Cozy games are a burgeoning genre, one that has seen a number of critically acclaimed titles such as Dungeons of Hinterberg and Stardew Valley launch across the past few years. Fortunately, with each year, fans get their hands on more and more incredible cozy games that vary in of gameplay styles and visuals. It's amazing just how much variety that can be found within the cozy genre, but it really appeals to all kinds of players.

2024 was yet another great year for cozy games as it featured a number of unique titles from across a range of sub-genres. Luckily, for those sick of the farming sim genre, there are several cozy games without farming in 2024 that managed to quickly become some of the best games of the year. From action-adventure titles with a cozy vibe to laidback management sims, there are plenty of great cozy games in 2024.

10 Minami Lane (Doot, Blibloop, Zakku)

A Cozy Street Management Sim

Minami Lane is a wholesome street management sim in which players must meet the needs and desires of the street's inhabitants by customizing what shops sell and increasing its beautification score. Much of Minami Lane is spent watching as the tiny characters wander around talking about how they need a spa day or what book they've just bought.

However, for those who want a little more out of their cozy game, there's plenty of customization options and strategy needed to cater to all demographics. Older people will prefer more expensive and refined food whereas younger folks are happy with the cheap stuff. It's up to the player to balance both, often with just one storefront. Luckily, Minami Lane is never too overwhelming or confusing, settling nicely into a very cozy vibe that requires just the right amount of thought to be engaging.

9 Little Kitty, Big City (Double Dagger Studio)

One Of The Best Cat Simulators

Little Kitty, Big City is the perfect game to play over a weekend or even just on a cozy afternoon with a hot drink. It's not particularly long, only taking players around two hours, but the experience it offers is so heartwarming and fulfilling that it doesn't really matter. Little Kitty, Big City is by far the best cat simulator as it allows players to wander around a gorgeously detailed city catching birds, conversing with other cats, and finding crafty ways to deal with dogs.

The open world adds a lot to Little Kitty, Big City's gameplay loop, as there are plenty of secrets to find by genuinely acting like a cat. Finding convenient routes between rooftops or crawling across narrow strips in a way only a cat knows how are made fun by the game's enjoyable and fluid movement. With plenty of quirky characters to meet, a touch of dimensional travel, and lots of collectibles, Little Kitty, Big City is a great cozy game.

8 Fields Of Mistria (NPC Studio)

The Hit Farming/Life Sim Of The Year

Fields of Mistria launched into Early Access in 2024 and almost immediately became a sensation. It has managed to garner an Overwhelmingly Positive rating on Steam thanks to its thousands of reviews, and that's not just to do with its well-crafted romance options that are a lot of fun to get to know. Rather, Fields of Mistria just understands what makes the farming/life sim genre work and does it far better than most of the best titles in the genre.

Its gorgeous art style, simple controls and breadth of content currently available make it a compelling prospect for those who have been craving a farming/life sim with a twist. The addition of magic and a '80s anime aesthetic help Fields of Mistria stand out from the rest, as too does its cheap price tag. Fields of Mistria absolutely has the potential to become as big as even Stardew Valley, and that's great for cozy game fans.

7 Core Keeper (Pugstorm)

A Survival Sandbox Game Set In A Vast Cavern

Core Keeper is the next smash-hit survival sandbox experience that blends Minecraft and Terraria by giving players a plethora of ways to approach its multifaceted gameplay mechanics. Whether it's exploring the vast and varied cavern biomes that serve as the game's setting or establishing a base and mining the resources needed to fully automize it, Core Keeper will keep players busy for hours on end.

With the option to play with up to seven other people in online co-op, Core Keeper is also a great social experience, one in which people can fish, mine, fight, and relax together in houses they make. There are so many customization options, materials to gather, enemies to fight, and bosses to face, all of which serve to make Core Keeper a thoroughly compelling experience even after 100+ hours have ed.

6 Summerhouse (Friedemann)

A Cozy House Deg Game

Summerhouse is a small game in the best way possible as it doesn't try to overextend itself, but rather offers a well-crafted diorama experience that's as soothing to play as it is to look at. In Summerhouse, a game that costs about the same as a cup of coffee, players build little houses in picturesque environments such as by a mountainside lake or in a dense forest. There are plenty of items they can use to build these houses, from signs, foliage, windows, doors, decorative items, and so much more.

It's also possible to manipulate each item, including changing its height or bringing it forward or pushing it backwards, allowing players to create unique shapes that wouldn't otherwise be possible. With its gorgeous pixel art aesthetic and handful of unlockables, Summerhouse is the perfect cozy game to unwind to after a long day, especially for those who love putting together picturesque dioramas.

5 Caravan SandWitch (Plane Toast)

A Cozier Death Stranding

Caravan SandWitch is a far more involved cozy game than a lot of 2024's other options, but that doesn't make it any less relaxing. It sees players taking on the role of Sauge as she attempts to locate her sister who has gone missing in a post-apocalyptic world. However, this isn't like Fallout where everyone is dying, infected, or turned into a ghoul. Instead, Caravan SandWitch is a game without combat, death, or any violence, instead offering a hopeful sci-fi world full of kind characters who just need a helping hand.

Caravan SandWitch is a lovely, cozy indie game with a great score, excellent visuals, and lovely writing that culminates in a very cozy experience.

Players can drive around the beautifully designed world in the van solving puzzles, uncovering secrets, and completing quests for the residents of the densely packed hub world. This is very much a cozier version of Death Stranding, a game all about the journey, about exploring and helping others while slowly uncovering a mystery. Caravan SandWitch is a lovely, cozy indie game with a great score, excellent visuals, and lovely writing that culminates in a very cozy experience.

4 Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge (Humble Reeds)

A Game All About Looking After Cute Frogs

Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge is a critically acclaimed cozy frog game all about managing and protecting a wetland full of frogs. There are over 500 frogs in the game which players can unlock through breeding and finding them in their wetlands, all of which need to be fed and looked after. To do this, fans will need to collect insects and purchase furniture that the frogs can use to relax on.

Of course, in order to buy furniture, players will need to plant berries and other resources to then produce goods and sell them on the market. All of this and more is presented in a very easy-to-understand format, which is helped enormously by the game's phenomenal watercolor aesthetic. It makes Kamaeru: A Frog Refuge a pleasingly engrossing yet consistently cozy experience from start to finish that's perfect for management sim and frog fans alike.

3 Critter Cove (Gentleman Rat Studio LLC)

A Post-Apocalyptic Animal Crossing

Critter Cove, much like Fields of Mistria, launched into Early Access in 2024 and has since been captivating fans across the world with its apocalyptic Animal Crossing-esque gameplay. In Critter Cove, players need to help restore a once prosperous town to its former glory by upgrading its existing buildings, adding new stores, and creating a hospitable environment for prospective tourists. Of course, while all of this is going on, fans will need to befriend the local population and tend to their tourists' needs.

In order to afford all of these upgrades and see Critter Cove restored, players will need to venture out into the vast open world, uncover ruins, dive beneath the waters to locate hidden treasures, and so much more. There's a lot to discover in Critter Cove, a lot to customize, and a lot to busy oneself with, ensuring that, despite being in Early Access in 2024, it offers a genuinely fulfilling and feature-rich experience from start to finish.

2 Tiny Glade (Pounce Light)

A No-Stress Diorama Builder

Tiny Glade is a far more complex version of Summerhouse, giving players the tools to build entire villages, giant castles, or even locations from movies by using its easy-to-understand tools. It is really up to one's imagination when it comes to crafting beautiful dioramas in Tiny Glade, as the available tools can be used and manipulated to create practically anything. People have already begun creating some truly astonishing works of art within Tiny Glade, showcasing just how impressive it can be.

What makes Tiny Glade such a cozy experience is the -friendly experience that never feels overwhelming nor frustrating. Mistakes can easily be rectified, and it never makes the player feel like they're doing it wrong. Rather, Tiny Glade is all about unwinding, putting a podcast on in the background, and seeing what one can create. It's very easy to get completely immersed in Tiny Glade, which makes it the perfect cozy game for those who love creating things.

1 Dungeons Of Hinterberg (Microbird Games)

A Dungeon Crawler With Life Sim Elements

Much like Caravan SandWitch, Dungeons of Hinterberg is a more engaging cozy game. On a surface level, Dungeons of Hinterberg may not seem all that cozy as it revolves around venturing into dungeons and fighting bosses, solving puzzles, and unlocking new weapons and armor. However, it is all presented in a very lighthearted way, while still finding the space to discuss mature themes like finding one's place in life.

What makes Dungeons of Hinterberg so cozy is its life sim segments, which sees Luisa, the game's protagonist, interact with the people of Hinterberg and form meaningful friendships. It is also never too difficult, which helps to make it feel less overwhelming. Dungeons of Hinterberg is the perfect cozy game for those who still enjoy a little action while they're unwinding.

Source: Fields of Mistria/YouTube, Critter Cove/YouTube