The best cozy games during a stressful Thanksgiving season

For many, video games are loud, violent, and competitive. But for some they are the opposite: quiet, soft, and low-stakes. Welcome to the world of cozy gaming. 

In our world of relentless headlines, many find solace in these comforting digital realms, where the gravest mistake you can make is forgetting to hit save. Following the election cycle, cozy gaming is “reassuring during turbulent times,” as one gamer said in a recent interview with The New Yorker. 

For those who need an escape postelection, or a time-out during the hectic Thanksgiving period, here is a round up of some of the coziest games that feel like a virtual hug. 

Stardew Valley

Starting with a certified classic, Stardew Valley sees your character leave the Big City to take care of the family farm. Sounds simple, but it’s so much more. A recent post on Threads pointed out, “Stardew Valley is a game that lets you live out your wildest fantasies like: – Making friends – Owning a home – Earning a living wage – Going outside.” 

Good Pizza, Great Pizza

Because who doesn’t love pizza? Craft the perfect pies to satisfy customer cravings while earning enough money to keep your pizzeria thriving. Fans of the game have even created a dedicated subreddit to showcase their shop designs, swap tips, and chat about the quirkiest orders.

Unpacking

Unpacking turns one of the most loathed tasks in real life, into an oddly satisfying online game. Described as a Zen puzzle game, the narrative-driven gameplay revolves around unpacking boxes and sorting their contents into a new home with a number of surprises along the way.

Vampire Therapist

In this game, the title pretty much says it all. As a vampiric therapist whose patients include—you guessed it—lots of vampires, you will the undead through their eternal woes with the power of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Help vampires confront centuries of emotional baggage and overcome bouts of existential self-loathing using actual CBT principles.

Kind Words

People can be unkind online, but not in this game. Kind Words is centered around writing anonymous letters to real people. There’s a small, square room with a shelf, bed, and a desk, where your avatar sits and writes while lo-fi beats play in the background. Players respond to shared worries, offer advice, and decorate their messages with customizable stationery and stickers. You can also request your own letters and receive responses in return. What could be more cozy than that?

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