When the going gets tough on the bizarre road that is life, or, in all seriousness, when a game’s combat is stressful, I love to play somecozy gamesto alleviate that feeling.
I know that kind of stress relief isn’t for everyone, which is understandable due to the genre itself. But these games are truly a bundle of joy that’ll make you appreciate and even smile in times of despair.
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Equal parts relaxation and fun, so you are not just watching paint dry by the campfire.
So, with that in mind, I’ve prepared a list of cozy games that feature no major combat mechanics that’ll hopefully help you regain your spiritual (and possibly physical) bearings quickly.
10Spiritfarer
The Act Of Letting Go Is Inevitable
Spiritfarer
Spiritfareris one of my favorite games, so don’t let its wooden spoon placement deceive you. However, its coziness may be subjective due to the themes and messages it conveys.
As Stella, your main job is to manage your boat of deceased spirits and care for them before ultimately bidding them farewell to the afterlife.
The whole management gameplay system of your ferry and bonding with the spirits themselves is definitely cozy, but don’t expect the narrative to be all sunshine and rainbows here.
Its underlying tone is all about letting you understand the weight of death being unavoidable, and that you should cherish every moment with your loved ones, so bring some tissues if you take a chance at this mesmerizing gem.
9Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles
Plentiful Of Wonder Over Yonder
Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles
Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chroniclesis the textbook definition of a cozy game because it has every single traditional staple to make it one, but it doesn’t reinvent the wheel with any unique traits to make it stand out.
However, some of these more minimalist traits are for the better. It doesn’t have combat, and what makes it so appealing at first glance is the cute style and all the whimsical gameplay stuff in it, allowing you to tackle it any way you see fit.
It’s almost akin to a fully single-player open-world Animal Crossing, minus any special identity. But if it’s a cozy game without combat you need, relaxing enough to help you fall asleep, go for it.
8Disney Dreamlight Valley
A Disney Fan’s Dream Come True
Disney Dreamlight Valleyis the best fan service game for me, who grew up watching everything related to Disney andPixar, from the movies to the shows.
It is alife-sim adventure gamethat combines the best of both worlds, fromThe SimstoAnimal Crossing games. Its features include town management, farming, gardening,companion bonding, and more.
You get to meet dozens of characters from the franchise, including Mickey and his pals, the Disney Princesses, and even iconic movie stars like Remy, Wall-E, and Simba.
There are no combat instances, so you can cozily play this at your leisure. Oh, and I recommend playing it on a handheld, like theSteam Deck, for the optimal experience.
7Cozy Grove
Real-Time And Heartwarming
Cozy Grove
With the current season I’m writing this in, Cozy Grove is one of thebest cozy games to play in the winter, given its real-time mechanics and tender art direction.
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It incentivizes you with the real-time mechanic by introducing new quests every hour, after which it encourages you to partake in other life-sim activities such as fishing or spending time with the characters.
The game is best played in short intervals, and again, on a device like the Steam Deck. So snuggle up tight and allow this indie gem to steal all your free time before bed.
6A Short Hike
Short And Sweet
A Short Hike
A Short Hike is an indie that almost went off my radar until a friend reminded me of it when I was in the mood for something short and pleasant.
It’s a flavorful game right from the opening minutes, as you explore the island of Hawk Peak Provincial Park. Your main goal is to reach the mountain’s summit, but, as you might have guessed, that’s not all that straightforward.
The game actively encourages you to meet fellow NPCs and explore the tiny details to gather enough feathers so you may soar through the skies with ease.
So, no matter how you choose to play it, just like the name implies in real life, it’s a short experience but one that promises sheer joy, with no surprising combat mechanics.
5Midori No Kaori
Deserves Greater Attention & Love
Ever just wanted to take in everything at a slow and leisurely pace? Well, Midori No Kaori does just that and more, being one of ourbest cozy games from 2024.
I consider it the ideal game to unwind from life’s problems or another game’s grueling nature as you manage your own quaint little Japanese restaurant.
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Comfort food of gaming.
From serving drinks or food to customers to managing various details of the interior, it’s ahidden gem that deserves more appreciationfor its creative presentation.
The warm atmosphere and short gameplay sessions you can experience here will quickly and surely bring out the zen moment in you.
A Lonesome Yet Wondrous Traveler
As we slowly head into my top picks for cozy games without any combat, Sable instantly came to my mind as the contender here.
It’s a game where you explore a sandbox open world via Sable, tackling puzzles, fishing, scaling large ruinous structures, and even riding around on her trusty Hoverbike.
The entire gameplay concept involves slowly and cozily exploring this post-dystopian desert to enrich Sable’s understanding of the world.
Play the game at your own pace, however you see fit, because the number of secrets and things to discover here is truly a wonder. It almost reminds me of my memorable first playthrough of Outer Wilds.
Unforgettable & Oh-So Mesmerizing
Journeywas one of my first indie game experiences back in 2015, during my teenage years, and my first time with it has stuck with me for a long time.
There’s no dialogue or exposition here; everything’s told through the visual details and gameplay format as you guide your robed figure through a desolate land to reach the split summit.
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And here’s the neat trick that the game pulls: you’re never alone; there’s a hidden multiplayer element where you’re able to meet other travelers like yourself and even cross the summit together.
There’s no combat whatsoever. It’s really just an enchanting game that’s simple, filled with a few easy puzzles but, for its time, has immersed many in the cozy sub genre of gaming.
2Coffee Talk
Pour A Cup For Yourself, Too
Coffee Talk
From the same brilliant creators who also made A Space for The Unbound,Coffee Talkis a talking-sim game that embodies the cozy trait on its sleeve.
It encapsulates you in its alt-fantasy world, where you serve hot beverages to different beings, listening to their gossip and stories while comfortably listening to soothing lo-fi and jazz tracks.
Plus, the branching storytelling design allows you to tackle a variety of endings depending on the drinks you serve to your customers and regulars.
And witha sequel episode released a couple of years back, do yourself a favor and, like me, play this game while sipping on a cup of coffee or hot chocolate.
1VA-11 Hall-A
Cyberpunk Bartender Action
VA-11 Hall-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action
Choosing this or our aforementioned entry for the winner was a toss-up, but regardless,Va-11 Hall-Ais the best cozy game without any combat elements.
It one-ups Coffee Talk for me just slightly because of the dystopian Cyberpunk setting, and the characters looking straight out of a slow-burn noir flick.
It has the samepixelated art styleas Coffee Talk, but this instead has a slight VHS tape feel that makes the bleak atmosphere feel enthralling.
Jill is a protagonist who has some cold first impressions, but with the customers you meet and tend to, the exchanges with them on various topics really make you intrigued about her character.
And when the game outright tells you to “sit back, relax, and grab some snacks” as you click on the new game option, you best believe it’s a recipe for a good time.
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