Even after a year that saw the release of theStardew Valley1.6 update and new, innovative titles likeInfinity Nikki, there are still so many incredible cozy games on the horizon. Although the life sim genre has existed for a long time, it was only in the past few years that cozy gaming really took off. Characterized by a generally slow pace, colorful visuals, and a feel-good atmosphere, cozy games have provided a much-needed mood boost to players of all ages.
And even though it’s been going on for a while,the cozy gaming trend is still going strong. There are a multitude of cozy games due to be released in 2025 and beyond. From highly-anticipated major releases to lesser-knowngames likeFields of Mistria, it seems like new cozy games are coming out every week.Here are ten of the most exciting cozy game releases scheduled for the next year.
10Sunkissed City Promises Cozy Seaside Living
Mr. Podunkian, Q4 2025
If something aboutSunkissed City’s art style and gameplay looks familiar, there’s a perfectly good reason for that:it’s currently in development by formerStardew Valleydev Arthur “Mr. Podunkian” Lee.Sunkissed Citywill transport players to Apollo City, a colorful, seaside metropolis with a little more hustle and bustle than Pelican Town. It seems to play quite a bit likeStardew Valley: there’s farming, fishing, and friendship, albeit with all new flora, fauna, and friends.
Players can craft artisan goods, get to know their neighbors, and decorate their homes as they attempt to return Apollo City to its former glory. For anyone who wishes there was aStardewsequel, orjust can’t wait forHaunted Chocolatier,Sunkissed Cityis one to watch out for. It’s currently targeting a PC release in Q4 of 2025 (although nothing’s confirmed yet), and can be wishlisted on Steam today. No word on other platforms yet.
9Wanderstop Is A Genre-Defying Cozy Game By The Stanley Parable Creator
Wanderstoplooks like a fairly average cozy game on the surface, but there’s a little more going on beneath it. It stars Alta, a retired warrior who comes, reluctantly, to own a secluded tea shop within a magical forest. She’ll have to gather her own ingredients, process them into tea, stock the shop, and keep everything clean as she gets to know the locals. In time, Alta begins to come to terms with her trauma and appreciate the joys of the slow life as she realizes thatthere’s more to healing than undeterred progress.
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And speaking of games with a pedigree,Wanderstophas an impressive one. It’s being developed by Ivy Road,with a team that consists ofThe Stanley Parablecreator Davey Wreden,Gone Homeco-creator Karla Zimonja, andMinecraftcomposer C418. It’s expected to be released on August 18, 2025, and will be available on both PC and PS5 at launch.
8Tales Of Seikyu Is A Transformational Farming Sim Set Amid A World Of Yokai
Ace Entertainment, TBA 2025
Tales of Seikyuis a pretty typical cozy game set in a fantastical version of Edo-period Japan, with one unique twist:players will transform into a variety of different yokai(or mythological creatures) to complete their daily tasks. They might take on the form of a boar in order to plow a field, and then a slime to water it. Yokai transformations can also be used for exploration: players can run, swim, or fly more quickly when in certain forms.
Mechanically,Tales of Seikyufeatures all the cozy game staples: farming, fishing, cooking, and gathering. Players can forge relationships, and eventually romances, with their neighbors. But more uniquely,Tales of Seikyualso features action combat against towering bosses. Funded by a Kickstarter earlier this year, it’s targeting a 2025 release - no specific date yet - and appears to be PC-exclusive for the time being.
7Loftia Is A Futuristic Life Sim Set On Islands In The Sky
Qloud Games, Early Access Begins Late 2025
Want something a little more modern? Then check outLoftiain 2025. This cozy game, self-described as “solarpunk,” isset on an archipelago of interconnected,Zelda-style floating islandsin the sky. InLoftia, players aren’t just tasked with making a ton of money and beautifying their property; they’re encouraged to build a sustainable future, becoming self-sufficient as they craft useful items with renewable, recyclable materials they harvested themselves.
It’ll also have a multiplayer mode, so players can work together with their friends. They can also select from a diverse menu of helpful pets, including dogs, cats, turtles, llamas, baby penguins, and capybaras.Loftiadoesn’t have a set release date yet,but it is expected to enter an early access period sometime in late 2025. Full launch details will likely follow sometime after. It’s currently only available on Steam, and is expected to be a PC exclusive, at least during early access.
6Solarpunk Is A Wind-Powered Cozy Game With A Survival Twist
Cyberwave, TBA 2025
For those who want a little more challenge in your cozy games,Solarpunkis worth a look. Conceptually, it’s quite similar toLoftia: it’s set on floating islands, and has a focus on sustainability,with things like airships and wind farms used for transportation and resource gathering. Visually (and gameplay-wise), though, it couldn’t be more different. Players will still be farming inSolarpunk, but they’ll be doing so to survive. As cozy as this game looks, players will have to manage their resources carefully in order to stay alive. There also appears to be a greater emphasis on crafting and farming.
Solarpunkalso includes multiplayer features, so players can call on their friends to help them establish automated bases and explore a vast, floating world. Published by prolific cozy game company rokagames (more on them later),Solarpunkis targeting a 2025 release date on PC - no other platforms or specific dates yet.
5Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time Revives A Classic Cozy Game
Level-5, April 2025
The originalFantasy Lifewas released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2012 - long before the term “cozy game” really existed. But now that cozy gaming has taken over the world, there’s never been a better time forFantasy Lifeto return - and it will, in 2025, withFantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time.Fantasy Life iis expected to have a greater focus on story than the average cozy game, but with no less slow-paced exploration.
Fantasy Life ialso supports up to four-player multiplayer.
Players will choose from various jobs (called Lives), exploring a mysterious island lost in time as they attempt to uncover an age-old secret. They can switch between Lives as the situation requires. Developed by Level-5, best known for theDark CloudandProfessor Laytonseries, and with music by legendaryFinal Fantasycomposer Nobuo Uematsu,Fantasy Life iis expected to be released in April 2025. It’s alsothe only Switch exclusive on this list.
4Rune Factory: Guardians Of Azuma Is A Spin-Off Of The Original Cozy Game
Marvelous, July 27, 2025
Before there wasStardew Valley, before there was evenAnimal Crossing, there was the original cozy game,Harvest Moon. In this 1996 classic, players would have to water plants, care for animals, and develop relationships with other villagers.Harvest Moonlater becameStory of Seasons, and fromStory of SeasonscametheRune Factoryseries, which added classic RPG-style dungeon crawling to its cozy formula. That brings us toGuardians of Azuma, the next game in the series, which will return to the series' bold blend of genres when it comes out next year.
Guardians of Azumawill have players rebuilding a corrupted village, drawing new settlers as they improve its infrastructure and revive dead gods. They can befriend or romance their neighbors in a series of fully voiced cutscenes, and then summon them into battle.Rune Factory: Guardians of Azumais currentlyavailable for pre-order on Switch, with a release scheduled for August 18, 2025. It’s unclear whether the planned PC version will be out on the same day.
3Hello Kitty Island Adventure Is Getting A PC & Console Release In 2025
Sunblink, TBA 2025
Okay,Hello Kitty Island Adventureis already out, but at the moment, it’s exclusive to Apple Arcade. That exclusivity expires in 2025, however, withHello Kitty Island Adventurecoming to Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, and Windows. Hailed asa fresh spin on the established cozy game formula,Hello Kitty Island Adventureis beloved by Sanrio fans old and new. It plays more likeAnimal Crossingthan likeStardew: players will decorate their islands, interact with various Sanrio characters (including My Melody, Cinnamoroll, Pompompurin, Retsuko, and Gudetama), and exchange gifts. They can also participate in mini-games like photography, platforming, and house decorating challenges.
One Year After Its Release, Hello Kitty Island Adventure Has More Reasons To Play Than Ever
Since launching last July, Hello Kitty Island Adventure has grown immensely, but the adventure simulation game has a lot more in the works for fans.
Hello Kitty Island Adventuremay be a couple of years old, but it’ll still be a worthwhile cozy game in 2025.It doesn’t have a release date for PC and consoles just yet, but it’s expected to be out sometime next year.
2Tales of the Shire Fulfills Every LOTR Fan’s Hobbit Dreams
Wētā Workshop, July 19, 2025
For everyone who wishes they were Aragorn, there are five who wish they were Sam (before all the Fellowship stuff, of course). TheseLord of the Ringsfans can live out that fantasy whenTales of the Shire, a Hobbit cozy game, comes out in 2025. Featuring customizable characters in a customizable Bywater,Tales of the Shireallows players to see Middle Earth from a different side: that of the fun-loving, food-loving Hobbits. They’ll set out on simple, relaxing quests, bringing back materials with which to design their homes and cook delicious dishes to impress their neighbors.
Developed by Wētā Workshop, the New Zealand-based special effects company that designed many of the sets, props, and costumes used in theLord of the Ringsfilms,Tales of the Shireis currently targeting a March 25 release. It’ll be available on Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S when it’s out.
1Sugardew Island Could Be The Coziest Game Of 2025
rokaplay, March 2025
Finally, there’sSugardew Island, from frequent cozy game publisher rokaplay. Like most of the games on this list, it features crop growing, animal raising, request-fulfilling gameplay, with a unique twist in thatplayers must run their own farm shops. ButSugardew Islandwas deisnged from the ground up for accessibility, simplicity, and fun. Expect none of the time crunch ofStardew Valleyor the combat ofRune Factory-Sugardew Islandis designed for slow-paced, casual play, and can be enjoyed by players of all ages.
Of course,Sugardew Islandwill also have social sim elements, with the option to befriend various characters around town. The island’s population consists of various humanoid fantasy creatures, many of whom are eligible romance candidates.Sugardew Islandis currently scheduled for release in March 2025, and can be wishlisted on Steam now. It’ll be available on most current- and previous-gen platforms, including Switch, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
