4 Relaxing Games to Help You Get Cozy This Winter

1. Stardew Valley

By this point, nearly everyone and their mom knows about Stardew Valley. But if you're in the minority of people who don't, let me paint you a picture:

You play as a person working a dead-end corporate job. But one day, you receive the good news that you've inherited your grandfather's farm in the charming country village of Pelican Town. Your job is to fix up the farm, plant as many fruits and vegetables as you can, process them, and make profit. Sounds like a pretty standard farming sim, right? Well, yes and no. Creator ConcernedApe was inspired by the game Harvest Moon and wanted to take the best aspects from that game--but also pair it with mining, fishing, cooking, battling, crafting, and hobknobbing with locals.

It's insanely addicting, and ConcernedApe likes to stay in touch with players, so updates big and small happen all the time.

There are quests, in the game, but no real punishment for not completing them. There's no end goal and no pressure. You can move however fast or slow you like and enjoy some chill music and sweet country aesthetics. Stardew Valley is definitely an essential game for all.

2. Cozy Grove

A game very similar to Stardew Valley, except that it runs in real time...and takes its time. The game wants to make sure you aren't glued to your device all day, so certain quests can only be finished, or materials can only spawn--after you've left and return at a later time.

You play as a Spirit Scout who sets up camp at the nominal Cozy Grove. You meet a gaggle of friendly ghosts who have favors for you. Some of these can be crafting, baking, fishing...or even just fun little scavenger hunts! With each mission you complete, you add a light to the dark little island.

A particularly charming feature of Cozy Grove, is that the time reflected in the game, is whatever time it is when you open the game (If you open it in the morning, it is morning in the game; if you open it at night, it is night in the game) The quests are fun and there's no peril. Just relaxing music and treasure hunting.

3. Wingspan

Amateur and veteran ornithologists alike will find pleasure in this cute little card game. Though a little perplexing at first, once you get the hang of it, it's a very relaxing game. You collect birds and place them in habitats. Each bird provides different resources, so the idea is to strategically place your birds in habitats that will be the most beneficial to all of your birds.

It's hard to explain in writing, it really is a game you kind of need to try in order to "get." But once you get it, it's very seamless. Plus, you get to learn a little about different bird species, and appreciate some cool graphics. You can play against A.I or against real people. Either way, it's a non-confrontational multiplayer game experience. You're not there to fight, just take care of your birds.

4. Townscaper

A game with no goals, no pressure, and no punishment. Simply make a quaint seaside town. You can arrange buildings by color, create pictures from the townscape, or just click endlessly until your stress melts away.

The art for the buildings is very unique, and it gets weirdly addicting to watch as you continue to click and build your townscapes higher and higher. Some people like to just click around and build randomly. Other people like to make elaborate works of art out of their townscape. Something you will surely see from the game community when you purchase it on Steam.

Whether you're there to flex artistic muscles, or just to fidget for a bit; it's a cute, aesthetically pleasing little game.