february cozy game releases
and a refresher on cozy games you can expect in this space 🧸🎮
have you ever learned something new about yourself, and after falling more into it, you realized it wasn’t new to you after all? that’s what cozy games are for me. i didn’t know the types of games i’ve been playing since i was a kid had a cute name that i would love to say and explain to people, having them realize they are also lifelong cozy gamers.
from spyro and harry potter and the chamber of secrets on my playstation one to fashion-focused mobile games where i became a world-renowned model it girl, cozy gaming has been one of my main hobbies just as long as writing poetry and studying occult practices.
so with that in mind, i won’t be sharing every cozy game that releases every month. outside of the titles that are just too cute to not play, if it makes me question my ideas on life and how i navigate this matrix, i’m most likely in. but here’s a clearer idea of titles i’ll be sharing, playing, and reviewing.
esoteric, occult themes: strange horticulture, stray gods, the cosmic wheel sisterhood, frank and drake, the monument valley series
mindfulness, spirituality: everything, jusant, the longing, gris, unpacking, sky: children of the light, spiritfarer
narratives on identity, personal growth and/or relationship dynamics: blue wednesday, thirsty suitors, venba, open roads
and of course, puzzles with cute themes: storyteller, inbento, botany manor, a little to the left
and here’s a very general idea of games i’ll most likely never suggest or write about unless it has a deeply interesting twist.
NO farming sims. i cannot do another farming sim. if that’s the bulk of the game, i just can’t do it. the only one i’m willing to tolerate is the highly anticipated in development, loftia.
no pixel game designs. though i do enjoy voxel [and play around in rooms.xyz myself], pixel designs are hard for my eyes to follow. [sorry to all the retro-loving developers out there.]
no horror. i’m a lover of horror films, so i cannot fathom willingly putting myself in one. however, i did finish oxenfree [should have come with trigger warnings] and blumhouse games’ debut title, fear the spotlight [the right amount of creepy and cute].
now that we got that out of the way, let’s get on to february releases!
while waiting
in our capitalistic society, where convenience and instant gratification are expected [and damn-near demanded], patience is a virtue that many including myself can benefit from developing.
explore the art of waiting in this transformative adventure where players are put in relatable scenarios and must embrace patience to unlock each level.
scenarios range from waiting for your luggage at baggage claim, waiting for ramen noodles to be ready to eat, and even waiting to be born. there are no shortcuts or actions to expedite the waiting time. the only way out is through.
this seems like a thought-provoking narrative that’ll deep dive into the parts of life that can be transmuted into moments of grounding and self-awareness. while waiting is available on steam today and has an introductory discount until february 19.
release date: february 5 | platform[s]: steam, nintendo switch | studio: optillusion
is this seat taken? [demo release]
a logic puzzle will always get my attention, but a game where i can put my love for anthropology and social norms to good use deserves a second look. in this cozy, silly, no-pressure puzzler, gamers play matchmaker for groups of very particular people. each character has pet peeves that will give you a hint to who should and should not be next to them.
the sleepy passenger next to someone blasting loud music? terrible idea. a party-goer with a sensitive nose next to a cologne-dipped stranger? probably not. read the room and keep everyone comfortable.
there’s also a cute, and maybe even inspiring, narrative through the game following aspiring actor nat who sees a shape that looks like them on the big screen and is on a global journey to meet their hero. each level takes gamers and nat to a new city with its own quirky characters and charm.
is this seat is taken? is the latest game under the wholesome games presents label so of course the game design is beyond adorable. i will be playing the demo when it releases on february 10.
demo release date: february 10 | platform[s]: steam, mobile | studio: poti poti studio
afterlove ep
i’m a fan of the studio fellow traveller [currently playing pine: a story of loss on mobile] and have been following the development of this title for a while, so i’m happy we’ve gotten a release date for this slice-of-life adventure.
set in jakarta, indonesia, gamers follow the story of a young musician named rama who is dealing with the death of his girlfriend, cinta. for over a year, rama has been stuck in a loop of depression and must find a way to process his grief and find a way to move forward.
a heartfelt blend of visual novel, dating sim, narrative adventure, and rhythm game that delves into the complexities of grief, love, and mental health, i know i’m going to have a hard time playing this one. i’ve fought my battles with grief and my mental health over the years, however, it's more than just another game that pulls on the heartstrings.
afterlove ep is the final project from beloved narrative designer, writer, and developer, mohammad fahmi, who sadly passed away in march 2022 at the age of 32, in the middle of the game’s production.
fahmi created other titles that have touched my heart—coffee talk, what comes after—so playing his final game honors his memory, vision, and the legacy he left on the industry. vice released a touching interview with the game producer of afterlove ep who shared intimate details on how important storytelling and the gaming industry were to fahmi. you can read it here.
release date: february 14 | platform[s]: steam, nintendo switch, playstation, xbox | studio: fellow traveller
lost records: bloom & rage
*taking a deep breath because i read the interview while drafting this so, whew. my heart*
the thing i love about the life is strange creators is their ability to make me feel like i’m in my own cw series. this time-jumping adventure reminded me of the 1995 movie now and then [classic coming-of-age, all-star cast btw] mixed with the dark and twisty vibes of yellowjackets [season 3 out this month!!!].
gamers will play as swann who makes three friends—nora, autumn, and kat—during her summer in the sleepy little town of velvet cove, michigan. with her camcorder in hand, swann and her friends aim to have a standard summer of fun and laughs, but end up in a series of dark events that the foursome refuses to confront or discuss for 27 years.
this game bounces between 1995 and 2022, having the gamer [or viewer, this is a show right?] play out the life-changing events of that summer and piece together each girl’s part of the story in their adulthood. through your choices, you’ll embark on a self-discovery journey while also building [or diminishing] the relationships of your once bff’s.
nostalgic and ethereal game design with a “dreampop soundtrack”? i am going to this up! i could just fall into the trailer and follow this mystery with the girls. just give me the script, i promise i won’t tell anyone, i pinky swear.
lost records: bloom & rage is split into two parts with tape 1 releasing on february 18 and tape 2 scheduled for april 15.
release date: february 18 | platform[s]: steam, playstation, xbox | studio: don’t nod
cinnabunny
i have a confession: if i didn’t have my beautiful baby luna, i would have a rabbit. actually, i had paid my deposit for one [and had to get it back from a very annoyed farmer] when luna showed up in front of my apartment door in atlanta. we’ve been besties ever since, but my love for bunnies has never waivered, so TRUST, if there’s a bunny in the game, i will swoon.
in this cozy life simulator, gamers play as a bunny [or bun] who runs a bakery. you’ll unlock new recipes, go birdwatching, collect mushrooms, and charm the community of sugar creek burrows to save up enough carrots to move your family there.
there’s so much to do in this game. you’ll have to talk to and learn about the villagers to discover their taste preferences and better your relationships; decorate your bakery-turned-tiny home to fit your cozy aesthetic; capture pictures of the birds and hear true-to-life bird calls; and search the forest for over 40 different species of mushrooms. this is top-tier cottagecore.
there is A LITTLE farming—you’ll plant wheat to make flour, forage for easter eggs in the forest, and go into the caves to mine for salt for all the cookies, pies, and breads you’ll need to bake.
there’s also a split-screen co-op option, where each player can wander off on their own to do different quests at the same time, which is nice touch. i may try that part out with my partner [i’m sure it’ll be much more chill than our overcooked! sessions, my god].
release date: february 19 | platform[s]: steam | studio: patrick gauthier/reky studios
sidebar:
date everything was scheduled to be released this valentine’s day, but has been pushed to june 2025 due to testing all of the game’s pathways. i’m always in support of delaying a game for quality control. we’ve all been excited and curious to indulge in this very uniquely hilarious dating sim, so i’m sure a few more weeks will be worth the wait.
side-sidebar:
remember to add games that catch your attention to your wishlist on steam. it helps the developers a lot and i’m all for helping artists hit their numbers.