A good cozy game can feel like a warm blanket on a cold, rainy day. Cozy games are relaxing, wholesome, beautiful—and usually a combination of all three. There are so many cozy games on Steam now that it can be hard to know where to start your laid-back gaming journey.
Plus, if you’re looking for a cozy experience that won’t break the bank, there are many wonderful options available on Steam for free. Whether you’re new to the genre or just looking for your next feel-good favorite while on a budget, these free cozy titles are the perfect place to start.
10
Doronko Wanko Lets You Make A Mess
Chaos In The Paws Of A Tiny Pomeranian
It’s hard to believe that this adorable free Steam game was created by Bandai Namco. In Doronko Wanko, you play as a fluffy Pomeranian up to some mischief. Roll around in mud, condiments, paint, and anything else you can get your cute little paws on. Then, shake the mess onto the walls and ceiling and every object in between.
Make bigger messes for more points (i.e., the price your unwitting family will have to pay to repair the damages), find adorable and useful hats, and simply engage in silly shenanigans.
9
Viridi Is Your Virtual Succulent Garden
Take Care Of Your Cacti
Viridi is an oldie but a goodie from 2015 that makes your tiny gardening dreams come true. It’s a calming free Steam game that lets you grow succulents in a pot. The plants continue to grow even when you’re offline, and while they can perish from over- and under-watering, they’re very forgiving.
Stop by to nurture your plants when you need a moment of peace, or leave the game on and watch your succulents grow. Additional seedlings are available for just a few cents in the in-game shop, or you can pick up a free seedling once a week.
8
Resonance of the Ocean Is A Musical Adventure
Make Music With Discarded Objects
Resonance of the Ocean is a beautiful short story created in collaboration between Image Labo and Heaviside Creations. Escape into the gorgeous hand-drawn artwork of this gentle puzzle game.
Explore a cozy island, where discarded items that wash up on shore and ambient sound effects like footsteps and waves can be used to create music.
This game has no save functoin since it’s meant to be enjoyed in a single sitting, but make sure you plug in your headphones for the duration of the 10-30 minute playthrough for the best experience.
7
Sky: Children Of The Light Is All About Cozy Exploration
The Spiritual Successor To Journey
Fans of Journey and Flower will be thrilled to know that thatgamecompany has another game with the same feel, and it’s completely free. Sky: Children of the Light is like a spiritual successor to Journey, featuring a similar aesthetic and an even bigger focus on community and cooperation.
Run and soar through stunning environments and interact with other players as you learn the history of your home world and fight back against the darkness.
6
Idle Fishing Is All About Relaxing And Catching Fish
Grow Your Fishing Empire One Cast At A Time
Just as the name suggests, Idle Fishing is an idle fishing game. Climb aboard your boat and head out to catch some fish in this relaxing free Steam game. Hire crewmates and make smart investments as your skills improve over time.
There’s a huge skill tree to explore, as well as over 800 achievements and many upgrades to improve your fishing game. The game plays out like a mobile idler, but with gorgeous backgrounds that change throughout the in-game day/night cycle.
5
A Park Full of Cats Is A Hidden Image Finder With Style
Part Of The Devcats Library Of Hidden Cats Games
Can you find all the cats exploring in the amusement park? Search for mischievous kitties in a highly detailed artwork full of little secrets to discover. Lose yourself in the meditative experience of the hidden object genre with this completely free title from Devcats.
A Park Full of Cats and the other free and extremely affordable titles from Devcats are some of the best hidden object games on Steam.
4
Alpaca Stacka Stacks Stuff On Alpacas
A Charming 3D Platformer About A Helpful Alpaca
Help Mama Hen find all her lost baby chickens in this charming free game created by Sebastian Baracaldo and Michelle Ma.
Assume the role of Paz the alpaca and explore an island in search of adorable round chicks. Stack them up on your back and carry them to rejoin their mother through some light platforming.
The bright colors and 3D stylings of Alpaca Stacka are reminiscent of the classic 3D platformer era, making this a nostalgic option for old-school gamers.
3
On Track Is A Relaxing Time Tracker
The Coziest Pomodoro Experience
If you struggle to stay focused, On Track will help you stay, well, on track with your to-do list. Use the free cozy game as an interactive Pomodoro timer, setting up tasks and choosing how long you’d like to focus on them.
Stay relaxed as you work or finish your to-do list by watching the beautiful scenery slowly rolling by through the window of a train. You can decide how fast or slow you want your train to move, whether there’s a day/night cycle, and the volume of the ambient sounds and lo-fi music.
2
Palia Is The Coziest MMO
Work Together To Gather Resources And Create The Perfect Home
Everyone is welcome in Palia, the cozy free MMO from Singularity 6. Join a wonderful community where collaboration is encouraged, and meet both other players and intriguing NPCs. Who knows, you might even spark up a romance!
There’s so much to do around this wholesome world. Collect resources, craft items and furniture, complete quests, explore the landscape, or decorate and design your own little corner of the land, both inside and out.
1
The Sims 4 Is An Infinite Sandbox
It’s Like Having A Virtual Dollhouse
The Sims 4 is like a sandbox version of a childhood dollhouse, allowing players to enjoy building homes and neighborhoods and sharing the stories of the people who live in them. Whether you want to follow intricate roleplay scenarios or just take it easy and design your dream house, you can do that here.
The Sims 4 has been going strong since 2014 with no intention of slowing down. While there are paid expansions, there are also frequent free updates and so much free content to explore.
It’s impossible to talk about free cozy games on Steam without mentioning The Sims 4. This free title from Maxis and EA is one of the most beloved cozy games, and it’s up to you how you want to play it.
