10 Best Cozy Games That Are Not Farming Sims

Key Takeaways

• Cozy games should be non-stressful, give comforting vibes, and have a calming esthetic.
• Popular cozy games are not just farming sims; other overlooked cozy games offer mystery and sweet stories.
• Dark & delightful games like
  Strange Horticulture
  and
  Spirit Tea
  provide relaxing, engaging fun without combat.

Although cozy games are usually defined by how they make someone feel, they must contain other elements too. Cozy games should be non-stressful, give the player warm and comforting vibes, and have a calming esthetic. There should be no combat and hardly anything to make the heart race.

Many of the most popular cozy games involve raising animals and planting crops, but not all gamers want that sort of gameplay. Beyond the world of farming simulation games, there is a host of fantastic cozy games that are often overlooked. From magical plant stores to mystical bathhouses, there are some amazing cozy games to choose from that aren’t farming sims.

10 Strange Horticulture

Delve Into Dark Delights

• Intriguing mystery
• Interactive story
• Satisfying puzzles

Strange Horticulture is a darkly delightful game in which players discover and collect plants to sell in their new store. This is beyond any regular shop simulation game, however, as players soon realize this new town is full of mystery and intrigue.

As folk appear in the store, it is up to the player to decide what each of them requires. They may want something simple like a sleep aid, or perhaps they are desperate for something to break a curse… The Strange Horticulture plant store has exactly what the people of Undermere need.

9 Spirit Tea

Be A Spirit Problem Solver

• Life and management sim
• Cute and funny dialogue
• Relaxed and evenly-paced quests

Spirit Tea combines the esthetic of Stardew Valley with the soul of Spirited Away in a sweet and cozy life sim. Players take on the role of a bathhouse manager who has recently drunk some spirit tea, allowing them to see into the world of the dead.

These troublesome spirits are lost and agitated, and it seems there is only one person who can help. Spirit Tea is a sweet game set against a gorgeous East Asian backdrop, perfect for playing on a rainy day.

8 A Little To The Left

Tidy Puzzle Fun

• Relaxing music
• Engaging puzzles
• Optional DLCs

A Little To The Left is the perfect cozy game for cat-loving puzzle players. Each level has deeply satisfying puzzles to solve by sorting and stacking household items.

There is no stress if a puzzle has a player stumped, however, as hints are offered and there is even a ‘Pass’ option. That way, players can move on and decide to go back at their leisure. This is a charming, casual game perfect for playing on a quiet evening before bed.

7 Beacon Pines

Casual, Cute, And Creepy

• Interactive story
• Beautiful artwork
• Mysterious characters

Beacon Pines is a cozy interactive story with a twist, as the player is taken on an emotional journey with cute but mysterious characters. The game is visually appealing, with gentle, spooky music to really draw a player in.

Beacon Pines has gamers play through the story, but then choose to return to key points for a replay. This unique and interesting gameplay means no moment is lost in this darkly whimsical game. It is a wonderful title to jump into to escape a difficult day.

6 Unpacking

A Surprisingly Touching Tidy-Up Game

• Sweet story
• Quick gameplay
• Calming aesthetic

Unpacking has surprised players with its subtle story, which runs through this simple game’s wordless puzzles. Players are taken on the journey of a faceless young woman leaving home for the first time. The game starts in a small, single bedroom, then moves to apartments and, finally, a family home.

As players move to each new location, there are boxes to unpack and items to store away. The unpacking and tidying elements of the game are charming enough, but the poignant plot is what draws a player in. Who is this young person, and where will she end up next?

5 Wytchwood

A Spellbinding Fairytale

• Foraging ingredients
• Magical spells
• Spellbinding fairytale story

In Wytchwood, players live as the witch of the woods, spending their days foraging and crafting spells and potions. This storybook-style adventure is full of surprises as the witch meets the forest’s strange and wonderful creatures.

The dialogue and characterization in Wytchwood are smart and funny, making it more than any ordinary fairytale adventure game. This is a great game for players who enjoy magical adventures set in beautiful worlds.

4 Duck Detective: The Secret Salami

Crime Buster Of The Pond

• Crime-solving
• Funny voice lines
• Short adventure

Step into the mysterious world of the Duck Detective. Play through the mysterious case of the secret salami and solve the mystery as the great detective in his iconic trench coat and fedora.

This adventure game is full of quirky characters to interview and clues to uncover as Duck Detective tries to crack the case. It is a short game, but it packs in a lot of crime-solving fun.

3 We Love Katamari

A Relaxing Royal Roll

• Meditative
• Great soundtrack
• Revamp of a classic game

We Love Katamari is a completely revamped and polished version of the original 2005 game. This time around, players have new challenges and shiny new worlds to roll around in. The idea is to start small and collect items in the right order to make the ball as large as possible.

There is a sweet and meaningful story accompanying the game, and adorable characters to meet, so it is far more than just a mindless ball-rolling game. Players can try it as a solo gamer or with friends in multiplayer. It’s the perfect game to help players forget about a stressful day at work or school.

2 Little Kitty, Big City

Be A Cat About Town

• Feline fun
• Cute quests
• Charming characters

Little Kitty, Big City is set in a colorful world where players control a cat who must find their way back home. Despite being a little kitty lost in a big city, there is no jeopardy, unless the barking dog counts.

Instead, this is a short, relaxing adventure set in a soft cartoon environment. Players must make a journey across the city, completing quests and getting achievements. Little Kitty, Big City is full of charming little details that cat lovers everywhere will enjoy!

1 Untitled Goose Game

Causing Chaos

• Mischievous goose
• Honk!
• Seemingly endless fun

Untitled Goose Game has become a modern classic since its release in 2020. The gameplay can be chaotic one minute and then stealthy the next. Being a horrible goose has never been so much fun.

The new two-player co-op mode creates a whole new level of fun, as players team up against the long-suffering villagers. Pull pranks, steal their things, and generally be a honking nuisance in Untitled Goose Game. This is great game for taking out stresses on unsuspecting townfolk.