Umbrius

For a distinct but sizable subset of gamers, the theme of 2022 was the mainstreaming of the “cozy” or “wholesome” genre. This is most likely a ripple effect of the way in which Nintendo’s own Animal Crossing: New Horizons (a cozy gamer’s gateway drug) so totally captured the zeitgeist in 2020. My own “cozy,” casual Switch library absolutely exploded this year with titles such as Aka, Beacon Pines, Bear & Breakfast, Disney Dreamlight Valley, Dorfromantik, Harvestella, Lemon Cake, Lil Gator Game, Potion Permit, The Spirit and the Mouse, Strange Horticulture, and more. My Switch is basically a dedicated cozy indies machine now!

Absolutely one of my favorite, most played games of the year! Listening to shop cat Hellebore’s rumbling purrs is one of the best bits, too.

Welcome news! With a potential fix for irksome Switch crashes, my addiction to this game will be poised to reach new heights (or lows, as the case may be). ✨

For me… Potion Permit, Beacon Pines, Tunic, The Spirit and the Mouse, and Moncage.

Disney Dreamlight Valley and Kirby and the Forgotten Land post-game!

Sonic and the Forgotten Land

Bear & Breakfast! Potion Permit! Beacon Pines! Lemon Cake! NAIAD! A Winding Path! 🍁

Not too excited about these titles, save for Bear & Breakfast.

Don’t forget Gerda: A Flame in Winter (released Sept. 1), Potion Permit (Sept. 22), Beacon Pines (Sept. 22), and Lemon Cake (Sept. 30). Been waiting some time for these cozy games!

I want to like it, but I just don't think I do.

@Sonos Omg I know. I keep going back to watch the Harvestella presentation for the exalted caliber of cringe that it represents. I simply cannot look away. Weirdly effective.

September was already shaping up to be an epic month for fans of cozy games (what with the likes of Disney Dreamlight Valley, Ooblets, Hokko Life, Potion Permit, Lemon Cake, and Beacon Pines all coming out), but now that the bear is soon to be out of the bag on Switch?! There aren’t enough scented candles in the world to power us through all the gaming we’ve got to do this month.

I hope it releases before the end of the year on Switch. Is that pie in the sky? Been looking forward to this one’s arrival.

Will tune in enthusiastically for the Harvestella content!

I was very much looking forward to spending Christmas at Hogwarts. Alas. Hopefully the game will be that much better for the delay.

I picked this up on its Switch release date (thanks for the heads-up, NintendoLife!), and I was completely ensnared from minute one. The zoom feature is a bit irritating at first, but the mood and mystery are fantastic. Sequel, please!

Cozy gamers rising!

As a pretty casual gamer who is looking to experience more of what the RPG meta-genre has to offer, I am definitely interested in this title. A cozy, storybook-like theme and atmosphere go a long way to make the genre much more approachable for me. Looking forward!