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5 Cozy Games from Steam’s Autumn Sale 

It's the coziest time of the year- so grab a mug of tea, wrap yourself up in a warm blanket and settle in for some cozy gaming sessions. These are five cozy games that are currently on sale over on Steam! (Have I said the word 'cozy' enough for the algorithm?)

Fields Of Mistria

Developer: NPC Studio Sale: 20% Off

Just one look at the art style of this farming game is enough to stoke the flames of Sailor Moon nostalgia.

Visit the beautiful village of Mistria to start your dream cottage core life. Filled with farming, cute cows and magic, the game is both beautiful visually and with wonderfully written characters who help flesh out this world.

Fields of Mistria is truly a gem amongst the absolute mass of farming games that has invaded Steam since the rise of Stardew Valley.

Spiritfarer

Developer: Thunder Lotus games Sale: 85% Off

If you haven't played this cozy management style game yet, now's your chance to get your hands on it. The game features a beautiful hand drawn art style with incredible lands to explore and fantastically designed characters to meet.

You play as Stella, a bright young girl working to maintain both your growing ship base and the relationship with your passengers. You work to guide them through this world, helping them make peace with their lives and staying by their side till the very last moment. I also cried so hard over a hedgehog, I accidentally injured myself.

Touhou Mystia's Izakaya

Developer: 二色幽紫蝶, Re零同人社 Sale: 39% Off

From what I understand, this is a stand alone game in a much larger, existing Universe. I don't really know much about it, what I do know is that you get to play as an adorable Sparrow Spirit who runs an Izakaya in the beautiful fantasy world of Gensokyo.

You can either buy ingredients of spend your mornings travelling the world to forage though that may take up precious time. The main game of cooking and serving customers can feel a bit chaotic but it's also easy to lose yourself in the groove as you play.

Reka

Developer: Emberstorm Entertainment Sale: 25% Off

In Reka, you explore the gorgeous woodlands as an apprentice to the Baba Jaga of folklore. Journey through the world, learning about the animals and spirits that also inhabit it whilst uncovering mysteries and secrets.

You can even build your own Baba Jaga home complete with giant chicken legs that help you move from place to place. The world is procedurally generated so each experience is always a new and fantastic one.

Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin

Developer: Edelweiss Sale: 50% Off

You play as the titular Sakuna in this game, a spoilt harvest goddess who gets herself kicked out of Heaven- who must now work with mortals and tend paddy fields with your own hands.

Yet another game with absolutely gorgeous art, the combat and platforming in this game is buttery smooth and super satisfying to play. The rice growing mechanic is surprisingly involved as well, with you watching over the field through the seasons- tilling the ground, controlling the water level and dealing with the weather before finally milling and refining the rice after harvest.

That's it for this list. There isn't a ranking system here- just a few games that I think are worth the time, money and care.

If you do decide to give any of them a go, do let me know your thoughts!

Written by Lucine Zhang

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A Warm Respite with Travellers Rest

Developer: Isolated Games

Publisher: Isolated Games, IndieArk 

There’s something delightful about the idea of owning an inn in a fantasy world. Being able to offer comfort, good food and even better drinks to the weary traveller feels truly gratifying. 

In Traveller’s Rest, you can experience that fantasy for yourself. With their latest update which may be their most substantial yet, the Early Access game is a wonderful way to escape the daily grind. 

The game begins with your character pulling up to a rundown inn that has certainly seen better days. A long time ago probably. A very long time ago definitely. You’re quick to learn that you are no the first owner of the tavern that has a long conga line of failed keepers. 

You learn the ropes of running the tavern from a blue spirit who claims to be a guardian of the tavern. Usually in the form of a mystical cat, Mai doesn’t seem to hold you in much regard but is there to be a helping hand. 

And as it turns out, you do need a lot of help. 

Traveller’s Rest has a great deal of mechanics that keep you ever busy in this medieval magical fantasy world. Collect materials and ores to craft equipment and furniture that you will need to run your tavern, farm crops and raise animals to supplement your brewing and cooking to keep your bar stocked and run around the world exploring, foraging and fishing.

As you open up for business, your character is kept busy at first, pulling drinks and serving food and keeping the tavern clean as your patrons naturally make a mess of the place while feasting and drinking. Sometimes folk might get rowdy but that’s why you’re armed with a mighty broom to smack ‘em! And if you’re like me, you will repeatedly hit them until they’re out the door. 

Your tavern can be expanded to include more seats as your business grows and you can start building bedrooms for guests who need to stay a couple of nights. Buy or build decorations to increase the value of the rooms and haggle with travellers to get the best prices! Or conversely, fail the haggling minigame miserably and end up giving the room away for peanuts. 

As someone who loves cooking, the food in the game are of particular interest to me. All food items are realistic and they both sound and look absolutely delicious. As you prepare to cook, you have a calendar to refer to in order to find out what foods will trend in the following weeks. Cook up a storm and stay on the cutting edge of food fashion to attract even more customers to your tavern! 

The game remains in Early Access and exploring the world, you will find signs of further expansion- both in terms of exploration, game mechanics and story. There are areas in the game that have been strategically blocked off for now and tabs in your skill tree on Magic and Social which hints at what’s to come. 

Traveller’s Rest is currently only available on Steam (click here to check it out!) and features split screen co-op and remote play together. 

And yes- you can pet the cat. 

Lucine Zhang (Writer) Angela de Frost (Editor)

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Best Cozy Games in Steam Fest

After Love EP

RELEASE DATE: Q3 2024

DEVELOPER: Pikselnesia

PUBLISHER: Fellow Traveller

A story that will pull at your heartstrings and let you experience many different emotions at once, all while you enjoy fun, rhythm-action gameplay. If you feel like playing osu! but want something less challenging to cozy up with then After Love EP will be perfect for you.

Just… remember things might get a bit emotional, so maybe get some tissues ready, just in case.

Tiny Glade

RELEASE DATE: Q3 2024

DEVELOPER: Pounce Light

PUBLISHER: Pounce Light

Tiny Glade wants to give you as much cozy as you can physically handle! Enter a whimsical fantasy world where you can build lovely, rustic castles without worrying about the details or needing a specific plan. Just let your imagination take over… 

Take a screenshot of your beautiful creation once you are done and fantasize about all the mischief you could do if you lived in a fantasy world… at least, that’s what I like to do on my lonely Thursday afternoons.

Airborne Empire

RELEASE DATE: Q3 2024

DEVELOPER: The Wandering Band LLC

PUBLISHER: The Wandering Band , Strayfawn Publishing

Do we have any fans of strategy games amongst our readers? I know some of them can stress you out with all the mechanics, but if strategy is your cup of tea and you feel comfortable in figuring out how to create your village, town, kingdom, or empire… why not take it to the skies!?

Airborne Empire gives you exactly that, and while my mediocre skills got my hangar burned rather quickly (don’t ask), I am sure strategy fans will love this take on the genre! This strategy game felt very relaxing, even if I burned down my hangar.

Amber Isle

RELEASE DATE: TBA

DEVELOPER: Ambertail Games

PUBLISHER: Team17

Are you bored of farming cozy games and need something more… EXCITING? Or maybe you secretly dream about opening a shop with handmade goods?

Amber Isle is a wonderful little game where you gather resources, talk with both residents and visitors of Amber Isle, and build your fortune by selling your own crafts! It was so nice to get lost in making all sorts of things, learning new recipes, and selling the products of your own making.

Oh, I almost forgot the best part! DINOSAURS! Yes! You will be the very best Dinosaur, gathering resources, crafting your items and rebuilding Amber Isle!

Tavern Talk

RELEASE DATE: 20th June 2024

DEVELOPER: Troll Entertainment

PUBLISHER: Troll Entertainment

Tavern Talk is your comfy fantasy novel in the form of a little game where you’re the innkeeper making fancy drinks and planning out quests in between listening to the stories of travelers who visit your establishment. 

The game has all the necessary vibes to make you feel like you’re in the middle of a D&D session – though, rather during the roleplay session while the party rests at the tavern than during action-packed fights. Which makes it perfect for your lazy evenings.

Angela de Frost (Writer) Lucine Zhang (Editor)

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5 Upcoming Cozy Games to Look Out For in 2024 

The cozy game genre has exploded in popularity in the past few years, growing to fill in a niche for gamers who are simply looking for a calming, relaxing escape from everyday life. With so many promising cozy games on the horizon, I’ve decided to put together a list of my Top 5 Most Anticipated Cozy Games. 

1. Urban Jungle by Kylyk Games

Release Date: 2024 (Demo available on Steam) 

There is a distinct rise in those who look to bring the outdoors in with them. But if you’re anything like me, then the high death toll of your plant companions may rest heavy on your shoulders. 

So try out Urban Jungles. This beautiful game allows you to fill a virtual room with all the plants your green heart could desire. Unlike the Sims where you can stick a tree into a pitch black room, however, the positioning of these plants matter if you wish to keep them alive.

Put together the ultimate Urban Jungle in this game by paying close attention to light, humidity and plant preference whilst also decorating and keeping your home tidy. 

And yes. There is a cat you may pet. 

2. Momento by Fat Alien Cat & Nomo Studios 

Release Date: TBA

Reminiscent of Unpacking, Momento sees you going through life, tidying up rooms and putting up your belongings to create your own personal space. Unlike Unpacking where you adhere to a single narrative storyline, you can choose to steer your life in Momento. This is done by simply choosing the items you wish to keep to fill your space.

Momento features beautiful hand-drawn art and whimsical spaces for you to personalise and outside of the story driven campaign is a creative mode. You can collect furnishing and decor through the game and use them to build your very own room and story.

And yes. Once more- there is a cat you can pet. 

3. Croakwood by Texel Raptor 

Release Date: TBA 

Town building but frogs. At least, that’s how I assume the pitch meeting for this game went. 

Croakwood is a town building and management game where you get to design structures, plan out this adorable froggy town and explore the ancient forest beyond. The town building aspect of the game utilises a piece-based building design system which means endless creative possibilities. 

Help your local amphibian population settle in using something called the Frog Market. What is it? I have no idea but I’m excited at the thought of a little frog based economy. 

As you progress through the game, you unlock new areas and builds by completing goals to further develop your froggy utopia. And there is also the promise of secrets to be uncovered within the wild forests that surround your frog lands. 

Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be any cats but there are so many frogs. 

4. Vampire Rancher by borispixel

Release Date: 2024

I try to avoid a cliche but let’s get it out of the way here: Vampire Rancher is like Stardew Valley but you are a vampire. Taking place in the Wild West, you’re not only expected to tend to your crops (and humans!) but you will manage the shops and saloons by gathering materials and crafting them. 

Visitors will roll into town the more you work to improve it which is excellent for the town’s dying economy bla bla bla- eat them. 

Eat the tourists. 

But no, really- while you play this cozy game and live your best life in the countryside, you are still a vampire and these tourists will be your main source of blood. 

The two ways to improve your character can be found in the usual skill trees that are unlocked via visitor satisfaction and something called “Crimson Gold” which is blood essence gathered from visitors. The latter allows you to unlock special vampire powers like bat transformations or resistance to garlic! Because what is a life without garlic bread really. 

As of right now, there is no news of cats but you will have access to chickens. Which are like cats but dumber. 

5. Tiny Bookshop by neoludic games

Release Date: TBA (Demo available on Steam) 

Tiny Bookshop is a game for the bookworm who dreams of escaping the rat race to open a little bookstore in beautiful locations. 

As an adorably cozy management game, Tiny Bookshop does have a simple story that drives the game onward. The mechanics are simple- decorate your little bookstore on wheels with items you can collect in game and stock your shelves with a variety of books. You get to know the locals of this town of Bookstonbury and can make recommendations to customers. 

Different spots around town may attract different customers and you can move your little caravan about with you, exploring the town and learning more about its long history. 

Based on the demo, there is a dog you can pet.

Lucine Zhang (Writer) Angela de Frost (Editor)

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Sticky Business: A Delightfully Colourful Afternoon

With the rise of ruthless capitalism, Sticky Business is a cozy, heartwarming game of an artist creating their own sticker business. As you design your stickers, print and package them, you receive messages from customers, reminding you that behind those order numbers are people. People with lives and relationships of their own, who- like you- are facing their own struggles and difficulties in life.

This game isn’t just about running a successful small business- it’s about how your creations can bring just a little bit of joy to the lives of those who receive them. Read their messages and reviews and respond to them with unique designs based on their feedback in order to elicit more delighted responses.

The sticker design aspect is made out of ready-made assets within the game and a simple editing system to layer and place those assets. Despite its simplicity, with a bit of creativity, the design possibilities are endless. The game also allows you to save those designs to use outside of the game which feels like a lovely and considerate addition by the developers.

The are two different forms of currency featured in the game- money and likes. Money is used to buy physical materials like packing material, freebies, printing paper and website upgrades. Likes however act as experience which allows you to unlock more assets to add to your sticker designs.

Sticky Business is a refreshing business management game that has an adorable, bright art style and no overall story or end-goal in mind. The replay value is really up there and you’ll find yourself wandering back to it from time to time with fresh design ideas, just revelling in the ASMR-like sound effects of printing and packaging.

In today’s climate of brutal corporations and “the Grind”, Sticky Business is a cozy, joyful reminder that doing what you love is a valid option, as is bringing a bit of happiness to those around you as you do it.

Lucine Zhang (Writer)

Angela de Frost (Editor)

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The Quiet Brilliance of Birth

Strange and beautiful, this game by Madison Karrh is filled with a sense of quiet longing and isolation in the midst of a busy city.

Featuring wonderfully gorgeous and unsettling hand drawn art, you find yourself navigating through life in the city to create a companion of your own.

The game is a puzzle game that seems quite appropriate given the overarching theme. Your character searches the streets and stores and homes of strangers who manifest as even stranger beings. You interact with these odd creatures and the world around you, solving puzzles as though the player character is attempting to make sense of this weird, fantastic and mundane world.

With each puzzle solved, you are rewarded with parts of a body like a heart, bones, teeth and eyes. Once you are at the end of your short journey, with a pocketful of organs, you finally put everything together to create a companion of your own.

Birth manages to convey an abstract feeling of loneliness that had been prevalent during the 2020 lockdown. As most sit in their homes, watching as the world stood still, with nothing but their thoughts to keep them company. Many can relate to the feeling of lockdowns lifting, as we emerged once more to find everything had changed despite being frozen moment in time. It is as though the familiar had become alien to us during the year we were locked away.

The game is fairly short with no text or dialogues to interrupt your gameplay. You can easily be finished in a couple of hours but the contemplation it leaves you in lasts much longer.

Lucine Zhang (Writer)

Angela de Frost (Editor)