10 Essential Cozy Games For Your Winter Backlog

There are always those days when we just want to play something that feels right, as if the game perfectly matches the moment we are living in, don't you think?

And I feel like that sensation gets stronger than ever during the winter. Maybe it is because we can feel the cold all the way down to our bones and see it piled up on top of our cars. Who knows?

Jokes aside, winter is easily one of my favorite times of the year to just stay home chilling after work, with a warm cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate in my hands and a new adventure on the TV screen begging me to “press start.” And it is even better when we are talking about cozy games, since they are specifically designed to help us relax and just turn off our brains for a while.

That’s why I thought we could explore some of the titles that best fit this season – the kind of weather that’s perfect for never letting go of your controller or your pajamas! So, let’s take a look at 10 of the best cozy games out there that you absolutely need to play this winter, shall we?

10 Blanc

An Unlikely Friendship in the Snow

With a story that feels like it was plucked from an old Disney movie, Blanc is an adventure game that offers a contemplative, silent, and relaxing journey about the unlikely friendship between a wolf cub and a fawn.

They meet shortly after becoming separated from their families in the middle of a forest and must now help each other find their way back home. This setup forces you to overcome various puzzles as you progress with both characters, and the dynamic between the two works incredibly well.

The result is a very cozy and short experience of friendship that pairs perfectly with winter because it is set entirely in a snow-covered forest. Oh, and the game’s hand-drawn art is also amazing, following a monochromatic aesthetic that intensifies that chilly season vibe while keeping the gameplay warm and heartfelt.

9 The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit

A Heartwarming Standalone Tale

I know that The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit isn't exactly a full game, acting more as a setup for Life is Strange 2, but it fits the winter vibe so well that I couldn't leave it off the list – otherwise, I would feel like I was betraying my own tastes!

That’s because I remember exactly the day when this short, standalone game first came out. I was wrapped in blankets like a burrito and immediately felt warmed by the glow this story put in my heart.

It follows Chris Eriksen, a young boy who created his own superhero alter ego, called Captain Spirit, to help him cope with the loss of his mother, and it is just as emotional as it sounds. Besides, it also captures the magic and the melancholy of a quiet winter day.

8 We Were Here

Cooperation in the Cold

I bet you weren’t expecting a cozy co-op option in this article, right? While it is true that the We Were Here franchise gets increasingly complicated with each new chapter, the first game remains a perfect winter pick.

It is a much shorter experience than its successors, and the puzzles are relatively straightforward. This makes teamwork necessary, but in a way that isn't too demanding, meaning you can turn off your brain and just have fun with a friend or partner.

And the winter connection is literal here: the two protagonists are lost in a blizzard and stumble upon an abandoned castle. Now, with only the limited communication of a walkie-talkie, they must cooperate to escape the freezing cold together.

7 Animal Crossing: New Horizons

A Living Winter Wonderland

I will admit that Animal Crossing: New Horizons might be an obvious choice, but I honestly have a hard time thinking of a cozy game that captures the feeling of the seasons so perfectly.

That's because Nintendo’s franchise syncs with your local time and region, meaning that entering the game during winter results in finding an island with snow-covered trees, neighbors building snowmen, and snowflakes ready to be caught on your net. You can even enjoy seasonal Nook Shopping items to decorate your home.

It is definitely one of the best ways to enjoy the cold in the gaming world. When the snow starts falling in the game, it is so mesmerizing that you might even forget you still owe Tom Nook a mountain of Bells!

6 Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping

A Quack-ing Good Mystery

Yes, I know that you might be thinking now, "What does a detective game have to do with winter?" and I would say the answer is basically everything, especially its atmosphere!

It all starts with Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping’s slightly moody, dim aesthetic that makes you feel like you are playing on a cold, sunless afternoon, which literally is the kind of scenario where a mug of hot chocolate is mandatory, am I not right?

Add to that the fact that you play as an adorable duck detective who needs to solve some quack-mysterious puzzles (sorry, I had to!) in an experience that only lasts a few hours, and you have the perfect recipe for a cozy winter's night.

Friendship in the Freljord

I remember when I played Song of Nunu for the first time, and how I immediately described it as the "The Last Guardian of the League of Legends universe" because of the cozy adventure shared between Nunu and Willump.

There is just a special subtlety to this game that is impossible not to love within the first few minutes – whether you are a League fan or not, I must say. In the end, you don’t need to know anything about Riot Games’ hit, since it is a standalone story about the bond between a boy and a magical yeti (and I definitely have a soft spot for that kind of narrative).

It also provides a beautiful, snowy backdrop for a short and sweet experience to enjoy while sipping on something hot, since it is set in Freljord, a harsh, frozen, and magical region of Runeterra, setting the perfect, cold mood we want.

4 Tell Me Why

A Heartfelt Alaskan Journey

No, it is not the Backstreet Boys song, but the game is just as iconic! Developed by the creators of the original Life is Strange, Tell Me Why is a charming narrative-driven experience about twins who can communicate through a telepathic power.

And its story is incredibly heartfelt, dealing with important themes like grief, representation, and family bonds, being a cozy game in terms of low-stakes gameplay, focusing on emotional storytelling and character development.

All of that all set against a stunning Alaskan backdrop! So everything about this game has the potential to warm you up, from the emotional plot points to simply staring at the beautiful winter landscapes from the safety of your sofa.

3 A Short Hike

Snowy Summits and Coming of Age

If you search for the definition of a cozy and relaxing experience that "hits you right in the feels" in the dictionary, you will definitely find A Short Hike lying there. It is a true indie gem that everyone should play at least once.

You play as a lovely little bird tasked with reaching the summit of a mountain on an island during a summer holiday (wait, I’ll explain!), resulting in a beautiful coming-of-age story that anyone can relate to.

The reason it is on a winter list is that the best part of the journey is literally on top of the mountain, which is completely snow-covered, being visually stunning and filled with symbolism. This is your go-to option for a perfect cozy evening under a pile of blankets.

2 Beacon Pines

Creepy, Cute, and Wintry

If you are the type of person who loves it when cute meets creepy like me, Beacon Pines is definitely for you. It is basically a mystery game set within a magical storybook where you play as both the reader and the main character at the same time.

And a good portion of the story takes place during winter, so there are plenty of snowy landscapes and characters bundled up in as many clothes as possible (which is a nice, cute bonus). There are even some NPCs that look like reindeer! And we all know that there is nothing more winter than a reindeer.

So the game earned its spot on this list for being a slightly different, unique, cozy experience, and the kind of story that stays with you long after the credits roll.

1 Coffee Talk

The Ultimate Rainy (or Snowy) Day Sim

Coffee Talk is basically a gossip simulator where you work in a coffee shop and act as a temporary therapist for your customers while they finish their drinks. But it also has a twist: your customers are not regular humans, but fantasy-inspired beings like vampires and werewolves.

It is simply brilliant how, despite being creatures from another reality, they face very modern, human problems, adding a really relatable layer to the fantasy setting.

And boy, there is nothing like listening to unusual stories while serving up a warm latte. In fact, I highly recommend learning a few coffee recipes to make for yourself while you play, because this game will definitely give you a craving!