I don't know about you, but my 2024 started very rough. After 10 whole years of being in a relationship and the comfort that comes with thinking you've found your person, 2024 gave me a harsh reality check and I now find myself working hard to heal from a broken heart. It's not always easy, the path to healing, finding things that soothe you, even just for a little bit, depending on the person, you might have found yourself diving head first into your work or hobbies in order to avoid reality for a hot second, for me, I know I struggled to get back into the things I used to enjoy, reading, writing, games etc I simply felt too uninspired. So, because of all things considered, and because I haven't made a list in a while, here are a couple of cozy (mostly management) games that might bring you some warmth and comfort.
1. SUMMERHOUSE
SUMMERHOUSE is a cozy, sort of sandbox, house-building game. It has no goal, no challenges, it simply brings you right back to those feelings of nostalgia when life, summers, were simpler, and all that mattered was the moment you were living in. I found the aesthetic of the game, all pixels, very pleasing, and the soundtrack very relaxing. "Craft a neighbourhood of tiny, beautiful lived-in homes in a variety of settings: the sea, the city, or the mountains. While there are some little secrets to uncover, there are no rules, and you can’t win or lose. Just chill out, build to your heart’s content and soak up the atmosphere." - via Steam
SUMMERHOUSE is available on Steam for 6.49$CAD.
2. Nekokami
Still currently to be fully released, Nekokami has a free-to-play prologue to the game that you can play as we await its full release. It is a cozy, world-building game with cute cat-related lore, actually, most of the game is cat-related, as the name suggests.
While Nekokami is not yet available, you can play its free-to-play prologue for free on Steam, the game is also planned to launch on iOS.
3. SEASON: A letter to the future
Created by the Montreal-based Scavengers Studios, SEASON: A letter to the future was a game I knew would hit the spot for me, it did, and so much more. A very Ghibli-esque game, the game is also entirely available in Japanese (and many other languages) if you really want to experience the closest we might ever get to a Ghibli game. Without getting into spoilers, SEASON: A letter to the future, follows Estelle, on her bike, and tells a story of nostalgia, of nature, peace, regret and the consequences of our actions. This game has brought so much peace and quiet when I needed a moment to gather my thoughts.
SEASON: A letter to the future, is available on Steam, on the Playstation store, and on Epic Games for about 30$CAD.
4. Urbo
Developed and published by studio Door 407, Urbo is yet another addition to the 2048 city puzzle-type games, but while it functions more or less just like all the other games in this genre, Urbo sets itself apart with beautiful game design and aesthetic, relaxing music and overall very chill vibes, to use simple terms.
Urbo is available on Steam for 7.79$CAD.
5. Minami Lane
Have you ever wanted to manage and create your own little corner street? Do you like Japanese-inspired cozy little things? Bubble tea? Ramen? Are you on the spectrum and seek games that require you to manage and, gasp, clean? Minami Lane has got you covered!
"Minami Lane is a small, wholesome management game set on a Japanese-inspired street. Create and manage your own street, make sure everyone is happy, and watch the villagers live their lives! Enjoy 2 to 4 hours of playtime, cute tanukis and lots of cats!" - via Steam
Minami Lane is available on Steam for 6.49$CAD.
6. Lakeside
"Build and manage a quiet town by the lake or expand it into a picturesque city-state in this side-scrolling city builder featuring hybrid mechanics. Construct marvellous buildings, and epic wonders and become the envy of the known world!" - via Steam
Still currently in early access, Lakeside as it is as of right now offers a lot in terms of gameplay and storytelling, considering that it markets itself simply as being a cozy, lake-side city management, don't be surprised by the occasional tragedy...or war!
Lakeside is available on Steam in early access for 19.90$CAD
7. A little to the left
Listen, we're friends here, right? We can be honest with one another? Are you using games as escapism? Are you procrastinating a chore or task you're painfully aware you eventually have to get to? Would you like to...keep doing that but feeling productive, somehow? Boy do I have the game for you...!
A little to the left is a cozy (although sometimes a bit stressful, to be honest) organizing, rearranging, puzzle game in which, you, well, organize, clean up and rearrange.
"A Little to the Left is a cozy puzzle game that has you sort, stack, and organize household items into pleasing arrangements while you keep an eye out for a mischievous cat with an inclination for chaos. Check out this playful and intuitive puzzler with 100+ satisfying messes to tidy." - via Steam
A little to the left is available on Steam, on the Nintendo shop as well as on Google Play for 20$CAD.
8. Pile Up!
""Pile Up!" is a strategic building game which you need to build houses, fulfill your people’s requests and manage your risky buildings in different ways on a small land. But don’t let your guard down in this chill environment, we only get you relaxed so you destroy everything you did." - via Steam
Pile Up! takes on fresh ideas and original takes on the city-building upwards genre type, although I did find its mechanics a little tricky to get used to at first, this is a game that has a lot of cozy potential when you've got it figured out, but it does require proper management.
Pile up! is available on Steam for 12.99$CAD.
9. Idea
Ever wanted a game where you simply design and manage landscapes and highways?
"IDEA is a game about discovering and sharing. Explore gorgeous landscapes, roll down highways and stumble upon welcoming cottages and abandoned dumpsters. Help your ideas find their way – and share them with the world when they stop, before beginning your journey anew." - via Steam
Idea is available on Steam for 6.49$CAD
10. Meowjiro
Alright, I really personally do not consider Meowjiro to be a particularly cozy game unless you find doing math and making sure you're giving a customer his exact change back while not holding up the line for two long, while two ramen cups are heating up, cozy, but I've had so much fun playing this game that I really wanted to include it on this list.
"Meowjiro is a combo of part-time job simulation, raising sim, and collection comfort game.
In the game, you need to make money by completing all kinds of tasks at the convenience store, including checkout, replenishing the shelf, heating up food, cleaning, and making soft serve ice cream. You will start a wonderful life with your beloved cat.
Your goal is to become an all-can-do clerk! Starting from meeting customers' requirements, you will make more and more money! Based on the difficulty of the task at work, you need to make arrangements accordingly, while keeping customers' satisfaction in mind so that things will go smoothly at busy hours!"
Meowjiro is available on Steam for 6.49$CAD.
I hope that you find something in this list that brings you some joy and comfort, I hope that this year brings you much laughter, tenderness, and that you get to spend many moments with people who make you feel valued, loved, and respected.
AWOTI aka Aurelie xox My links: https://linktr.ee/awomanontheinternet