Since Stardew Valley became a hit after its 2016 launch, cozy video games have created something akin to a new genre, sharing in vibes what they don’t in gameplay, and the trend seems to be continually increasing in popularity. The release of Animal Crossing: New Horizons at the beginning of the global pandemic made cozy gaming truly mainstream, and more and more players are looking for relaxing, feel-good games that can bring some comfort to everyday life. Independent developers have met this demand, but the abundance of cozy indie games out there means it can be tough to find the perfect fit. Luckily, many of these games have free demos available, letting players test them out without fully committing to the price tag.
Though some AAA games provide a good amount of relaxation, cozy indie games often include innovative mechanics or unique concepts unseen in the AAA scene, and discovering one of these hidden gems to share with friends can make the experience feel even more special. Many indie games also have an especially heartfelt feeling to them – a character that comes from a small group of people working together to make something wholesome.
The 2021 Game Devs of Color Expo in late September highlighted some of these emerging developers, many of whom are producing games that fit well into the cozy game “genre.” Players looking for cozy titles would do well to visit the GDoC Expo’s Gradient Convergence event page on Steam, which features games from the show, including several with free demos. Another place to look is itch.io, a website that hosts and sells indie games, many of which are free. Cozy indies aren’t limited to PC, though, as many are also available on consoles like Nintendo Switch.
Below is a selection of interesting, cozy indie games with free demos. It is by no means an exhaustive list, but these are a great place to start for players looking to expand their comfort-food gaming collection for free.
Lonesome Village
Lonesome Village is an adorable, puzzle-filled life simulator starring Wes, a coyote trying to bring his village back from the brink of destruction. The game features gardening and fishing mechanics, as well as a mellow dungeon crawling element. Fans of The Legend of Zelda will likely enjoy Lonesome Village’s artwork and exploration. Developed by Ogre Pixel, a small company based out of Mexico, Lonesome Village has a demo currently available on Steam. The full game will be launching on Nintendo Switch and Xbox as well as Steam, but there is no release date yet.
Common’hood
While Common’hood, a community building and economy management game, deals with some heavy subjects, its overall vibe is quite heartwarming. Players grow their own food, scavenge for materials, and build a thriving community inside an abandoned warehouse, which developer Plethora Project described as feeling character of its own at the GDoC Expo. A relaxing soundtrack and vibrant artwork give Common’hood a comforting, homey feel. The game is set to release in fall 2021, and the free demo is available on Steam.
Nainai’s Recipe
Nainai’s Recipe is a cooking simulator game that takes place during a pandemic lockdown. Players learn how to cook traditional Chinese meals via text messages from their grandmother. This mellow game lets players chop, slice, and cook food as they’d like without any performance-oriented steps, meaning players can relax and fully embody a budding chef. Nainai’s Recipe is being developed by Fan Fang and Mai Hou as their thesis game at the NYU Game Center. A free beta version can be downloaded on itch.io.
Spirit Swap
In Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match-3 To, players take on the role of a witch attempting to reassemble and dispel spirits. As the game’s tagline puts it, she’ll also “Cast spells, be queer, and crash the biggest concert of the year” along the way. Spirit Swap combines mesmerizing, colorful graphics with relaxing lo-fi music to bring to life a magical world full of mystery and puzzles. It will offer five unique game modes and multiplayer. Spirit Swap: Lofi Beats to Match-3 To is currently in development by Soft Not Weak and is set to release in 2022. A nearly endless demo is available on Steam.
Epiphany City
Epiphany City is a charming puzzle game about Lily, a girl who, after losing all hope, learns to overcome hardships and live up to her full potential. Its unique puzzle mechanics involve using magical picture frames to change the world around her. Created by Big Shield Games, Epiphany City has a planned release date of early 2022, and a free demo is now available on Steam.
Onsen Master
Onsen Master tasks players with revitalizing hot springs across the fantasy island of Izajima, managing customers and creating ingredient-infused baths to treat their patrons’ various aliments. It includes a one-to-two-player story mode, as well as a competitive multiplayer mode. The story follows protagonist Mu’s attempts to fill the shoes of the titular hot spring master. A free demo for Onsen Master is available on Steam, and developer Waking Oni Games says it’s coming to both PC and consoles sometime in 2021.
Coffee Talk
Coffee Talk takes place in an alternate-reality Seattle where the city is inhabited by mythical creatures living normal lives. Players handcraft drinks for customers and listen to their problems. The art is inspired by ’90s anime, and the soundtrack features jazzy and lo-fi sounds, making Coffee Talk a must-have for any cozy game fan. Coffee Talk is available on Steam, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch, though its free demo is only accessibly on Xbox and PlayStation.
The Survivalists
Most survival games are far from cozy, but The Survivalists is a rather low-stress take on the genre. Alone or with up to three friends, players complete joint quests, gain loot and trade, and ultimately survive the wilderness. Players can also befriend and train monkeys to help with various tasks, including building and combat. The Survivalists is available across all major platforms, but the free demo can be found on Nintendo Switch and Steam.
Sephonie
Sephonie is a beautifully unique game about biology and exploration. Players control three scientists – Amy Lim, Ing-wen Lin, and Riyou Hiyashi – stranded on a deserted island, where they’ll use 3D platforming to explore the vast cave system hidden beneath the surface and unravel both scientific and spiritual mysteries. At the 2021 GDoC Expo, developer Marina Kittaka of Analgesic Productions explained Sephonie’s parkour-like platforming was actually inspired by Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater. This cozy video game’s free demo can be found on Steam.
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