After a long day at the office and entertaining my kids, when it’s finally time for me to sit down and play, sometimes I just can’t muster the energy for a platformer, shooter, or RPG. Usually, that's the time I grab a classic game from my childhood, something familiar that I've beaten a hundred times over. When my brain isn't ready for punishing gameplay, cozy games have been my saving grace lately, with their whimsical stories, fun and engaging puzzles, and witty dialogue. While they may not be super challenging, don't write them off. Some of these games are worth your downtime.

9 Donut County

Have a garbage day!

• Released date: August and December 2018 / December 2020
• Platforms: iOS, macOS, Apple TV, Windows, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Android

A simple puzzle game, Donut County is all about destroying things for the greater good — and by the greater good, I mean getting a super sweet quadcopter drone. Players control a devastating and destructive hole, using it to swallow up the residents of Donut County — and, more importantly, all their stuff. The goal is to make the hole bigger by sucking up whatever is around, but there’s more nuance to this title. Each level requires players to think outside the box using whatever they collect, from dirty water to fireworks, with the goal of gathering all the junk to complete each level.

Donut County is really easy to pick up and play. The controls are basic and smooth, and the story is charming. The cast of characters is super silly, and you don’t have to think too hard about the plot. Plus, the game is short and can be completed in about 2 hours. It's available on a ton of different platforms, so I can play it on a console, PC, or even gaming handheld if I don't want the hassle of moving — perfect cozy vibes for me.

8 Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Because Tom Nook doesn’t have enough bells

• Released date: March 2020
• Platforms: Nintendo Switch

Nintendo is known for a lot of great, family-fun games, and Animal Crossing: New Horizons fits that mold perfectly. In this game, you get to live out your life-long dream of escaping society to rebuild on a deserted, I mean, idyllic island. Catch bugs, fish, and design your home and island however you like, in real time. This game runs in whatever timezone and hemisphere you live in, so you can experience legit weather, holidays, and perhaps even the horrors of running into a tarantula in the middle of the night. Plus, you don’t have to do it all alone. You can open up your island for visitors or visit other players' islands.

The best part? There really is no end game to Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Several updates have been added to this Paradise Island over the past few years, allowing players to do much more, like holding down a steady job, farming, and cooking their own dishes. I should note that some of these updates, like the Happy Homes Expansion, are only available via Nintendo Switch Online Plus. However, the base game offers plenty of fun without paying more.

7 Rain on Your Parade

Ruining someone’s day has never been so fun

• Released date: April 2021
• Platforms: iOS, macOS, Windows, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Sometimes, the only way to make your day better is by raining on someone else’s — literally. In Rain on Your Parade, you are a cloud and up to all kinds of mischief. Taking a Princess Bride-style story frame approach, players have to complete simple, yet fun objectives to complete levels and defeat your nemesis, Dr. Dry Spell.

Cause chaos in over 50 levels where you can snow, rain, or tornado upon all the poor, unsuspecting people of the world. The level design is clever, taking inspiration from popular video games like the Metal Gear series and Doom. It also pokes fun at classic RPGs, zombie movies, and other pop culture, with witty challenges, hilarious dialogue, and a variety of things to do. Plus, it has DLC, so the shenanigans don’t stop with the original game. It’s definitely worth sinking some time into.

6 PowerWash Simulator

All the fun of cleaning?

• Released date: July 2022 / January 2023 / November 2023
• Platforms: Windows, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Meta Quest 2/Pro/3

What better way to escape reality and mundane chores than doing more… mundane chores? Stick with me here. Power Wash Simulator is an oddly satisfying game. If you need a palate cleanser, and you just want to turn your brain completely off, this is the perfect game that can scratch that itch.

Players own a power washing business, and the goal is just to go around cleaning different locations. You can switch cleaners, nozzles, and control the power to get the job done. Completing jobs earns you money, which means better tools, fun cosmetics, and other customizations. You can also do challenge modes to add a little extra difficulty.

Better yet, PowerWash Simulator has a multiplayer option, so you can gather up to six other players to help clean. Of course, you could just do it yourself. Sometimes, cleaning to perfection is just what you need to help you relax.

5 Stardew Valley

The farming SIM to end all others

• Released date: February 2016
• Platforms: iOS, macOS, Windows, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, Android

Whether you’re a fan of cozy games or not, Stardew Valley is a hard title to miss; it's been around for a bit. It is equal parts farming SIM, dating SIM, and RPG all rolled into one seemingly never-ending title. It is very easy to get lost in this game; there’s just so much to do. As the new farmer, the goal is to roll up your sleeves and make a living in this small town with more than a few mysteries surrounding it. There is just so much to do, with many different playthrough options.

Stardew Valley is open-ended, so there’s no wrong way to play it. Raise livestock, go fishing, date townsfolk, or explore mines and fight monsters. Concerned Ape, the game’s creator, continuously adds free updates and more content, the latest being the 1.6 update. Plus, depending on what system you play it on, there is a huge modding community to add even more variety to your game. If you don’t want to play alone, there’s also a co-op option, so your friends can join the fun.

4 Little Kitty, Big City

Because cats have no schedule

• Released date: May 2024
• Platforms: Windows, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

Ever wanted to be a cat? Little Kitty, Big City is the closest you can get. Catch birds, play with toys, and meow at people to your heart’s content while you solve puzzles in this charming game. Players assume the role of a little domestic cat, and adventure awaits as you just try to get home.

Using simple controls, you navigate the city, interact with other creatures and people, and collect objects and cosmetic awards, like adorable little hats. There really isn’t much more to it, but exploring and doing cat things is a ton of fun. The base game runs about 3 hours, so you don’t have to sink too much time into it. However, there are still plenty of unlockables if you want to play a bit longer.

3 A Short Hike

Enjoy the great outdoors

• Released date: July 2019/ August 2020/ November 2021
• Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

Claire just wants to explore Hawk Peak Trail on her first day of summer camp. That’s it. That’s the game, and it’s fantastic. Players get to be Claire, a blackbird exploring trails, solving puzzles, and completing quests on her trek up to the top of the mountain. While the main goal is to make it to the top, there are plenty of sidequests waiting to be completed that can make that journey much easier.

Fish, help find lost items, or collect items while listening to the adaptive soundtrack as you go along your merry way. It’s cute and relaxing, and it definitely reminded me of the good old days of childhood when I would pick up random junk and go hiking up the mountain in my backyard. It’s a day in the life, and it can be done in just under two hours. Like the other games, the controls are simple, and puzzles aren’t terribly challenging, but A Short Hike is a great way to spend an evening.

2 Unpacking

Make moving fun

• Released date: November 2021 / May 2022 / August 2023
• Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, iOS, Android

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve come back to this title. There’s something soothing about putting things away just where they belong. In Unpacking, you are literally taking things out of boxes and putting them on shelves, but there’s more to it than that. Each level tells a story that layers as you complete more, and you experience someone’s life each time they move to a new stage — in pixel art! Gotta love that nostalgia.

From getting your own room to buying a forever home, the story is subtle but moving as it captures the ups and downs of life. I never thought finding a place for a college diploma would have such an impact. To complete levels, you have to find the perfect spot for everything in the boxes. As your character grows, so does the amount of junk you have to unpack. It’s fun to play a few times to find hidden achievements while placing things where they don’t belong or just reorganizing things in different ways. Plus, you don’t have to think too hard when you’re doing it.

1 Journey

Beautiful artistry, no pressure

• Released date: March 2012 / July 2015/ June 2019/ July 2020
• Platforms: PlayStation 3/4/5, Windows, iOS

Journey is a game of beauty. You play as a robed figure on a journey to a mountaintop far in the distance. Players have the power to jump, walk, or emit a musical sound, but you have to figure out how to utilize those skills to reach your destination. As you explore, you’ll discover magical scarves, which, when collected, can help you fly for a short time.

As you solve puzzles to move forward, you can encounter other players, though you can’t communicate with them beyond the musical emote, and you can aid each other on your quest. While the game is only around 2-3 hours, the game is very calm and relaxing, with a soothing soundtrack and stunning animation.

Kick back and relax

At the end of the day, any of these games will scratch that gaming itch without requiring too much effort. Of course, you don't have to wait until you are burned out to play them. They are great to pick up at any time. So, whether you want to be a cat or rain on someone's wedding day, you won't regret giving any of these titles a chance.