As a Cozy Gamer, These are the Spooky and Dark Cozy Games on Steam I’m Most Excited About in 2026

I’m a dedicated fan of relaxing games – I love carefully tending my farms, building quaint little towns, and enjoying calm, repetitive tasks that help me unwind. But recently, I’ve noticed a shift in the most anticipated cozy games. They’re not just gentle and comforting anymore; they’re starting to feel atmospheric, a bit eerie, and occasionally even unsettling.

I love relaxing games, and I used to study gothic literature – I’ve always been drawn to dark and mysterious stories. The new games coming out still offer the comfort and creativity that cozy game fans enjoy, but they’re adding a spooky atmosphere with elements like fog, candlelight, and witchcraft. It’s a growing trend on Steam: cozy games that explore mystery, sadness, and a gentle sense of unease, where even simple tasks like gardening might involve something ancient, unusual, and perhaps a little bit mischievous.

I’ve always enjoyed games that balance comfort with a touch of mystery, so this feels like a perfect step forward – and I’m noticing a lot of new games on Steam heading in this same direction. It’s like cozy games are maturing, adding some interesting and even slightly darker elements, which is exactly what I’ve been hoping for. I’m really excited about it!

Witchbrook: Coming to Steam in 2026

Over the past ten years, Witchbrook has become a highly anticipated indie game, almost legendary among fans. Originally planned for release much sooner, its extended development has built a lot of excitement, with every new image or trailer feeling like a big reveal. Set by the sea and featuring charming pixel art, Witchbrook lets you live out the dream of attending magic school – complete with the everyday challenges of managing money and making friends.

Check Out Witchbrook on Steam

Witchbrook, set in the charming coastal town of Mossport, is a game focused on finding your place and building a community, not just mastering magic. It combines schoolwork, friendships, and relaxed exploration to create a peaceful and realistic experience, prioritizing a sense of life and connection over becoming overwhelmingly powerful.

After being pushed back from its initial 2025 release, the 2026 launch of Witchbrook feels less like a new beginning and more like a welcome return. Many players have eagerly anticipated this game for nearly ten years.

Why Witchbrook Feels Worth the Wait

Online Co-Op for Up to Four Players: Who said you had to be a wizard all by yourself? In Witchbrook, you and up to 4 players can explore the world via online co-op. Whether that means racing brooms through town, attending classes together, or simply existing side-by-side in Mossport’s rhythms, adventure awaits you and your party.
A Living, Breathing City: Mossport functions like a character in its own right, with NPCs following detailed schedules, seasonal festivals changing the town’s texture, and community events unfolding whether you’re present or not.
A Fully Realized Magical Education: Classes, exams, rituals, potion-brewing, and coven competition give Witchbrook channels Hogwarts with real mechanical weight, making progression feel earned rather than cosmetic.

My Eerie Lair: Steam’s Dark Romantasy Fever Dream for Sims and BG3 Lovers

I’ve seen the feedback, and I understand that the dark, romantic themes in My Eerie Lair might be intense for some players. However, if you enjoy cozy games with a gothic edge, complex characters, and lots of customization options, then this game is perfect for you.

Check Out My Eerie Lair on Steam

My Eerie Lair fully embraces a dark and romantic fantasy style – think less cozy countryside cottage and more haunted mansion you’ve been lured into by a vampire. I wrote about the game when it was first announced, and I love that it clearly understands it won’t appeal to all players. In fact, that self-assurance is a big part of why I’m excited about it. It has the potential to become a beloved cult classic or spark some very lively debate online – and maybe even both. I’m looking forward to either way.

Why My Eerie Lair Is Worth a Shot

Character-Driven Dark Fantasy: The appeal mirrors what draws people to Baldur’s Gate 3’s Astarion or heavily modded Sims saves: messy characters, intimacy, and narrative friction.
A Gothic Sandbox With Emotional Teeth: This isn’t just decorating for vibes; relationships, power dynamics, and personal choices seem designed to get under the player’s skin in Story Mode.
A Demo That Could Change the Conversation: With hands-on time finally arriving, My Eerie Lair‘s demo may get the chance to prove that its ambition isn’t just aesthetic—it’s systemic.

Grave Seasons: A Steam Farming Sim Where Someone Is Going to Kill Again

Farming simulators are becoming increasingly common, so a new game needs something special to be noticed. Grave Seasons delivers by posing a chilling idea: what if the peaceful, charming town you’ve settled in was actually hiding a dangerous serial killer?

Check Out Grave Seasons on Steam

Developed by Perfect Garbage and published by Blumhouse Games, Grave Seasons combines the relaxing elements of farming games with a disturbing storyline. You take on the role of a former prisoner trying to start a new life in the town of Ashenridge, only to discover that danger still lurks nearby. Unlike some games that simply add a spooky theme to farming, Grave Seasons puts the story first, making suspicion a key part of how you play.

What Sets Grave Seasons Apart

A Murder Mystery That Changes Every Playthrough: Every character you befriend or romance in Grave Seasons can bring you closer to the killer. You might lose a friend, and you might even romance the killer. So relationships can be emotionally rewarding, catastrophically heartbreaking, or narratively dangerous.
A Protagonist With a Past: You’re not just arriving at Peepaw’s old farm to leave a corporate life behind. You’re playing as a former inmate on the run from their past. It reframes the usual farming sim fantasy by layering guilt, judgment, and secrecy into everyday interactions.
Blumhouse’s Narrative Sensibility: Blumhouse being behind this game makes me all the more excited. The horror here isn’t jump scares: it’s dread, implication, and the slow realization that safety is an illusion.

The Witch’s Bakery on Steam: Healing Hearts One Croissant at a Time

As a thirteen-year-old, I dreamed of owning a flower shop in Paris, living a romantic and creative life with a brooding boyfriend who resembled Shadow the Hedgehog. Life had other plans, of course. But The Witch’s Bakery feels like a sweet reminder of that universal desire to escape and start over. Instead of flowers or books, though, this story offers pastries, magic, and a path to emotional recovery.

Check Out The Witch’s Bakery on Steam

Set in a cozy Paris inspired by Studio Ghibli films, The Witch’s Bakery puts you in the role of Lunne, a witch who runs a bakery. You’ll manage her daily tasks while also focusing on her own growth and spreading a little kindness. The game is divided into different parts of the day, encouraging you to balance work with rest, connecting with others, and taking time to reflect.

Why The Witch’s Bakery Feels Special

A Day Structured Around Care: Every day presents the player with three phases: work, exploration, and rest. This pattern reinforces balance rather than grind.
Emotional Storytelling Through Baking: Lunne doesn’t just sell pastries; she helps heal people’s hearts, turning food into a narrative device. As a fan of magical realism when combined with food, like in books such as Like Water for Chocolate, this has me on the edge of my seat.
Paris as a Magical Playground: Iconic streets, cozy interiors, and a witch’s atelier create a romantic setting that feels indulgent without being so. Every section of this game will feature its own characters and events, encouraging the player to explore the world.

Moonlight Peaks: The Coziest Vampire Life Sim You’ll Ever Play on Steam

Even though Moonlight Peaks has a gothic setting, it’s actually one of the most comforting games you’ll find. It has a beautiful art style that’s both soft and a little dark, gameplay that feels familiar yet fresh, and a heartwarming story about showing Dracula the power of kindness and community—especially since you happen to be his child!

Check Out Moonlight Peaks on Steam

In Moonlight Peaks, you’re a young vampire who runs a farm filled with magical creatures. You’ll build friendships with witches, werewolves, and mermaids, all while trying to establish your own identity separate from your well-known father. Think of it as Stardew Valley, but with a vampire twist! The game’s demo is out now, and it shows that Moonlight Peaks prioritizes a warm, heartfelt experience over being scary.

Why Moonlight Peaks Works So Well

A Cozy Take on Immortality: Farming, decorating, and relationship-building ground the vampire fantasy game in comforting routines.
Deep Customization and Vampiric Progression: Unlock abilities tied to ancient lineages, from heightened senses to shapeshifting, without sacrificing player expression. Moonlight Peak‘s character creator also promises deep customization and diversity.
A World Built for Wandering: Seasonal events, magical crafting, card games, and quiet hobbies like pottery and violin-playing make the town feel alive beyond quests.

2026-01-08 22:12