Cozy and spooky are not mutually exclusive. I think bundling up in a fuzzy blanket and getting a bit scared is peak cozy behavior. Many “horror” games speak to deep, emotional human issues, which is a cornerstone of the cozy genre. Cozy doesn’t have to be rainbows and butterflies (I call those games Wholesome Games instead); it just has to champion one of the many “cozy” qualifiers: emotional, character-driven, slow paced, low risk, experimental, exploration-focused, or meditative/satisfying.
That being said, here are some spooky cozy games I recommend for the Halloween season.
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1. Strange Horticulture — Botany and puzzles with cult-y themes
Strange Horticulture is a “cult puzzle game” that combines elements of simulation, strategy, and mystery. Players assume the role of a botanist tasked with cultivating and managing a peculiar garden filled with otherworldly flora. As you learn about each plant, you will discover the ability to craft potions and poisons. Residents will come to you for aid and it’s your choice whether to use your powers for good or evil.
2. Harvest Island — A haunted farming sim experience
Harvest Island is a horror-leaning farming sim with elements of an action RPG. This story-rich, character driven cozy game is centered around a mysterious island with haunting and hidden secrets. This one doesn’t go too hard in the horror direction (in fact, some reviewers wish it leaned more in that direction) so it’s a perfect option for casual farming sim enjoyers.
3. Forest Quartet — Story-heavy puzzle game about death
Forest Quartet is an eerie puzzle game about death and music. Move through three acts, each with an emotional story tied to one of your fellow bandmates. Use your singing voice to restore life and light to damaged contraptions, and in doing so help mend the broken hearts of those you left behind. Forest Quartet is a haunting, meditative tale about the enduring strength of the human spirit.
4. Doki Doki Literature Club — Psychological horror visual novel
Doki Doki Literature Club is technically a dating sim/visual novel, which usually screams “cozy game.” But the infamous free-to-play game is known for dark themes and shocking twists. This game comes with a major trigger for suicide/self harm. Don’t let the cutesy art style food you, it is definitely more “horror” than “dating.”
5. Gone Home — Eerie walking simulator with a twist ending
Gone Home is a narrative-driven “walking simulator” that has you searching the remains of an empty house, trying to uncover the story of what happened to the family’s missing daughter. Interacting with the environment will uncover critical clues as you discover the story of a wayward teenager trying to find herself. I won’t spoil it here but this game has an awesome and uplifting twist. Maybe things aren’t as haunted as they first seem…
6. Submachine: Legacy — Shadowy point-and-click adventure game in the depths
Submachine: Legacy is a point-and-click puzzle adventure game following a banished lighthouse keeper and his journey deep into an eerie, subterranean hand-drawn world. Originally a 2005 Flash game, Submachine: Legacy has now been preserved in an easily accessible Steam download.
7. Dredge — Lovecraftian horror exploraton and business sim-lite
Dredge is a Lovecraftian fishing game set around a sinister archipelago that hosts deadly, oceanic secrets. Thalassophobia abounds as you fish, sell your haul, upgrade your boat, and explore mysterious depths better left forgotten. Time management is key, as you might not like what comes out to play after nightfall.
8. Graveyard Keeper — Horror comedy with resource management
Graveyard Keeper isn’t so much a horror game as it is a RPG/simulation game with an extremely morbid topic. It has tons of dark comedy, which you can see right off that bat by the developer calling it “the most inaccurate medieval cemetery sim of the year.” You can make absolutely gnarly in-game decisions, too, like selling meat to the local butcher sourced directly from your…er…wares.
9. Wytchwood — A witchy adventure in a dark fairytale world
Wytchwood is a crafting and exploration game set in a gothic fairytale world, with aesthetic “storybook” art to match! Play as a witch of the woods doing tasks for a demonic goat who promised you a wish in exchange for 12 souls. You will spend most of your time hunting for ingredients and crafting items. The perfect game for “collectathon” lovers.
10. Spiritfarer — Ferry spirits to their final resting place
In Spiritfarer, you play as a ferry master transporting souls to their final resting place. It’s less “horror” oriented and more morbid, somber, and haunting. This is a cozy time- and resource management game centered around caring for those you love and learning how to say goodbye.
11. The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood — Cult cozy design and interactive fiction game
The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood is less horror and more “cult-y.” Either way, it is absolutely perfect for the spooky season. It is a literal tarot card “deck builder,” as in: you design each card in the deck yourself. Mostly interactive fiction, The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood is a great choice for those who like visual novels and design-based games (a la Unpacking).
12. Bokura — Spooky narrative-centric co-op puzzle game
Bokura is a cozy co-op multiplayer game for 1-2 players. You are meant to play without seeing or hearing each other’s screen, as you’ll both be presented with a vastly different experience. Together, you’ll need to communicate what you are seeing and experiencing in order to solve puzzles where each of you has half of the solution. There are tons of spooky, creepy elements, from an eerie mechanical world to pixelated gore.
Conclusion
These are my picks for spooky cozy games for the Halloween season. Mind you, I play them all year round. I am always adding to and updating my lists as new games come out, so be sure to ping me here or on social media if you want to see one of your favorites added to the article.
Stay spooky, friends!
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