Cozy Grove Reviews
Cozy Grove arrives as advertised-a smaller, more story-based Animal Crossing experience with its own charms and enjoyment. Though the tasks are also just as tedious at times, the fact that Cozy Grove holds back story entries through their daily cycle, rather than fish and bugs, tastes sour at times, even if the rest of what is on offer is a bountiful harvest. For those Animal Crossing fans out there looking for something close to what you've already experienced with New Horizons, this is the perfect drop-in-drop-out version of that experience and is definitely a must-try title, even with the hard feelings over how long it takes to really get to know that seagull-bear.
Cozy Grove is a wonderful, loveable, colorful take and the life-sim genre, with a huge amount to discover spread out over a long period of play.
Cozy Grove is great to look at, and only having to spend 20 minutes a day doing so doesn't make it feel like a chore. Gameplay can eventually feel repetitive, alas, such is the struggle with life sim games, and this one does it better than most.
Anyone that's played New Horizons will be familiar with the sorts of errands necessary to complete the spirits' tasks. Much of the time, the spirits have lost things that the player needs to find around the island. There's a lot of fishing, harvesting resources, and collecting items. These tasks can be finished within a half an hour or so most of the time, especially if I just have to do something like find a recipe book that's been stashed in a pile of leaves, but sometimes a task can require me to log in across multiple days. Say, for instance, I need to bring salt to the spirit baker on the island. That can only be purchased through Cozy Grove's shopkeeper, and I'll have to wait if it's not there on the day I need it.
My time with Cozy Grove has been very enjoyable despite some performance issues. Play sessions are short, sweet, and slightly structured, which really helps me feel like I’m allowed to enjoy the game at my own pace. Other games are hard to get back into if you let them sit for a while, but Cozy Grove will be waiting there to let you pick up right where you left off. The aesthetic of the entire game is right up my alley too, being slightly spooky with a dash of charm and humor, and I’m very glad it is releasing on Nintendo Switch.
Ghosts exist. They have unfinished business and need help. Fortunately for you, you’re a Spirit Scout. You’re trained to aid them and sent on assignments to get them to move on. Your latest assignment is the island of Cozy Grove. It’s dead there. Literally.
Cozy Grove offers a whimsical and heart-warming island-life adventure that has completely hooked me in over the last couple of weeks. There’s just something incredibly rewarding about helping out the island folk, whilst the short nature of the charming array of daily tasks ensures that it never feels like a big commitment – it’s just something you can jump into here and there to spring a smile on your face. Of course, there’s no doubting that the style of play won’t be for everyone, whilst the simplicity of the experience might make Cozy Grove harder for some players to invest themselves in when compared to the likes of Animal Crossing. Those who do dive into its wonderful hand-drawn world are in for a delightful little experience though, and one that I can see myself coming back to for quite some time.
Although I found the daily game time to be very short, I recognize that it is precisely because of this concept that Cozy Grove can be a good choice for those who do not have time to engage in complex and long games. The progression is gentle: it's possible to advance the campaign without having to spend many hours on the island. In the end, this game is recommended for those looking for something to relax their minds.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
For all its imperfections, Cozy Grove is enjoyable enough, even if it does start to get monotonous after a little while. Its limited daily playtime is suited better to a mobile device, but even on console there’s something nice about having somewhere to visit for a short while each day. There does need to be more to keep players occupied outside of a handful of quests, though. And performance is an issue that really needs to be addressed. Don’t expect a replacement for Animal Crossing, but Cozy Grove will raise a smile or two.
Cozy Grove presents island life sans crass Capitalistic Raccoon Overlords, and is a lovely experience through and through.
Cozy Grove is an adorable little time-waster, but depending on your play style, the level of commitment this game requires might not work for you. The core gameplay loop is fun for the most part but after playing for a couple of days every task feels the same as the last, making the whole experience fairly repetitive. The game offers a cute and relaxing experience for the right player and for anyone with an interest in life sim games like Animal Crossing or the Sims, I definitely recommend it. However, if you aren’t already a fan of this genre, Cozy Grove likely won’t change your opinion on it.
While bludgeoning or blowing away bad guys can always be good fun, everyone should have some time in their lives to slow things down...
Cozy Grove measures out its game sessions in snack-size portions, and its gorgeous artwork and genuinely laugh-worthy dialogue almost make up for its metered-out gameplay. Sadly, with a few technical issues on Switch, and the game's refusal to let players set the pace, it's one best played on a mobile device for now.
In summary, Cozy Grove is a great time to sink some time into. Its cheerful atmosphere will put a smile on your face, you’ll be able to make progress in the game at your own pace, and there are natural stopping points that remind you that it’s ok to take a break.
Cozy Grove is a nice and relaxing game - the only downside on Switch are the technical issues.
Review in German | Read full review
Cozy Grove entertains and manages to keep you playing for a long time, despite sometimes being heavy because of so many details. The multitude of possibilities gives the impression that there is always something new to be done, and the game in real time can motivate you to always come back the next day to continue the adventure. On the other hand, some may find that, for the same reason, it is a slow (or even repetitive) game.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Cozy Grove is a beautiful and relaxing game, but might be a little too repetitive for some people.
Cozy Grove is a life-sim game that takes a few pages from Animal Crossing while encouraging you to take some time to log off from the game. While the controls are finicky at best, it still provides for a comfortable experience.
If you’re looking for a very simple, very low-key game you can dabble in for a few minutes each day, then sure, Cozy Grove might be up your alley. Just don’t expect much depth or nuance in the way of gameplay here.
On top of that, the island is so cluttered with trees, rocks, and other objects that it can be difficult to see things on the ground. The game employs a clever visual technique where objects become transparent, allowing for a better view, but this only happens when you get close to said objects. As such, you'll find yourself stop-starting around the entire island when you're looking for specific bits and pieces. It's not a huge issue, but it does make the game feel finicky to play.