This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Alexandrea Ciardella. Find her on Instagram at @a6ysma1. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
It’s officially the spring season, which means one thing: unpredictable weather! Between rainstorms that don’t seem to end, to pollen killing your sinuses, it will still be a few months before decent weather arrives. In the meantime, I’ve decided to curl up in bed and play some video games to pass the time! I want to get into the spring mood, and what better way than to play some cozy-themed video games? Cozy games are a great way to relax and destress, as these games don’t require you to dedicate hours of your time to learn skills required to play. A lot of these games use art style, music, and themes that reflect a cozy vibe. In this list, I’ll discuss some cozy-themed games that you can play right now, as well as a few upcoming cozy games for 2024.
An Arcade Full of Cats
If you love find-it games and you love cats, An Arcade Full of Cats is just for you! Set across five cat-themed arcades from the 1980s to 2000s, the player’s job is to find all the hidden cats to help the protagonists Leo and Fofiño get home to the present day. This game is great for players who are looking to unwind and find some adorable cats, while also learning a bit of video game history in the process. This game was recently released in the Fall of 2023, adding to DevCats’ (the developer and publisher) adorable list of cat-themed games. The best part is that this game is free to download on Steam!
Minami Lane
This cozy management game lets you create a Japanese-inspired street, in a fun and casual setting! Build shops, complete objectives, and make sure your residents are happy! This game boasts strategy, with gameplay including management of shops, though the developers claim that the game doesn’t require any hardcore strategy or planning. All players have to do is listen to their residents and improve accordingly! The game itself is relatively short, though the sandbox mode allows players endless opportunities to continue creating their street. Released in February of this year, Minami Lane has garnered nothing but overwhelmingly positive reviews from fans.
Tiny Glade
Tiny Glade is a sandbox game where you can build castles in this free form building game! Using “gridless building chemistry” as part of the gameplay, Tiny Glade ensures that players have a relaxing experience through both the atmosphere and the user interface. There’s no way to fail, no management systems you need to oversee, and no wrong answers when it comes to your creation! If you enjoy building games and are looking for one that has a cozy ambiance, try Tiny Glade, releasing in Q3 of 2024!
Sky: Children of the Light
From the creators of Journey comes their new MMO game, Sky: Children of the Light. Play alone or with friends as you traverse this open world to bring light to a world of darkness, solving puzzles and venturing on quests. The calming art style and relaxed environment make this game a great addition to our list. The game also promotes itself as a social adventure game; one of the main features is meeting new people and making friends! You can throw parties, go on quests together, or just chill out and explore new locations! The game is currently in early access, with the release date to be announced.
Solar Punk
Looking for something with a bit more of a challenge? Try Solar Punk, a cozy survival game using the elements of nature to build your home in the sky. Taking place on a floating island, the player is tasked with surviving the elements, ultimately culminating in building an airship to explore other islands. The coziness mainly comes from the art style and the gameplay elements; players can create their farm, harness natural energy to power their home, and are encouraged to build everything in harmony with nature. This game is great for players who enjoy the Solarpunk aesthetic and are also looking for a game with set objectives. The release date is to be announced.
Are you interested in any of these upcoming cozy games for 2024? Let us know in the comments if there are any you’re excited to play!
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