The holiday season is often billed as a time to unwind and take stock, but let’s face it, it’s the perfect excuse to dive into some fantastic video games. What pairs better with chilly days and cozy nights than games that offer relaxation and charm, packing as much creativity as their more action-packed counterparts?
When the cold nudges you to revisit your neglected game library or explore new titles in the Xbox store, we’ve curated a stellar lineup of games that are perfect for snuggling up with. These recommendations are neatly categorized so you can find just the right one for your current mood. So, pour yourself a steaming cup of your favorite beverage, grab a plush blanket, and let’s get started.
Fun on the Farm
Farming simulators have long been the backbone of cozy gaming, letting you escape to serene worlds where you can cultivate crops, meet new friends, and embark on light-hearted adventures. Whether you seek a haven without combat or a gentle challenge, we’ve got some great picks for you.
Stardew Valley
Available on Cloud, Console, and PC
In Stardew Valley, you inherit your grandfather’s run-down farm and turn it into a thriving homestead. Hone your skills in farming, fishing, and combat while crafting new items and recipes. Engage with the townsfolk, forge friendships, and maybe even find love. With the recent 1.6 update, packed with fresh content, it’s an ideal time to immerse yourself, solo or with up to eight friends in multiplayer mode.
Lightyear Frontier
Available on Cloud, Console, and PC
For a cosmic twist on farming, Lightyear Frontier offers a tranquil experience set in an open-world, where you can build your dream extraterrestrial farm aided by a customizable mech. Traverse a mysterious planet, uncover its secrets, and contribute to its ecosystem. Share this relaxed escapade with up to three friends online.
Coral Island
Available on Cloud, Console, and PC
Leave city life behind and build your slice of tropical paradise on Coral Island. From growing crops and tending animals to mingling with a diverse community of over 70 characters, there’s plenty to do. Dive into outdoor activities like fishing and scouring coral reefs for treasure, enjoying life at a leisurely pace in this charming simulator.
Comfy, Cozy Puzzles
If farm life isn’t your thing, perhaps a beautiful puzzle game is more up your alley. We’re not talking about head-scratchers; these are peaceful, visually stunning games that allow you to explore and puzzle without urgency.
Botany Manor
Available on Cloud, Console, and PC
Step into the shoes of Arabella Greene, a retired botanist dedicated to rejuvenating her estate’s gardens in this delightful puzzle game. Solve botanical puzzles, unlock new garden areas, and delve into Arabella’s fascinating story.
A Little To The Left
Available on Cloud, Console, and PC
Revel in the quiet joy of tidying with this wonderful puzzle game. Organize everyday items in over 100 engaging scenarios, finding satisfaction in symmetry and order. If neatness sparks joy for you, don’t miss this game.
Strange Horticulture
Available on Cloud and Console
Embrace the unique blend of calm and eerie in Strange Horticulture. As the owner of a plant shop in a peculiar town, discover new plant species and unravel the town’s dark secrets through your botanical expertise.
Light-hearted Adventures
Sometimes, a gentle yet engaging adventure does the trick, offering exploration and quests without the heat of battle or weighty decisions. Prowl around as a city cat or take on a serene climb in these delightful adventures!
Lil Gator Game
Available on Cloud, Console, and PC
In this charming platformer, explore an island filled with new friends and secrets as an adorable lil gator. Each patch of forest and peak holds new quests and friendships, making for a delightful, low-pressure escapade.
Dungeons of Hinterberg
Available on Cloud, Console, and PC
Blending dungeon exploration with social interactions, you play as Luisa in this delightful adventure. Navigate the charming town of Hinterberg, tackling dungeons or kicking back with locals without any rush, making the choice yours to savor the experience.
Little Kitty, Big City
Available on Cloud, Console, and PC
Experience the city as a charismatic little kitty. Roam the streets, make new animal pals, stir up a bit of mischief, and tackle quests as you navigate this open-world exploration game with whimsical charm.
Spiritfarer
Available on Cloud, Console, and PC
Spiritfarer offers a heartfelt management game around the theme of mortality. Guide various spirits towards the afterlife while tending to farming, crafting, and building in your cozy vessel amidst a beautifully stylized world.
Jusant
Available on Cloud, Console, and PC
Take a serene climb in Jusant. This puzzle-adventure game centers around scaling a towering structure with climbing tools, uncovering wondrous biomes and paths amidst atmospheric music, offering a pace-setting journey without fear of falling.
A Short Hike
Available on Cloud, Console, and PC
Enjoy a gentle trek through Hawk Peak Provincial Park in this avian adventure. Wander through vibrant landscapes, discover hidden secrets, and engage with the delightful characters along the way to the summit.
Disney Dreamlight Valley
Available on Cloud, Console, and PC
Experience the magic of Disney Dreamlight Valley, where you blend life simulation with exploration. Befriend beloved Disney and Pixar characters, decorate your home, and restore the valley’s former glory through exciting challenges.
Cozy Narrative Delights
For those seeking stories alongside tranquil gameplay, these narrative-rich games are your ticket. Whether you want a hand-drawn photographer’s journey or a space-themed claymation adventure, these choices have compelling tales to tell.
Chicory
Available on Cloud, Console, and PC
Unleash your inner artist in Chicory, navigating a vibrant adventure to solve puzzles and help friends. Use your brush to uncover the mystery surrounding the superstar artist Chicory’s disappearance, while soaking in the heartfelt story.
Toem
Available on Cloud, Console, and PC
Embark on a delightful photo-taking journey in Toem. Explore a quaint monochrome world, capture unique moments, meet interesting characters, and soak in the magical atmosphere with your trusty camera by your side.
Harold Halibut
Available on Cloud, Console, and PC
Dive into a claymation world beneath the sea in Harold Halibut. Play as the eponymous character, traversing a retro futuristic underwater ship, interacting with quirky creatures, and unraveling a cozy narrative steeped in charm.
Satisfying Cleanups
Sometimes the joy of tidying up makes for incredibly calming gameplay. These games offer a virtual escape into cleaning, organizing, and revamping all without having to step away from your couch.
PowerWash Simulator
Available on Cloud, Console, and PC
For an oddly satisfying clean, PowerWash Simulator lets you blast away grime from various objects and environments. As you make muck vanish, unpack the quirky tales of the town of Muckingham and its residents.
House Flipper
Available on Cloud, Console, and PC
Take on the role of a renovation expert in House Flipper. Pick up contracts to build your finances, buying dilapidated homes to transform into beautiful abodes. Renovate to your heart’s content with a slew of tools and decor options.
Unpacking
Available on Cloud, Console, and PC
Follow the story of a mysterious protagonist through the act of unpacking. Place their belongings thoughtfully in each new space to discover hints about their life and history in this touching, cozy puzzle experience.
Nostalgic Cozy Favorites
Nothing quite warms the heart like revisiting beloved games from the past. Transport yourself back to the 90s with these revamped classics, ideal for reliving fond memories or introducing to a new generation.
Spyro: Reignited Trilogy
Available on Cloud, Console, and PC
This remastered collection of Spyro games is an absolute treat. Glide as the iconic purple dragon in beautifully updated levels, release fellow dragons, and collect treasures. Nostalgic yet fresh, these games are accessible through Xbox Game Pass.
Crash Bandicoot: N’Sane Trilogy
Available on Cloud, Console, and PC
Rediscover the charm of Crash Bandicoot in this remastered trilogy. The vivid, updated visuals breathe new life into the classic adventures against Dr. Neo Cortex. Whether revisiting or embarking on Crash’s adventures for the first time, it’s sure to be an exhilarating ride.
Return to Monkey Island
Available on Cloud, Console, and PC
Join Guybrush Threepwood once more in this thrilling return to the Monkey Island saga. The game’s classic point-and-click mechanics offer a stellar revival of nostalgic gameplay, packed with witty banter, puzzles, and high-sea hijinks that old and new fans alike will adore.
