I love farming sims. Some might say I’m obsessed. It’s my only game genre that doesn’t have a backlog because I play them immediately after purchase. I’m considering buying a Steam Deck just for all the great (and new) farming sims on Steam. But I understand that not everyone feels the same way. Farming can get a bit monotonous. You might want something more experimental, dynamic, or adventurous. Something like…cozy games that aren’t farming.
I see this request a lot on Reddit. “Please recommend me a list of games with zero farming”, ” or “I am sick of farming games,” or “Get me off this digital farm right now or else.” I get it. Ever since Stardew Valley, we have been inundated with farming sims. It might be time for a break!
Luckily, most cozy games aren’t farming sims! Farming sims just tend to hog a lot of the spotlight for some reason. But the vast majority of titles are cozy games that aren’t farming related at all. We have puzzles, platformers, puzzle-platformers, exploration, visual novels, etc. And so: Here are my picks for cozy games that aren’t farming sims on Steam, consoles, and mobile.
1. Caravan SandWitch – Casual exploration + puzzles game
- Play Caravan SandWitch on Steam
- Caravan SandWitch on Nintendo Switch
- Caravan SandWitch on PlayStation 5
Caravan SandWitch is a cozy exploration game where you traverse a post-apocalyptic desert world in your customizable van. You’ll play as Sauge, an intergalactic traveler who returns to her home planet after receiving an SOS message from her long-missing sister’s crashed craft. Together with a friend, Sauge attempts to put together the pieces of a twisting mystery around her sister’s disappearance—slowly uncovering an interwoven story about a raging storm, witches in the desert, a lost sibling, and resource exploitation.
Crawl through abandoned ruins scavenging for components to upgrade your van, then use your new tools to deepen your exploration. Radar, a grappling hook, and a battery pack are a few of the new gadgets you can unlock, and these can help you get to new areas. There are also a broad cast of characters—from frog aliens to robot consciousnesses—and an assortment of side quests, from picking flowers to tracking down tadpoles.
Read my whole Caravan SandWitch review.
2. Europa – Soaring puzzle-plaforming above a Ghibli-esc world
Europa is the touching story of Zee, an android boy and the last living being on the moon called Europa—a lush terraformed paradise in Jupiter’s shadow. Run, glide, and fly across a ruined civilization bursting with an interwoven mix of robotic and organic fauna. Mechanical beetles, birds, drones, and “Gardeners” thrive alongside organic foxes, fish, and lizards. You can even record all that you see in your sketchbook.
Packed with puzzles, platforming, and some light outmaneuvering of projectiles, Europa is mostly a game about exploration, curiosity, wonder, with Zee’s personal tale unfolding quietly in the background. You can speedrun each area to get to the goal or slowly, meticulously investigate every nook and cranny for secrets and power-ups.
Read my whole Europa review.
3. Coffee Talk – Visual novel inside a high fantasy cafe
- Play Coffee Talk on Steam
- Play Coffee Talk on Nintendo Switch
- Play Coffee Talk on PlayStation
- Play Coffee Talk on Xbox
Coffee Talk is a cozy, narrative-driven indie game that immerses players in the role of a barista running a late-night coffee shop in an alternative, fantasy-inspired Seattle. Set in a world where humans, elves, and orcs coexist, the game beautifully weaves together heartfelt storytelling and the art of brewing coffee.
As players serve up a variety of hot beverages to a diverse cast of characters, they engage in meaningful conversations, listen to their customers’ tales, and explore themes of love, friendship, and identity. With its warm, pixel-art aesthetics, jazz-infused soundtrack, and compelling dialogue choices, Coffee Talk offers a relaxing and emotionally resonant experience that leaves a lasting impression.
4. Sticky Business – Business sim about making & selling stickers
Sticky Business immerses you in the charming world of running your very own sticker shop. Within this delightful game, you’ll craft stickers, fulfill orders, and build connections with your customers. The game exudes a cozy charm, from its soothing color palette and adorable content to the boundless creative freedom it offers. As you delve into this meditative simulation genre, you’ll discover the addictive joy it brings, especially when designing your stickers.
Think of it as stepping into the shoes of an Etsy store owner, but in the form of an engaging game. Blend a plethora of elements together to curate a unique collection of stickers, tailor-made to resonate with kindred spirits in the marketplace. Each sticker holds its own unique appeal, catering to various customers and allowing you to craft your creations with a personalized touch. You can even infuse a dash of sparkle or holographic magic to make each piece truly exceptional, ensuring that Sticky Business is an enchanting adventure in sticker artistry.
5. The Spirit & the Mouse – Puzzle platformer in small town France
The Spirit and a Mouse is a whimsical and imaginative indie video game that blends puzzle-solving with a heartwarming narrative. Players embark on an enchanting journey as they take control of a small, adventurous mouse seeking to reunite with its lost spirit companion in a mystical, otherworldly realm.
With charming hand-drawn visuals and a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, the game captivates players with its emotional storytelling and clever puzzles, emphasizing the power of friendship and determination in the face of adversity. The Spirit and a Mouse is a captivating and emotionally resonant experience that appeals to gamers of all ages, leaving them with a sense of wonder and connection.
Read my full The Spirit and the Mouse review here.
6. Pine Hearts – Narrative-rich fetch quests & collectathon
Pine Hearts is a short, story-heavy cozy game about coping with grief and growing up, told through a series of flashback vignettes that are slowly unlocked as you explore the world and complete quests. Championing a steady and satisfying to-do list, the game eagerly rewards players for curiosity, thoroughness, and eagle-eye attention to detail—a refreshing change of pace from the casino-like rush of modern serotonin-hacking games.
Pine Hearts’ cute, colorful art style and dialogue-free storytelling crafts a unique narrative experience that pings skillfully between silly and whimsical and genuinely heartfelt and heartbreaking. Learn new abilities, earn new tools, and unlock new areas across a lively park map featuring areas like a campsite, a castle, a caravan park (and festival), a gold course, a beach, and a cove. And yes, you can pet the dog.
Read my full Pine Hearts review.
7. Potion Permit – Mix healing potions in this adventure RPG
Potion Permit is an enchanting tabletop board game that transports players into a mystical world where they assume the roles of aspiring potion-makers. In this game, participants embark on an exciting quest to gather rare ingredients, brew potent concoctions, and ultimately obtain the coveted Potion Permit.
Potion Permit combines elements of strategy, resource management, and a dash of luck as players navigate a beautifully illustrated game board, encounter whimsical characters, and strategize their way to victory. With its captivating blend of storytelling and competitive gameplay, Potion Permit offers an immersive and delightful experience for players of all ages, making it a magical addition to any game night.
Read my full Potion Permit review.
8. Gris – Narrative-centric platformer with an emotional story
- Play Gris on Steam
- Play Gris on Nintendo Switch
- Play Gris on PlayStation 4/5
- Play Gris on Xbox
- Play Gris on Apple Arcade
- Play Gris on Google Play
Is it more of a narrative-led exploration or a platformer? Both! Gris defies easy categorization and that’s one of the things I love about it. Gris is a visually stunning indie platformer game developed by Nomada Studio and published by Devolver Digital. Set in a world devoid of color, players guide the protagonist, Gris, on a transformative journey through sorrow and hope.
The game captivates with its hand-drawn, watercolor-inspired art style and emotionally resonant storytelling, allowing players to explore a surreal landscape while solving puzzles and unlocking new abilities tied to the theme of healing. With its minimalist gameplay and breathtaking aesthetics, “Gris” is an evocative experience that uses its visuals and music to convey a powerful narrative about grief, recovery, and the human spirit.
9. Carto – Puzzle game where you build the map
Carto is a charming and innovative puzzle-adventure game that revolves around the power of map manipulation. Players guide the titular character, Carto, on a whimsical journey to reunite with her family. The unique gameplay mechanic allows you to rearrange and connect pieces of a magical map, reshaping the world and altering the narrative as you go.
This game offers a delightful blend of exploration, storytelling, and puzzle-solving set in a beautifully hand-drawn world, making it a must-play for those seeking a captivating and original gaming experience.
10. Child of Light – Fairytale turn-based RPG with rhyming lines
- Play Child of Light on Steam
- Play Child of Light on Nintendo Switch
- Play Child of Light on PlayStation
- Play Child of Light on Xbox
Some people don’t find turn-based RPGs cozy but Child of Light is unique. It’s told through rhyming verse with soft visuals that imitate a children’s storybook. It’s is a captivating role-playing game that combines the enchanting aesthetics of a storybook with engaging gameplay. Set in the dreamy world of Lemuria, players follow the journey of Aurora, a young princess who must rescue her homeland from eternal darkness.
The game’s striking hand-painted visuals, accompanied by a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack, immerse players in a fairy tale-like atmosphere. The turn-based combat system adds depth, as players strategically utilize Aurora’s unique abilities and recruit companions they meet along the way. Child of Light’s poetic narrative and artistic presentation make it a unique and emotionally resonant gaming experience.
11. Eastshade – Vibrant exploration story about a traveling artist
Eastshade is a captivating exploration game that immerses players in a beautifully rendered, painterly world where they assume the role of a traveling artist. Set in a lush and vibrant landscape filled with picturesque scenery, players embark on a personal journey to create art, complete quests, and uncover the rich lore of the story.
With a focus on non-violent gameplay and a deep emphasis on creativity, Eastshade encourages players to capture the beauty of their surroundings through painting, engage in meaningful interactions, and discover the profound stories hidden within this enchanting realm, making it a unique and contemplative gaming experience.
12. A Little to the Left – Casual puzzle game about finding space
- Play A Little to the Left on Steam
- Play A Little to the Left on Nintendo Switch
- Play A Little to the Left on Xbox
- Play A Little to the Left on Google Play
A Little to the Left is a charming, casual puzzle game that presents players with a scene that is just a little out of sorts, and then lets you organize, stack, and rearrange everything to make it just right. It is super mindless, completely relaxing, and totally satisfying.
A Little to the Left offers over 75 puzzles that you can engage with. It also features a mischievous cat ready to cause a little chaos. This game is perfect for people who like games like Unpacking, where you are encouraged to make things neat and tidy in your own virtual room.
13. Pico Park – silly co-op puzzle game about teamwork
- Play Pico Park on Steam
- Play Pico Park on Nintendo Switch
- Play Pico Park 2 on Xbox (only the 2nd game is available)
Pico Park is a cooperative multiplayer puzzle game that thrives on teamwork and communication. In this charming and minimalist world, players must work together to solve a variety of increasingly complex puzzles, often requiring precise coordination and clever problem-solving.
With its endearing pixel art style and accessible gameplay, Pico Park encourages laughter, frustration, and triumph as friends or strangers come together to overcome challenges, making it a delightful social experience that fosters collaboration and camaraderie.
14. Pokémon Cafe ReMix – Casual mobile matching game
The mainline Pokémon games have a small element of farming (planting and watering berry bushes) but their puzzle games have none of that nonsense! Pokémon Café ReMix is a charming mobile game that combines elements of puzzle-solving and restaurant management within the beloved Pokémon universe.
In this game, players are tasked with running their own Pokémon-themed café, where they can serve delightful dishes and drinks to various Pokémon customers. The gameplay revolves around completing matching-based puzzles to gather ingredients and prepare orders, all while interacting with cute and iconic Pokémon characters. As you progress, you can expand and decorate your café, recruit new Pokémon staff, and discover recipes.
Conclusions
Listen, I’m never going to understand anyone not wanting a farming sim. (Send help, I’m obsessed.) But I’m so happy to put together a list of cozy games that aren’t farming sims for you to pick from. I hope you found a new favorite. And keep an eye on this list! It will keep growing as new games come out.
Stay cozy, gamers!