This is one of the coziest games I’ve ever played! I had such a great time tending to my world in Garden Ink. If you are looking for a game to relax and slow down to enjoy the moment, this is definitely the game for you! With its peaceful atmosphere and zero grind, Garden Ink is the perfect game to play when feeling overwhelmed or when you need to take a small break and turn off your brain for a moment. Immerse yourself in the cozy world of Garden Ink and simply tend to your garden and make it grow. Make sure to check Garden Ink out on Steam and share how your garden looks!
I love how everything comes together in the world of Small Saga, from complex characters who discuss the morality of an empire, to the fascinating soundtrack and in-game dialogues mixing formal medieval writing and contemporary humor slang. Small Saga delivered all these elements just fine. Small Saga also widens your perspective and reminds you that humans are not the only species living in this world. We are sharing our place in it, and our actions also impact other living beings in ways we don’t even stop to think about at times. I’m such a sucker for narrative-driven games, where you’re in the front-row seat watching the main characters’ growth process in real time. Small Saga is sure an emotional roller coaster. It is a short game with no grinding whatsoever; you’re just free to explore and battle the titans that appear on your path. If you’re someone who is nostalgic for older RPGs, or simply want to try a smaller and newer RPG game, Small Saga definitely scratches that itch. Be sure to check it out on the Nintendo Store or on Steam. On the Steam page, you can also get the soundtrack (which I highly recommend!) and the Travel Guide, an illustrated digital companion book to Small Saga.
Pigeon: A Love Story is a really cute and unique game, and it reminds you that when you stress over something, the farther you feel from that thing. Whereas when you relax and let life unfold… you find what you’re actually looking for. There’s so much room for the game to grow. I’d love to see more cities added, even if they’re small ones and not as well-known as the capital cities. If you love bird watching or are curious about what it would be like to wander through a city from above, definitely check Pigeon: A Love Story! You can even play on the go, as it is also available on mobile and on the Steam Deck.
Spiritstead is such a lovely combination of a cozy and engaging city builder without overcomplicating itself and overwhelming you with tasks. In a lot of city builders, I get this pressure to maximize natural resources in order to expand as much as I can. However, it is worth noting that Spiritstead’s goal of restoring harmony to the world takes that pressure away. There are tasks where you work alongside spirits and wildlife that serve as a reminder to take care of nature and our world in order to build a peaceful place to live in. With Miyazaki’s inspired art style and the developers’ sense of humor, this game is unique on its own. I can’t wait to complete all the achievements and see how Spiritstead evolves. I’m hoping we get more spirits and more biomes to explore, as I’d love to stay longer in this world.
Sometimes we are too mentally exhausted, and we just need a cozy game that brings us peace and doesn’t ask too much of us. Meow Moments: Celebrating Frost & Flora is the perfect game for that. With zero pressure, easy gameplay, and a great hint system, I felt drawn to its world without being overwhelmed. Meow Moments is the cutest, coziest Where’s Waldo-type game. It even features such variety in its characters, including animals and humans of all colors and with disabilities. That small detail made the game even more enjoyable. If you’re looking for a peaceful finding objects game that won’t take up a lot of mental space, be sure to check Meow Moments: Celebrating Frost & Flora on the Nintendo Store.
For me, video games are a form of art, and Worlds Upon The Wind is literal proof of that. When a game is made with such passion, you can see it in the final product. It feels like a love letter to Japanese culture in so many ways. From its unique art style, showcasing ancient picture scrolls and Japanese woodblock prints, to its gentle, serene music. It is a peaceful blend of deckbuilding, strategy, and relaxing gameplay. The game itself is art, and you feel you’re inside one ancient Japanese original painting from the main menu. Since I had a couple of questions while playing the game, I joined the Discord. I was followed by quick replies from other gamers and the game dev, and I even got some insights into the game art and how it was created. This is why I love indie games. The closeness you have with developers and the ways they go above and beyond for people to enjoy their games. Worlds Upon The Wind reminds me to get out of my comfort zone every now and then. You never know when you might find a rare gem that will change your perspective. It definitely gave me that itch to try more deck-building games from now on.