Image via Polygon Treehouse

7 Best Cozy Games on Steam and Switch for Winter

Oh, the weather outside is frightful.

Lilia Hellal

Published: Dec 13, 2022 05:45 am

It’s that time of the year once again. 2022 is almost over but just before it, hang up those Christmas stockings and get all those last minute presents sorted and bought. When it comes to your own time and investments, here are 7 of the best video games for you to unwind to across December.

Unpacking

Unpacking is a simple yet striking game, one that won AGDA’s Game of the Year for 2021 in fact. The indie darling of a title was developed by Witch Beam. The small dev team tasked players will the stress-free freedom and exploration of decorating 35 rooms across the span of 21 years. Beginning in 1997 and ending in 2018, players follow the unseen protagonist as they move house a total of 8 times.

During the moves, significant items can either be left behind or newly acquired as the only hints to who they are and where they are in life. Not only is its gameplay loop satisfying, its obscure narrative hides a touching story if you keep a look out for it.

A Little to the Left

Much like the appeal of Unpacking, A Little to the Left is meant to be played to wind down to. With cute illustrations alongside bonkers scenarios, all thanks to its central, chaotic cat, A Little to the Left is the best answer to feel comfy and cosy this Winter. With replay value coming from its daily content, an aesthetically pleasing visual flare around each and every corner, and a masterfully ear-gasmic soundtrack to boot, A Little to the Left has a little of everything right to make it such a knock-out, stress-free indie gem.

I am Setsuna

I am Setsuna serves as two great purposes – a JRPG with a battle system that pays homage to the most beloved of its genre, specifically Chrono Trigger, and as the quintessential Winter themed JRPG. I am Setsuna evokes nostalgia through every crevice of it, from its dynamic art-style and character designs created by Toi8, and music composed by Tomoki Miyoshi and performed by Randy Kerber.

While not necessarily cosy considering its plotline that utilises its snow-bound world as a parallel to its melancholic story, I am Setsuna will take you on an emotional ride whilst being the perfect JRPG to experience this Winter.

Animal Crossing

As the one and only title to expect to see on such a list, Animal Crossing remains as one of the best titles to sit down to for any Winter since 2004 – at least for Europe. Evident enough based on its selling figures and as the most played Nintendo Switch game during lockdown, Animal Crossing: New Horizons specifically was made to be played during any festivity most recently.

With plenty of events that occur across the Winter as well as even Christmas day that makes it difficult to put it down in place of your newest game additions, Animal Crossing: New Horizons should already be in your collection in time for its Winter festivities to begin once again for this year.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is exclusive to the Nintendo Switch.

Never Alone

In this platformer, players control a young girl called Nuna and her animal companion, Fox as they face and journey through the eye of a blizzard. As a casual experience that offers both single-player and co-op modes, Never Alone sends across a heartfelt message within such a tight and intense narrative of restoring both characters’ homes.

With aesthetically pleasing visuals across its Artic locations and Iñupiaq stories laced around its origins and creative juices, Never Alone is strikingly unique and heart-warming – a prime video game to play this Winter.

Röki

Röki takes players on an adventure out in an expansive, snowy wildness, filled with mysteries and monsters on the player character Tove’s quest in saving their family. Experience a world inspired by Nordic lore with a meshing of various genres and gameplay mechanics such as collecting items, riddle solving and a central point and click system. It’s beyond fitting for this Holiday season and will especially be perfect for those looking for something easy on the eye but hides a dark underbelly in its narrative.

Spyro

Spyro is probably a more out of left field selection, but hear me out. In Spyro the Dragon, both the levels of Ice Cavern and Icy Flight are Winter themed, while Spyro 2 has the snowy terrain of Winter Tundra as its final hub world. It’s quite simply the most laid-back of experiences to be found on this list as a platformer starring one of the cutest mascots the genre has ever seen.