April Grove casts you as a rookie forester in a serene, enchanted forest. Your task is to chop trees, gather logs, and uncover the secrets of a woodland community. This retro-inspired game blends life sim, exploration, and light RPG elements in a Game Boy Advance-style pixel-art world. With no enemies, timers, or pressure, it’s all about setting your own pace.

In this game, you’ll trade logs for gold, which you can spend on upgrades like better axes, necklaces, or food buffs that tweak your playstyle. Each swing earns XP, leveling your woodcutting skill to tackle bigger trees and unlock new forest areas. You can also choose a male or female character, customize your gear, and interact with animals for varied outcomes.

Here’s what Steam reviews are saying:

The post April Grove Just Released on Steam, You’re Missing a Lot on This 3 € Gem first appeared on IndieGames.

Architect Life puts you in charge of your own architectural firm, designing and building homes from 3D blueprints to final construction. It offers two main modes:

• Free Mode: Unrestricted creativity across 60 terrain types. Design homes without client demands or budget limits.
• Career Mode: Manage your firm through 60 unique missions. Design homes based on client needs, terrain, and budget.

Here’s the thing: NACON’s recent simulators have been questionable, and this one is no exception. I played the demo during Steam Next Fest and was disappointed by the poor tutorial and clumsy controls. While this is a subjective opinion, the Steam reviews from recent full release already tell the whole story.

It is supposed to let you design rooms, roofs, and balconies with precise measurements, choosing from various materials, coatings, and furniture. However, players are already noting that while the base game has solid foundations, it’s missing a lot of content. One review even stated: “I bought it to experiment some changes in my own home but it’s nearly impossible to do so.”

The most questionable thing is that Architect Life already has DLCs. The Supporter Edition includes the base game plus two content packs: the Sketch House Pack (for artistic 2D/3D illusions) and the Hobbies Pack (for leisure-themed rooms). You can also buy these DLCs separately. This game is part of NACON’s “Life” series, which has generally received mixed reviews.

In the end, it’s worth trying if you enjoy creative, relaxing building games like The Sims and love designing homes with extensive customization. But, if you’re sensitive to bugs, prefer deeper mechanics, or want more from a game, this one might not be for you. As one reviewer put it: “Good game for making floorplans, general layouts and and somewhat measurements.”

The post Should You Give Architect Life: A House Design Simulator a Try? first appeared on IndieGames.

Forget The Sims and Inzoi for a moment; Small Spaces offers a different kind of creative gameplay. Jokes aside, while it’s not as advanced for structural building, it provides a charming and cozy interior design experience. You’ll fill pre-made spaces and rooms, selecting furniture, decorations, and layouts to optimize limited areas. The game looks amazing, and you unlock more items as you play. Early Access currently includes three room styles, ranging from industrial to Japanese, along with a shop to acquire new items.

Simple building process

When I mention “progress,” it means completing client requests for each of the nine apartments. These are loose objectives, like adding a workspace or a cozy reading nook. Clients might also ask for specific items, such as a sofa, a TV, or even a painting collection, to earn stars that you use in shops. The biggest plus is that there’s a huge catalog of furniture and decor, ranging from beds and sofas to plants, kitchen utensils, and sewing accessories.

Items are placed using a simple drag-and-drop interface, with options to rotate, paint, and adjust them for tight spaces. A “snap-to-grid” system ensures precise placement, and a one-click painting tool handles walls, floors, and surfaces. The game emphasizes modular design, letting you create clever solutions like loft beds or foldable tables to maximize functionality. You can even fit objects inside each other, such as an oven in a cabinet or a stove on top of it.

You can personalize spaces further with indirect lighting, plants, or wall art, creating unique layouts like open-plan kitchens. My biggest complaint, however, is that while redesigning apartments with different styles adds replayability, the lack of a sandbox mode at Early Access launch limits freeform creativity. You can’t truly make your own small spaces and homes from scratch, essentially forcing you to complete the game before fully enjoying all unlocked items.

“There’s a huge catalog of furniture and decor, ranging from beds and sofas to plants.”

Cozy and relaxing, though it has some bugs

Small Spaces does have its share of bugs. For instance, I got stuck in a doorway when switching from top-down to first-person view, and opening doors felt clumsy. Another bug I encountered involved items getting stuck, making them impossible to properly select and delete. Beyond the bugs, some players might find their PC struggling with the game’s graphics as the 3D-rendered apartments are richly detailed, with realistic wood grains, fabric patterns, and metallic finishes.

While highly advanced and realistic, there’s also some visual clutter, such as odd lighting on flat surfaces. The UI also feels clumsy; when you delete an item, you’re not returned to the menu of clicked objects, forcing you to re-click and scroll, which is a bit annoying. Finally, there’s a day and night cycle, but I couldn’t find a way to change it automatically.

Let’s be honest, the progression system feels sparse; you can unlock everything rather quickly, in about two hours, without much effort. While there’s no story, the Early Access version shows great potential for future additions, from a larger catalog of objects to even modding possibilities, which might allow players to add their own creations.

“While highly advanced and realistic, there’s also some visual clutter.”

Worth it if you’re fan of cozy games

If you’re not into cozy games or want more than just decorating, this game isn’t for you. Its gameplay is purely relaxing and engaging, offering a satisfying creative experience for those who enjoy spatial design. In the end, Small Spaces is totally worth it and fun to experiment with. It could truly become a proper hidden gem if it fulfills all its Early Access plans.

Review copy provided by the publisher

4.2

The post Small Spaces – Cozy and relaxing interior builder first appeared on IndieGames.

Hello Kitty Island Adventure

Hello Kitty Island Adventure is a cozy life sim by Sunblink and Sanrio, released in 2023 on Apple Arcade and January 2025 on Switch and PC, with PS4/PS5 versions planned. You crash-land on a deserted island, joining Hello Kitty and over 40 Sanrio characters to restore Big Adventures Park. Gameplay blends Animal Crossing-style exploration, crafting, and decorating with 3D platforming and puzzle-solving. You will also be able to befriend characters like Kuromi and My Melody through quests, cook dishes, customize avatars, and uncover island mysteries.

Spilled!

Spilled! is a cozy, hour-long indie game by solo developer Lente, released March 26, 2025, on PC via Steam. You pilot a small boat to clean ocean waste, like oil spills and litter, across eight biomes. In the game you earn coins to upgrade your boat’s scoop, tank, or speed, and rescue 16 animals. With a 95% positive Steam rating and a donation to Whale and Dolphin Conservation per sale, it’s a heartfelt eco-friendly adventure.

Doloc Town

Doloc Town is a cozy pixel-art farming sim by RedSaw Games Studio, set in a post-apocalyptic world. Launched in Early Access on Steam on May 8, 2025, you build a farm, plant crops, craft tools, and explore a vibrant wasteland with valleys, wetlands, and ruins. You will be able to engage in bullet-hell combat with a drone companion, interact with quirky townsfolk, and uncover hidden stories – it blends Stardew Valley charm with Terraria-style platforming.

Wanderstop

Wanderstop is a narrative-driven cozy game by Ivy Road, released March 11, 2025, on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. You play as Alta, a burnt-out warrior running a magical tea shop in a forest, guided by the cheerful Boro. In the game you will grow ingredients, brew unique teas, and chat with customers like Gerald and Nana, whose stories unfold over 12-15 hours across five chapters. While tea-making and gardening are relaxing, the game’s focus is Alta’s emotional journey through burnout and self-discovery.

Ithya: Magic Studies

Ithya: Magic Studies is a cozy background app by Blue Turtle, released May 7, 2025, on PC via Steam. Set in the magical city of Oltak, you play as Ithya, a wandering mage, customizing a study room and exploring hand-drawn scenes like forests and ancient cities. With lo-fi and fantasy playlists, ambient sounds, and productivity tools like task lists and a Pomodoro timer, it’s perfect for focused study or creative work.

Urban Jungle

Urban Jungle is a cozy simulation game by Kylyk Games, released March 21, 2025, on PC via Steam. You transform small apartments into lush, green havens by strategically placing plants, with puzzle-like elements to maximize coziness. No watering or upkeep is needed, just find the perfect spot for each plant. The game follows Ayta Borisova’s life, weaving a heartfelt story through environmental storytelling across 3-4 hours of gameplay.

Locomoto

Locomoto is a cozy life-sim adventure by Green Tile Digital and Amplifier Studios, released April 8, 2025, on PC via Steam, with a Switch version planned. You play as a customizable animal conductor, managing a train in a unique world. You will be able to craft furniture, serve passengers, and explore 25+ stations to save Barrenpyre from environmental collapse.

Kabuto Park

Kabuto Park is a cozy, bite-sized bug-catching game by Doot and Zakku, released May 28, 2025, on PC via Steam. You play as Hana, a girl on summer vacation, catching over 40 bug species like beetles and butterflies in a charming, hand-drawn world. You will be able to train your bugs, level them up with candies, and compete in card-based sumo-style battles to win the Summer Beetle Battles Championship.

Trash Goblin

Trash Goblin is a cozy shopkeeping sim by Spilt Milk Studios, launched in Early Access on Steam in November 2024, with a full release on May 28, 2025. You play as a goblin in a fantasy world, uncovering, cleaning, and upcycling trinkets to sell to quirky customers. With no time pressure or fail states, you manage a shop, upgrade tools, and customize your space.

Small Spaces

Small Spaces is a cozy interior design sim by Niklas Tomkowitz, released in Early Access on Steam on May 27, 2025. You will transform small apartments, from Tokyo flats to New York lofts, using hundreds of furniture pieces and materials. With no timers or penalties, you creatively arrange modular kitchens and decor in a relaxing, top-down or first-person view.

Honorable Cozy Mentions

The post Top 10 Best Cozy Games of 2025 (So Far) first appeared on IndieGames.

In Hozy, your task is to transform rundown rooms into inviting sanctuaries. Equipped with cleaning and decorating tools, you’ll scrub dirty floors, apply fresh coats of paint, and adjust lighting to create the perfect ambiance. Each space, from dusty attics to neglected parlors, feels like a canvas awaiting your touch.

Intuitive controls let you tweak warmth, brightness, and camera angles effortlessly, ensuring a stress-free experience. “It’s about slowing down and finding beauty in the details,” the developers shared on Steam, and the game’s immersive atmosphere delivers that in abundance. Think House Flipper meets Unpacking, but with a softer, more whimsical touch.

The post Cozy renovation game Hozy was announced with first trailer at tinyBuild Connect first appeared on IndieGames.

In Mystopia, you take on the role of a world-builder, tasked with making adorable creatures called Monis happy by fulfilling their wishes. These tiny pals have very specific tastes, some want their blocks close together, others prefer space, and a few are just plain fussy about their neighbors. By meeting their demands, you’ll unlock new blocks and expand your tiny universes, spreading joy one cozy island at a time.

The game offers three modes: there’s the new Saga Mode, which gives you 2–3 hours of goal-oriented gameplay; a chill Normal Mode for endless tinkering; and a Creative Mode where you can build whatever you want without any rules. The revamped visuals, which you can see in the new trailer, give the game a inviting glow, while the Monis’ personalities keep things lively.

The post Cozy Sandbox Game Mystopia Launches on Steam Next Week first appeared on IndieGames.

Cash Cleaner Simulator is seriously addictive, and I might even say it’s one of the best simulators I’ve played in a while. It’s so chill and cozy, and the gameplay just sucks you in. Things progress at steady pace, and you wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve found myself squinting at the screen trying to figure out if the money’s fake or not. You play as Mr. Fresh, who’s a small-time crook stuck with the job of literally cleaning dirty money for the criminal underworld. We’re talking cash covered in mud or ink. And you’re stuck in this mysterious room, trying to scrub your way out of a $1 million debt.

It’s a singleplayer, first-person sim where you’re cleaning, sorting, and shipping cash for some shady clients. You get your assignments through a smartphone, upgrade your cleaning gadgets, and slowly piece together a light story about why you’re being held captive. Although the gameplay loop can get repetitive with similar tasks, and sometimes it’s not super clear what you’re supposed to be doing, Cash Cleaner Simulator is still a very engaging game.

Addictive gameplay that gets repetitive later

Money falls from a hole in the ceiling, often in damaged or dirty boxes. You collect it, clean and sort it based on the client’s needs, then pack it into different bags, backpacks, boxes, or even mattresses. Some jobs are easy, like cleaning $5,000 in a backpack. Others are way more involved, like getting 100 clean $100 bills all banded up in a suitcase, and you have to check for things like dirt, blood, ink, or even fake bills. You get tools to help, like washing machines, dryers, cash counters, and UV lights to spot the fakes.

When they say “cleaning,” they really mean it. Muddy or bloody bills? Toss them in a washing machine for 15–30 seconds per load. Wet cash? Into the dryer. Then comes the fun part: counting all that money. You can do it by hand, which takes forever (my personal favourite), or use various machines. In most cases, after sorting, you often have extra cash to stash in a giant piggy bank.

Cash Cleaner Simulator also got this physics thing going on, which can be pretty chaotic. If a box tips over, all that cash goes flying everywhere, which can be kind of satisfying to watch but also super annoying when you have to pick it all up. The most satisfying part of the game is how fast everything feels. Tying up bills and wrapping them in protective foil is a great touch that never feels like a chore. To keep things interesting, the game throws in special challenges, like trying to avoid dye packs that you need to dispose of in locked bags or dealing with gold bars and ancient artifacts mixed in with the cash.

“When they say ‘cleaning’, they really mean it.”

Tackle money-cleaning jobs at your own pace

To get better at your weird money-cleaning job, you earn two kinds of in-game cash: cryptocurrency and something called Respect. You can use these to buy better tools from the “DarkMarket”. There’s huge amount of tools you can go through so you’ll always find something interesting to experiment with. You can also blow your earnings on silly cosmetic stuff, like radios to listen to or just random pallets to decorate your mysterious room.

The story in the game is pretty low-key. You mostly get it through text messages from your handler, Betty Opps, and other characters. Story is important if you wish to progress. So, what keeps you coming back to cleaning all that dirty money? Well, the jobs you get are different each time, plus there are little side missions to do and achievements to unlock. Sadly there’s no multiplayer, but you can just imagine how fun it would be to clean cash with a friend.

As mentioned earlier, Cash Cleaner Simulator offers a cozy vibe, letting you tackle money-cleaning jobs at your own pace. However, the 18-hour grind to see everything feels overly long, and the gameplay could use more open, free-form elements. Once you’ve completed all tasks and bought every tool upgrade, there’s little reason to replay alone, which may disappoint some players. A longer-term progression system would boost replayability. Still, fans of slower-paced games might enjoy the extended journey.

“Offers a cozy vibe, letting you tackle money-cleaning jobs at your own pace.”

It has some flaws

One of the most annoying things about this game is trying to find marked bills in those huge stacks. The fact that you can’t even just fan out a stack of money to quickly glance through it is just frustrating. It’s not too bad when you’re dealing with small amounts of cash, but when you get to the late game with massive piles, it just sucks the life out of you.

Additionally, if you’re looking for any automation, you’re in the wrong place as you need to do everything yourself. The story missions are fun at first, but they get longer and more of a hassle as you progress. The weird thing is, for most of the story missions, you can actually just send any kind of bill, even the marked or fake ones, so you don’t have to sort them. But if you do, you get way better rewards. Cash Cleaner Simulator as desperately needs some sort of sorting system, as it eventually turns into a weird organization simulator: where do you put the sorted bills? What do you do with the marked ones? Do you separate them by how much they’re worth? Does your money storage look nice?

The graphics on the other hand have this simple, low-poly style, with some spray-painted graffiti and kind of odd, AI-looking icons on your phone, which gives it this young and rebellious feel. But the real eye-catcher is all the money. Even the tools get a bit of style, there’s a fancy DLC that gives your washing machine a gold finish, which is pretty ridiculous. The game also has a day and night cycle, which mostly affects when you need to use your UV light to check for marked bills. Just a heads-up: trying to spot those marked bills during the daytime in the game can be a real pain.

“If you’re looking for any automation, you’re in the wrong place.”

Might not be for everyone

Cash Cleaner Simulator is a budget-friendly indie game with a cozy charm that hooks you early with its engaging money-cleaning loop. While the controls can feel clunky at first and the gameplay may be too relaxed for some, its potential for future content updates, like multiplayer, makes it worth trying. However, the longer you play, the more repetitive it becomes. Despite this, its unique vibe might keep you intrigued, even if it’s not for everyone.

It has a brilliant, unique concept, who thought cleaning money could be a game? Casual sim fans will love its cozy gameplay and charming graphics. However, those wanting a polished experience may prefer waiting for updates to address clunky controls and repetitive gameplay, as future content like multiplayer could improve its appeal.

Review copy provided by the publisher

4

The post Cash Cleaner Simulator – Operi novac, otplati dug first appeared on IndieGames.

You play Senka, dragging toys from shelves and arranging them on a table to cast shadow silhouettes on a wall. The goal is to recreate specific shadow outlines by rotating, placing, and stacking objects, with no single correct solution, as long as the shadow matches, the level is complete. While you progress, the shadows unfold into a wordless narrative, conveyed through discovered objects.

The game’s ever-changing room evolves with the story, revealing new details and atmospheric settings that enhance the nostalgic vibe. Drawing inspiration from games like Unpacking and Gorogoa, Projected Dreams combines minimalist mechanics with emotional storytelling, that will appeal to fans of cozy and narrative-driven titles.

A demo released during Steam Next Fest in February 2025 earned praise for its intuitive puzzles and art. The full game, on the other side, offers around five hours of content, with 50 puzzles and a replayable free-play mode unlocked after completing the story.

The post Cozy puzzle game Projected Dreams gets release date first appeared on IndieGames.

The game focuses on chill exploration and light puzzles, with no combat, letting you chat with locals and resolve their issues. A demo showcased at The MIX event in 2025, featured a planet inspired by Red Riding Hood, where Corgi helps a wolf and a girl sort out a misunderstanding by baking a pie. Wallerstein, inspired by Frog Detective’s cozy charm and small-team success, wants to bring that same humor and heart to this cosmic adventure.

Captain Corgi’s vibe is a bit simpler than Frog Detective’s slick style, but the world is packed with personality. You’ve got characters like Lionel Neckmane, a nerdy lion, and Corgi’s goofy “bark” button. The quirky dialogue and lovable characters are pure fun, and the story-driven gameplay with quick, easy puzzles is spot-on for anyone looking for a chill, cozy escape, just like Frog Detective’s short, sweet mysteries.

The post Captain Corgi: Planetary Problem Solver Brings Cozy Frog Detective Vibes to Space first appeared on IndieGames.

Tiny Garden is a relaxing, bite-sized gardening sim where you grow a miniature garden inside a magical, clamshell-shaped toy, evoking ‘90s Polly Pocket or Mighty Max playsets. Blending farming, puzzles, and light strategy, you plant seeds, turn a crank to grow crops, and trade harvests for new seeds, tools, and furniture to personalize your tiny world. With no scores, timers, or game-overs, it’s a stress-free experience focused on relaxation, creativity, and discovery.

As you grow plants like carrots, cacti, or lilypads, you unlock a touching story through letters, uncovering the toy’s history and its past owners. However, the game can become grindy, requiring frequent backtracking, and some mechanics aren’t well-explained, leaving you to figure things out on your own.

Haven For Cozy Gamers

You start with a small grid of soil tiles that grows as you progress. Each plant needs specific terrain, like regular soil for carrots, desert for cacti, or waterlogged soil for lilypads. Some plants change nearby tiles when grown, adding a puzzle-like challenge. For example, planting a cactus turns adjacent tiles to desert, which can block other crops but allow desert plants. Tools like fountains or gnomes also alter terrain to help.

Progression system is currency-free, relying entirely on bartering crops for items. Early gameplay is straightforward, with basic crops like radishes and carrots unlocking new seeds. As the game progresses, complexity ramps up, requiring you to chain multiple plants and tools to achieve specific soil conditions. For instance, growing potatoes might involve planting a cactus to create desert tiles, then using a fountain to make damp dirt. This “easy to learn, hard to master” dynamic makes planning satisfying, though personally I found the mid-to-late game grindy due to high crop costs for rare seeds.

Top half of the toy is a customizable living space where you place furniture, stickers, and color schemes bought with crops. Decorating is a big highlight, with choices like dollhouse-style furniture or indie game cameo stickers, such as Duck Detective or Grapple Dog. A free-play mode, unlocked early, lets those with more creativity decorate freely. However, fancier decorations are expensive, requiring a lot of farming to unlock premium items.

“Easy to learn, hard to master dynamic makes planning satisfying.”

Not Without Its Flaws

Tiny Garden tells a gentle, touching story through letters and collectibles you uncover as you unlock items. The narrative explores themes of legacy, memory, and the emotional value of objects, as Super Rare Games puts it: “Objects aren’t just things, they carry traces of lives lived.” Though not the main focus, this story adds emotional depth, appealing to fans of cozy games with a hint of heartfelt meaning.

The game boasts a colorful, cartoonish art style that channels the playful charm of ‘90s toys. Its simple yet vibrant models and clean textures make everything easy to read. The toy’s design, with a crank and customizable colors, sparks nostalgia, while plants and furniture feel lively. You can tweak the toy’s color, background skies, and plant hues for eye-catching combinations.

It also has some accessibility issues. Sometimes it explains things clearly, but other times, as mentioned, you’re left to figure things out on your own. Without a system to track the production chain or a visual seed tree showing required terrains, you must manually trace each seed’s dependencies. By the time you’ve gathered half the chain’s requirements, you might forget what you were even trying to grow.

“The narrative explores themes of legacy, memory, and the emotional value of objects.”

You’ll Find Something To Enjoy About It

Tiny Garden isn’t an idle game, it demands active play, and if you don’t enjoy cozy games, it might not be for you. But if you love decorating, unleashing your creativity, or spending an hour on a relaxing game, you’ll likely get hooked. The progression system keeps you engaged as you unlock new seeds. However, buying a single seed requires harvesting one to three other crops first. Stretch that to six or seven stages, and it can feel overwhelming.

In the end, Tiny Garden shines as a cozy game, mixing nostalgia with creative mechanics and a unique Polly Pocket-inspired toy setting that refreshes the farming sim genre. However, it’s not perfect. The late-game grind, with costly crops, may frustrate those seeking pure relaxation. Compared to other cozy games, it doesn’t match Stardew Valley’s open-ended depth but stands out with its focused, bite-sized experience, ideal for those craving a short, strategic escape.

“If you don’t enjoy cozy games, it might not be for you.”

Review copy provided by the publisher

4

The post Tiny Garden – Opuštajuća igra vrtlarenja first appeared on IndieGames.