cozy game Archives

AppWizard

January 16, 2026

Heartopia (PC) Review

Heartopia is a life-simulation game that blends cozy simulation elements with MMO features, allowing players to cultivate a town and interact with locals. However, the MMO aspects dilute the individuality typically found in cozy games, as multiple players receive the same accolades for completing quests. Gameplay involves repetitive fetch quests to unlock activities like home decoration and fishing, which can feel tedious. The game features a community aspect, but players may find their neighbors' homes replaced or their own home relocated between sessions, undermining familiarity. Character design is uninspired, and the user interface resembles a mobile game, lacking polish. As a free-to-play title, it includes multiple currencies that create confusion, with microtransactions for premium items. Despite these issues, the game offers engaging home-building mechanics and unique hobbies like Birdwatching and Pet Care. Overall, Heartopia struggles to effectively merge MMO elements with cozy simulation, making it a less appealing option compared to established titles like Animal Crossing.

AppWizard

December 20, 2025

My top 12 handheld games I played in 2025 — Indies and AAA titles I recommend for Steam Deck, Xbox Ally X, Legion Go 2, and more

- Little Kitty, Big City: A whimsical game where players navigate city streets as a cat, runs well on handhelds and is Steam Deck verified. - Amber Isle: A cozy game allowing players to create a dinosaur character and craft, marked as Playable for Steam Deck, though some text is small. - Kingdom of Night: An engaging game with 80s-inspired pixel art and combat, set in Miami, Arizona, Steam Deck verified. - PowerWash Simulator: An addictive game about cleaning surfaces, Steam Deck verified. - The Plucky Squire: A game where players leap from book pages into the real world, runs beautifully on Steam Deck and is Steam Deck verified. - My Little Puppy: A heartfelt game about a dog searching for its owner in the afterlife, Steam Deck verified. - Blue Prince: A roguelike puzzle game set in a mansion, marked as Playable for Steam Deck, though some text can be hard to read. - Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo: An adventure puzzle game featuring a snake assisting souls, Steam Deck verified. - Baldur's Gate 3: Acclaimed as 2023's Game of the Year, runs beautifully on handheld devices and is Steam Deck verified. - Dave the Diver: A game combining underwater exploration with sushi restaurant management, Steam Deck verified. - Minecraft: Runs well on handhelds with adjustments, but is not Steam Deck verified. - Immortals Fenyx Rising: An open-world RPG inspired by The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, marked as Playable on Steam Deck. - Horizon Zero Dawn: A favorite game with a captivating story, Steam Deck verified. - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: An award-winning game with improved performance after an update, Steam Deck verified. - Xbox Game Pass: Offers a vast library of titles perfect for handhelds.

AppWizard

December 10, 2025

Stardew Valley-inspired cozy game gets its first ever battle pass, but it’s the best system I’ve seen yet

Palia's Winter's Wonder update introduces a variety of holiday-themed content, including the Winterlights quest that rewards players with themed ornaments and items. The Zeki's Winterfest Challenge returns, featuring a treasure hunt for hidden chests containing snowy decorations. The furniture tint system has been revamped, allowing players to customize item colors with six new craftable tint palettes. A new Home Line, the Estate, inspired by the Mayor's manor, has been added, featuring a grand windmill. The update also introduces the Lunar Path, a battle pass-style progression system with no expiration dates on items, offering both free and premium tracks for progression through missions and daily quests. The Winter's Wonder pass includes a theme around Kitsuu creatures, providing players with a free Ancient Kitsuu t-shirt and various cosmetics. The update is currently live, with additional content such as earnable hairstyles and growable snowmen.

AppWizard

October 23, 2025

Epic Games Store PC Weekly Free Games 23/10/2025

Fear the Spotlight is available for free on the Epic Games Store from 4 PM BST on October 23, 2025, until 4 PM BST on October 30, 2025. It is published by Blumhouse Games and developed by Cozy Game Pals. The game is a third-person horror adventure featuring protagonists Vivian and Amy as they navigate their school after hours, facing a séance that takes a sinister turn and solving puzzles while avoiding a threatening spotlight.

AppWizard

October 22, 2025

2025’s most underrated DnD-style adventure just got a huge new update, and if you loved Baldur’s Gate 3 you really need to try it

Sunderfolk is a four-player, turn-based RPG inspired by Dungeons and Dragons, where players control their heroes using mobile devices. The latest 1.5 update introduces a One Shot mode with four new missions, allowing players to select specific story missions and compete for high scores. The update also includes systemic changes, such as the closure of the tavern, a new gear arrangement system, and quality-of-life improvements like customizable combat colors. Players can try Sunderfolk for free on Steam, and only one person needs to own the game for others to join.

AppWizard

September 14, 2025

New Pokémon Game Inspired by Minecraft Revealed

This year, Pokémon enthusiasts are excited about the upcoming releases of Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Pokemon Champions, and Pokemon Friends. A new spinoff game titled Pokemon Pokopia has been announced, featuring the protagonist Ditto transformed into a human. In this farming simulation-style game, players will craft their own universe in a vibrant landscape, cultivate plants, customize terrain, and build homes for Pokémon. The game will include a crafting bench and various wild Pokémon to befriend. Pokemon Pokopia is set to be released on the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026, although specific release dates and pricing details have not yet been revealed.

AppWizard

September 9, 2025

The 7 Best Cozy Games For PC To Enjoy In 2025

Seven free-to-play PC games are recommended for cozy nights during the autumn and winter seasons: 1. Raid: Shadow Legends - Year Released: 2018 - Awards: Pocket Gamer Mobile Games Awards (Best RPG Finalist) - Reviews/Rating: 4.5/5 average rating - Key Features: Turn-based strategy, beautiful fantasy artwork, over 500 champions - Fun Fact: Many players use it for evening relaxation due to its strategic yet stress-free gameplay. 2. Sky: Children of the Light - Year Released: 2019 - Awards: Apple Design Awards - Reviews/Rating: 4.6/5 average rating - Key Features: Free-to-play exploration, social gameplay, relaxing flight mechanics - Fun Fact: Designed to evoke warmth and connection, making it popular in colder months. 3. Palia - Year Released: 2023 - Awards: Recognized as a relaxing MMO - Reviews/Rating: 4.3/5 average rating - Key Features: Life simulation, community-focused, beautiful art style - Fun Fact: Created as an “anti-stress” MMO focusing on relaxation and community. 4. Fishing Planet - Year Released: 2015 - Awards: Recognized for realism in fishing simulation - Reviews/Rating: 4.2/5 average rating - Key Features: Realistic fishing simulation, serene environments, meditative gameplay - Fun Fact: Used by players as a form of digital meditation. 5. Virtual Cottage - Year Released: 2021 - Awards: Community favorite for cozy productivity - Reviews/Rating: 4.5/5 average rating - Key Features: Ambient environment, productivity tools, soothing sounds - Fun Fact: Popular during cold months for creating a cozy atmosphere for work and relaxation. 6. Sudoku - Year Released: Early 2000s (digital versions) - Awards: Recognized as a relaxing puzzle format - Reviews/Rating: 4.4/5 average rating - Key Features: Classic gameplay, no time pressure, beautiful themed versions - Fun Fact: Commonly used as a bedtime routine game for gentle mental engagement. 7. What Never Was - Year Released: 2020 - Awards: Community recognition for storytelling - Reviews/Rating: 4.3/5 average rating - Key Features: Short adventure, hand-drawn art style, gentle puzzles - Fun Fact: Designed to evoke nostalgia and warmth, popular in colder months.

AppWizard

September 4, 2025

September is absolutely stacked with city builders: here’s 8 releasing this month

A wave of innovative city-building games is set to release in September, featuring eight titles. Two games are currently available: 1. Autarkis - A puzzler where players build futuristic settlements and navigate challenges while searching for spaceship components. 2. Anno 117: Pax Romana Demo - A demo available until September 16, allowing players to explore sandbox mode and initial population tiers. Upcoming games include: - Fata Deum (September 14) - Players act as a deity guiding followers to harvest resources and build temples. - Town to City (September 16) - A voxel-based game where players expand their town into a city. - Pompeii: The Legacy (September 16) - Players work to resurrect Pompeii and engage in political maneuvering. - Mars Attracts (September 16) - Players build a theme park-like city on Mars for extraterrestrial visitors. Future titles include: - Super Fantasy Kingdom (Q3 2025) - A mix of exploration, kingdom management, and combat. - Meadowside Mayor (September 2025) - A puzzle-building game with an isometric aesthetic. Additional upcoming games beyond September include: - Beyond These Stars (2025) - Build a city on a cosmic whale. - Tropico 7 (2026) - The latest installment in the Tropico series. - Sintopia (2026) - Manage a city in Hell. - Surviving Mars Relaunched (TBA) - A remaster of the 2018 strategy builder. - DarkSwitch (TBA) - A vertical builder in a fantasy realm. - Crowded (TBA) - Design a town for birds. - Life Below (TBA) - Create an underwater city focused on sustainability.

AppWizard

May 28, 2025

Trash Goblin (PC) Review

Trash Goblin is a game where players take on the role of a goblin managing a shop that resells items salvaged from refuse. The narrative is minimalist, focusing on acquiring, refurbishing, and selling items, with charming interactions with humans and fantastical beings. The gameplay includes a block puzzle mechanic for item discovery and a "clock" system that limits players to six actions per in-game day, which disrupts the cozy atmosphere. There are no penalties for not fulfilling customer requests, raising questions about the purpose of customer interactions. While players can upgrade tools and expand storage, the lack of meaningful management elements diminishes the incentive to continue playing. The developers have a clear vision for the game, but its mechanics do not fully support a satisfying cozy simulation experience. Suggestions for improvement include removing the clock system and reimagining customer interactions.

AppWizard

April 2, 2025

Disney, Jagex, Codemasters vets found new publisher The CoLab

Three professionals from the UK gaming industry, Darren Newnham, Mark Faulkner, and John Lewis, have launched an indie publishing house called The CoLab. They have experience from companies such as United Label, Fnatic, Disney Interactive, Jagex, PlayFusion, Bossa, Codemasters, and Criterion. The CoLab has three projects in development: a cozy game called Campfire, a cyberpunk shooter named DeadWire, and a strategy game titled Counter Clash. The company has partnered with the charity Safe in Our World to support mental wellbeing in the gaming industry. The CoLab aims to support indie developers during challenging times in the sector, advocating for cooperation and collaboration while addressing issues like mass redundancies and the prioritization of shareholder value over gamers' needs. Their vision includes uniting game creators, sharing resources, and fostering a supportive environment for developers.