Cosy comfort: Video games as a safe haven in a chaotic world

Occasional escapism into a gentler, happier world can be good for the soul.

Following the runaway success of Animal Crossing: New Horizons during the Covid-19 pandemic, the cosy gaming genre really hit its stride in 2023, and shows no signs of stopping.

It’s not hard to understand the appeal; in a world where we are increasingly bombarded by a seemingly never-ending stream of hopeless news, being able to escape into a world of simple pleasures where tending crops and decorating houses can be therapeutic — even aspirational.

With a recent survey reporting that 62 per cent of Gen Zs in Malaysia are at high risk of developing mental health issues, cosy games could be a better way for ‘the doomscroll generation’ to destress instead of sinking ever deeper into a mire of negativity.

What is a cosy game?

People have long turned to 'cosy' games for stress relief. While there’s no set definition or classification, developers and players alike tend to agree that such games should be a relaxing and comfortable experience.

Common elements of a cosy game may include cute graphics, easy listening soundtracks, meditative tasks, and a low-stakes nature. Narratives may revolve around building the life of your dreams, escaping the corporate rat race to live a simpler life, or even performing meditative tasks like power washing and driving.

In short, it’s any game that makes you feel content, comfortable, and at peace.

Four cosy games you can’t miss

• Stardew Valley (PC, Mac, Consoles, Mobile)

Sometimes, when life gets too hectic and the corporate grind is wearing you down, it can be tempting to just give it all up and return to a simpler life in the country. That premise is exactly why players fell in love with Stardew Valley when it first released in 2016.

Whether you’re growing turnips and petting cows, fighting your way through the mines, or romancing bachelors in Pelican Town, you decide what you want your Stardew experience to be. There’s also a main narrative about preserving small-town living versus falling in line with the corporate machine, if you choose to play the story.

Stardew Valley also contains many emotional themes that resonate with people and turn it from just another feel-good distraction to an icon of the cosy game genre. You can even play it with your friends and work together to restore Pelican Town!

• Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Console: Nintendo Switch)

There’s a reason Animal Crossing: New Horizons was hailed as “the game for the coronavirus”. In fact, it’s been extensively studied for its ability to provide temporary escapism and maintain social interaction during Covid-19, when mental health issues were at a global peak.

What’s not to like about building an adorable home on an island, welcoming new friends with unique personalities, and spending your days frolicking under the sun? On clear (in-game) nights, you can even wish on shooting stars!

Non-player characters (NPCs) on your island will make up cute nicknames for you, give you gifts, visit your house and even miss you when you’re not around! If you have real-life friends who play, you can visit each other’s houses and run around islands together too!

• Unpacking (PC, Mac, Consoles, Mobile)

You know how some people destress (or procrastinate) by cleaning or organising? That’s exactly what Unpacking is all about. This “part block-fitting puzzle, part home decoration” game has you unboxing the possessions of an invisible protagonist and putting them away ithrough eight house moves across their stages of life.

Besides the satisfaction of neatly fitting things in spaces, you also learn about the character through what they keep. Paintings and tablets may replace band posters and crayons, but a favourite childhood toy could also make it all the way to adulthood.

Beyond items needing to be in the right areas (for instance, toothpaste should be in the bathroom), there are no directions, no time limits, and no rules. Enjoy the relaxing soundtrack as you arrange everything to your liking in this multi award-winning game.

• Spiritfarer (PC, Mac, Consoles, Mobile)

A game about death sounds morbid and hardly cosy, but I promise it’s better than it sounds. As Stella, ferryperson to the dead, you build a boat to ferry spirits and care for them until they’re ready to move on into the afterlife. You’ll need to make food, build cabins, and help them resolve any unfinished business.

From Atul, the fatherly handyman spirit who loves gourmet food, to the studious Elena for whom simplicity is a virtue, every spirit has a unique personality and life story that you’ll discover as you spend time with them. If you gain enough influence, you can even ask for hugs!

Find out their likes and dislikes, complete their quests, listen to their stories and when the time is right, learn how to say goodbye. Don’t get me wrong, if you’re like me a handy supply of tissues will be essential; however, you may also come away feeling more at peace.

Besides these four, there are many other games of varying degrees of cosiness waiting for you to explore. Whether you prefer the meditative experience of cross-country journeys, or the calming repetition of cleaning and painting houses, there’s a cosy game to soothe anyone’s soul.

Want to find out how video games affect you? Take our quick quiz here to find out if cosy games help you unwind or keep you hooked for hours!