Sometimes, cozy games manage to wrap up so perfectly that they feel entirely complete, with no loose ends or cliffhangers to speak of; other times, however, they leave you feeling desperate for just a little bit more.
Whether it’s a desire for more story or hesitation to leave yourcozy little worldbehind, many cozy games manage to leave lasting impressions that linger in our hearts long after the credits roll.
10 Cozy Games That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
When it comes to cozy games, sometimes retro is the way to go.
And while not every gameneedsa sequel, there are still quite a few that feel like they’d thrive with one, whether it’s to expand on their lore, revisit beloved characters, or simply give us new cozy spaces to curl up in and enjoy.
From tear-jerking stories told through generations to heartfelt tarot readings in space, this list highlights the best cozy games thatdeservea sequel, not because they felt incomplete, but because they built something so special that we’d love to see where their stories could go next.
Healing Generational Trauma
Venba is as cozy as it is emotional, with a story so deliciously engaging you’ll end up completing it in just an afternoon.
Venba serves up a rich, emotional tale about family, culture, and Tamil cooking, all in just under two hours. It’s short, sweet, andhits you right in the feels; it’s the type of game that sits heavy in your heart long after the last recipe has been made and the last word of dialogue has been spoken.
This game’s story follows the life of Venba, a South Indian immigrant living in Canada with her family. Her story is one of love, loss, and the tragedy of motherhood, but as heartbreakingly beautiful as her story is, the perspective changes to that of her son, Kavin, towards the end of the game.
It doesn’t last long, but those brief moments of playing as Kavin throw the entire story into a brand-new light, one that we would have never seen while playing as Venba. Though the game ends on a bittersweet note, it would be interesting to see where Kavin’s story goes next, which is where a well-placed sequel would come in.
A sequel to Venba could explore more of Kavin’s story, from where he ended up to previously unexplored moments in his past. It would be interesting to watch Venba’s story play out through the eyes of her son, and to see where his upbringing carried him later in life.
A sequel could also introduce delicious new recipes to the series, which I doubt anyone would argue with.
9The Red Strings Club
Cozy, Cyberpunk Bartending
The Red Strings Club
The second I finished The Red Strings Club, I wanted more. More story, more lore, more serving emotionally-charged cocktails to unsuspecting clients, more ofeverything. I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve replayed this, but I do know that I’ve been hungry for a sequel from the second its credits rolled across my screen.
The Red Strings Club is a quiet cyberpunk tale with a hell of a philosophical center, following the story of a bartender, a rogue hacker, and an empathy-driven android as they uncover a mega-corporation’s plan to “optimize” society by removing negative emotions from the whole of humanity.
Through mixing drinks, implant crafting, and tense, less-than-sober conversations, the game explores the messy nuances of humanity—grief, anxiety, ambition—and asks: if we could erase suffering entirely, should we? Does human suffering serve an integral purpose in society, or would we get along better without it?
The answer to that question can’t be solved through one game alone, no matter which of the game’s branching paths you end up in. The game itself ends on a bit of a bittersweet cliffhanger, and I know I speak for everyone when I say that I would give anything to see how the rest of the story unfolds.
Was the mega-corporation able to follow through with its plan? Was humanity better off after all, without negative emotions getting in its way? Was Donovan ever able to leave the bar?? There are so many questions that this game left unanswered, and a sequel would give us all the closure that we so desperately desire.
Reconnecting with Past Lives
Lake is the perfect mixture of nostalgia and cozy, slice-of-life adventure. It’s the kind of game that’ll make you want to call your parents and book a one-way ticket back to your hometown.
Set in the sleepy 1980s town of Providence Oaks, Lake follows the life of Meredith Weiss as she returns to her hometown to help cover her father’s mail route for a couple of weeks. What unfolds from there is a mellow, slice-of-life narrative filled with philosophical conversations, scenic drives, and the quiet thrill of living life at your own pace.
Whether you decide to rekindle old friendships, fall in love with a familiar face, or just enjoy the quiet rhythm of delivering packages in a town that used to be your home, this game will offer you a cozy experience like no other. The game also has multiple branching paths and endings, so your story is entirely yours to write.
While the game ends with a satisfying outcome regardless of the choices you make, it also feels like just the beginning. Lake is all about new beginnings and self-discovery; why should the story end just as you’re beginning to get it all figured out?
A sequel could catch up with Meredith (or even a new courier entirely) as the town, and consequently, her life, begins to evolve around her. It could pick up her story right where the first left off, or it could follow a story from a different perspective entirely, like that of her children, or even those of the people that she left behind in the first place.
More branching relationships, deeper community stories, and expanded delivery gameplay could make Lake 2 feel like coming home all over again.
7Unpacking
Unpacking All Your Baggage (Literally)
Moving in real life can be a stressful experience, but somehow, Unpacking makes it feel like a breeze. It’sthe perfect meditative experiencefor those who have trouble turning their brains off, or people who just like having something to unwind with after a long day of school or work.
Unpacking transforms the simple act of settling in into something quietly introspective. With no dialogue, no timers, and absolutely no pressure, it tells a deeply personal story through the objects that we carry from place to place, and what we choose to leave behind.
Though we never learn the name of the character we’re possessing, we can slowly piece her story together through the boxes she carries with her to each new home, whether it’s a dorm room, a tiny apartment, or a well-loved house. It’s touching, grounding, and somehow every bit as emotionally resonant as most dialogue-heavy narrative games.
A sequel to Unpacking’s quiet story doesn’t need to reinvent the formula—it just needs a new life to unpack. It could follow a different character entirely, like someone downsizing, starting fresh after graduation, or even moving between countries. Or we could even revisit the original protagonist in a new phase of life, such as parenthood, caregiving, or even loss.
There’s just something so universal in the act of unpacking, and a sequel could explore even more complex emotional terrains, all through the quiet storytelling of where and how we place our things. In the right hands, a few cardboard boxes can carry the weight of a lifetime—and we’re more than ready to unpack more.
6Assemble with Care
Some Assembly Required
Assemble with Care
We’ve all got at least a little bit of repairman in us, and Assemble with Care is the perfect way to satisfy that restoration itch.
Assemble with Care is a short but heartfelt narrative puzzle game where you get to play as Maria, a traveling antique restorer who arrives in the quiet town of Bellariva.
Every day, you’ll accept new orders from various townspeople, taking apart and repairing their treasured belongings while unraveling the stories of their lives and how they connect with each other.
Every object that arrives on your doorstep comes with a story, and it’s your job to figure out what it is and help make it complete. With every story uncovered, and simple repairs made, you’ll come one step closer to finally bringing the people of Bellariva together.
It’s a short and beautifully compact experience, but it also leaves you hoping Maria’s journey doesn’t just end in Bellariva. As a traveling repairman, Maria’s journey has a lot of potential, especially with new locations and new towns to help stitch back together.
A sequel could see her traveling to new towns (or even cities) with new people, new objects, and new emotional knots to untangle. There’s just so much more room for storytelling in the simple act of repairing antiques—more cultures, more memories, and more stories to piece together, one loose screw at a time.
5Bear and Breakfast
AirBearBnB
Bear and Breakfast
Running a cozy B&B in the forest would sound like a dream come true for anyone, but running one as a grizzly bear? It doesn’t get much better than that. Bear and Breakfast is a charming management sim where you get to play as Hank, a friendly bear who decides to open a bed and breakfast in the woods.
You’ll have to fix up run-down cabins, decorate rooms to match guests' preferences,cook (moderately) delicious meals, and slowly turn your forest hideaway into a five-star retreat, all in the name of bringing the forest back to its former glory.
It’s light on stress, big on charm, and filled to the brim with quirky characters that make every newly-discovered area feel like a brand-new adventure. There’s a surprisingly solid story tucked in there, too, but what really makes the game stand out is the satisfaction of saving an entire forest with nothing but a dream and your own two paws.
A sequel to Bear and Breakfast could easily run with that idea—maybe Hank could expand to new locations, add more hands-on gameplay like fishing or farming, or even add a co-op feature to share the experience with friends (orfinallyadd a selling feature).
Additionally, I think we can all agree that Bear and Breakfast left us with more questions than answers. Sure, we know the vague backstory of the forest, the old buildings, and why it’s all dilapidated, but I would love to be able to get a clearer picture of what all went down.
The only person who knows what really happened is Barbara, the old woman who guides you throughout the game; even if it was a prequel that expanded further upon her story and what really happened to the forest, I think a sequel would really deepen the story and its impact on the game’s world as a whole.
While Bear and Breakfast’s gameplay feels like a well-rounded experience, there’s a lot of potential to be had in a sequel, and I know anyone would be happy to see where entrepreneurship takes Hank and his friends next.
10 Best Cozy Games With Extensive End-Game Content
While many cozy games have an endless loop for certain game features, these are the best cozy games with actual, extensive, endgame content.
4A Short Hike
The Definition of Short but Sweet
A Short Hike
This game is the definition of tiny but mighty; it can be completed in just a few hours, but the mark it leaves on your soul is one that you’ll carry around for a lifetime.
A Short Hike is likea therapy session in a video game, perfect for those in need of a soothing meditative experience to calm their racing minds. This game is exactly what its title promises: a short, peaceful journey through the wilderness that somehow feels like so much more.
You play as Claire, a bird visiting a charming island park while waiting for a phone call.
The only place on the island with phone reception is Hawk Peak Summit, which will take a pretty hefty trek to get to. Thankfully, you’re not in much of a hurry; to pass the time, you hike, glide, climb, fish, and chat with the locals—each activity revealing a little more of the island and a little more of Claire herself.
It’s short, yes, but packed with warmth, personality, and that quiet magic that only games like this can pull off. It’s also the kind of experience that leaves you wishing there were just a bit more—more time to explore the island, more of Claire’s backstory, more information about the park and the island itself, just more ofeverything.
A sequel wouldn’t necessarily need to be bigger, just different. It could continue the story of Claire and the familiar island park that we’ve all grown to know and love, or it could even take place in another park, following a new character with their own reasons for wandering. Honestly, I don’t think anyone would complain either way.
A sequel could introduce new characters, new trails, and maybe a few emotional surprises could all fit into a similarly small-but-mighty package. Because if A Short Hike has taught us anything, it’s that sometimes, the best journeys don’t need to be long to stick with you.
3Spiritfarer
Ferrying Souls to the Afterlife (Cozily)
Spiritfarer
You wouldn’t expect a management sim about dying to be cozy, but that’s exactly what Spiritfarer delivers.
Spiritfarer is one of those rare cozy games that manages to break your heart in the softest, gentlest way possible. You play as Stella, a kind-hearted ferry master who helps spirits come to terms with their lives before guiding them into the afterlife.
Between emotional journeys and heartfelt goodbyes, you’ll upgrade your boat, farm, cook, fish, and care for your passengers, forming real bonds with each one. It’s a game about death, yes, but it’s also about love, legacy, and the quiet comfort of finally letting go.
It’s the kind of game that would bring tears to the eyes of any gaming veteran, and an experience that anyone would want more of. While it’s undeniable that Spiritfarer tells a powerful story about fulfillment, there’s stillso much roomfor a follow-up. After all, death never stops, and someone’s always got to be around to help ease the ache.
A sequel could introduce a new ferry master in a different part of the spirit world, possibly dealing with new types of spirits or new cultural perspectives on grief and remembrance. More management depth, more ways to connect with your passengers, and more personalized endings could make a sequel just as unforgettable as the original.
The first game was a loving farewell, but a second could just as easily be a warm welcome—and we’d all be happy to set sail again.
2The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood
Write the World a New Ending
The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood
It would be an understatement to say that I’m obsessed with The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood and everything its world has to offer. I could play this game a million times and still never get enough of it; a sequel would literally feel like a dream come true.
The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood is a narrative-rich, interactive fiction game about fate, identity, and carving meaning from uncertainty, all through the foggy lens of a banished witch living in exile on an asteroid.
As Fortuna, a mythical tarot-reading witch, you get to craft your own divination deck, commune with other witches, and shape the future through the choices you make. The gameplay is mostly dialogue-driven, but deeply personal, with themes of quiet rebellion, self-discovery, and unexpected community woven into every card you draw.
It’s a cozy experience in its own strange, otherworldly way—philosophical, introspective, and filled to the brim with endless choices and combinations. And while the story wraps up with its own satisfying finality, there’s an entire cosmic coven out there still unexplored; I, like many others, still have so many unanswered questions about this game and the world it holds.
Why can only women become witches when they die? What great calamity made the establishment of the Arbiters necessary? Why were Behemoths banished, and by whom? Who the heck is Gloria??? I will literally be haunted by these questions until the end of time, or, at least, until a sequel gets released.
Though I would love a continuation of Fortuna’s story, I think that a sequel delving into the unique history of her world would also be incredibly interesting. For example, the game mentions multiple times that all witches are intrinsically tied to Gloria, a mysterious being said to be the first witch; a game following her story and the creation of their world would be an amazing expansion to the original game.
There’s something so uniquely special about games that trust you to make your own meaning, and if there’s anything that The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood taught us, it’s that there’s always plenty more magic left in the stars.
10 Best Cozy Games With RPG Elements
Cozy questlines and cheerful adventures!
1Stardew Valley
The Gold Standard of Cozy
Stardew Valley
Few cozy games have managed to gain as much notoriety as Stardew Valley. Having been translated into over a dozen different languages and having hundreds of thousands of players worldwide, it’s safe to say that Stardew Valley has its fair share of fans. Many of whom would give just about anything for a sequel to their favorite game.
Stardew Valley serves as a solid blueprint for many modern cozy games. It’s where many of us first learned the joys of planting crops, wooing villagers, exploring pixelated caves, and turning an overgrown patch of land into a thriving, peaceful home.
It’s not just a farming sim—it’s a life sim, one where players find comfort in routines, connection in conversations, andpride in slow but steady progress. Even after so many years, nearly a decade since its release, many of us still return to Pelican Town time and time again, like we’re coming home every time.
Stardew Valley is easily one of the most influential cozy games in the genre, but even the most beloved titles could use a little expansion. A sequel could explore new settings, like a coastal island town, a snowy mountain village, or even a traveling farmstead. It could build upon the relationships and seasonal rhythms we already know and love while giving players fresh challenges, new neighbors, and even more ways to shape their story.
More nuanced relationship mechanics, greater variety in town events, or even generational storytelling (raising a family, passing the farm down) could breathe new life into the format. After so many years and updates, it’s clear that Stardew Valley has staying power, but there’s just something so exciting about starting fresh in a new place, with new possibilities, and that same cozy charm at its core.
Stardew Valley already gave us something special. A sequel wouldn’t need to reinvent the wheel—just give it another spin.
