Fall Means Relaxing with Cozy Games

The weather where I live has transitioned into rainy, cold fall weather.  This means that outdoor activities are out and its time to cuddle up in the indoors.  What better way to stay cozy than with some soothing, comfy games that are perfect for sipping a hot beverage and relaxing?

There's one new game that has my cozy radar piqued--it's called Unpacking and it's a casual puzzle game that takes one of the least enjoyable real-life experiences (moving) and turns it into a challenging and fun experience. I'm a bit hesitant to pull the trigger on it due to the fact that many user reviews (it's currently sitting at "very positive" on Steam) have mentioned the short length (many reviewers on Steam have less that 10 hours).  It is priced at $19.99 which feels a bit steep for a short game, so I'm going to wait and hope that it goes on sale during the autumn/holiday sales.  Here's the trailer, for your consideration:

My favorite comfy, fall games are Two Point Hospital and Stardew Valley.  Two Point Hospital is a silly, management game that features a reverse difficulty curve (the beginning of the level is always the most difficult part) that eases into a relaxing, managerial experience.  I like it because you can turn off the in-game music (and DJ's) and throw on your own music (or podcasts) and try to manage the chaos.  The especially nice part about Two Point is the fact that you can pause the game at any time.

Stardew Valley is the perfect fall/winter game.  Even if you've played hundreds of hours, there's always some way that you can improve your farm.  Not to mention the fact that a somewhat recent update (if you're like me and haven't played in awhile) added in the ability to randomly mix up the bundles required to rebuild the community center--a nice way to offer some variety for players who want to return to the game but have played through it a few times.

There's also some good news on the horizon for fans of Stardew Valley--Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone, the creator, announced that he's working on another game and released a short, early gameplay video.  The new game is called The Haunted Chocolatier and gives off some serious Stardew vibes.  Since I (and so many other people) adore Stardew, it's something to look forward to. 

Here's to wishing you a cozy, fall day playing your favorite comfy game!