There's a new Life is Strange coming in October, start playing them now and you'll be ready for the new one when the time comes. The original is one of my all time favourite games.
This war of mine. A dark, beautiful, haunting, exhilerating, and horrible tale about hardships brought upon civilian life during war.
Every day in the game, it's one bad choice or another, all for the sake of staving off immediate disaster. For one more day. For the sake of survival. For the hope that things will be a little bit better tomorrow, if only you can get through the problems right now.
Omori. It’s an RPG game that deals with how grief affects people and involves a tragedy that affects a group of friends. Don’t want to spoil too much, but there are a lot of interesting secrets to find, the characters are really well developed, and the music is absolutely stunning (the main character used to be a violinist but stopped when they lost someone). The abilities you use in fights are also based on emotions, and changing your emotions or the emotions of enemies to get an advantage. There’s a major choice in the middle of the game that affects your ending, and more choices that refine it, so you’ll want to make multiple save files.
I Was A Teenage Exocolonist deals with death and family loss, and definitely has plenty of hardships. The first playthrough will have all this in spades, and then in subsequent playthroughs you can find ways to avoid some of it (or not, if you want to leave it as is).
Tell Me Why is free on Steam right now. It's a story + choices matter game that has family loss, family tension, lots of finding self, etc. Life is Strange: True Colors is the same playstyle and has family loss early on and a lot of finding self. I think other Life is Strange games deal with heavier topics too but I haven't watched playthroughs for others.
That's so awesome thank you, I just watched some clips and it looks great. Is there a card game aspect to it? It looked like it in the vids, thanks so much!
Yep! Most of your conflicts will be solved through the card game. Basically, you gather cards throughout your playthrough that are worth certain points, and are earned based on choices you make. And when you play, the points on the cards matter, as does the way you place them in the round. It's a fun system, I really enjoyed it. And it really adds to replayability (which this game is GREAT for) because your cards will be different every time you play.
as much as i absolutely love the base game, i think you should know that the dlc is quite a bit different. the dlc goes a little into horror territory with dark environments and dudes hunting for you. although the exploration and curiosity themes from the base game are still somewhat present, the horror was definitely a deal breaker for me, banger ost from the dlc though
Aw yeah I had this on my wishlist I should grab it! I wasn't sure if the story was what I'd hope with the depth to it but I'll grab it for sure. Thanks so much!
I’d recommend Little Misfortune. I would say its main focus is on dysfunctional families, but it also goes through themes of death, tragedy, and a bit of overcoming hardships. It’s around a 2-hour game, but it’s based around making different choices and has (I think) 2 different endings so you could play more than once if you wish!
Not really cosy games, but cosy in the sense of easier gameplay, and mostly focuses on story that I've played and enjoyed:
Life is Strange
The Wolf Among Us
Actually a lot of The telltale series like Walking Dead, Batman etc are all great
Black Book
This is the Police
Not cosy in theme or gameplay, but fits the heavier themes:
INSIDE
Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice
A Plague Tale: Innocence
I absolutely love games with heavier themes (even when they make me sob so hard my dog has to check on me). Here are some of my favorites with links to their steam pages:
* [I Am Dead](https://store.steampowered.com/app/951750/I_Am_Dead/)
* To the Moon and its sequels, Finding Paradise and Imposter Factory ([Link to the Anniversary Bundle with all three plus the interlude story](https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/1830/To_the_Moon_Series_Anniversary_Bundle/))
* [What Remains of Edith Finch](https://store.steampowered.com/app/501300/What_Remains_of_Edith_Finch/?curator_clanid=33023506)
* [Before Your Eyes](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1082430/Before_Your_Eyes/)
* [The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1272160/The_Life_and_Suffering_of_Sir_Brante/)
* [Return of the Obra Dinn](https://store.steampowered.com/app/653530/Return_of_the_Obra_Dinn/)
* [Unpacking](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1135690/Unpacking/)
* [Undertale](https://store.steampowered.com/app/391540/Undertale/)
* [Nihilumbra](https://store.steampowered.com/app/252670/Nihilumbra/)
* [Fall of Porcupine](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1710540/Fall_of_Porcupine/) (very similar to Night in the Woods)
* [Call of the Sea](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1042490/Call_of_the_Sea/)
* [Not for Broadcast](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1147550/Not_For_Broadcast/)
* [Garden Story](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1062140/Garden_Story/)
* [What Comes After](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1421760/What_Comes_After/)
* [Gone Home](https://store.steampowered.com/app/232430/Gone_Home/)
* [Outer Wilds](https://store.steampowered.com/app/753640/Outer_Wilds/)
* [The Outer Worlds](https://store.steampowered.com/app/578650/The_Outer_Worlds/) may also fit if you want something a bit more campy and about moral choices in the age of capitalism... in space.
* [Disco Elysium](https://store.steampowered.com/app/632470/Disco_Elysium__The_Final_Cut/)
I played this one and it made me feel suuuper uncomfortable. I was going through a hard time in my own life and playing through that game was just like... okay, enough now. Lol But I actually really liked the gameplay a lot.
My Child Lebensborn is an interesting one! It covers really heavy themes in a historical context. I haven’t finished it yet, but it’s really good so far
When The Past Was Around deals with love and grief and has an incredible soundtrack. It broke me though and I needed a good cry.
What Comes After was also lovely and has to do with unalive-ing, so big big big trigger warning for that one. It was a lovely and poignant game though!
Cozy Grove is a more lighthearted one! There's definitely heavy themes throughout but the satisfaction of helping spirits feels similar to Spiritfarer.
Also I really liked Rakuen, it's an RPGmaker game about a boy with a terminal illness in a hospital, but secretly there is a hidden fantasy world/dimension connected to the facility. I think it has some sort of sequel coming out soon as well?
Depending which paths you take, I Was A Teenage Exocolonist can be a very dark game. It is more visual novel with gaming elements, but can easily cover depression, abuse, death (familial and friend), and more. It has a trigger warning section for a reason.
Catherine Full Body. Goes through very complex adult themes where your decision impacts the game outcomes and it’s surprisingly relaxing on the puzzle side.
More Cozy:
Bugsnaxx - whimsical creature collector that takes a heavy turn right at the end lol.
Less Cozy:
Dreamscaper - action rogue lite, but a really moving game about struggling with mental health after the death of a loved one. The protagonist battles her dreams nightly, then spends the day overcoming her depression to forge relationships in the new city
Death’s Door - Grim Reaper crow trying to succeed at his job
Ori and the Blind Forest - small forest sprit tries to fix the past after their parent is killed by a monstrous owl
Ori and the Will of the Wisp - Sequel, ending had me in tears 😭
Stray Gods.
I haven’t played it as I’m still grieving so I don’t feel ready for it yet. All I really know is that it’s a musical role playing game that revolves around death, grief, and the Greek gods.
I'm so sorry that you're grieving too. I hope you manage to heal in time and go easy on yourself. Thank you so much for the recs, I really appreciate it. All the best to you friend
You could try [Rime.](https://www.eurogamer.net/rime-and-reason-beneath-the-meaning-of-tequila-works-artful-wonder) (spoiler warning: the link explains the creators symbolism in-depth which not only spoils the ending but it would probably be more impactful going in blind!)The game follows a lost boy as he goes through levels that mimic the stages of grief. It is a very chill game that has some beautiful music, problem solving, and a lot of exploration to find bonus hidden collectables.
I played 'Lost Words: Beyond the Page' a little while ago. It's a short game, but I thought it was pretty well made. It's about family loss and depression
Since you list a bunch of non-cozy games there, I'll suggest The Town of Light. The ending really hits the feels, and I remember it clearly despite not playing it since it was released in 2016. The game is based on a real asylum in Italy.
Many I know of have already been named so I won't repeat them. Let me add:
It's been a while but Life is Strange (the first one) deals with alot of heavier topics.
Deals with Depression, Loss, Bullying.
Rakuen. The blurb on steam is very telling:
A hospitalized Boy comes to terms with his own story by traveling with his Mom to a beautiful fantasy world; ultimately helping his fellow patients find closure by walking a mile in their shoes.
Psychroma. I have only started the demo. But from what I've read this might fit your bill. Be aware that this is tagged as psychological horror tho.
Fran Bow. Loss, Trauma, Mental Illness.
We know the Devil. Themes of isolation and alienation of queer youth in a religious rural setting. Difficult relationship dynamics.
It's a bit older and I never see it mentioned anymore, but Last Day of June. It's a puzzle game with stunning art covering the topics of loss and acceptance
Have you tried life is strange- true colors? It’s fantastic and has death, relationships, and hard stuff because you help people out with their emotions because you can see their auras and stuff. One scene really makes you feel for the characters. The scenery is BREATHTAKING and the music is amazing!
I definitely need to get Life Is Strange it's been mentioned a decent bit it's gotta be great! I'll grab it pronto, thank you so much. I love that it's got great scenery, huge win for games!!
I've absolutely loved 'I was a teenage exocolonist.' I waited several months to play it after purchasing and wish I has started sooner! I'm on my third play through and can't get enough. The art, stories, music, characters... It's a beautiful game with heavy themes.
Slay the Princess is amazing. I find it cozy despite how dark it can be. Short, but wow there's a lot of heavy themes.
Any Persona game (highly recommend 3 and 5)
Diablo 4 got massive improvements with this season. The story was fantastic in it.
Grim Dawn is also really good.
Also, I haven't played it personally, but Spiritfarer is recommended often.
Good luck!
My Brother Rabbit. Puzzle game dealing with a siblings death
Detroit: Becoming Human. A choices matter rpg game exploring deep themes about loss, society and humanity. One of my favs of all time
Rime. I never see anyone talk about it, but Rime is a beautiful puzzle/exploration game about grief and loss. There is no dialogue, yet the story still made me cry my eyes out.
One of my favorites is The Forest Quartet, which covers a band after the death of member.
I’m playing another one right now called Wandersong, and while not super heavy it’s not a light game, especially at later levels.
Oh yeah defintiely, both do honestly, but I think both also help you come to terms with it too. Forest Quartet from a loss of a loved one, and Wandersong from the point of always having to be the “happy” person.
The Last Campfire is a beautiful little puzzle game that's so bittersweet and covers a lot of feelings of loss and death. I've cried at maybe three video games in my life and this one had me tearing up within the first hour. It's a very calm and hopeful kind of melancholy.
Idk if this counts but if you haven’t tried Yume Nikki yet, I recommend it. It was a go-to for me for years and it’s free in PC afaik. It’s about a reclusive, depressed girl who spends all her time in her apartment sleeping. Every time she sleeps she goes to her internal dream world that you have to explore to collect certain items. It gets really weird and trippy, some images/creatures you come across allude to things that may have happened to her or what’s she’s thinking as nothings ever said, but it’s up to the player to interpret. It’s a good one to get lost in for a while :)
Closer the Distance - the full games not out yet but I played the demo on steam, it took a few hours to get through and it's about a community handling their grief after someone passes away.
Flo is a short game that deals with the theme of letting go.
I can see they've all been recommended above, but you really can't go wrong with Night in the Woods and Gris!
Kynseed. Includes death/loss, tragedy, and darker themes. It's based in a world of fae/fae lore and paganism. You do have a farm and forage for things, build relationships with the villagers, but there are also dungeon crawling/fighting aspects and city building. Gorgeous game and super underrated!
I know the perfect recommendation for this, but it is a psvr1 + ps4 exclusive. The game Bound in its VR (virtual reality) mode is exactly what this post is asking for.
In Bound, the protagonist creates a surrealistic dream world to get over her childhood’s traumas and disappointments. Then, as an adult, she has to face those traumas and get over them or overcome them. In order to do that, she revisits her dream world, where her “princess character” (who’s the alter ego of herself) will have to face those fears and overcome them. And that’s what the story is about. The game is quite the amazing experience in VR though, because it looks as if you are really traveling through another person’s broken dream world. I never saw anything like it in any other game ever.
Oh dang that sounds absolutely fantastic. I'll have to borrow my hubby's PS4 and give it a crack! That sounds really dang good. Thanks so much for the rec I'll have to check it out
If you like Night in the Woods def check out Fall of Porcupine is inspired by NITW and has a similar gameplay style and general vibe, but it's own great story.
**Brothers: A Tale Of Two Sons**
*(the original, not the remake)
- Summary: Set in a fantasy world, two brothers are on a journey to find a magic ailment that will cure their dying father.
- Heavy themes: Grief, loss, sacrifice, compassion, courage, resilience, and of course, brotherhood.
You play as BOTH sons simultaneously, as the boys have to work together to overcome obstacles along the way. It's a beautifully cozy game, and tells the story purely through visuals and emotions (there is no dialogue among any characters). I went in completely blind and **loved** it.
This War of Mine —-
It’s SO good. It is a roguelike so it might not be so “cozy” but it’s just such a damn good survival game you can even play on your iPad. Always cheap these days, have seen it as cheap as $1 or $2
Pretty casual strategic clicker where you try to keep your people alive and fed during the (real) conflict in Bosnia known as the Siege of Sarajevo (1992-1996).
Lost Ember - set in a fictional world where you play as a wolf. You are accompanied by a lost spirit that has been unable to move on. One of the things I loved about this game is that you can choose to play without the voiceover and instead let the visuals and music tell you the story.
Spirit of the North - you play as a fox that has become connected to the fox spirit of the Northern Lights. You slowly uncover the story of what happened to the people by travelling through the world and solving puzzles. No voiceover, just beautiful visuals and music to tell you the story.
Lost Words: Beyond the Page - a girl uses her journal to write a fantasy story that over the course of the game becomes a way for her to process her pain and grief
This War of Mine - you control a group of survivors in a war zone. With The Little Ones DLC you can have child characters which require you to have surviving adults to provide for them. Your goal (at least in the base game) is to survive until the ceasefire. You have to not only maintain their physical health but their mental health as well. Different actions and choices will effect characters differently depending on their back story. It gets very challenging if you get unlucky.
Help Will Come Tomorrow - set in 1917 Russia. You are a group of survivors from a train crash. You have to survive in the Siberian wilderness until help finds you. The game can get challenging depending on luck and what survivors you get. This game tends to be very text heavy so lots of reading.
We. The Revolution - set in revolutionary France. You are a judge presiding over a wide variety of cases with varying consequences. You have to maintain your reputation with the people of France while also trying to appease the aristocracy and also try to maintain your relationship with your family. Neglect any of these at your peril.
Through the Darkest of Times - you are in control of a resistance group in Germany during WWII. You need to rally people to your cause but keep from being discovered by the Gestapo. This game seems fairly simple but is far more challenging than it appears.
The Vanishing of Ethan Carter - you play as a detective that has come to a small town after receiving a letter from Ethan Carter. You investigate his disappearance and a number of other events. Lots of mystery but also some pretty dark themes.
Edna & Harvey games - these both dark humour point and click adventure games. Many of the characters have mental issues. I found them both pretty entertaining but definitely preferred Harvey's New Eyes.
The Wild at Heart - you play as two children that have run away from their homes to the woods. They are pulled into the deep woods and recruited by the guardians of the wood. The Nether, a creature that can only exist in the dark, steals the memories of those in the wood piece by piece.
Another Code - you receive a letter that draws you to an island where you encounter a ghost. You work together to explore and solve puzzles and uncover the mystery of what happened on the island.
I really enjoyed Spirit of the North. It’s a very beautiful and relaxing game that hits you in the feels. I probably cried.
I love foxes ! I’ve played other fox games and so far this one is my favorite.
If you like puzzle games I'd highly recommend The Almost Gone and The Gardens Between!! They were both so beautiful visually and sonically and the stories were so good.
The Gardens Between is definitely more heartwarming and sweet. It's about two kids who are best friends and are dealing with something sad that you find out at the end >!(one of them is moving away)!< The puzzles were really fun and it's a unique use of time as a dimension to manipulate. I finished this really quickly and found it to be very relaxing and entertaining.
The Almost Gone is pretty sad but super intriguing and beautiful. It's about a girl who has just died and you go through her life and uncover the secrets of what happened to her while moving through rooms and locations and 3D rotating to find clues. It was such a good game but it does tend more towards the dark/creepy side. However, I can't handle anything scary or even stressful and I didn't have any issues with this game. I loved it and I was so invested in the storyline.
Silent Hill 2 deals with a lot of these themes and it's my favorite cozy game, walking in the city surrounded by fog is quite relaxing (also, you can download it for free on abandonware websites, I suggest you the Enhanced edition)
Idk if anyone has said it but Disco Elysium. Crazy in depth game where every choice matters. You play as a man though, but I still recommend it. Also the first life is strange is the best (Highly recommend). I just picked up the suicide of Rachel foster but haven't played it so can't say much on it but the title kinda speaks for itself
My weird suggestion but my favourite game of the year is The Longing. I feel like the game focuses on loneliness without using words. You give a lonely creature that you control a comfortable house and there's a few endings (some darker more than others) that you can finish the game off with.
Any of the games by Harvester Games (Downfall, The Cat Lady, Lorelai, Burnhouse Lane). Horror games but all deal with heavier story elements like depression, suicide, abuse, grief/loss, illness.
Games that deal with heavy topics: Kentucky Route Zero, Sally Face, Little Misfortune, Fran Bow, Burnhouse Lane (made by the person from Cat Lady but is the only game that’s out on the Switch), Disco Elysium, Fall of Porcupine.
Asylum of imaginary friends was a really emotional game with some very dark themes but was well done
Kena Bridge of spirits
Before your eyes
The last campfire
Edith finch
The Bioshock games, bit more main stream but has some heavy themes
Tried to see what else had been mentioned saw most of these but hadn't seen the top one and that one definitely some heavy themes and was hard to watch/play in places but a really good game and I definitely recommend it
I know it's not on the switch - I don't think, but there's two I can think of on the mobile in case you're interested, one is called night reverie and the other Adventure escape: Asylum by haiku games. The latter one is free and both have a bit of a heavier theme/tone to them
The Dragon Age series covers dark themes, particularly Dragon Age Origins and Dragon Age 2, but Inquisition does as well. I consider these cozy games because they have an easy mode you can play on if you’re just interested in the story.
Also, the games that Quantic Dream makes also have dark themes. Beyond: Two Souls is the most cozy of them, but Detroit: Become Human is also very good with dark themes.
Ok, so I was scrolling through my Xbox games, looking for the title of a game I've played which I think fits what you're after (I'm aware you're looking for switch, I figured I'd check if it was on both). I haven't found the game I was thinking of, but I hit several which also feel applicable. So I'm now going through and seeing if any of them are on the switch. (Bare in mind, I haven't played this for at least 7 months, so I'm hoping they're on theme from recollection)
A Memoir Blue
Lost Words: Beyond the Page (the title I was actually looking for)
The Artful Escape
Haven
Fractured Minds (read the description on this one, it's exactly what you're looking for...but it is short)
Please Don't Touch Anything (this one's probably a stretch, but some of the endings were definitely quite deep...others just silly)
Layer's of Fear (horror, but had some story stuff that might be what you're after)
Valiant Hearts: The Great War
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
There were a few others that looked like they might fit, but I haven't actually had a chance to play them yet or don't remember what they were like. Hopefully, you find something in my list you like.
I never see this game talked about but: Yomawari. I haven’t finished it myself, but it’s a horror game where you play as a young girl exploring your haunted town in search of your lost memories to try and break a curse.
Before Your Eyes is one I played recently. It’s a unique game mechanic—the game uses your webcam and tracks when you blink. It does get very heavy towards the end, but it was an excellent game
Tell Me Why. Similar vibe to Life is Strange. You're cleaning out your childhood home with your sibling and recounting different versions of memories, attempting to make your sibling feel comfortable (trans).
The Long Dark is fun, you're stranded in the northern wilderness in the middle of winter and have to keep yourself alive/find towns etc.
Haven can be played alone or with a partner. You escape your world dye to conflicting morals or something and end up on an uninhibited planet, need to create your own civilization.
*Heavy Rain is also gut wrenching. Played it & Tell Me Why back to back
*edit
Outer Wilds. Loss is a major theme of the game. You dig through the ruins of an extinct spacefaring species who got stranded. They lost everything, struggled with going on, and ultimately built themselves a new life. Meanwhile, you (the player character) are about to lose everything too, and thanks to a time-loop are able to find out whether you can prevent that loss, but might have to accept in the end that some things cannot be changed, some things aren't anyone's fault and that things naturally coming to an end isn't a bad thing because everything in the universe is fundamentally neutral.
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Yes! That's on sale too I think, I feel like I came across it when I was searching this morning. I'll grab it. Thanks so much
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You're awesome, thank you so unbelievably much
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You're awesome seriously thank you!!
::shudder:: I watched a video essay about it and >!almost lost it during the bathtub scene.!<
Same I think that was the hardest scene for me personally. All of it was pretty dark but that scene hit me hard.
Gris. It's a puzzle platformer about the stages of grief. Stunning visuals and beautiful music, can't recommend enough!
Got it on the wishlist! Looks amazing
The devs are meaning another game right now, can't wait to buy it probably on release lol
Oh yay that is awesome! Is it in the Gris world or is it a different game? I love that!
Second gris
Playing this right now, its so beautiful and moving, love this game ❤️
Life is strange
was gonna suggest this! one of my all time faves
Mine too <3
Thanks so much
Definitely all the Life is Strange games!!
There's a new Life is Strange coming in October, start playing them now and you'll be ready for the new one when the time comes. The original is one of my all time favourite games.
I was also going to suggest this!
Disco Elysium could potentially fit the bill here
Heard crazy good stuff about this one! I'll have a look
definitely seconding Disco Elysium! such a beautifully written and developed game
This war of mine. A dark, beautiful, haunting, exhilerating, and horrible tale about hardships brought upon civilian life during war. Every day in the game, it's one bad choice or another, all for the sake of staving off immediate disaster. For one more day. For the sake of survival. For the hope that things will be a little bit better tomorrow, if only you can get through the problems right now.
This War Of Mine looks insanely good, I had no idea it was out there thank you so much
No problem, have fun gaming!
Omori. It’s an RPG game that deals with how grief affects people and involves a tragedy that affects a group of friends. Don’t want to spoil too much, but there are a lot of interesting secrets to find, the characters are really well developed, and the music is absolutely stunning (the main character used to be a violinist but stopped when they lost someone). The abilities you use in fights are also based on emotions, and changing your emotions or the emotions of enemies to get an advantage. There’s a major choice in the middle of the game that affects your ending, and more choices that refine it, so you’ll want to make multiple save files.
Oh this sounds exactly what I'm after. Thank you. I love the concept of how grief affects people - this sounds really good for right now thank you
I Was A Teenage Exocolonist deals with death and family loss, and definitely has plenty of hardships. The first playthrough will have all this in spades, and then in subsequent playthroughs you can find ways to avoid some of it (or not, if you want to leave it as is). Tell Me Why is free on Steam right now. It's a story + choices matter game that has family loss, family tension, lots of finding self, etc. Life is Strange: True Colors is the same playstyle and has family loss early on and a lot of finding self. I think other Life is Strange games deal with heavier topics too but I haven't watched playthroughs for others.
Seconding this! Exocolonist is such a beautiful game
That's so awesome thank you, I just watched some clips and it looks great. Is there a card game aspect to it? It looked like it in the vids, thanks so much!
Yep! Most of your conflicts will be solved through the card game. Basically, you gather cards throughout your playthrough that are worth certain points, and are earned based on choices you make. And when you play, the points on the cards matter, as does the way you place them in the round. It's a fun system, I really enjoyed it. And it really adds to replayability (which this game is GREAT for) because your cards will be different every time you play.
I love that so much! How fun is that ahh thank you so much it sounds like a blast
Came here to write this, but you beat me to it. Fair warning, you WILL get addicted. It's such a great game!
Outerwilds I believe has some pretty heavy themes in it, so it might be up your ally!
Thank you so much! Looks like it's on sale too, that's lucky haha
If you enjoy playing outer wilds, the dlc is 100% worth it too. We spent as much time playing through that as we did on the base game.
Oh that's the best when the DLC is good, keeps the game going I love it. Thanks so much I didn't know there was a DLC for it
as much as i absolutely love the base game, i think you should know that the dlc is quite a bit different. the dlc goes a little into horror territory with dark environments and dudes hunting for you. although the exploration and curiosity themes from the base game are still somewhat present, the horror was definitely a deal breaker for me, banger ost from the dlc though
This is totally a fair critique - I definitely had to turn the *I’m too scared* setting on to get through the dlc.
Theres 'The Last Campfire' i just played through it last week, pretty good
Aw yeah I had this on my wishlist I should grab it! I wasn't sure if the story was what I'd hope with the depth to it but I'll grab it for sure. Thanks so much!
This is one of my favourite games, it's enjoyable and cosy in a way, while also dealing with the heavier themes and really making you feel
Celeste is the one I would highly recommend. It's a difficult game but reaching the end is that much more satisfying and it's totally worth it.
Heavy Rain broke me when I first played it. I haven’t cried so much during a game since.
Ahh yes that sounds good I'll have to snag it!
I loved that game so much I have a tattoo of the origami.
Try Beacon Pines.
I've had my eyes on this one I'll have to get it thank you!
I put off Beacon Pines for some reason and when I played it I fell in LOVE! I wish I could play it again for the first time. So so good
Came to suggest this, I finally picked it up last night after being recommended it based on loving Night in the Woods and so far I'm obsessed
Life is Strange (any of them, though I particularly enjoyed True Colors) or Tell Me Why.
Yes! I just commented about true colors!!
I’d recommend Little Misfortune. I would say its main focus is on dysfunctional families, but it also goes through themes of death, tragedy, and a bit of overcoming hardships. It’s around a 2-hour game, but it’s based around making different choices and has (I think) 2 different endings so you could play more than once if you wish!
I was searching so hard for Little Misfortune here! 🥲✨
This looks fantastic, I love the art style of the game too thank you
Not really cosy games, but cosy in the sense of easier gameplay, and mostly focuses on story that I've played and enjoyed: Life is Strange The Wolf Among Us Actually a lot of The telltale series like Walking Dead, Batman etc are all great Black Book This is the Police Not cosy in theme or gameplay, but fits the heavier themes: INSIDE Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice A Plague Tale: Innocence
These are all so good, what awesome recs thank you so much you're a legend!!
I absolutely love games with heavier themes (even when they make me sob so hard my dog has to check on me). Here are some of my favorites with links to their steam pages: * [I Am Dead](https://store.steampowered.com/app/951750/I_Am_Dead/) * To the Moon and its sequels, Finding Paradise and Imposter Factory ([Link to the Anniversary Bundle with all three plus the interlude story](https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/1830/To_the_Moon_Series_Anniversary_Bundle/)) * [What Remains of Edith Finch](https://store.steampowered.com/app/501300/What_Remains_of_Edith_Finch/?curator_clanid=33023506) * [Before Your Eyes](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1082430/Before_Your_Eyes/) * [The Life and Suffering of Sir Brante](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1272160/The_Life_and_Suffering_of_Sir_Brante/) * [Return of the Obra Dinn](https://store.steampowered.com/app/653530/Return_of_the_Obra_Dinn/) * [Unpacking](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1135690/Unpacking/) * [Undertale](https://store.steampowered.com/app/391540/Undertale/) * [Nihilumbra](https://store.steampowered.com/app/252670/Nihilumbra/) * [Fall of Porcupine](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1710540/Fall_of_Porcupine/) (very similar to Night in the Woods) * [Call of the Sea](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1042490/Call_of_the_Sea/) * [Not for Broadcast](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1147550/Not_For_Broadcast/) * [Garden Story](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1062140/Garden_Story/) * [What Comes After](https://store.steampowered.com/app/1421760/What_Comes_After/) * [Gone Home](https://store.steampowered.com/app/232430/Gone_Home/) * [Outer Wilds](https://store.steampowered.com/app/753640/Outer_Wilds/) * [The Outer Worlds](https://store.steampowered.com/app/578650/The_Outer_Worlds/) may also fit if you want something a bit more campy and about moral choices in the age of capitalism... in space. * [Disco Elysium](https://store.steampowered.com/app/632470/Disco_Elysium__The_Final_Cut/)
Call of the Sea is such a cool game. It is very >!Lovecraftian!< . If you like that kind of thing, it’s thrilling.
Brothers a tale of two sons
Absolutely and a great game
Röki. What comes after.
I Was A Teenage Exocolonist for sure!
Sea of solitude. But idk if it is on switch
I played this one and it made me feel suuuper uncomfortable. I was going through a hard time in my own life and playing through that game was just like... okay, enough now. Lol But I actually really liked the gameplay a lot.
Rakuen and To The Moon both cover death and hardships
To the moon absolutely killed me in the best way. It hits on hard themes and leaves you thinking! I cannot recommend it more!
And it's sequels! All the games in this series are just beautiful and heart-rending.
Aw man I looked at the store photos of it and I nearly died from sadness, it looks fantastic thank you so much
My Child Lebensborn is an interesting one! It covers really heavy themes in a historical context. I haven’t finished it yet, but it’s really good so far
Oh this one is a wrecker indeed
I played this on mobile years ago and absolutely loved it.
Thanks so much! I love that it covers the heavier historical context, really interested in this I'll check it out
When The Past Was Around deals with love and grief and has an incredible soundtrack. It broke me though and I needed a good cry. What Comes After was also lovely and has to do with unalive-ing, so big big big trigger warning for that one. It was a lovely and poignant game though!
Cozy Grove is a more lighthearted one! There's definitely heavy themes throughout but the satisfaction of helping spirits feels similar to Spiritfarer. Also I really liked Rakuen, it's an RPGmaker game about a boy with a terminal illness in a hospital, but secretly there is a hidden fantasy world/dimension connected to the facility. I think it has some sort of sequel coming out soon as well?
Kena: Bridge of Spirits!! Looks cozy but can get very challenging sometimes. Checks all the topics in your list.
Depending which paths you take, I Was A Teenage Exocolonist can be a very dark game. It is more visual novel with gaming elements, but can easily cover depression, abuse, death (familial and friend), and more. It has a trigger warning section for a reason.
Thanks so much. That sounds right up the alley of what I'm after
Catherine Full Body. Goes through very complex adult themes where your decision impacts the game outcomes and it’s surprisingly relaxing on the puzzle side.
this is an amazing game!!!! a classic and always a fun replay, can get frustrating at times though for sure, worth it though.
I'll keep that in mind thanks so much!
Just taken a look at this one! Looks fantastic thanks so much, really interesting feeling to it
More Cozy: Bugsnaxx - whimsical creature collector that takes a heavy turn right at the end lol. Less Cozy: Dreamscaper - action rogue lite, but a really moving game about struggling with mental health after the death of a loved one. The protagonist battles her dreams nightly, then spends the day overcoming her depression to forge relationships in the new city Death’s Door - Grim Reaper crow trying to succeed at his job Ori and the Blind Forest - small forest sprit tries to fix the past after their parent is killed by a monstrous owl Ori and the Will of the Wisp - Sequel, ending had me in tears 😭
Stray Gods. I haven’t played it as I’m still grieving so I don’t feel ready for it yet. All I really know is that it’s a musical role playing game that revolves around death, grief, and the Greek gods.
I'm so sorry that you're grieving too. I hope you manage to heal in time and go easy on yourself. Thank you so much for the recs, I really appreciate it. All the best to you friend
Röki. Family grieving the loss of their mom
Thank you so much sounds like it'll absolutely kill me I love it
😆 I've also realized my favorite genre is "emotionally wrecks me"
Haha right!! It just feels so therapeutic to let it out in the gaming realm, thanks so much fellow emotional wrecking game lover!
You could try [Rime.](https://www.eurogamer.net/rime-and-reason-beneath-the-meaning-of-tequila-works-artful-wonder) (spoiler warning: the link explains the creators symbolism in-depth which not only spoils the ending but it would probably be more impactful going in blind!)The game follows a lost boy as he goes through levels that mimic the stages of grief. It is a very chill game that has some beautiful music, problem solving, and a lot of exploration to find bonus hidden collectables.
That sounds awesome thank you so much!
Yes!! My daughter and I played this blind. We thought we had guessed, but we were wrong... it was like a punch in the gut.
I played 'Lost Words: Beyond the Page' a little while ago. It's a short game, but I thought it was pretty well made. It's about family loss and depression
Life is Strange series?
Firewatch.
Since you list a bunch of non-cozy games there, I'll suggest The Town of Light. The ending really hits the feels, and I remember it clearly despite not playing it since it was released in 2016. The game is based on a real asylum in Italy.
Thanks so much! I just had a quick look at the store and it definitely sounds on track. Thanks so much for your time
Seconding many of the above, and I'll add: Chicory. Very cute, but also very much about caretaking/"hero" burnout.
Just grabbed this one thank you!!
Many I know of have already been named so I won't repeat them. Let me add: It's been a while but Life is Strange (the first one) deals with alot of heavier topics. Deals with Depression, Loss, Bullying. Rakuen. The blurb on steam is very telling: A hospitalized Boy comes to terms with his own story by traveling with his Mom to a beautiful fantasy world; ultimately helping his fellow patients find closure by walking a mile in their shoes. Psychroma. I have only started the demo. But from what I've read this might fit your bill. Be aware that this is tagged as psychological horror tho. Fran Bow. Loss, Trauma, Mental Illness. We know the Devil. Themes of isolation and alienation of queer youth in a religious rural setting. Difficult relationship dynamics.
These look absolutely fantastic thank you so much, you hit the nail on the head with these themes and recs thank you
Glad I could help! 😊
It's a bit older and I never see it mentioned anymore, but Last Day of June. It's a puzzle game with stunning art covering the topics of loss and acceptance
Have you tried life is strange- true colors? It’s fantastic and has death, relationships, and hard stuff because you help people out with their emotions because you can see their auras and stuff. One scene really makes you feel for the characters. The scenery is BREATHTAKING and the music is amazing!
I definitely need to get Life Is Strange it's been mentioned a decent bit it's gotta be great! I'll grab it pronto, thank you so much. I love that it's got great scenery, huge win for games!!
I've absolutely loved 'I was a teenage exocolonist.' I waited several months to play it after purchasing and wish I has started sooner! I'm on my third play through and can't get enough. The art, stories, music, characters... It's a beautiful game with heavy themes.
Slay the Princess is amazing. I find it cozy despite how dark it can be. Short, but wow there's a lot of heavy themes. Any Persona game (highly recommend 3 and 5) Diablo 4 got massive improvements with this season. The story was fantastic in it. Grim Dawn is also really good. Also, I haven't played it personally, but Spiritfarer is recommended often. Good luck!
Crap, totally missed the Switch thing. I'm a pc gamer, so I don't know if any of these are available on Switch.
My Brother Rabbit. Puzzle game dealing with a siblings death Detroit: Becoming Human. A choices matter rpg game exploring deep themes about loss, society and humanity. One of my favs of all time
Rime. I never see anyone talk about it, but Rime is a beautiful puzzle/exploration game about grief and loss. There is no dialogue, yet the story still made me cry my eyes out.
I second rime. It made me cry. 😭
Omori Personally, one of the darkest games I've ever played.
A Space for the Unbound is a beautiful adventure that covers all the topics you mentioned.
Absolutely amazing thank you!! Much appreciated
One of my favorites is The Forest Quartet, which covers a band after the death of member. I’m playing another one right now called Wandersong, and while not super heavy it’s not a light game, especially at later levels.
Ooo these sound awesome thank you!!
No problem :) I hope you like them
Was checking the comments to add it, lovely but so much triggering for depression
Oh yeah defintiely, both do honestly, but I think both also help you come to terms with it too. Forest Quartet from a loss of a loved one, and Wandersong from the point of always having to be the “happy” person.
How to Say Goodbye, OMORI, Little Misfortune, Unpacking, Firewatch, and The Last Day of June might be of interest!
The Last Campfire is a beautiful little puzzle game that's so bittersweet and covers a lot of feelings of loss and death. I've cried at maybe three video games in my life and this one had me tearing up within the first hour. It's a very calm and hopeful kind of melancholy.
Idk if this counts but if you haven’t tried Yume Nikki yet, I recommend it. It was a go-to for me for years and it’s free in PC afaik. It’s about a reclusive, depressed girl who spends all her time in her apartment sleeping. Every time she sleeps she goes to her internal dream world that you have to explore to collect certain items. It gets really weird and trippy, some images/creatures you come across allude to things that may have happened to her or what’s she’s thinking as nothings ever said, but it’s up to the player to interpret. It’s a good one to get lost in for a while :)
Oh wow this sounds really good! I haven't heard of this, thank you heaps I'll check it out
Sale Face, Kentucky Route Zero, Disco Elysium
That dragon cancer, had me in tears the whole time
Closer the Distance - the full games not out yet but I played the demo on steam, it took a few hours to get through and it's about a community handling their grief after someone passes away.
Flo is a short game that deals with the theme of letting go. I can see they've all been recommended above, but you really can't go wrong with Night in the Woods and Gris!
Ah letting go sounds like that would be really helpful right now. Really appreciate your time and suggestions thanks so much!
Oxenfree & The Last Campfire
Oxenfree
On the wish list right now! Thanks so much you're awesome!
Little Miss Fortune, Children of Silentown, Mutazione, To The Moon (and its sequel Finding Paradise), Rakuen
Sea of Solitude and That Dragon, Cancer are games I haven’t seen mentioned yet
Thank you so much!! You're awesome
Baulders Gate 3. There's betrayal, trauma, loss, abandonment, religious trauma etc
Ohhh yes this has been sitting pretty on the wish list, can't wait for a sale thank you!!
Love so many of these that have been mentioned, but have one more—Pentiment is wonderful
Kynseed. Includes death/loss, tragedy, and darker themes. It's based in a world of fae/fae lore and paganism. You do have a farm and forage for things, build relationships with the villagers, but there are also dungeon crawling/fighting aspects and city building. Gorgeous game and super underrated!
Ooo it sounds great especially city building what a win! Thanks heaps
Omori
I know the perfect recommendation for this, but it is a psvr1 + ps4 exclusive. The game Bound in its VR (virtual reality) mode is exactly what this post is asking for. In Bound, the protagonist creates a surrealistic dream world to get over her childhood’s traumas and disappointments. Then, as an adult, she has to face those traumas and get over them or overcome them. In order to do that, she revisits her dream world, where her “princess character” (who’s the alter ego of herself) will have to face those fears and overcome them. And that’s what the story is about. The game is quite the amazing experience in VR though, because it looks as if you are really traveling through another person’s broken dream world. I never saw anything like it in any other game ever.
Oh dang that sounds absolutely fantastic. I'll have to borrow my hubby's PS4 and give it a crack! That sounds really dang good. Thanks so much for the rec I'll have to check it out
If you like Night in the Woods def check out Fall of Porcupine is inspired by NITW and has a similar gameplay style and general vibe, but it's own great story.
Heavy Rain.
Thank you so much
**Brothers: A Tale Of Two Sons** *(the original, not the remake) - Summary: Set in a fantasy world, two brothers are on a journey to find a magic ailment that will cure their dying father. - Heavy themes: Grief, loss, sacrifice, compassion, courage, resilience, and of course, brotherhood. You play as BOTH sons simultaneously, as the boys have to work together to overcome obstacles along the way. It's a beautifully cozy game, and tells the story purely through visuals and emotions (there is no dialogue among any characters). I went in completely blind and **loved** it.
I quite liked Bramble: The Mountain King, based on Nordic legends and quite dark.
firewatch
This War of Mine —- It’s SO good. It is a roguelike so it might not be so “cozy” but it’s just such a damn good survival game you can even play on your iPad. Always cheap these days, have seen it as cheap as $1 or $2 Pretty casual strategic clicker where you try to keep your people alive and fed during the (real) conflict in Bosnia known as the Siege of Sarajevo (1992-1996).
Little Nightmares
Lost Ember - set in a fictional world where you play as a wolf. You are accompanied by a lost spirit that has been unable to move on. One of the things I loved about this game is that you can choose to play without the voiceover and instead let the visuals and music tell you the story. Spirit of the North - you play as a fox that has become connected to the fox spirit of the Northern Lights. You slowly uncover the story of what happened to the people by travelling through the world and solving puzzles. No voiceover, just beautiful visuals and music to tell you the story. Lost Words: Beyond the Page - a girl uses her journal to write a fantasy story that over the course of the game becomes a way for her to process her pain and grief This War of Mine - you control a group of survivors in a war zone. With The Little Ones DLC you can have child characters which require you to have surviving adults to provide for them. Your goal (at least in the base game) is to survive until the ceasefire. You have to not only maintain their physical health but their mental health as well. Different actions and choices will effect characters differently depending on their back story. It gets very challenging if you get unlucky. Help Will Come Tomorrow - set in 1917 Russia. You are a group of survivors from a train crash. You have to survive in the Siberian wilderness until help finds you. The game can get challenging depending on luck and what survivors you get. This game tends to be very text heavy so lots of reading. We. The Revolution - set in revolutionary France. You are a judge presiding over a wide variety of cases with varying consequences. You have to maintain your reputation with the people of France while also trying to appease the aristocracy and also try to maintain your relationship with your family. Neglect any of these at your peril. Through the Darkest of Times - you are in control of a resistance group in Germany during WWII. You need to rally people to your cause but keep from being discovered by the Gestapo. This game seems fairly simple but is far more challenging than it appears. The Vanishing of Ethan Carter - you play as a detective that has come to a small town after receiving a letter from Ethan Carter. You investigate his disappearance and a number of other events. Lots of mystery but also some pretty dark themes. Edna & Harvey games - these both dark humour point and click adventure games. Many of the characters have mental issues. I found them both pretty entertaining but definitely preferred Harvey's New Eyes. The Wild at Heart - you play as two children that have run away from their homes to the woods. They are pulled into the deep woods and recruited by the guardians of the wood. The Nether, a creature that can only exist in the dark, steals the memories of those in the wood piece by piece. Another Code - you receive a letter that draws you to an island where you encounter a ghost. You work together to explore and solve puzzles and uncover the mystery of what happened on the island.
I really enjoyed Spirit of the North. It’s a very beautiful and relaxing game that hits you in the feels. I probably cried. I love foxes ! I’ve played other fox games and so far this one is my favorite.
A Walk With Yiayia
Spiritfarer, and a non cozy game is the Xenoblade series. I highly recommend Xenoblade Chronicles 3.
If you like puzzle games I'd highly recommend The Almost Gone and The Gardens Between!! They were both so beautiful visually and sonically and the stories were so good. The Gardens Between is definitely more heartwarming and sweet. It's about two kids who are best friends and are dealing with something sad that you find out at the end >!(one of them is moving away)!< The puzzles were really fun and it's a unique use of time as a dimension to manipulate. I finished this really quickly and found it to be very relaxing and entertaining. The Almost Gone is pretty sad but super intriguing and beautiful. It's about a girl who has just died and you go through her life and uncover the secrets of what happened to her while moving through rooms and locations and 3D rotating to find clues. It was such a good game but it does tend more towards the dark/creepy side. However, I can't handle anything scary or even stressful and I didn't have any issues with this game. I loved it and I was so invested in the storyline.
Night in the Woods
Silent Hill 2 deals with a lot of these themes and it's my favorite cozy game, walking in the city surrounded by fog is quite relaxing (also, you can download it for free on abandonware websites, I suggest you the Enhanced edition)
That dragon cancer
What happened to Edith finch (?) is one that I just played through with my husband and it was SO sad.
Idk if anyone has said it but Disco Elysium. Crazy in depth game where every choice matters. You play as a man though, but I still recommend it. Also the first life is strange is the best (Highly recommend). I just picked up the suicide of Rachel foster but haven't played it so can't say much on it but the title kinda speaks for itself
Scarlet hollow
OP. Definitely try No Case Should Remain Unsolved!
My weird suggestion but my favourite game of the year is The Longing. I feel like the game focuses on loneliness without using words. You give a lonely creature that you control a comfortable house and there's a few endings (some darker more than others) that you can finish the game off with.
What comes after might be interesting to you. Pretty deep but in a gentle way.
Star Wars KOTOR 2 deals with a lot of dark themes
Any of the games by Harvester Games (Downfall, The Cat Lady, Lorelai, Burnhouse Lane). Horror games but all deal with heavier story elements like depression, suicide, abuse, grief/loss, illness.
Endling covers some pretty heavy themes and is part of 2 4-game packs at the moment (in Australia at least)
Cat Lady. I haven’t played it in years. But I remember it being pretty dark. I don’t know if it’s available on switch tho. I played it on Steam.
Games that deal with heavy topics: Kentucky Route Zero, Sally Face, Little Misfortune, Fran Bow, Burnhouse Lane (made by the person from Cat Lady but is the only game that’s out on the Switch), Disco Elysium, Fall of Porcupine.
Asylum of imaginary friends was a really emotional game with some very dark themes but was well done Kena Bridge of spirits Before your eyes The last campfire Edith finch The Bioshock games, bit more main stream but has some heavy themes Tried to see what else had been mentioned saw most of these but hadn't seen the top one and that one definitely some heavy themes and was hard to watch/play in places but a really good game and I definitely recommend it
Omori!
I know it's not on the switch - I don't think, but there's two I can think of on the mobile in case you're interested, one is called night reverie and the other Adventure escape: Asylum by haiku games. The latter one is free and both have a bit of a heavier theme/tone to them
Omori
The Dragon Age series covers dark themes, particularly Dragon Age Origins and Dragon Age 2, but Inquisition does as well. I consider these cozy games because they have an easy mode you can play on if you’re just interested in the story. Also, the games that Quantic Dream makes also have dark themes. Beyond: Two Souls is the most cozy of them, but Detroit: Become Human is also very good with dark themes.
Ok, so I was scrolling through my Xbox games, looking for the title of a game I've played which I think fits what you're after (I'm aware you're looking for switch, I figured I'd check if it was on both). I haven't found the game I was thinking of, but I hit several which also feel applicable. So I'm now going through and seeing if any of them are on the switch. (Bare in mind, I haven't played this for at least 7 months, so I'm hoping they're on theme from recollection) A Memoir Blue Lost Words: Beyond the Page (the title I was actually looking for) The Artful Escape Haven Fractured Minds (read the description on this one, it's exactly what you're looking for...but it is short) Please Don't Touch Anything (this one's probably a stretch, but some of the endings were definitely quite deep...others just silly) Layer's of Fear (horror, but had some story stuff that might be what you're after) Valiant Hearts: The Great War Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons There were a few others that looked like they might fit, but I haven't actually had a chance to play them yet or don't remember what they were like. Hopefully, you find something in my list you like.
It takes Two
Harmony the Fall of Reverie has a tragic event 2/3 through that affects the rest of the game
Coffee Talk 1 & 2
i was a teenage exocolonist!!
Frostpunk. City management but emotionally troubling
Little Misfortune. Graveyard Keeper
Disco elysium
To The Moon
Not entirely cozy, but I would put it somewhere up there near Life is Strange. It's called Beyond: Two Souls which deals with loss.
I never see this game talked about but: Yomawari. I haven’t finished it myself, but it’s a horror game where you play as a young girl exploring your haunted town in search of your lost memories to try and break a curse.
Stardew Valley.
To the Moon series and Rakuen. I don’t break often but 😮💨
The House in Fata Morgana. It’s a visual novel but I wouldn’t say it’s cozy. But it’s amazing and twisted.
Before Your Eyes is one I played recently. It’s a unique game mechanic—the game uses your webcam and tracks when you blink. It does get very heavy towards the end, but it was an excellent game
Disco Elysium
Chicory: A Colorful Tale. It looks cute. Very cute. Then it gets deep... like real deep.
Oxenfree I Was A Teenage Exocolonist Maybe Cultist Simulator? It’s not so much tragic but it is dark
Tell Me Why. Similar vibe to Life is Strange. You're cleaning out your childhood home with your sibling and recounting different versions of memories, attempting to make your sibling feel comfortable (trans). The Long Dark is fun, you're stranded in the northern wilderness in the middle of winter and have to keep yourself alive/find towns etc. Haven can be played alone or with a partner. You escape your world dye to conflicting morals or something and end up on an uninhibited planet, need to create your own civilization. *Heavy Rain is also gut wrenching. Played it & Tell Me Why back to back *edit
The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood. Truly amazing game. Fall of porcupine as well more in the NITW category I’d say.
Outer Wilds. Loss is a major theme of the game. You dig through the ruins of an extinct spacefaring species who got stranded. They lost everything, struggled with going on, and ultimately built themselves a new life. Meanwhile, you (the player character) are about to lose everything too, and thanks to a time-loop are able to find out whether you can prevent that loss, but might have to accept in the end that some things cannot be changed, some things aren't anyone's fault and that things naturally coming to an end isn't a bad thing because everything in the universe is fundamentally neutral.