The holidays may traditionally be a time for rest and reflection, but let’s be honest—it’s also the perfect excuse to dive into some fantastic video games. What can match the festive spirit better than cozy games? They are designed for relaxation, free from stress, yet as imaginative as their action-packed counterparts.
Whether you’re tackling your game backlog on a chilly day or browsing for something new on the Xbox storefront, we’ve got a delightful lineup of games that invite you to unwind. To help you find the perfect match for your mood, we’ve categorized them into handy sections. So, fix yourself a warm drink in your favored oversized mug, grab a soft blanket, and let’s dive right in!
## Fun on the Farm
Farming simulations are essentially the cradle of cozy gaming. They offer solace in serene settings where you can cultivate crops, bond with friends, and embark on gentle adventures. There’s something here for everyone, whether you prefer a domain devoid of combat or one with light challenges.
### Stardew Valley
Playable on Cloud, Console, and PC
After inheriting your grandfather’s farmland in Stardew Valley, your quest is to transform a neglected plot into a thriving home. Improve your skills through farming, fishing, and fighting, and discover recipes and items to craft. Engage with town locals, forge friendships, and even fall in love. With its latest 1.6 update adding fresh content and features, it’s an ideal time for newcomers and returning farmers to enjoy, whether solo or in a cooperative setting with up to eight friends.
### Lightyear Frontier
Available on Cloud, Console, and PC
For those aspiring to farm on a celestial scale, Lightyear Frontier offers a perfect playground. This open-world adventure allows you to build a stellar homestead alongside a customizable mech companion. Explore a vast, mysterious planet, unveil its secrets, and support its ecosystem. It’s a cozy simulation for those who love farming and giant robots, with the added bonus of online multiplayer for up to three friends to join your galactic escapade.
### Coral Island
Accessible on Cloud, Console, and PC
Trade the hustle and bustle of city life for a serene tropical paradise on Coral Island. Cultivate crops, care for animals, and integrate into a community of over 70 unique personalities. Enjoy outdoor activities like insect hunting, fishing, and reef diving to uncover hidden treasures. It’s a game that lets you live at your own pace, full of tranquility and charm.
## Comfy, Cozy Puzzles
If farming doesn’t quite spark your interest, perhaps a selection of charming puzzle games will. We’re not talking mind-bending challenges here—just peaceful, satisfying puzzles blended with stunning visuals that let you explore at your leisure.
### Botany Manor
Usable on Cloud, Console, and PC
Step into the shoes of Arabella Greene, a retired botanist restoring her manor’s gardens in this charming puzzle game. Discover clues, nurture long-forgotten plant life, and solve botanical puzzles that reveal more of the manor’s hidden areas, all while unearthing the story of Arabella’s life and research.
### A Little To The Left
Available on Cloud, Console, and PC
Get ready for a gentle immersion into organizing and tidying, where every puzzle is about arranging household items just right. From stacking pantry goods to sorting screws, with over 100 intuitive puzzles, A Little To The Left offers a calming experience for those who find satisfaction in an organized space.
### Strange Horticulture
Playable on Cloud and Console
Embrace a mix of “calm” and “creepy” in Strange Horticulture, an occult-themed puzzle game where you run a plant shop in a mysterious town. As you identify plants, these could impact the unfolding narrative and unravel the town’s eerie secrets.
## Light-hearted Adventures
For those in search of a more hands-on experience beyond puzzles, we have something that involves exploration, light questing, and a bit of action. These adventures promise engagement without stress, letting your mind wander freely in delightful settings.
### Lil Gator Game
Play on Cloud, Console, and PC
As a lil gator, embark on an island adventure filled with new friendships and hidden mysteries. With quests tucked into every nook and cranny, this adorable platformer lets you enjoy a cozy, low-pressure game at your pace, journeying through forests and atop mountains.
### Dungeons of Hinterberg
Available across Cloud, Console, and PC
Dive into Dungeons of Hinterberg’s fusion of exploratory dungeon-crawling and cozy social interactions. As Luisa, explore dungeons and spend time in the quaint town setting, navigating between adventure and leisure without any pressure.
### Little Kitty, Big City
Playable on Cloud, Console, and PC
Assume the perspective of a curious cat exploring an urban landscape in Little Kitty, Big City. Befriend fellow strays, tackle quests, and enjoy leisurely chaos while finding your way home at your own speed—complete with accessories like a tiny hat!
### Spiritfarer
Accessible via Cloud, Console, and PC
Spiritfarer tackles life and death through cozy, heartfelt gameplay. Navigate an ethereal world as Stella, nurture spirit companions, and ultimately help them pass on. Experience farming, fishing, crafting, and engaging narratives, possibly alongside a friend controlling Daffodil, Stella’s cat companion.
### Jusant
Playable on Cloud, Console, and PC
Climb to new altitudes in Jusant, a meditative ascent through an atmospheric tower. Equipped with climbing gear, explore diverse biomes, and relish the climb over the destination. Take in scenic views, enjoy accompanying music, and tackle challenges as per your comfort.
### A Short Hike
Available on Cloud, Console, and PC
Immerse into nature with A Short Hike, navigating serene mountain landscapes. As a tiny bird, chat with fellow travelers, uncover secrets, and ascend to panoramic views in this tranquil outdoor escapade.
### Disney Dreamlight Valley
Accessible on Cloud, Console, and PC
Venture into a land of dreams in Disney Dreamlight Valley, where classic Disney and Pixar characters await your friendship. Engage in life simulation coupled with exploration, crafting, and home design as you work to rejuvenate this enchanting world.
## Cozy Narrative Delights
For those who desire a gripping narrative alongside laid-back gameplay, consider these story-driven adventures. Whether you’re capturing moments as a photographer or venturing into space with clay-crafted charm, stories are waiting to be told.
### Chicory
Playable via Cloud, Console, and PC
Unlock your creativity in Chicory, where a world lacks color without its missing artist. Engage with vivid characters and solve puzzles using your artistic flair to uncover a poignant narrative about creativity and its impact.
### Toem
Available on Cloud, Console, and PC
With your camera in tow, venture through Toem’s black-and-white landscapes. Meet quirky folks, find unique angles, and enjoy relaxing exploration through a world filled with delightful, hand-drawn sights.
### Harold Halibut
Playable across Cloud, Console, and PC
Harold Halibut whisks you off to an underwater world in this retro-futuristic tale. As a lab assistant aboard an oceanic vessel, unravel stories filled with peculiar creatures and reveal insights into humanity’s submerged past.
## Satisfying Cleanups
For those who find solace in tidiness, these games let you indulge in cleaning up from your couch. Satisfy your urge to organize as you tackle messes in bright, lively worlds.
### PowerWash Simulator
Accessible on Cloud, Console, and PC
Experience the sheer joy of cleaning with PowerWash Simulator, where your aim is to eliminate every last bit of dirt across various levels. As you progress, uncover the tales of Muckingham and its residents hidden amidst the grime.
### House Flipper
Available via Cloud, Console, and PC
Enter the realm of renovation with House Flipper. Tackle contracts to amass funds, buy dilapidated houses, and transform them into beautiful homes. With versatile tools at your disposal, every detail is yours to design.
### Unpacking
Playable on Cloud, Console, and PC
Experience the mindful joy of arranging personal belongings in Unpacking. As you make homes your own, uncover stories and create spaces filled with cherished memories through this narrative puzzle game.
## Nostalgic Cozy Favorites
Rekindle old memories with classic games from your childhood. The holiday season is perfect for embracing nostalgia, and what better way than through these revamped 90s gems, whether revisiting as an adult or sharing the experience with someone new.
### Spyro: Reignited Trilogy
Usable on Cloud, Console, and PC
Join Spyro on a remastered journey to save the Dragon Realms. Glide over lovingly recreated worlds, free fellow dragons, and recover lost treasures. It’s a nostalgic plunge into platforming fun, now available on Xbox Game Pass.
### Crash Bandicoot: N’Sane Trilogy
Accessible on Cloud, Console, and PC
Revisit the wacky adventures of Crash Bandicoot in this modernized collection featuring the trilogy that started it all. With stunning visuals and classic gameplay, enjoy joining Crash as he attempts to foil Dr. Neo Cortex’s plans—whether it’s your first spin through or a nostalgic revisit.
### Return to Monkey Island
Playable on Cloud, Console, and PC
Step back into the whimsical world of Monkey Island as Guybrush Threepwood. A new era dawns under Captain Madison’s leadership on Melee Island—reconvene with old friends, solve clever puzzles, and embark on a comedic, point-and-click adventure brought to the modern era.
