Cozy games are a growing genre that has seen several critically acclaimed titles such as Hinterberg Dungeons and Valley of the Stars launch in recent years. Fortunately, every year fans have access to more and more amazing and cozy games that vary in terms of gameplay styles and visuals. It's amazing how much variety can be found in this cozy genre, but it truly appeals to all types of gamers.
2024 was another great year for cozy gaming as it featured a number of unique titles from a variety of subgenres. Fortunately, for those who are tired of the farming simulation genre, there are several cozy non-farming games in 2024 that have quickly become some of the best games of the year. From action-adventure titles with a cozy vibe to laid-back management sims, there are plenty of great cozy games in 2024.
10
Minami Lane (Doot, Blibloop, Zakku)
A Cozy Street Management Simulator
Minami Street is a wholesome street management simulator in which players must meet the needs and desires of the street's residents, customizing what stores sell and increasing their beautification score. Much of Minami Street spend watching as the little characters walk around talking about how they need a spa day or what book they just bought.
However, for those who want a little more from their cozy game, there are plenty of customization options and strategies needed to suit all demographics. Older people prefer more expensive and refined foods, while younger people are satisfied with cheap foods. It's up to the player to balance both, often with just one showcase. Happily, Minami Street It's never too overwhelming or confusing, settling seamlessly into a very cozy vibe that requires just the right amount of thought to be engaging.
9
Babe, big city (Double Dagger studio)
One of the best cat simulators
Kitten, big city It's the perfect game to play over a weekend or even just a cozy afternoon with a hot drink. It's not particularly long, only taking players around two hours, but the experience it offers is so exciting and rewarding that it doesn't really matter. Kitten, big city is by far the best cat simulator, as it allows players to wander around a wonderfully detailed city, capturing birds, talking to other cats, and finding ingenious ways to deal with dogs.
The open world adds a lot Kitten, big city game cyclefor there are many secrets to be discovered by genuinely acting like a cat. Finding convenient routes between rooftops or crawling through narrow lanes in a way only a cat can do is fun with the game's fluid and playful movements. With lots of quirky characters to meet, a touch of dimensional travel and lots of collectibles, Kitten, big city It's a great cozy game.
8
Fields of Mystery (NPC Studio)
The best Farming/Life Simulator of the year
Fields of Mystery released into early access in 2024 and almost immediately became a sensation. It managed to get an extremely positive rating on Steam thanks to its thousands of reviews, and that doesn't just have to do with its well-crafted romance options that are a lot of fun to discover. Instead of, Fields of Mystery just understands what makes the farming/life simulation genre work and it does so much better than most of the best titles in the genre.
Its gorgeous art style, simple controls, and breadth of content currently available make it an attractive prospect for those who want a farming/life simulator with a twist. The addition of magic and an 80s anime aesthetic helps Fields of Mystery stand out from the restas well as its cheap price. Fields of Mystery absolutely has the potential to become as big as Valley of the Starsand that's great for cozy game fans.
7
Core Guardian (Pugstorm)
A survival sandbox game set in a vast cave
Core Guardian is the next blockbuster survival sandbox experience that combines minecraft and Terrarium giving players a multitude of ways to approach its multi-faceted gameplay mechanics. Whether exploring the vast and varied cave biomes that serve as the game's setting or establishing a base and mining the resources needed to fully automate it, Core Guardian will keep players busy for hours on end.
With the option to play with up to seven other people in online co-op, Core Guardian It's also a great social experience, where people can fish, mine, fight, and relax together in the houses they build. There are so many customization options, materials to collect, enemies to fight, and bosses to faceall this is used to do Core Guardian a thoroughly compelling experience, even after more than 100 hours.
6
Summer House (Friedemann)
A cozy home design game
Summer house It's a small game in the best way possible, as it doesn't try to overextend itself, but offers a well-crafted diorama experience that's as relaxing to play as it is to look at. In Summer housea game that costs about the same as a cup of coffee, players build little houses in picturesque environments, such as near a mountain lake or in a dense forest. There are many items they can use to build these houses, from signs, foliage, windows, doors, decorative items and more.
It is also possible to manipulate each item, including changing its height or bringing it forward or backward, allowing players to create unique shapes that would not otherwise be possible. With its gorgeous pixel art aesthetic and handful of unlockables, Summer house is the perfect cozy game to relax after a long dayespecially for those who love putting together picturesque dioramas.
5
SandWitch Caravan (Airplane Toast)
A more cozy Death Stranding
SandWitch Caravan It's a much more immersive and cozy game than many other 2024 options, but that doesn't make it any less relaxing. Players take on the role of Sauge as she tries to locate her sister who has gone missing in a post-apocalyptic world. However, this is not so Precipitation where everyone is dying, infected or turned into ghouls. Instead of, SandWitch Caravan is a game without combat, death or any violenceinstead, it offers a hopeful sci-fi world full of kind characters who just need a helping hand.
SandWitch Caravan is a lovely, cozy indie game with a great score, excellent visuals, and lovely writing that culminates in a very cozy experience.
Players can drive around the beautifully designed world in the van, solving puzzles, uncovering secrets, and completing quests for the residents of the densely populated hub world. This is a much cozier version of Stranding of Deatha game about journey, about exploring and helping others while slowly unraveling a mystery. SandWitch Caravan is a lovely, cozy indie game with a great score, excellent visuals, and lovely writing which culminates in a very cozy experience.
4
Kamaeru: A Haven for Frogs (Humble Reeds)
A game about taking care of cute frogs
Kamaeru: a refuge for frogs is a critically acclaimed cozy frog game about managing and protecting a swamp full of frogs. There are over 500 frogs in the game that players can unlock by breeding and finding them in their swampsall of which need to be fed and cared for. To do this, fans will need to collect bugs and purchase furniture that the frogs can use to relax.
Of course, to buy furniture, players will need to plant fruits and other resources to then produce products and sell them on the market. All of this and more is presented in a very easy to understand format, which is helped enormously by the game's phenomenal watercolor aesthetic. This does Kamaeru: a refuge for frogs a pleasantly immersive yet consistently cozy experience from start to finish, perfect for management sims and frog fans alike.
3
Critter Cove (Gentleman Rat Studio LLC)
A post-apocalyptic animal crossing
Animal Covevery similar Fields of Mysteryreleased in early access in 2024 and has since captivated fans around the world with its apocalyptic Animal crossingstyle gameplay. In Animal Cove, Players need to help restore a once-thriving city to its former glory by upgrading its existing buildingsadding new stores and creating a hospitable environment for potential tourists. Of course, while all this is going on, fans will need to make friends with local people and cater to the needs of tourists.
To be able to pay for all these upgrades and see Animal Cove restored, players will need to venture into the vast open world, discover ruins, dive into the waters to locate hidden treasuresand much more. There is a lot to discover in Animal Covelots to customize and lots to keep busy with, ensuring that despite being in Early Access in 2024, it offers a genuinely rewarding and feature-rich experience from start to finish.
2
Tiny Clearing (Attack Light)
A stress-free diorama builder
Little Clearing is a much more complex version of Summer housegiving players the tools to build entire villages, giant castles, or even movie locations using easy-to-understand tools. It really depends on your imagination when it comes to creating beautiful dioramas in Little Clearingas the tools available can be used and manipulated to create virtually anything. People have already started creating some truly amazing works of art inside Little Clearingshowing how impressive it can be.
What it does Little Clearing Such a cozy experience is a friendly experience that never feels overwhelming or frustrating. Mistakes can be easily corrected and it never makes the player feel like they are doing something wrong. Instead of, Little Clearing it's about relaxing, putting a podcast on in the background and seeing what you can create. It's very easy to get completely immersed Little Clearingwhich makes it the perfect cozy game for anyone who loves creating things.
1
Dungeons Of Hinterberg (Microbird Games)
A Dungeon Crawler with Life Sim elements
Very similar SandWitch Caravan, Hinterberg Dungeons It's a more engaging cozy game. On a superficial level, Hinterberg Dungeons It might not seem that cozy, as it revolves around venturing into dungeons and fighting bosses, solving puzzles, and unlocking new weapons and armor. However, everything is presented in a very light-hearted way, but still finds space to discuss mature topics, such as finding your place in life.
What it does Hinterberg Dungeons so cozy are its life simulation segments, where Luisa, the game's protagonist, interacts with the people of Hinterberg and forms meaningful friendships. It's never too difficult either, which helps make it less overwhelming. Hinterberg Dungeons is the perfect cozy game for those who still like a little action while they relax.