Top 10 Comfort Games
If you're feeling down in the dumps and need a pick-me-up, try one of these games to help you out! You might find your favorite game. I've played every single one of these games and can say, with certainty, that I've had a time where I would play these games nonstop for weeks.
10. Dream Daddy (Mac, Windows, Switch, Linux, Android, iOS, PS4)
Gameplay:
Dream Daddy is not your ordinary Dating Sim - it’s a GAY dating sim that automatically makes it 10x better! Your character is a single father raising your teenage daughter Amanda. You’ve both just moved into a new house where you find out your street is filled with hot single dads. Get to know each of them from the sexy biker, the steamy barista, or the closeted youth minister with kids who I’m pretty sure will steal your soul. I can’t decide between the barista who has my heart like latte art, or the dashing English teacher who can seduce me with but a single soliloquy!
A slide show of ~dreamy daddies~
9. Unpacking (Switch, Mac, Windows, Linux, PS4, PS5, Xbox One)
Gameplay:
Unpacking is a puzzle game that tells the story of a young artist making their way through life - childhood, college, breakups, marriage, and the growth of a family. Unpacking gives you the chance to get to know your person’s personality and story through their possessions. Personally, as an autistic person who LOVES making sure everything has its place, it just scratches that itch I have to see space become your own - even in video game form. The art style is so cute and the music makes my brain shut down but in a good way!
Prepare for cute
8. Powerwash Simulator (Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series)
Gameplay:
GOD, I freaking LOVE CLEANING! Yes, I’m one of those weirdos that somewhat enjoy cleaning! I love having an empty house so I can blast music while I dust furniture or rearrange decorations. Cleaning/restocking videos are my drug. So, it stands to reason that if you end up liking Unpacking, you’ll probably LOVE the powerwash simulator! It’s a pretty simple game - you just do a bunch of power washing as part of the cleaning service! The developers s had some fun with it too and put in some quirky little bits about the strange clients you get to give the game some personality and give you a little giggle.
s a t i s f y i n g
7. Minecraft (Mac, Switch, Windows, Linux, Xbox consoles, PS consoles (even Vita!), iOS, Android, Wii U, 3DS, etc.)
Gameplay:
I mean, almost everyone knows what Minecraft is, but I’ll still explain just in case you’re new to it. Minecraft is a fun blocky survival/builder game where you can learn to do things like how to build a flower field, farm, and mountain cottage to live your cottagecore dream, or (if you’re like my boyfriend) learn how to make complex mountain roller coasters or automatic farm harvesting. You can have fun in different biome environments with cute boxy critters from wolves and ocelots you can turn into pets, foxes, and panda bears! But don’t forget to watch out for spiders, zombies, skeletons, and creepers at night or you could be in for some trouble!
The classic start for any gamer
6. Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Switch)
Gameplay:
There are tons of Animal Crossing games that have come out over the years, but this is the one I’ve played so it’s the one I’m talking about. It plays like a basic animal crossing game - you’re given a new town and place to live where you interact with new characters and explore the world around you. This latest version gives you a new town and bigger spaces and things to build, while you get to gain new villagers for your town. It’s so bright and pretty and you have so many creative liberties to create your own space! And who can forget our favorite Tanuki capitalist?
PPP - Proud Plant Parent
5. Stardew Valley (Switch, Android, PS4, Windows, iOS, Xbox One)
Gameplay:
You are a new farmer. Your grandfather has recently passed and you are taking on the role of caring for his dilapidated farm in a small town called Stardew Valley. You get to meet a fascinating cast of characters, repair your farm, and as a bonus, you get an LGBTQ+ rep with the ability to marry any eligible character, regardless of gender.
The cottage of my dreams
4. When The Past Was Around (Switch, Windows, Android, PS4, Xbox One)
Gameplay:
A beautiful story of love and loss. It’s a simple point-and-click puzzle game as you explore the story of the main character beginning her new life and rediscovering her love of playing music while falling in love with an owl-man that sadly is terminally ill. As you explore their life and love, you also go through her healing process. A beautiful game with beautiful music, this is both a comforting and powerful game. It’s not a long game, but it still definitely leaves an impact.
I honestly thought owl man was a deer man at first
3. Spiritfarer (Switch, mac, Windows, Stadia, PS4, Xbox One)
Gameplay:
Continuing our theme of sweet games that deal with grief, we go on to Spiritfarer, a very sweet game where you play as Stella and her cat, Daffodil, as they take on the role of the next ferryman of spirits. It is Stella’s job to find recently passed spirits, fulfill their last wishes, and help them cross into the spirit world. It’s a soft and sweet game with beautiful colors and takes on the concept of passing on in a sweet and impactful way. (you also have the option to give your spirits big hugs!)
To tell when emotions are going to hit - see above
2. Little Mouse's Encyclopedia + Under Leaves (Switch bundle)
Gameplay:
(Little Mouse)
(Under Leaves)
This is a sweet & cheap little bundle you can find for your switch. Under Leaves is a simple puzzle game where you hunt for different things in different biome environments where you also meet new cute animals in these different environments. Feeling stuck? Try the little sliding puzzle of the Under Leaves logo to get a hint and help you continue!
Meanwhile, Little Mouse’s Encyclopedia isn’t so much a “game”, but a cute world to explore and learn. You get to come across all kinds of plants and animals in cute, stylized art and learn all kinds of new things about the world in your backyard.
The cutest little mouse/fox buddies you ever did see
1. Cooking Mama 2 (DS, DSi, 3DS)
Gameplay:
If you didn’t grow up in the era of early 2000s DS games, you may not know this little gem. This game was my CHILDHOOD! I even bought it again in my adulthood and love it as much as I did as a kid. Cooking mama is a cute, silly little game where you meet “Mama” and learn how to cook different recipes. You also have the option for a bit of a challenge by cooking those recipes without in-between recipe aids for “mama” and her family. You also get to customize mama’s outfits and the cooking accessories! Luckily, even with the age of this game, you can still play it on a 3DS if you have one. (I’ve personally had the same DSi since 2011 - yes, I’m old)
Edit: Since I wrote this, I just found out that the iPhone apple arcade has a new remake of Cooking Mama!
Feeling old yet?
