Tell me if you’ve heard this one before: You’re off to start a new life in the quiet countryside, escaping the hustle and bustle of city life after a fateful letter turned your world upside down. “I’ve enclosed the deed to that place,” it read, signed by your long lost grandparent who you’ve learned has passed away recently. “That place” could be a farm or a workshop or, in the case of “Cat Cafe Manager,” an adorable, feline-focused venture. But regardless, the end goal is the same: You’re responsible for revitalizing their life’s work. And, if the developers did a good job, you’ll become invested in your new neighborhood and enjoy some immaculate vibes in the process.
These tropes will be familiar to anyone who’s played a particular brand of video game known as cozy games. An exact definition is difficult to nail down since examples of cozy games, which include “Stardew Valley,” “Spiritfarer” and the Animal Crossing series, span several genres. They’re not defined by any one aesthetic. It’s one of those things where you know it when you see it — an ineffable mix of relaxing gameplay, pleasing color palettes and chill music that make you want to cuddle up on the couch with a mug of hot cocoa and forget the world exists for a bit.
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