The 35 Best Cozy Games on Steam in 2024

A Space for the Unbound is a pixellated adventure game that takes place in the 90s.

Ever wondered what it’s like to be a high school couple facing, oh, you know, the apocalypse? Meet Atma and Raya. They’re just like any other high school sweethearts, except they’ve got this wild supernatural force shaking up their senior year.

You get to join them as they dig into their town’s deep, dark secrets, all while trying to save the world. No biggie! And get this, the whole game’s got vibes straight out of rural Indonesia, which adds that extra layer of coziness.

The game is so full of heart and set in this vibrant world that’s just begging to be explored.

Can we talk about how Stardew Valley is basically the gateway to all things cozy gaming? Seriously, if you haven’t played it yet, where have you been?

I tried it once but I’ve never found the time to properly sit down and play it. Though my community loves it, so I will continue to sing its praises. This game isn’t just popular; it’s like the cozy game celebrity.

It’s the game that makes non-gamers say, “Wait, this is gaming? Sign me up!” Stardew’s got this magnetic pull. A lot of it’s thanks to how much it’s loved by Twitch streamers and YouTubers who can’t get enough of that farm life.

And get this: Stardew’s got over 200,000 glowing reviews on Steam. Yeah, you heard that right! People adore its laid-back, grow-your-own-crops, befriend-the-town vibe.

So, if you’re looking for a game that’s like the cozy queen of Steam, Stardew Valley is your go-to. What do you love most about Stardew? Drop a comment and spill the tea!

In Wood & Weather you’re basically a god overseeing a super-cute wooden toy city.

But hold up—this isn’t just sunshine and rainbows; you’ve got all kinds of wild weather to deal with.

You get to play as this floating blue hand, and guess what? You’ve got a wizard buddy to help you out! You get to fly around and mess with the little wooden world in ways that totally defy physics. It’s like your childhood toybox, but better!

And let’s talk about the tiny wooden folks living there. They’re just trying to get by, you know? Your choices could really shake things up for them, for better or worse. So what kind of impact will you make? That’s all up to you (and maybe a thunderstorm or two).

Start a farming colony and grow it into a vibrant community in One Lonely Outpost.

Choose from traditional animals and natural produce or opt for robo-cows and gene-spliced crops. You can take a break from farming by mining, socializing with colonists, finding a love interest, exploring alien ruins, and so much more! An alien world sometimes needs a farmer’s touch to bring it to life.

In this sci-fi, colonization-life sim, terraform a barren world: turn wastelands into verdant landscapes while exploring, farming, building, and unlocking all the mysteries of this strange new planet.

Hey, you know those classic farming games we all love? Well, Coral Island takes that vibe and just runs with it, but with a tropical twist!

So, you’re on this lush island that’s kinda inspired by Southeast Asia, but you’re not just planting crops and petting cows. You also get to make friends with the locals and even help revive the town and, get this, the coral reefs!

This game isn’t your run-of-the-mill farming life sim. The characters are super diverse. The animals are ridiculously cute. Basically, it’s like the farming sim genre got a glow-up and went on vacation.

Are you a Dino fan? Then you’re gonna love Paleo Pines! Imagine a world where dinos are like big, scaly puppies. You get to hang out with Lucky as you explore the island and uncover all its little secrets. And guess what? You’ll meet even more friendly dinos along the way!

The best part? You get to turn your ranch into a dino paradise. Build your very own cozy sanctuary filled with your new dino besties. Oh, and don’t even get me started on the home base. You can totally make it your own, because let’s be real, no two dino ranches are the same in Paleo Pines.

Join Tara on a heartfelt journey to become a witch in the popular Wylde Flowers, a story-driven farming game.

Farm by day, and cast spells by night as you craft your cottagecore life and bond with your coven. Come to know and love the fully voice acted characters of Fairhaven, as you unravel a local mystery.

Relax into your cottagecore lifestyle as you tend crops, care for animals, fish, craft and more throughout the day. By night, nurture your inner witch as you learn to fly your broomstick, brew potions, control the weather and seasons or even transform into a cat!

Powerwash Simulator lets you wash away your worries. It’s the ultimate mindless escapism!

You can build your very own power-washing business and blast away every speck of dirt and grime that you can find. With a unique take on the simulation genre, Powerwash Simulator taps into my need for cleanliness and management. So if you’re the next Mrs Hinch you may enjoy this fun game!

Imagine being a barista, but like, for vampires and aliens. You get to listen to these people’s life dramas and whip up some warm and comforting drinks to help ’em out.

Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus and Butterflies is the second installment of the series. The story continues on where the first left off so it’s worth playing Coffee Talk first.

Did I mention this was the first visual novel I ever played and it’s very close to my heart? So, I highly recommend giving it a play, even if you’ve never tried visual novels before.

Jumplight Odyssey is inspired by epic 1970s star-spanning anime adventures. Add some smooth 70’s Tokyo late-night disco and you’re in for a fun game.

Lead your crew on an adventure to the mythical Forever Star! Gather survivors, repair and build out your starship, brave black holes, and fend off attacks, all while managing the daily soap opera of your colorful crew.

With your home planet destroyed, it’s up to you to keep hope alive on this dash for survival across the galaxy!

Planet Zoo is the spiritual successor to Zoo Tycoon! Construct detailed habitats, manage your zoo, and meet authentic living animals who think, feel and explore the world you create around them. 

I grew up playing Zoo Tycoon so this game brought back some fond memories. I really love how much the graphics have evolved. My favorite part about playing this game though is how detailed you can be if you want to, plus the addition of animal welfare which is close to my heart.

Fair warning though, you’ll need a decent PC to play this on. Mine is a potato!

Craft your own Tarot deck, regain your freedom, and shape the fate of the cosmic Witch society in The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood.

I played this game on Nintendo Switch but it’s available on Steam too. I played it exclusively for a whole month because I’m fond of tarot, but mostly because I wanted to experience the multiple endings.

Unlike with Coffee Talk, once you finish this game you don’t get the option to skip chapters. No, instead you have to play the whole game again! This was a little frustrating but I understand why the devs did this. I certainly got my monies worth.

The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood explores themes of identity, community, and personal responsibility in a beautifully hand-crafted universe that you won’t be able to put down.

Sugar Shack is a maple syrup management game and world crafter set in a cozy, magical forest inspired by Quebec lore and art.

Located at the center of a world that seems stuck in the middle of an eternal spring, this cozy little place of joy and syrupy goodness is now all yours. Fire up the oven, strike the earth, tap some maple, and revive the land around the shack.

Improve the home’s reputation by welcoming customers, selling produce, baking home-made products to create a sense of community all around. Bring life and happiness to a new, magical world – on your own or together with friends!

In Park Beyond you can create the park of your dreams, without being held back by gravity! As the newly-hired visionary architect for a struggling company, you will be able to create mind-twisting theme parks. Create rides you have always dreamt about but that couldn’t exist in real life. 

Along with Phil, the enthusiastic park veteran and Izzy, the stern but friendly executive and a host of other colorful and passionate characters, you will pave the way to a successful and profitable park company.

Thanks to accessible controls and a story-driven campaign mode, you will get to learn the ropes of park management and build increasingly crazy rides and modular coasters.

I’ve been playing Disney Dreamlight Valley since its release on October 11th, 2022. If you’re a big fan of farming games or life sims you’ll want to add Dreamlight Valley to your rotation. I picked this up because I’m a Disney Adult, honestly, I’m such a kid at heart.

Before this, I was playing Disneyland Adventures but it became fairly repetitive because, well really it’s geared to a younger audience. That’s not the case with Dreamlight Valley. There are a few mature storylines that touch on feelings of loneliness and depression with the underlying importance of community.

I predominately play on my Switch but as the game has crossplay I can move over to my PC whenever I feel like it which is handy.

Quilts and Cats of Calico is a cozy puzzle game and digital adaptation of the award-winning board game for 1-4 players. Meet adorable cats and sew the coziest quilts. Compete with other players in multiplayer mode, play solo, or delve into the story of a quilter sewing their way through the city of cats. I was lucky enough to play a demo early last year.

PlateUp! combines chaotic kitchen and restaurant management with strategic planning and development to create a delightful roguelite dish unlike any other.

Build and run a restaurant with upto 4 players, choosing dishes, and buying and placing appliances – some of which can be daisy-chained together to create ambitious automatic kitchens. Design your restaurant and complete tasks to unlock additional content and challenges as you progress. If you enjoy the chaos of Overcooked then this one’s for you.

Strange Horticulture is the perfect pick for people who’d rather play with fictional plants than real ones in this occult puzzle game.

You play as the proprietor of a local plant store and it’s your job to identify new plants and serve your customers exactly what they need to aid their ailments. Pet your cat, speak to a coven, or even, join a cult. Unravel Undermere’s dark mysteries.

Station to Station is a minimalist & relaxing game about building railway connections. Grab your conductor’s hat and bring the voxel-art world to life through the magic of trains!

Hop on board and steam through colorful biomes. Breathe life into the desert sands, and transform the untamed mountain terrain. Build and watch your tranquil world come to life with an ever-widening tapestry of flora and fauna!

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Laysara: Summit Kingdom is a challenging city builder focusing on resource management, the economy, and survival on top of a mountain. Build and expand your settlements in the high mountains in either a campaign or sandbox playthrough.

Carefully plan your production chains, trade networks and avalanche survival strategies to satisfy the needs of your three-caste society and make the Kingdom of Laysara thrive! This is exactly my type of cozy game – a little challenging, with lots of management, and a unique setting.

A sequel to the House Flipper game that gave players a unique chance to become a one-man renovation crew and sold more than 3 million copies. 

House Flipper 2 introduces new mechanics and revamps the ones from the original game. The good old hammer, the trusty paint roller, and the sturdy mop, all await your return! The new visuals make your fixer-uppers look unbelievable!

Run a Small Sticker-Making Business in Sticky Business.

Sticky Business, is a small business simulation game all about making stickers and creating memorable experiences for customers! You will create stickers with thousands of various customization options, pack orders, develop your online store, and build relationships with customers. Build the Cutest E-Shop on the Internet. 

If you’re a Twitch Streamer, Sticky Business offers a Twitch integration, which allows your viewers to become customers in the game. How cool is that?!

Moonstone Island is a colorful pixel open world life-simulator and creature-collecting game.

Tame spirits in turn-based deckbuilding combat, farm your heart away or explore the vast world in this Stardew Valley-inspired game. Play as an alchemist, expelled from your family’s sky island farm, and set out on your own adventure in this new RPG.

A Short Hike is an open-world exploration with a simple story – walk to the top of the mountain.

Along the way, you learn skills and acquire the resources you need to get you there. Follow the marked trails or explore the backcountry as you make your way to the summit. Along the way, meet other hikers, discover hidden treasures, and take in the world around you.

A Short Hike is a story about conquering the trials of nature with an act as simple and basic as walking.

Assemble with Care is a short game with a vibrant story. 

The game centers on an antique restorer who goes around a town fixing broken objects and she wants nothing more than to help save folk’s beloved possessions, but when it’s their personal lives that are starting to fracture, she’ll need to find a way to hold them together, one spare screw at a time.

Mineko’s Night Market is a game that celebrates Japanese culture while introducing a heartwarming story about friendship, tradition, and many, many cats.

Play as Mineko, a curious girl who has just arrived at her new home on a struggling Japanese-inspired island at the base of Mount Fugu. 

Discover the secrets behind the town and restore the village to its former glory. All the while, manage your daily activities, complete various jobs, venture on whimsical quests, and craft peculiar items in preparation for the weekly Night Market.

Escape to the fairytale life of your dreams in the beautiful world of Fae Farm, a cozy farm-sim RPG for 1-4 players.

Craft, cultivate, and decorate to grow your shared homestead—and use spellbinding magic to explore the enchanted island of Azoria. Here’s what I wish I’d known about earning money in Fae Farm before I started playing. This game is quite expensive so I’d wait until it goes on sale if you want to play it.

Botany Manor is set in a stately home in 19th-century England. This walking sim is something special to look at! I dug my fingers into the demo last year and loved every minute.

You play as inhabitant Arabella Greene, a retired botanist. Explore your house and gardens, filled with research, to figure out the ideal habitat of forgotten flora. Grow each plant to discover the mysterious qualities they hold.

The Witch of Fern Island is an adventure farming sim game where you play as Abrill, who has to uncover the island’s deepest secrets and master magical trades. 

Overcome the challenges of the island to demonstrate your mastery of magic and become the most well-known witch around! Become the witch you’ve always dreamt of being in a game about finding your place in the world, making friends, and most importantly, finding joy within every passing moment.

Sun Haven is a cozy pixel art game with elements of fantasy RPG and farming and life simulation.

In this medieval town full of people from all walks of life you play as a farmer, miner, fisher, warrior, craftsman, and even a mage. 

It’s up to you to wield your abilities and become the hero of your own story. Your hard work will let you upgrade your farm, restore shops in Sun Haven, and even bring in new neighbors!

Slime Rancher 2 is a sequel to the award-winning, smash-hit original that has been enjoyed by over 15 million fans worldwide. 

Continue the adventures of Beatrix LeBeau as she journeys to Rainbow Island, a mysterious land brimming with ancient technology, unknown natural resources, and an avalanche of wiggling, jiggling, new slimes to discover. As Beatrix attempts to unravel the island’s secrets and uncover its true purpose, she’ll build, ranch, and farm within a beautiful conservatory, whose sparkling glass walls give her view of the prismatic paradise she now calls home.

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Roots of Pacha is a farming and life simulation game set in the stone age, where you and your clan just settled in a promised and fertile land.

By connecting with nature at your own pace you’ll help your clan evolve, develop culture and relationships, and discover the mysteries of Pacha, mother nature. Play with friends in co-op or explore the early days of civilization in single-player.

Season shows you the importance of capturing even the tiniest of moments.

You play as Estelle, a young woman who takes it upon herself to document the last season. With her notebook and camera, she sets out on her bicycle, leaving her hometown for the very first time.

I played Season on my Steam Deck and it ran like a dream! I had trouble putting this game down in all honesty. It’s beauty and open exploration made me want to have my own adventure.

In this rogue-lite adventure, you’re a fresh magic student at Greifenstein Academy.

Spells & Secrets is set in a world much like ours but with magic. Learn magic with your classmates and teachers in a big magical castle. Explore this modern magical world alone or in local co-op mode with friends and family, customize your character, solve mysteries, and find powerful artifacts.

Journey is the BAFTA award-winning walking sim that everyone raves about. 

Originally released in 2012 this beautiful game has captured the hearts of many gamers. I first played it on Steam Deck last year and understood immediately why this game is so popular. With very little instruction you must explore the breathtaking sands, sometimes solo, sometimes with a stranger, to reach the mountain in the distance.

When I first met another person in the game I thought they were an NPC! Honestly, this game is done so well that you won’t even care about hitting achievements until you’ve played it through once. You’ll just be mesmerized by the stunning view and pleasant score.