The Best Cozy Simulation Games for Relaxing Evenings

For players seeking peaceful, soothing experiences, these games offer relaxing escapes from daily stress. With an emphasis on slow-paced gameplay, creativity, and gentle challenges, each title invites players into a world where they can unwind and focus on enjoyable, meditative tasks.

Whether it’s exploring the ocean’s mysteries, arranging cozy spaces, building a lawn care empire, or designing fashionable outfits, these games create a calming atmosphere perfect for unwinding before bed. Dive into these relaxing titles to de-stress and discover the simple pleasure of low-stakes gaming in a variety of imaginative settings.

1 ABZU

Explore The Deep, Blue Sea

A lovely game from the creators of Journey, ABZU has players exploring the ocean and its majestic creatures as a diver, emphasizing freedom of movement and allowing players to create their own relaxing adventure beneath the sea.

There’s no dialogue, and while it has some semi-tense moments, there’s nothing that could truly shake the player out of a dreamy state before bed. The score by Austin Wintory is ethereal and lush, and provides the perfect backdrop to this underwater adventure.

2 Unpacking

Organizing The Heart

This game simulates the simple pleasure of rediscovering possessions and their memories as you unpack after a move. Free of any truly emotionally charged personal items for the player, Unpacking tells a story in belongings, with no characters or dialogue to speak of.

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Items can be arranged to the liking of the player as calming music plays in the background. Due to the myriad of ways the items can be placed after their unboxing, this game has a high replay value for those wishing to bring some organization to their thoughts.

3 PowerWash Simulator

Make It Sparkle

Perhaps quite self-explanatory, this game employs players as a power washer who is starting their own business which requires building from the ground up. The meditative nature of this repetitive task induces a type of dreamlike state wherein anxious thoughts are allowed to be carried away like dirt by pressurized water.

Truly fastidious power washers can invest in different soaps, machines, nozzles, and various accoutrements to aid in reaching every nook and cranny. The sparkling finish that results from hard work is a reward in itself.

4 Lawn Mowing Simulator

Grab The Scissors

Yet another simple concept that shines with its winning execution, Lawnmower Sim takes lawn care to previously uncharted territory by allowing players to try their hand at manual labor without the sweat or bugs that would usually plague the job.

Players can hop aboard an authentic rideable mower of their choice, select the grass height, and let dreams of the British countryside overtake them as they manage their lawn mowing business in this meditative instant classic of the simulation genre.

5 Supermarket Simulator

Buy And Leave

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Released

February 20, 2024

Developer(s)

Nokta Games

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Perhaps in reality, running one’s own business is a frantic endeavor, wrought with the stress of failure in the face of insolvency. Not so in Supermarket Simulator, where players can take their mom-and-pop shop to the top, or as far as they’re willing to go.

Players can ensure the happiness of customers without verbal abuse as they perform menial tasks in a loving and thoughtful manner. There are many like it, but this supermarket belongs to the player.

6 Fashion Dreamer

A Dress-Up Darling

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Released

2023-00-00

Developer(s)

Marvelous

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Rejoice, divas. Personal style has never been easier to express than in this fashion simulator game, in which players can design the clothes of their dreams, build their brand, and become fashion influencers.

Best played in short chunks to get that dress-up fix, players can sift through thousands of hand-designed garments to create gorgeous outfits for NPCs and then share them with other like-minded fashionistas. It lacks a story, but this may be just what players need to unwind in the evening hours.

7 Cozy Grove

Isle Of Ghostly Delights

Cozy Grove allows players to inhabit a ghostly island full of cute, neighborly bears as a Spirit Scout who helps the dead in exchange for Spirit Logs that feed their campfires.

Tied to real-time, it offers an unhurried experience that doesn’t need to go on forever or at max efficiency, allowing players to slow down and really appreciate the important things in life. Like any respectable life sim, it offers the standard fishing, crafting, farming, baking, decorating, and, of course, fetch quests.

8 Slime Rancher

Bubbly Buddies

Leisurely and sweet, Slime Rancher allows players to enter a fugue state of Slime care in an unrushed manner. Explore the wilds of the Far, Far Range to capture new and exciting types of colorful slime who would love nothing more than to be contained by an experienced rancher who loves them above all else.

The Slimes only escape because they need a hug, obviously. As players uncover secrets and amass their fortune, this game will win hearts with its charming story told in letters and endearing characters.

9 Tiny Glade

Dream It, Do It

Tiny Glade

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Released

September 23, 2024

Developer(s)

Pounce Light

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Tiny Glade is a diorama maker that takes the stress out of building games by essentially being a creative mode where players can make anything they like, no strings attached.

Forget managing resources, making stressful deadlines, or any other goal at all, and just create the whimsical castle or cottage of your dreams. Unlike terraforming in Animal Crossing, there are no grids to thwart players’ carefully laid plans and undo hours of work simply because things don’t line up properly.

10 Mineko’s Night Market

For The Cat Lover

A love letter to Japanese culture and feline fascination, Mineko’s Night Market lets players experience village life while befriending cats and exploring a magical, bustling marketplace. As Mineko, players complete tasks, craft whimsical items, and interact with quirky villagers to prepare for the weekly night market.

Despite its simplicity, the game offers rich world-building and satisfying progression that rewards curiosity and creativity. With colorful visuals and a heartwarming story of community, this social simulation game maintains a relaxed pace, encouraging players to discover joy in small, endearing details and adorable furry friends.

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