Honestly, it didn’t really start at games. Before I became a…polar bear on the internet…I was struggling a lot with managing my mental health. My therapist and I discussed the challenges I faced with self-soothing and what kind of skills or tools could help. Games had always been there so it just kind of made sense to pair something I already enjoyed with this idea of self-care. It really is just a more mindful and intentional approach to the games I play.
Also, when you start really prioritizing self-care, self-kindness, you begin to really learn the art of loving yourself. Loving yourself leads you towards things and people that make you feel safe, peaceful and happy. In short, cozy gaming came along almost naturally as a result of me just…wanting to take care of me.
And for me, it goes even further beyond that. I think part of it is trying to acknowledge that there is value in rest, that value and reward doesn’t always come from doing things that are hard, from work, from dedication to work, wealth, or productivity. You don’t always have to do more, be more, achieve more. It can be enough, right here, right now. There is great value in simply being alive, taking it slow, and seeking whatever may bring comfort and joy.
When 2024 arrived, I realized that my goals and aspirations for this year are just that. I want to fill this year with as much cozy and comfort as possible. I want to be able to look back at the end of the year and think, “I took care of me.”
What does that look like? Well, for starters, it’s playing more games. It means finally getting through some of my Steam backlog and trying different games, different genres, and seeing what I enjoy. It means more self-kindness and more positive self-talk and continuing to listen to and honor that voice. It means more me-time, more investment in comfort. A new brew, a new book, a new TV show. Comfy clothes, comfort meals, and evenings dedicated to writing, lounging, connecting, loving. Spending time with friends, loving those I love most, and being a cozy space not only for myself, but for others too! :’)
It’s been almost 2 weeks since my last post. Christmas came and went, and here we are. In 2024. It was quiet here in Cozy Bear’s cave, as it often is. I hope you’ve been able to enjoy some time with loved ones and reflect on this past year with gratitude. For me, this was a year of transformation. Many has changed, some was lost, but the most important aspects of my life are holding strong. I haven’t quite decided how much of my personal life I’d like to share here, but I’m sure my struggles and triumphs were much like yours. We’re all just trying to make our way, the best way we know how, through this silly thing we call life.
When I reflect on this past year, I like to look at both my Spotify Wrapped (If you’d like to see what kind of weird tunes this bear is listening to…), as well as my Steam Year in Review. So much of the media I consume is games and music. So much so that it’s a really great way for me to teleport back to a time and ask myself: Who was I? Where was I? What was I feeling when I picked up this game or when I was obsessed with this song? But! This isn’t about music; this is about games!
According to Steam, I’ve played 49 games, 41 of them being new. I unlocked 267 achievements across 27 games. And my top 5 most played games were: Final Fantasy XIV Online, The Elder Scrolls Online, Guild Wars 2, Necesse, ad Pathfinder: Kingmaker.
So, yes, I know what you’re thinking. Cozy Bear! These aren’t even cozy games! More than half of those are MMOs! OK, you’re right. It’s true. Soooo, let’s talk about them!
Yes, I did, spend 60% of my playtime in Final Fantasy XIV Online. I am guilty. (You should have seen 2022…it was like 75%…)
If I had to pick an MMO with the most “cozy potential”, I’d probably have to nominate FFXIV. This was, ofc, before Palia came along, and to be frank, I owe at least 50% of that coziness to my friends whom I share FFXIV with. It is cozy because we made it cozy together. There is a kind of charm and nostalgia that FFXIV brings that motivates me to keep coming back. It’s the friendship, most of all. Isn’t it always the friends we made along the way?
Prior to FFXIV becoming my primary MMO, I played The Elder Scrolls Online. I returned to ESO briefly to catch up on expansions I’d missed. Towards the end of 2023, I felt an itch to find a new MMO – something new and exciting. This is why you can see me putting in some time in a couple of them. I tried Guild Wars 2, and there was a lot about that one I liked. I even played Palia for several months, which is not featured here, but I really enjoyed that too! Perhaps I just feel most at home in Eorzea. Maybe I found a second home in the world of Hydaelyn and that is that.
The last two games are also quite special. Necesse is probably one of my favorite games of all time. It’s an indie title, and literally on sale for just $5 right now! Considering the small price tag, it offers so much game play; so much customization. It offers the best accessibility I’ve seen so far in the Open World Survival Craft genre. I felt so accomplished when I managed to beat every boss in that game.
Finally, the last title on my top 5 list is Pathfinder: Kingmaker. This was gifted to me by my partner, whom introduced me to this genre of games for the first time. It’s a Party-Based RPG/CRPG, which I have no history with at all! Regardless, I absolutely enjoyed my little adventures with my companions! Just typing this right now makes me want to download Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous! But I’d need to make a lot of space for it first! (Ah, yes, gaming – with it’s constant uninstalling and reinstalling of games…and never enough space for all the games we want to play!) For someone who knows nothing about Dungeons & Dragons, and nothing about this genre at all, I felt like it was very accessible to many different kinds of players, which I really appreciated. Yes, I did play on the easiest mode, and that was still enough of a challenge for me! It’s a lot of text to read, but for me, what makes it “cozy” is the slow pace, getting immersed in the story and expansive lore, and being able to take your time and pause at the beginning of every encounter.
Anddddd that’s Cozy Bear’s Steam Year in Review 2023!
I’d really love to hear about your favorite games of 2023, or, if you’d like, drop a link to your Steam Year in Review in the comments!
Here we go – that awkward first sentence. Even now I haven’t decided if I want to approach this whole thing from the perspective of a cozy polar bear…it’s definitely leaning in that direction.
*nervous grin*
My name is, uh..um..Cozy Bear and I welcome you to Cuppa’ Cozy! I hope you find this space as cozy and comforting as I intended it to be. :’) My hope is, through cozy games, and building a soft and gentle space, we can find calm and comfort in this otherwise chaotic and difficult world.
Cuppa’ Cozy hopes to provide helpful guides, reviews and recommendations on a wide variety of cozy games, beyond popular titles, such as Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
While most cozy games are often life and farming sims, it’s not necessarily about genre that makes a game “cozy” (though, yes! most of my favorites are life and farming sims!) To me, a cozy game is whatever game brings you comfort. It’s the game I gravitate to when I need some quiet time to relax and decompress. It’s the game I choose when I am in need of some me-time. It’s the game I play on mental-health days.
Beyond comfort, I think what makes cozy games so special is their accessibility. The point of a cozy game is anyone can pick it up and enjoy it. They’re for everyone. Regardless of ability, gender, or age, these games are approachable, and meant to bring comfort and joy.
A Cuppa Cozy 