2025’s Best Cozy Games on Xbox GamePass for Relaxation and Fun
Gaming streaming has exploded in recent years, and one of the best decisions I made this year was subscribing to Xbox Game Pass. With its vast selection of games, including a growing number of cozy games, it offers incredible value, especially with new titles being added each month. If you're looking for the best cozy games on Xbox Game Pass in 2025, here are my top picks.
*Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the pod! 🫶
Disney Dreamlight Valley
Developer Image: Gameloft
Amazon* Physical Copies: Nintendo Switch, Xbox, PS4, PS5
Disney have taken on their own space in the life and farming simulation market with Disney Dreamlight Valley, with an unrivalled selling point - you’re villagers are Disney characters! Unlock the mysteries of the “Forgetting” and help characters come out of their realms to live alongside you as you complete tasks, farm, cook, fish and help restore Dreamlight Valley to it’s former greatness. There’s a good mix of Disney themed items and outfits to unlock themed by your favourite Disney films and characters. What’s more, the game is still in development with more realms and characters to be added, so keep an eye out for your favourite!
The Sims 4
Developer Image: Maxis
Of course, the most obvious option for a life sim is The Sims 4, or any version of The Sims, the original life simulation. Dominating the life sim market since 2000, there’s a reason this game is so popular. The level of customisation is uncomparable to any other game I can think of. You can build anything, be anything, do anything! And with a wealth of expansion packs, you can theme your world around anything you desire. An absolute must have for any cozy gamer looking for a life sim.
Related: Looking for more life sim games?
Check out these 10 must play cozy life sims!
Stardew Valley
Developer Image: ConcernedApe
Amazon* Physical Copies: Nintendo Switch
Of course, the most obvious choice if you’ve not already played is Stardew Valley, now considered the peak of cozy farming simulations. And for a good reason, Stardew Valley was created by 1 developer in a solo project, and with many updates over the years it has grown to be an outstanding game in this genre. Grow and sell crops, fight monsters in the mines, fish, craft items, cook recipes, raise animals and gather their produce, and meet a cast of amazing characters to befriend, romance, and maybe marry! If you haven’t already played it… just do.
GRIS
Developer Image: Nomada Studios
Amazon* Physical Copies: Nintendo Switch
Play as a young girl lost in her own world coming to terms with a painful experience in this atmospheric platform adventure game. Complete puzzles and optional skill based challenges to unfold Gris’s story. Read my full review here!
Related: Want to know more about GRIS before playing?
Check out my full review here!
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of The White Witch
Developer Image: Level 5 Inc
Amazon* Physical Copies: Nintendo Switch, PS4
A story rich and gorgeously designed RPG created by Studio Ghibli, where you follow Oliver, a young boy who finds himself in a mysterious world where he hopes to find a way to bring back his mother after a tragic accident. There’s huge variety of familiars that you can tame and add to your pack to help you in turn based battles by training up their skills and improving your relationships with them.
Coral Island
Developer Image: Stairway Games
Leave the big city life of Pokyo for Coral Island, and help reinvigorate the nearby town and it’s coral reefs in this re-imagining of farming simulator games. With a large variety of outfits, body types and accessories you’re free to express your own individuality as you search for your special someone amongst 25 available singles within over 70 interactable characters from all walks of life. Build a home, farm and life together, or spend your days diving in the coral reef, mining gemstones and filling up your museum and restoring heritage sites. Coral Island has a wealth of activities from farming, raising animals, crafting, fishing, mining, collecting, befriending, romancing, so many possibilities!
All You Need is Help
Developer Image: Q Games Ltd
Available on: PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, Playstation, Xbox Gamepass
Cost: €14.99 or included on Xbox Gamepass
Play in couch co-op or online in this cozy, colourful puzzle game where you play as cute kawaii animal cubes, moving together to help each other fit into a series of puzzles.
Related: Looking for more on All You Need is Help?
Check out my full review here!
SpiritTea
Developer Image: Cheesemaster Games
Amazon* Physical Copies: Nintendo Switch
Spirittea is a charming roleplaying game with elements of life and management simulation where you a writer that moves into a town plagued by mischievous spirits challenging the peaceful balance of the townsfolk. Restore the town’s bathhouse, upgrading to fill with as many spirits as you can manage to please the spirits and befriend and solve the townsfolk’s puzzles to create harmony with humans and spirits alike. Read my full review here!
Related: Thinking about playing SpiritTea?
Read my full review here!
Flock
Developer Image: Hollow Ponds, Richard Hogg
Soar through beautiful landscapes in this co-op multiplayer game playing as a flying shepherd, charming creatures into your flock, gathering their wool and making them cute accessories.
Related: Want to know more about Flock before playing?
Check out my full review here!
Little Kitty, Big City
Developer Image: Double Dagger Studio
Amazon* Physical Copies: Nintendo Switch
In this chaotic and adorable exploration and adventure game, play as a little kitty trying to find it’s way back home. It’s an open world playground for this mischevious cat with trellises to climb, slippers to steal and jars of jam to knock over. Make friends, complete quests or cause a ruckus in cute collectable hats in your adventure to find a way home.
Related: Ready for more Little Kitty, Big City?
Check out my full review here!
Celeste
Developer Image: Maddy Makes Games Inc
Amazon* Physical Copies: PS5
Play as Madeline and help her to survive her inner demons as she ascends to the top of Celeste Mountain in this puzzle platformer. Complete hundreds of challenges, uncover secrets and solve the mystery of the Mountain with a gorgeously atmospheric synthy soundtrack.
Spiritfarer
Developer Image: Thunder Lotus Games
In this beautifully hand drawn management life sim about death, build, manage and improve your ferry to help carry spirits to the afterlife. You can farm, mine, fish and craft all while caring for and building bonds with your spirit passengers, as you get to know their heartwarming and thoughtful stories.
Related: Want to know more about why you should play Spiritfarer?
Check out my full review here!
Botany Manor
Developer Image: Whitehorn Games
It’s 1890, and you are Arabella Greene, a retired botanist that has just inherited a Somerset Manor in the English Countryside. Your publisher has accepted your book proposal and you are now tasked to complete your herbarium, a collection of studies and research about Forgotten Flora in this exploration puzzle game.
Related: Looking for more on Botany Manor?
Check out my full review here!
Unpacking
Developer Image: Witch Beam
Amazon* Physical Copies: Nintendo Switch
Unpacking is a unique zen puzzle game that transforms the tedious task of unpacking boxes and moving home into a soothing, meditative journey. Unpack, organise and arrange belongings into various homes over a period of 20 years as you learn more about the owner’s story through light puzzle-solving and subtle storytelling.
Related: Wondering why Unpacking is so popular?
Read my full review to find out why!
A Short Hike
Developer Image: adamgryu
Choose your own path and hike at your own pace in the peaceful mountains of Hawk Peak Provincial Park as you climb to the summit in this exploration adventure game with cute hikers to help and items to collect.
Related: Not sure if A Short Hike is for you?
Check out my full review to see why this is a must play cozy game!
Rolling Hills: Make Sushi, Make Friends
Developer Image: Catch and Release LLC
Play as a sushi master robot opening your own sushi restaurant. Buy ingredients for better recipes, furniture to decorate your restaurant and chat with the residents to uncover the secrets of the town while you manage your restaurant serving customers sushi.
Related: Fancy running your own Sushi Restaurant?
Check out my full Rolling Hills: Make Sushi Make Friends here!
Magical Delicacy
Developer Image: Skaule
Play as a young witch Flora and cook meals and potions in this magical cooking game and platformer. Grow plants, find recipes and deliver your creations to the town’s residents as you unravel long forgotten island secrets.
Related: Want to know more about Magical Delicacy?
Check out my full review here!
Cassette Beasts
Developer Image: Bytten Studio
Arrive on a remote island where you discover a variety of monsters to collect and help you in turn based battles in this open world RPG. Get close to your beasts increases their benefits and fuse monsters together to create new types. Record monsters to your cassette tapes and find a way home.
Looking for More Games on Xbox Gamepass?
Affiliate Reminder: I may earn a small commission if you purchase through any of the links in this post. Thank you for your support! 🫶