home has never been this expressive before.
Find out more about Stars Reach on Steam

5

Play Together

Play Together, while not being your typical MMO, is a popular casual social networking game enjoyed by players worldwide. Express yourself through character customization, decorate your home and host Home Parties for a fun time with friends. Enjoy tons of content with friends from all across the globe!

How is Play Together a cozy MMO game?

  • House Party anyone?  Invite friends over or visit their homes to catch fish, play games, chit-chat, and role-play together for hours of fun!
  • Fun-filled minigames with friends. Demonstrate your gaming skills in mini-games such as Game Party, where the last one standing from 30 players wins.
  • Collect, explore, and care together. Fish, catch bugs, dig up fossils, and raise adorable pets in a lively online world packed with over 600 fish, 300 insects, and seasonal surprises to show off with friends.
Play Together is Free to Play on Steam

6

Final Fantasy XIV

Final Fantasy XIV isn’t just one of the biggest MMOs, it also offers some of the richest non-combat life-sim content out there. Reddit players call it “cozy,” “therapeutic,” and even a “second home,” with a huge focus on crafting, housing, and social life.

How is Final Fantasy XIV a cozy MMO game?

  • Crafting, gathering & Island Sanctuary. You can chase calm by harvesting resources, crafting furniture, and tending to your own Island Sanctuary.
  • Housing and glamour socialising. With fully customizable homes and the beloved glamour system, players host parties, show off their style and simply hang out.
  • Friendly, slow-paced community. The game’s story – and most mid-level dungeons – are perfectly doable solo or at casual pace. Community spaces like Free Companies (guilds) are nurturing and non-toxic, with veteran players often helping newcomers.
Final Fantasy XIV is available on PC, Mac, PS4, PS5

7

Spirit Crossing

Prepare to adventure into a joyful world with Spirit Crossing, a massively cooperative life sim designed to encourage friendship and make the world feel a little less lonely. From award-winning cozy games studio Spry Fox, journey through an ever-changing landscape as you spread kindness throughout a vibrant, inviting community. 

How is Spirit Crossing a cozy MMO game?

  • Cozy MMO meets life‑sim. Developed by Spry Fox for Netflix, this upcoming MMO blends community building, open‑world exploration, crafting, and charming customization in a soft, pastel-hued world.
  • Play solo or together. Early test players describe it as “a mashup of Breath of the Wild and Animal Crossing”, sharing space, resources, and friendship with others, plus multiplayer features like riding Fluffalo trains and hosting dance parties.
  • Seasonal & social: Netflix’s first MMO. Revealed at GDC 2025, Spirit Crossing will offer seasonal events, housing zones, and village-building mechanics when it launches later this year on mobile through Netflix .
Find out more about Spirit Crossing on Netflix

Have you unearthed any cozy life simulation MMOs recently? Hop in the comments to let everyone know.

Wendy
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