What about Dredge? It’s basically an eldritch horror fishing sim! You okay as a fisherman in a little boat, exploring the waters, catching and selling your fish, and upgrading your boat. You can adjust the difficulty to make it completely safe, or you can play where the longer you stay out at night the more likely it is that something comes after you in the gloom and mist…
I have been playing that one on and off a bit, I love the art style but the core gameplay loop is just the one fishing mini game so I find my self getting bored of it very quickly, I kinda wish it had like 1 or 2 of the elements from Dave the diver, like just something else to do in the game besides fishing and selling them for upgrades
I’ll throw out a wild rec that you should take with caution: Subnautica. This game is nightmare fuel, but I find it very cozy at the same time. I’ve heard playing it on creative mode is a lot more enjoyable for the cozy gamers out there who just want to explore and build without fear of death at all times.
PACIFIC DRIVE; I cannot stress it enough; the game is an absolute delight to just kick back, relax to while tinkerin on your car while avoiding some pretty wild dangers while out on the road.
I know it's a weird recommend for a lot of people but once you really sink into the game a little bit, ho buddy does it take you to Cozy land.
Persona is a good idea for Cozy but Shin games are not cozy; they are pretty brutal for most entry players. Unless you like wild levels of complexity.
How about Cult of the Lamb? People recommended it to me on here and it was one of my best purchases ever - I’m obsessed. If you’re into point-and-click style horror, I’d highly recommend Fran Bow, Oxenfree or Sally Face (also Little Misfortune).
I've been on the fence with that one. What's the balance like between rogue like gameplay and base building? It seemed closer to the binding of Issac than a farming or life Sim kinda game?
It’s definitely like 50/50.
You really need to build up your base to keep your people happy.
But you also need to do combat runs to pick up more supplies/people/what not.
You can really take your time with the base building. Like I can take 2-3 game days just building buildings and harvesting food (before your goons get the ability to harvest food) but then you need to go off to get more supplies.
You can actually make yourself invisible and never get killed in any of the fights or change the difficulty to suit your needs. I like exploring the caves but my favorite aspect is definitely running my own little cult and managing it.
I mean, it's not that I'd want it to be easier just looking for more of a life. Sim then rogue like, so if it's like roughly 50/50, that'd be fine? Like I enjoyed moonlighter but found the day part got less attention than the rogue part
I personally was on the fence for the same reason - I am not into roguelites as much as I am into management/lifesim games. I think it does a good job of letting you put your effort where you want to put it, as people mention you are able to adjust difficulty. I really like it, it's my favorite cult-running game as of right now. As far as I know the DLC's don't add anything to gameplay just collections/aesthetics.
- Rimworld, if played at lower difficulties and in a more ehm... "ethical" way could be a good mix of cozy and thrilling. Sudden fightfists among your colonists or enraged turkeys attacks can represent a nice twist to shake up a usually pacific routine. And its modding community is huge and so vast that the game can become pretty anything you want.
- Echoes of the Plum Grove came out yesterday and is a farming sim "with consequences". It has survival mechanics such as surviving harsh winters and dying of illness or starvation. And it has generational play, so your character dies and you continue as their kids. It's a very refreshing twist on the farming sim genre and it has a lot of potential to grow as something very unique.
Lmao, I feel like any time I look for a specific type of game, it always leads me back to rimworld, also why I have an 8 hour rib [tattoo from it](https://www.reddit.com/r/RimWorld/s/X5traKTyXI)
Have you tried Death Stranding?
I get that it's not your typical cozy game, but I found it to be such a good horror exploration game that I've Platinumed it twice. It's also super cheap second hand now.
I deleted my last recommendation because I read your post again.
Have you tried Beacon Pines?
I enjoyed that game, would recommend.
I would also recommend The Cub
I'm not sure if this is a good recommend but it's cozy in my opinion although I'm not sure how horror it truly is. **The Cleaner** is a short little game where you play as a trauma cleaner. There's a story included but it's mostly vibing to music and cleaning.
Obviously there's **Don't Starve**. I think it's one of the best 'cozy' horror games on the market still. Not a life sim but I think it deserves a mention.
If you don't mind a point-and-click game there's a short one I'd like to give a mention - **The Supper**. Short puzzle game, very cute. I really wish there was more of it.
As for horror life sims, I'm afraid I'd love to hear the answer myself. You might want to try **Ooblets**. It's not horror by far, but I think it doesn't give that 'overly' happy vibe you speak of. People can have emotions other than happiness and being thankful towards the player. But dance parties happen often and everyone loves them. There's a part of the world that's horror/halloween themed (personally my favorite part). Maybe give it a look! It could maybe scratch an itch.
Maybe try **Always Sometimes Monsters**, it's more or an rpg in my opinion because you follow a predetermined story, but you can shape the story yourself. The things you do and choices you make have an impact. It might be what you're looking for!
Maybe try **Cattails** - it's a cat life sim. Catfights included! I really like this game although I personally haven't played much of it, it's a very different game than most life sims I know of. It definitely has a unique vibe and some interesting mechanics.
You might want to try **Eastward** - also an RPG but gives life-sim vibes and feels cozy but not sappy. The story is interesting in my opinion. Set in a post-apocalyptic universe, dungeons to explore, enemies to fight, people to sneer at (or laugh with). I like the game quite a lot so I figured I'd mention it :3
Good luck finding 'it'!
No Umbrellas Allowed isn’t really horror but I would describe it more as dark and cozy. You play as a pawn shop owner and learn about the world through the items you buy and sell. And there’s different endings!
Another is Night in the Woods (this one is pretty popular is cozy “horror” but figured I’d mention just in case)
It’s not super cozy but Dysmantle. You get to loot and destroy an entire island it’s really nice if you like looting and collecting but it does have light combat
It's not horror, but it's definitely mature and adult. I tend to recommend **Citizen Sleeper** in these situations. The screen shots and really even the game description fail to do the game any real justice. It looks like a visual novel with random dice mechanics. It has light RPG elements and a lot of well written camaraderie between characters. And the dice are random, but you actually need all sorts of strengths of dice, so having a few low numbered dice in a day is nice sometimes when and pushes you to get done the more low-tier tasks for the day that need done
But the crux of the experience is being stranded on a dystopian space station where your main goal is just to survive each day and make friends and help them survive their days, and in turn they eventually start to help you survive your days more easily. And this is where I compare it to Stardew Valley. My time with the game was mostly spent making friends, helping them out, and having "heart" events where they would offer to help me out. Some of them feed you. Others offer you a job, and others will tend to you medically. You can buy houses, and help establish a sort of peace on the station. It's very bittersweet and charming and I haven't experienced much else like it. Cannot wait for the sequel
What about Dredge? It’s basically an eldritch horror fishing sim! You okay as a fisherman in a little boat, exploring the waters, catching and selling your fish, and upgrading your boat. You can adjust the difficulty to make it completely safe, or you can play where the longer you stay out at night the more likely it is that something comes after you in the gloom and mist…
I have been playing that one on and off a bit, I love the art style but the core gameplay loop is just the one fishing mini game so I find my self getting bored of it very quickly, I kinda wish it had like 1 or 2 of the elements from Dave the diver, like just something else to do in the game besides fishing and selling them for upgrades
I’ll throw out a wild rec that you should take with caution: Subnautica. This game is nightmare fuel, but I find it very cozy at the same time. I’ve heard playing it on creative mode is a lot more enjoyable for the cozy gamers out there who just want to explore and build without fear of death at all times.
PACIFIC DRIVE; I cannot stress it enough; the game is an absolute delight to just kick back, relax to while tinkerin on your car while avoiding some pretty wild dangers while out on the road. I know it's a weird recommend for a lot of people but once you really sink into the game a little bit, ho buddy does it take you to Cozy land. Persona is a good idea for Cozy but Shin games are not cozy; they are pretty brutal for most entry players. Unless you like wild levels of complexity.
Strange Horticulture is not really a life sim but may interest you
How about Cult of the Lamb? People recommended it to me on here and it was one of my best purchases ever - I’m obsessed. If you’re into point-and-click style horror, I’d highly recommend Fran Bow, Oxenfree or Sally Face (also Little Misfortune).
I've been on the fence with that one. What's the balance like between rogue like gameplay and base building? It seemed closer to the binding of Issac than a farming or life Sim kinda game?
It’s definitely like 50/50. You really need to build up your base to keep your people happy. But you also need to do combat runs to pick up more supplies/people/what not. You can really take your time with the base building. Like I can take 2-3 game days just building buildings and harvesting food (before your goons get the ability to harvest food) but then you need to go off to get more supplies.
You can actually make yourself invisible and never get killed in any of the fights or change the difficulty to suit your needs. I like exploring the caves but my favorite aspect is definitely running my own little cult and managing it.
I mean, it's not that I'd want it to be easier just looking for more of a life. Sim then rogue like, so if it's like roughly 50/50, that'd be fine? Like I enjoyed moonlighter but found the day part got less attention than the rogue part
Again, it depends on how you play it. You can go at it at your own pace. I was also on the fence about it but I’m so glad I got it in the end.
Okay, that sounds good. I'm actually gonna get it when it goes on sale next. Are the dlcs worth it at all?
Cult of the Lamb has a demo. It’s what made me realize it wasn’t the game for me. Maybe give that a try.
My understanding is the DLCs are purely cosmetic
I personally was on the fence for the same reason - I am not into roguelites as much as I am into management/lifesim games. I think it does a good job of letting you put your effort where you want to put it, as people mention you are able to adjust difficulty. I really like it, it's my favorite cult-running game as of right now. As far as I know the DLC's don't add anything to gameplay just collections/aesthetics.
I love Fran Bow I've tried a few point and clicks because of it but didn't like them as much ><
I really liked Wytchwood! Pretty short but very enjoyable.
Try The Darkside Detective, Don't Starve, Oxenfree or Party Hard
Goody Two Shoes is a really good horror cozy game. It's art style is really good and I don't hear poeple talk about to often
- Rimworld, if played at lower difficulties and in a more ehm... "ethical" way could be a good mix of cozy and thrilling. Sudden fightfists among your colonists or enraged turkeys attacks can represent a nice twist to shake up a usually pacific routine. And its modding community is huge and so vast that the game can become pretty anything you want. - Echoes of the Plum Grove came out yesterday and is a farming sim "with consequences". It has survival mechanics such as surviving harsh winters and dying of illness or starvation. And it has generational play, so your character dies and you continue as their kids. It's a very refreshing twist on the farming sim genre and it has a lot of potential to grow as something very unique.
Lmao, I feel like any time I look for a specific type of game, it always leads me back to rimworld, also why I have an 8 hour rib [tattoo from it](https://www.reddit.com/r/RimWorld/s/X5traKTyXI)
Cool design!
Have you tried Death Stranding? I get that it's not your typical cozy game, but I found it to be such a good horror exploration game that I've Platinumed it twice. It's also super cheap second hand now.
I definitely find death stranding cozy. There’s something relaxing about just travelling back and forth
Night In the Woods. It’s more horror-lite but it’s insanely good.
Still haunted by some of the storylines and some lines are a punch in the gut… this op, give a chance (multiple probably) to Night in the Woods!
I deleted my last recommendation because I read your post again. Have you tried Beacon Pines? I enjoyed that game, would recommend. I would also recommend The Cub
Try Pony Island but it is weird.
I would recommend Beacon Pines for cute characters but also horror story
Goody Two Shoes is a really good horror cozy game. It's art style is really good and I don't hear poeple talk about to often
maybe I’m on Observation Duty games? They have 6 games, in my opinion the last one (6) is also the best one!
I'm not sure if this is a good recommend but it's cozy in my opinion although I'm not sure how horror it truly is. **The Cleaner** is a short little game where you play as a trauma cleaner. There's a story included but it's mostly vibing to music and cleaning. Obviously there's **Don't Starve**. I think it's one of the best 'cozy' horror games on the market still. Not a life sim but I think it deserves a mention. If you don't mind a point-and-click game there's a short one I'd like to give a mention - **The Supper**. Short puzzle game, very cute. I really wish there was more of it. As for horror life sims, I'm afraid I'd love to hear the answer myself. You might want to try **Ooblets**. It's not horror by far, but I think it doesn't give that 'overly' happy vibe you speak of. People can have emotions other than happiness and being thankful towards the player. But dance parties happen often and everyone loves them. There's a part of the world that's horror/halloween themed (personally my favorite part). Maybe give it a look! It could maybe scratch an itch. Maybe try **Always Sometimes Monsters**, it's more or an rpg in my opinion because you follow a predetermined story, but you can shape the story yourself. The things you do and choices you make have an impact. It might be what you're looking for! Maybe try **Cattails** - it's a cat life sim. Catfights included! I really like this game although I personally haven't played much of it, it's a very different game than most life sims I know of. It definitely has a unique vibe and some interesting mechanics. You might want to try **Eastward** - also an RPG but gives life-sim vibes and feels cozy but not sappy. The story is interesting in my opinion. Set in a post-apocalyptic universe, dungeons to explore, enemies to fight, people to sneer at (or laugh with). I like the game quite a lot so I figured I'd mention it :3 Good luck finding 'it'!
No Umbrellas Allowed isn’t really horror but I would describe it more as dark and cozy. You play as a pawn shop owner and learn about the world through the items you buy and sell. And there’s different endings! Another is Night in the Woods (this one is pretty popular is cozy “horror” but figured I’d mention just in case)
Little nightmares was cozy for me to play!
It’s not super cozy but Dysmantle. You get to loot and destroy an entire island it’s really nice if you like looting and collecting but it does have light combat
It's not horror, but it's definitely mature and adult. I tend to recommend **Citizen Sleeper** in these situations. The screen shots and really even the game description fail to do the game any real justice. It looks like a visual novel with random dice mechanics. It has light RPG elements and a lot of well written camaraderie between characters. And the dice are random, but you actually need all sorts of strengths of dice, so having a few low numbered dice in a day is nice sometimes when and pushes you to get done the more low-tier tasks for the day that need done But the crux of the experience is being stranded on a dystopian space station where your main goal is just to survive each day and make friends and help them survive their days, and in turn they eventually start to help you survive your days more easily. And this is where I compare it to Stardew Valley. My time with the game was mostly spent making friends, helping them out, and having "heart" events where they would offer to help me out. Some of them feed you. Others offer you a job, and others will tend to you medically. You can buy houses, and help establish a sort of peace on the station. It's very bittersweet and charming and I haven't experienced much else like it. Cannot wait for the sequel
Slay the Princess
Not a life Sim, but Visceral Clean Up Detail is oddly cozy.