This is going to sound a little cynical, and a little reductive. But let’s face it: when we think of a cozy game, chances areyou immediately think of a farming sim, and more specifically, you think ofStardew Valley.
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Partly due to the long and deserved success of Eric Barone’s magnum opus, the cozy genre from the outside looking in seems dominated byStardewclones vying for a piece of the pie.
Now, this isn’t to say there aren’t loads of those games, because there are. But there are a ton of outstanding cozy games out there that don’t have a single crop to plant or harvest.
But if you don’t believe me, I guess I had better show you some of the finest cozy games that don’t feature farming.
10Mineko’s Night Market
Crafts & Kitties
As someone who owns five cats, I may be a touch biased, but any game that makes kitty cats the primary focus will always get extra marks from me. So it’s no surprise that I’m here singing the praises ofMineko’s Night Market, a game where practically every item in the game is cat-themed.
In this game, your job is to play as little Mineko and gather items, complete quests, and make friends with the locals, all in a bid to gather enough materials to make unique crafts to sell at the local Night Market.
It’s a game that is cute as a button,full to the brim with charm and whimsy, and has that addictive one-more-day loop that fans of farming simulators will crave. So, strap on your finest pair of cat ears and give this one a try.
9Lil Guardsman
Animated Papers, Please
If you’re someone who loves social deduction games or adores Lucas Pope’s breakout hit Papers, Please, then you’ll likely get a kick out of this indie gem.
Lil Guardsmanis a game that sees you man the booth outside the city gates in your father’s absence, and your job is to ensure you don’t let in any undesirable types that would do harm to those within the castle walls.
It sounds simple, but as you’ll come to find out, people can be sly, deceitful, and just plain stupid, making it hard to get a good read on them.
This one is less dystopian Eastern bloc, and more Disney makes social deduction, but the puzzles are real head-scratchers nonetheless. So, if you want to call the shots at the city gates, this is just the one for you.
8Frog Detective: The Entire Mystery
ARibbitingMystery
Frog Detective: The Entire Mystery
Speaking of deduction,how about a detective game? In fact, how about three of the buggers wrapped up in a neat little package?
Well, that’s exactly what you get when you take on the Frog Detective Trilogy. This series casts you as the titular Frog Detective in three bespoke mysteries that only someone with your amphibious expertise can solve.
The game is laughably easy, but that’s part of its charm. It is effectively a fun, irreverent satire of the detective game genre.
Not to mention one that offers laugh-a-minute comedy due to the all-killer, no-filler approach, as each mystery shouldn’t take you more than one hour. It’s over before you know it, so savor every moment of this super sleuth extravaganza.
7Lil' Gator Game
The Power of Playtime
Lil Gator Game
You could perhaps argue thatThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wildis at least cozy game adjacent in many ways. However, due to the bosses, dungeons, and many dumb ways to die, it perhaps feels like there are too many ways to get worked up.
Well,Lil' Gator Gameis the remedy to that, as it offers Zelda-esque gameplay without any combat, stakes, or stress.
Lil' Gator Gameis a title that is all about the whimsy and carefree life of a child. Playtime is the number one priority of the day, and you need to embrace this to succeed.
You’ll need to help your friends play to their full potential, defeat the evil cardboard monsters of the realm, and hopefully, you just might show your sister that all work and no play makes you a dull person. It’s an unadulterated good time, and one you need to play.
6A Short Hike
Summer Camp Vibes
A Short Hike
When you think of an indie game, chances are you don’t think of an open world. Which is natural, as open worlds tend to be at odds with the indie game model
But,occasionally, you get a pocket-sized open worldthat dares to densely pack all of its charm into one tiny little archipelago, much likeA Short Hikedoes to great effect.
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This cozy little adventure sees you gather feathers and help the locals, which, in turn, allows you to improve your climbing and flying abilities. Which is just as well, as without these upgrades you wouldn’t stand a chance of making it to the top of Hawk Peak.
It’s a game with zany, memorable characters, fun mini-games, and a heartwarming finale for those who make it to the top of the mountain. So, grab some feathers and get going.
Cathartic Puzzle Platforming
Atmospheric 3D puzzle platformers are a hard type of game to come by. It’s tough to create an intriguing world that is just a joy to exist within, and quite frankly, not every game that tries will end up being as good asJourney.
However, Omno is a game that does a pretty good impression, offering a title with fun puzzles, rewarding exploration, and a wealth of fun traversal mechanics that make getting from A to B a blast.
Whether you’re documenting the local wildlife in each biome you visit, mastering a tricky platforming sequence, or bombing down a snowy slope on your hoverboard,Omnoprovides a series of memorable moments, making this one of the finest cozy puzzlers you are likely to find.
It’s not going to tax you too much, as the puzzles are pretty routine, but if you just want to chill out,Omnois a platform puzzler worth its weight in gold.
4Chicory: A Colorful Tale
A Blank Canvas
Chicory: A Colorful Tale
What if the world was suddenly devoid of all color? It seems pretty unlikely and farfetched, but that is the scenario you’ll be tossed into head-first when you play Chicory.
The artist who wields the world’s magic brush has gone AWOL, and you’ll be tasked with filling in for them and creating a world in your own image.
This signals the beginning of a game that is equal parts clever puzzler and coloring book brilliance, as you’ll need to use your new artistic powers to forge new paths, and restore the world to its former glory.
It’s basically indie Okami in a lot of ways, but perhaps that isn’t giving Chicory the credit it deserves, as it’s a charming game in its own right. So, if you want to show off your creative side, this is the pick of the bunch.
3Potion Permit
The Doctor is In
Potion Permit
If you’re in the market that feels a stone’s throw away from theStardew Valleyexperience, but equally hasn’t got any farming mechanics present whatsoever, thenPotion Permitis the way to go.
It’s a game that leans into the mini-games formula made famous by games such asRune Factory,as you’ll need to engage in various tasks like Tetris-style puzzles to concoct potions to help aid the local infirm in your role as town alchemist.
It’s a game that doesn’t have farming present, but you still have combat to gather your potion ingredients. Plus, you still have romance options in the town, which allows you to become part of the furniture as an established member of the community.
It’s another game with an awesome ‘one more day’ loop, and is perfect as a non-agriculturalStardewalternative.
2Donut County
AHoleLot of Fun
Donut County
Ben Esposito may be better known these days forhis epic speedrunning FPS titleNeon White. However, before all that, he created a wonderfully wacky little puzzle game calledDonut County.
This is a title where you effectively play as a hole and your goal in each stage is to eat everything in the level one way or another. However, you’ll need to interact with the world in clever ways to make everything fit.
It’s a game that’s wonderfully simple, and one that also has a weirdly compelling story to tell. It’s not a game that will take you long to finish, as it can be completed in an afternoon without too much issue, but while I can’t promise you a long time, I can promise you a good time if you choose to give this one a blast.
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Ever since this IP’s inclusion inAstro Bot,I simply haven’t been able to get these sentient little blobs out of my head.
LocoRocois one of thefinest things ever to come courtesy of the PSP, and will see players use the triggers on each side of the device to rotate the world, allowing your little blobs to tumble, break apart, and reform to clear stages.
It’s a game with the same vibe as titles of the era, likeKatamari Damacy and Viva Pinata,where joy and childish wonder are valued above all else.
It’s a feel-good game with just enough challenge to keep perfectionists playing for hours on end. So, if you have a PSP, dig it out and give this old relic the love and attention it deserves.
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