As the holiday season approaches, many people see it as a time to pause and reflect. For gamers, though, it’s about finally diving into those video games they’ve been eager to explore. And there’s no better way to enjoy the season than with some cozy games—games that are all about relaxation, creativity, and having fun without any of the stress.
Whether you’re sorting through a daunting pile of unplayed games or scrolling through the Xbox storefront for a fresh experience, you’re in luck. We’ve curated a fantastic selection of carefully chosen titles, perfectly grouped to suit your current mood. So why not make yourself a warm drink, grab your favorite snug blanket, and get started?
### Fun on the Farm
Farming sims are the epitome of cozy gaming. They offer immersive worlds where you can grow crops, socialize, and venture out without the pressures of combat. Whether you’re craving peace or a mild adventure, there’s something here for you.
#### Stardew Valley
Available on Cloud, Console, and PC, Stardew Valley invites you to take over your grandfather’s neglected farm, turning it into a beautiful homestead. Sharpen your farming, fishing, and fighting skills as you progress, unlocking new items and recipes along the way. Form bonds with the town’s residents, make friends, and perhaps even find love. With the recent 1.6 update adding new content, it’s an ideal time to revisit or start your farming journey, either solo or with up to eight friends in co-op mode.
#### Lightyear Frontier
For those looking to farm among the stars, Lightyear Frontier offers a peaceful, open-world experience on Cloud, Console, and PC. Build your interstellar farm with a fully customizable mech companion, explore a mysterious planet, and support its ecosystem. Up to three friends can join this cosmic farming adventure via online multiplayer, making it a must for anyone who enjoys farming—and big robots.
#### Coral Island
Embrace a slower pace of life on Coral Island, available on Cloud, Console, and PC. Swap the hustle and bustle of city life for a serene tropical paradise. Here, you can grow crops, care for animals, and befriend over 70 unique characters. From insect hunting and fishing to diving in the coral reefs for treasure, Coral Island combines farming with a host of fun activities that promise a laid-back, enjoyable experience.
### Comfy, Cozy Puzzles
If farming isn’t your go-to relaxation staple, perhaps a soothing puzzle game will do the trick. These games are about exploration and pleasure, wrapped in appealing art styles—perfect for a quiet, cozy gaming session.
#### Botany Manor
Available on Cloud, Console, and PC, Botany Manor invites you to step into the shoes of Arabella Greene, a retired botanist on a mission to restore her home’s gardens. Discover clues to help nurture rare plants, solve puzzles to expand the grounds, and uncover the tale of Arabella’s life and discoveries.
#### A Little To The Left
Enjoy a relaxing evening with A Little To The Left, a charming puzzle game available on Cloud, Console, and PC. Sort and organize household items like screws and pantry shelves, engaging in over 100 delightful scenarios. If tidying brings you joy, this game is your perfect match.
#### Strange Horticulture
In this unique puzzle game available on Cloud and Console, you’ll run a plant shop in the mysterious town of Undermere. Discover new plant species and delve into a story that balances the serene with the sinister, as your knowledge of flora plays a pivotal role in uncovering the town’s secrets.
### Light-hearted Adventures
Looking for something more interactive than puzzles but without combat stress or heavy decisions? These adventures provide vibrant worlds to explore, complete with light quests and engaging activities—perfect for entertaining your mind.
#### Lil Gator Game
On Cloud, Console, and PC, this joyful platformer lets you explore an island teeming with friends and secrets as an adorable gator. Engage in quests scattered throughout forests and mountains, enjoying a relaxed, leisurely adventure.
#### Dungeons of Hinterberg
Mixing dungeon exploration with social elements, Dungeons of Hinterberg, available on Cloud, Console, and PC, lets you explore dangers or unwind with locals. Choose your daily activities as you help protagonist Luisa explore a town woven with mystery and light challenges.
#### Little Kitty, Big City
Experience urban life from a cat’s perspective in this exploration game for Cloud, Console, and PC. As a spirited kitty, make new friends, complete quests, and explore the city—all while causing a bit of playful chaos along your journey home.
#### Spiritfarer
Available on Cloud, Console, and PC, Spiritfarer offers a heartfelt exploration of life and death. Sail the seas as Stella, looking after spirit companions before guiding them to the afterlife. Engage in various activities such as farming and crafting alongside a friend playing as Daffodil, Stella’s feline companion.
#### Jusant
Scale to new heights in Jusant, a meditative climbing adventure on Cloud, Console, and PC. As you climb a massive tower, experience the beauty of different biomes and refine your climbing skills at your own pace, all while enjoying the soothing soundtrack and scenery.
#### A Short Hike
In A Short Hike, available on Cloud, Console, and PC, take a soothing journey through the rolling landscapes of Hawk Peak Provincial Park. As a small bird, enjoy the scenery, discover hidden secrets, and converse with friendly characters, all en route to the top.
#### Disney Dreamlight Valley
Step into a world of magic to interact with beloved Disney and Pixar characters. Available on Cloud, Console, and PC, this life sim lets you tackle quests, create designs, and restore the valley alongside its iconic inhabitants.
### Cozy Narrative Delights
If you prefer captivating stories paired with gentle gameplay, these narrative-driven adventures are just what you need. Dive into a world of photographic wonders or space capers, each with stories waiting to be told.
#### Chicory
Available on Cloud, Console, and PC, Chicory is a heartwarming adventure that encourages creativity. Search for the missing superstar artist Chicory and use your artistic skills to solve puzzles and help friends, all while unraveling the emotional mystery.
#### Toem
With Cloud, Console, and PC support, Toem invites you to view the world through a camera lens. Embark on a whimsical journey of discovery, meeting quirky characters and snapping creative photos in this beautifully hand-drawn landscape.
#### Harold Halibut
This underwater point-and-click adventure, available on Cloud, Console, and PC, sees you as Harold, a lab assistant discovering the secrets of the past in a vintage yet dreamy setup, packed with charm and intriguing creatures.
### Satisfying Cleanups
For those who find satisfaction in tidying up, these games let you tackle messes virtually with ease. Embrace the joy of organizing as you transform worlds from cluttered to pristine.
#### PowerWash Simulator
Enjoy stress-free cleanups in PowerWash Simulator on Cloud, Console, and PC. Clean anything from a van to an entire subway with high-powered water jets. As you progress, unlock new equipment and larger areas, all while piecing together the humorous story of Muckingham.
#### House Flipper
Take the role of a renovation expert in House Flipper. Available on Cloud, Console, and PC, you can refurbish neglected homes from the ground up, customizing everything down to the tiniest details and flipping them for profit.
#### Unpacking
Unpacking, available on Cloud, Console, and PC, is a narrative puzzle game that chronicles the life of an unseen character through their possessions. Create meaningful spaces with personal items, piece by piece, as you unveil their story.
### Nostalgic Cozy Favorites
Relive cherished memories with revamped classics from the 90s. Perfect for rekindling fond memories or introducing loved ones to timeless adventures.
#### Spyro: Reignited Trilogy
Available on Cloud, Console, and PC, step back into the magical world with Spyro. Glide across lands, collect treasures, and free dragons in this fully remastered trio of adventures, now accessible via Xbox Game Pass.
#### Crash Bandicoot: N’Sane Trilogy
Rediscover Crash Bandicoot’s humorous escapades in this remastered trilogy, featuring updated visuals throughout all three iconic games. Available on Cloud, Console, and PC, join Crash in thwarting the plans of Dr. Neo Cortex.
#### Return to Monkey Island
Play as the infamous Guybrush Threepwood once more in this latest release, available on Cloud, Console, and PC. Navigate point-and-click puzzles as you face off against new leaders in an island that needs saving, loaded with clever humor and classic gameplay style.
