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Summary
“Cozy game this, cozy game that, oh this game is so cozy…” But as soon as you ask what people mean when they say something is cozy, they struggle to come up with an answer. So many games are dubbed as cozy, and yet there doesn’t seem to be any strong definition or explanation of what makes these games cozy.
They simply are, and you should accept that as reason enough. Except… it’s not really reason enough, is it? If you want to get your hands on more cozy games, it’s important to understand what actually makes a game a cozy and comfortable environment.
Defining Cozy
The term “cozy” tends to be sweepingly applied to a wide array of games, yet there isn’t really any indication as to what makes these games “cozy.” As such, it’s important to define and examine what elements play into making something a cozy experience.
In general,cozy games will be lower-stress environmentswherein your basic needs are usually provided for. You will, generally,work at your own pace, and there are no serious consequences if you “miss” a deadline or something of the sort.
Of course, because they’re low-stress and put astronger emphasis on relaxation, your typical cozy game will not be an FPS Shooter. Cozy games, by and large,do not encourage violenceand insteadencourage generosity and kindness.
Some Common Traits
So, with these traits in mind, you may define your typical cozy game easily. Of course, not every cozy game will hit the nail on the head with these common traits, and you may just have an FPS Shooter or a High-Strategy Tactical Warfare game that you find relaxes you. It’s perfectly acceptable that those games become cozy for you. However, it’s more than likely that isn’t the case.
Non-Violence In Cozy Games
Yes, generally, your cozy game will not have an emphasis on violence or any kind of combat, butthat doesn’t mean it won’t have anything of the sort. There are a handful of games that have been lauded as comforting, like Stardew Valley or even The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, that do have combat.
However,Stardew Valley’s combat is not a central focus,and unless you end up in Harvey’s clinic, there’s not much of a punishment if you’re not great at the combat aspect. It’s not necessarily something that you need to have a stronger focus on.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild’s combat, while certainly something that can utilize a lot of skill and is prominent throughout the game, alsodoesn’t necessarily dominate the gameplay. Concerning this game,people tend to look toward the exploration and the questsand the plethora of NPC interaction in said quests as a reason for why it’s cozy.
Although the stakes are painted as high, you’re able to take all the time that you want to explore every nook and cranny in Hyrule simply becauseZelda won’t actually die while you explore.
No Fighting = Great Story, Right?
In some cases, yeah, a lack of violence means there’s a stronger emphasis on the story, butthat isn’t always the case. Again, pointing to Stardew Valley as this poster child for cozy gaming,the story isn’t a central focus.
Realistically, the story is barely there. You move to Pelican Town to get away from your corporate job with Joja because your grandfather died and left you his farm. When you get to town, you realize that Joja is trying to drive out the small businesses that are left and essentially put the town under its thumb.
You are given two paths that you can take: crawl back into Joja’s dystopian and toeing-the-law arms or help Pelican Town drive Joja out by restoring the community center. It’s not a complicated story, and yet, the world is incredibly immersive and enjoyable - enough so that you can play and replay it and sink hundreds of hours in.
The story itself isn’t immersive, but the world is- it’s a break from the stressors of everyday life and an outlet for when the going gets tough.The story isn’t everything in a cozy game- but the way it makes you feel is. The world needs to be comforting and give you an outlet from the harshness of reality, even if it’s only for a little bit. And sometimes, that means the story isn’t this exceptionally grand tale.
There are cozy games that will have great stories,though, like Spiritfarer. It may be a bit controversial to dub it cozy, but the way it handles difficult topics brings about a sense of comfort. Spiritfarer reassures the player that they are not alone and that their difficulties will come to pass with time.
What About Skyrim?
There are more than a few people who might look at the list of common traits and wonder how in the world people still considerSkyrimto be a cozy game in that case, and the answer is simple:Skyrim has been around forever, meaning the world is familiar, andthe stakes are exceedingly low. If you put the game into a lower difficulty and you are happy to take your time, interacting with NPCs and doing as you please,the game can be perfectly cozy.
Realistically, aside from the violence,it fits with the common threads of “cozy” exceedingly well. “But it has a grand story!” you might say, but it… really doesn’t.
Skyrim has a lot of lore, but itsstory is relatively surface-level and has no meaningful impact on the larger outcomeof the game. you’re able to ally yourself with the Imperials and still assassinate the emperor if you join the Dark Brotherhood - and this doesn’t affect how the Imperials perceive you.
Yes, Skyrim has darker and gritty elements to it, but at the end of the day,the game prioritizes you, as the player, coming out on top and triumphing above all else, even when you really shouldn’t.
Widely Accepted Cozy Games
So, now that you, hopefully, have a decent grasp of what constitutes a cozy game, it’s time to look at some of the most widely accepted cozy games. Unsurprisingly, a lot of them are life and farming simulators - Stardew Valley left a lasting and undeniable impact.
*These are only available for Netflix Members
