LudoNarraCon came and went last month, and I have had it on my ‘to talk about’ list ever since then. Yeesh. Ya girl is busy.
LudoNarraCon is a free, global digital convention dedicated to celebrating narrative-driven video games. Hosted annually on Steam, it is organized by indie game label Fellow Traveller.
You might know Fellow Traveller from their work publishing and promoting games like 1000X Resist, Afterlove EP, and Pine. Most recently, they have been out and about spreading the word on Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo—a papercraft adventure game where you play as Kulebra (a dead snake) as he embarks on a quest across Limbo.
The 2025 edition of LudoNarraCon took place from May 1 to May 5. It featured 49 exhibiting games, over 15 hours of panels and talks, and numerous game demos. Participants included industry figures such as Sam Lake (Remedy Entertainment) and Davey Wreden (The Stanley Parable, Wanderstop).
LudoNarraCon is designed to spotlight innovative narrative games, particularly from indie developers.
I love story-driven games, particularly interactive fiction like The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood and 100X Resist. Any game I get to “read” feels cozy to me, as it’s like curling up with a digital book. However, a lot of these cover difficult topics around violence, grief, and angst. That’s why I’m super picky about my coverage of them, because I really do want to uplift games that make people feel good.
In saying that, I’ve picked out the coziest games from LudoNarraCon 2025 to highlight here, plus gone over what you will love about them.
My Cozy Game Highlights from LudoNarraCon 2025
Here are 9 games I would recommend from Fellow Traveller’s 2025 LudoNarraCon:
1. Wanderstop
Wanderstop is a narrative-centric cozy game about change and tea. Play as Alta, a fallen fighter turned reluctant tea shopkeeper in a magical forest. Grow and harvest ingredients, craft personalized teas for passing travelers, and explore a quiet ritual of patience and self-discovery.
You can read my full Wanderstop review here.
Key Features:
- Narrative focus: story-driven cozy experience about change and healing
- Tea shop management: grow, harvest, and craft unique teas
- Character interactions: meet travelers and learn their stories
- Artistic pedigree: from creators of The Stanley Parable and Gone Home
2. The Berlin Apartment
The Berlin Apartment is a story-driven adventure game where one apartment becomes the stage for a century of stories. As a handyman renovates an old Berlin flat, he uncovers relics that reveal the lives of past residents—each memory unfolding as a playable short story with its own unique tone and gameplay twist.
Key Features:
• Story anthology: Discover standalone episodes told through objects left behind
• Artful exploration: Lush 3D visuals with a distinct, colorful comic style
• Historic depth: Experience Berlin’s evolving culture and identity across generations
3. The Crush House
Return to the year 1999 as Jae, the producer of reality TV’s latest obsession, The Crush House. Pick your cast, capture steamy moments, and serve an eccentric mix of micro-audiences in this satirical and surreal blend of dating sim, simulation, and mystery. With quirky characters, strange secrets, and a Malibu mansion full of drama, your job is to keep ratings high, the cast juicy, and your sanity intact.
Key Features:
- Reality TV simulator: Cast four stars from twelve unique personalities for each season.
- Audience-pleasing strategy: Match cast dynamics to satisfy dozens of niche viewer groups.
- Style and satire: A bold aesthetic and 1990s flair meet social commentary and comedy.
- Replayable seasons: Ever-changing combinations and secrets make each run distinct.
4. despelote
despelote is a gentle, semi-autobiographical adventure set in 2001 Quito, Ecuador, where soccer becomes a lens for exploring childhood, culture, and community. As eight-year-old Julián, players roam the city’s streets and parks, kicking a ball, interacting with locals, and experiencing a pivotal moment in Ecuadorian soccer history. With a dreamy atmosphere and heartfelt storytelling, this slice-of-life game captures the magic of youth and the emotional weight of a nation chasing the World Cup dream.
Key Features:
- Narrative exploration: A coming-of-age story told through the eyes of a child.
- Soccer as language: Dribble, pass, and shoot in a world that responds to your ball.
- Grounded worldbuilding: Uses real audio and photos from Ecuador to evoke time and place.
- Warm slice-of-life tone: Full of mischief, memory, and natural conversations.
5. Detective Dotson
Detective Dotson is a cozy mystery adventure set in the bustling streets of modern India. Players step into the shoes of Dotson, an aspiring actor-turned-detective, as he investigates a series of cases that gradually reveal emotional ties to his father’s sudden passing. Enjoy heartfelt storytelling paired with quirky exploration and cultural charm in a game that invites players to solve mysteries, barter with locals, and embrace the vibrant spirit of India.
Key Features:
- Personal narrative: Uncover the mystery behind Dotson’s father while solving four cases.
- Vivid setting: Explore a handcrafted Indian city alive with color, chaos, and heart.
- Interactive gameplay: Barter, collect clues, and charm locals to uncover secrets.
- Mini-games galore: Play cricket, dance Bollywood-style, and more for clues and rewards.
- Memorable characters: Meet a cast of over 50 distinct NPCs with unique roles.
6. Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo
In this vibrant, Latin American-inspired afterlife, you play as Kulebra, a “Bright Soul” tasked with helping trapped spirits find peace. Through exploration, puzzles, stealth, and heartfelt conversations, uncover why the souls of Limbo are stuck in endless daily loops. This game boasts a charming art style, thoughtful storytelling, and a focus on emotional healing. Kulebra and the Souls of Limbo delivers a cozy yet mysterious adventure about growth, grief, and letting go that fans of Spiritfarer will appreciate.
Key Features
- Latin-American Afterlife Setting: Explore a rich world full of humor, mystery, and spirits.
- Narrative Puzzle Adventure: Use clues, empathy, and wit to guide souls to resolution.
- Time Loop Mechanics: Advance the day cycle to unlock new story layers and puzzles.
- Detective Gameplay: Track discoveries in your notebook to follow leads and connections.
7. inKONBINI: One Store. Many Stories
In inKONBINI: One Store. Many Stories, Makoto Hayakawa is a college student working at a small-town convenience store in early 1990s Japan. This cozy narrative-driven simulation game invites you to experience the meditative rhythm of store management while forging meaningful connections with a diverse cast of customers. Explore warm, nostalgic settings and uncover stories through branching dialogues filled with impactful choices, all wrapped in soothing ambience and vintage charm.
Key Features
- Relaxing store simulation: Stock shelves, order goods, and manage daily routines.
- Branching conversations: Meaningful dialogue choices shape customer stories.
- Nostalgic 1990s Japan-inspired setting: Soft visuals and warm lighting create a calming atmosphere.
- Narrative-driven gameplay: Discover secrets hidden in everyday interactions.
8. Tiny Bookshop
Tiny Bookshop invites players to leave everything behind and open a cozy second-hand bookshop by the sea. Stock your shop with a variety of books and items, decorate to your taste, and build relationships with the quirky locals of Bookstonbury. Explore scenic locations, uncover town secrets, and become a master bookseller by recommending the perfect reads to your customers.
Key Features
- Cozy narrative management: Run and customize your tiny bookshop by the sea.
- Diverse book genres: Stock and recommend books to fit your customers’ tastes.
- Rich character interactions: Befriend quirky locals and help them with book choices.
- Shop customization: Decorate your bookshop with collected items that affect customers.
9. Until Then
In narrative-drama Until Then, a fateful meeting sets off a chain reaction, upending Mark’s life. People disappear and memories become unreliable. Join Mark and his friends as you unravel a hidden truth in this emotional narrative adventure. Race against time to uncover mysteries before it’s too late.
Key Features:
- Narrative adventure: emotional story with dramatic plot twists
- Visual style: pixel art with cinematic presentation
- Player choice: multiple endings based on decisions
You might also like: Highlights from The Storyteller’s Festival
Stay cozy, gamers!