Decompression Through Gaming: Why are People Drawn to “Cozy Games”?

 
 

Written by Spencer Vallis

Thumbnail and banner photo by Dmitry Spravko on Unsplash (@kaprion)


Video games come in a variety of different genres that can suit whatever a gamer is looking to enjoy. From first-person shooters like Fortnite and Call of Duty, to role-playing games like Baldur’s Gate 3 (check out Alex Fisher’s 2024 article Baldur’s Gate 3 Just Turned One Year Old – Here’s Why It’s Still Important), there is frequently an association between video games and violence. However, there is a genre of video games that has developed a growing cult audience: cozy games.

This genre isn’t rooted in surviving an apocalypse, fighting monsters, or racing an opponent, but rather takes a slower approach that truly envelopes its gamers in what can only be described as a cozy feeling. These games can be exceptionally addictive, transporting their players into an idealized world where they can live a life separate from the challenges of the real world. That’s one of the charms of cozy games! That being said, what exactly defines a “cozy game”, and why are we as players so drawn to them?

What is a “cozy game”?

Have you ever played a game that brought you a euphoric feeling where you felt truly immersed in the world that you were exploring? Whether it was the seaside island setting of Animal Crossing: New Horizons or the quaint Pelican Town in Stardew Valley, cozy games are notorious for their ability to allow players to become lost in the worlds that they are emerged in. This soothing style of low-stakes gameplay generally prioritizes soft aesthetics and wholesome pursuits like farming, ranching, cooking, and puzzle solving over violence and competition.

This blanket term “cozy game” is quite versatile, describing any game that provides a warm and comforting feeling while playing it. Cozy games offer a vague enough descriptor that the theme of a cozy game is essentially no theme other than one that offers you, as a gamer, that comforting feeling.

The most popular examples of cozy games are usually simulation games like The Sims, Stardew Valley, and Palia, but can also include games with combat elements like Fantasy Life or Cult of the Lamb.

Why do we love them so much?

(Image From Nintendo. (June 2025). Animal Crossing: New Horizons)

Animal Crossing: New Horizons, released in 2020, perfectly represents the cozy game genre and why we, as gamers, can find ourselves immersed in their worlds. Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ launch, almost to the day, aligned with the beginnings of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns of 2020. The game allowed players to create a cartoon avatar that represented themselves as they explored a deserted island and created a utopian world for themselves and anthropomorphic animal companions to live and explore. The game allowed players to immerse themselves in domestic activities such as decorating their homes, designing their own clothing, as well as outdoor activities like fishing and bug catching. The game later introduced swimming and art collecting, diversifying the activities players could participate in. Animal Crossing: New Horizons offered a sense of comfort, stability, and ultimately, a sense of normalcy at a time when we felt lost or needed a sense of routine. In my opinion, I believe that this is the importance of the cozy gaming genre and what it can truly offer to gamers.

Cozy games like Animal Crossing: New Horizons, The Sims, and Stardew Valley allow players to find a sense of comfort and develop a sense of control when they otherwise might not have it. In a world of day-to-day challenges, such as rising cost of living and dealing with the daily stressors that come with being a student, cozy games allow players to get lost in their worlds and shut off some of these added stresses. As gamers, cozy games help players feel calm as they take our minds off the challenges that we face. Cozy games allow gamers to get lost in their in-game routines like cooking, farming, and decorating their dream homes.

Another element that adds to the charm of cozy games is the sense of community they foster– not just within the game itself, but among the players, too. Whether it's visiting a friend’s island in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, trading crops and clothes in Palia, or creating a co-op farm in Stardew Valley, cozy games have created a space where players come together to support and inspire each other. There’s something special about bonding over which villager you’re trying to befriend or swapping design tips for the perfect in-game home. These games often encourage kindness, creativity, and collaboration, which extends beyond the screen into the online communities that surround them.

Conclusion

In the end, cozy games are more than just a genre - they're a haven. They provide a gentle escape from the chaos of student life, offering players the chance to slow down, breathe, and find joy in simpler ways of life. Whether it's rearranging furniture in The Sims, tending to your crops and animals in Stardew Valley, or chatting with villagers in Animal Crossing, these games create spaces where we can feel at ease. They remind us that not every game needs to be about winning or surviving. Sometimes just existing in a peaceful world is enough.

When the world feels overwhelming, cozy games offer a much-needed refuge. They’re not just about escaping reality, but creating peace in it. Maybe, in this fast-paced, high-stress world, that’s exactly what we need more of: spaces where we can be present, content, and above all, comfortable. The cozy game genre is not just a fleeting trend; it's a reminder of the importance of self-care, comfort, and the quiet joys of everyday life.

Jacob Butler