Here is your list of charming video games like Cozy Grove with relaxing gameplay loops, wholesome characters, and cozy atmospheres.
Cozy Grove is a cute, endearing game about helping little ghost bears recall their lost memories.
When the game was released in the Spring of 2021, it was hailed as the new Animal Crossing New Horizons. But, honestly, I feel that this comparison fails to adequately capture the essence and warmth of Cozy Grove.
I’ve never actually finished the game! It continues to be that one game I pick up when I’m feeling low and need a hug.
The developers intentionally built in a daily time limit of approximately 20 to 30 minutes of gameplay each day. This time limit encourages you to engage with the game’s content in short, daily sessions, to encourage relaxation and avoid grind burnout.
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Some activities in Cozy Grove have specific cooldown timers. For instance, mining rocks take 18 hours to be ready to harvest, berry bushes take 36 hours, and fruit trees, nut trees, and potted flowers take 72 hours.
These timers add an element of strategy to the gameplay as you must plan your activities accordingly.
Once you finish the dailies though you are free to continue crafting, fishing and decorating at your own pace without further time constraints. You just won’t be able to progress the storyline until the next day.
If you miss a day in Cozy Grove, you won’t be penalized either, but it’s designed to be played gradually over time to fully enjoy the unfolding storyline and activities on the island.
The Story of Cozy Grove
As a Spirit Scout tasked with helping ever-changing island ghosts, you’ll enjoy a strong narrative full of quirky characters.
The local ghosts have stories to tell, and by completing objectives set for you each day, you’ll slowly unravel the mysteries of Cozy Grove’s citizens.
While some objectives pose light challenges – it would take me hours to find some items because I refused to use the hints! – Cozy Grove succeeds as a cozy game thanks to an emphasis on exploration over achievement. Plus its simple visuals and soundtrack complement the island’s tranquil atmosphere.
Cozy Grove is a prime example of the emotional riches cozy games can offer. The uniqueness of this great game did pose a problem when researching this list for you.
How could I possibly compile a list of games that authentically encapsulate the coziness of Cozy Grove? I decided to look at 3 key factors: Aesthetics, Storytelling, and Natural Elements.
With this in mind let’s take a look at similar video games like Cozy Grove to add to your wishlist on Steam and Nintendo Switch.
1
The Garden Path
The Garden Path offers a tranquil escape into the simple joys of gardening – a slice-of-life sim that wants you to play in bite-sized moments.
Tend to your vegetable patch, fish tranquil streams, or make new plant pals as you lose yourself in this peaceful, wistful sim. Whether you spend your days growing, crafting, trading crops at the market, or just wandering its winding trails, this secret garden was made for relaxation and discovery.
Escape to the bottom of the garden to enjoy the beauty of the hand-drawn artwork or invite friends over to enjoy your garden with you in local co-op.
2
Love, Ghostie
Play supernatural matchmaker in this charming dating sim Love, Ghostie.
After landing in the afterlife you realize there’s more to being a ghost than haunting the living. Apparently being a ghost is quite boring so now they choose to use their transparency to play matchmaker with the local residents instead.
Nudge potential couples into meet-cutes, give gifts, and unlock adorable relationship scenes. Overflowing with coziness and wholesome romance, Love, Ghostie lets you spread joyful connections from beyond the grave.
3
Moonglow Bay
Moonglow Bay is a slice-of-life RPG game where you need to repair a struggling town through the unifying act of fishing.
With an in-depth story that will tug on your heartstrings, you can team up in local co-op or play solo to master angling techniques, share meals cooked from the day’s catch, and bond with the locals. Cook up your daily catch or donate it to the local aquarium.
As you work on your fishing skills, you’ll also nourish a community back from the brink of bankruptcy.
4
Resonance of the Ocean
Resonance of the Ocean is a short adventure game you can play in 10 – 30 minutes.
This free-to-play Steam game is about being stranded on a lonely island, you must craft beauty from the gifts of the sea in this hand-drawn world.
Gather materials washed up on the shore, then fashion them into musical instruments and simply enjoy a short meditative experience.
5
Bear & Breakfast
Live out your fantasies of running a charming B&B in the wilderness in Bear and Breakfast.
You play as Hank, a teenage bear who just wants to start his own business and make some cash. This relaxed management is as funny as it is cozy.
You will construct, customize, and operate a cozy inn, catering to unsuspecting tourists. Complete quests and story lines to collect new items and perks for your inn. When you’re not busy with hospitality duties, you’re free to forage in the forest, furnish your place with handcrafted decor, and get to know the quirky residents of the woods as you unearth a much deeper plot.
Sail the seas on a whimsical adventure in Spiritfarer, a moving management sim that confronts life’s end with beauty and grace.
You play as Stella, ferrymaster to the deceased. Shepherding spirits to their final resting place, you’ll travel to idyllic islands, befriending your passengers before they depart.
Sing to crops aboard your boat, gather resources and craft items. Through this gameplay emerges a bittersweet meditation on mortality, celebrating the joy and sorrow of impermanence.
If you seek a game with imaginative play and an emotional story, I recommend setting sail for some fantasy adventures.
Sail the seas on a whimsical adventure in Spiritfarer, a moving management sim that confronts life’s end with beauty and grace.
You play as Stella, ferrymaster to the deceased. Shepherding spirits to their final resting place, you’ll travel to idyllic islands, befriending your passengers before they depart.
Sing to crops aboard your boat, gather resources and craft items. Through this gameplay emerges a bittersweet meditation on mortality, celebrating the joy and sorrow of impermanence.
If you seek a game with imaginative play and an emotional story, I recommend setting sail for some fantasy adventures.
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8
Sun Haven
Sun Haven is a fantasy farming adventure gamewith RPG elements.
Build a farm, forge friendships, and go on magical quests. This multiplayer allows up to 8 players to play in co-op or solo as you go on an epic adventure filled with dragons, monsters, and lots of magic.
Alongside the main story, you can also develop your character’s skills, cultivate relationships with townspeople, and expand your agricultural homestead.
With 3 farms to build, 15 characters to romance and dungeons to explore, Sun Haven offers a rich fantasy world to lose yourself in.
9
Wholesome: Out and About
Wholesome: Out and About is a cozy foraging life sim with real plants & mushrooms suitable for old and young players!
A fierce storm has devastated your grandmother’s seaside cottage and the charming coastal town she calls home. You’ve come to offer support as she works to rebuild her life in the aftermath.
Together you can find a way forward, drawing strength from nature and community.
Forage for ingredients to prepare nourishing meals, tend to your garden, and reach out to neighbors in need of comfort.
Go on a wildlife adventure in this relaxing and cozy open-world game.
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Wendy is a cozy gaming content creator from the UK who specializes in a sub-genre of video games called 'cozy games'. When she's not playing video games, Wendy likes to go treasure hunting for antiques and spend time with her husband.
