Surprisingly Cozy Horror Games

Key Takeaways

Horror games don’t need constant scares; cozy moments can offer relief.
Titles like
Night In The Woods
and
Oxenfree
blend horror with calming vibes.
Ambiance in games like
Limbo
can be eerie yet surprisingly comforting.

As a seasoned gamer with over 30 years of experience under my belt, I must say that the world of video games has come a long way since Pong and Space Invaders. Today, we have an incredible array of titles that cater to every taste and preference, from heart-pounding action to thought-provoking strategy, and everything in between.

Many video games don’t strictly adhere to a single genre; instead, you have hybrid games like adventure-puzzle titles, platformer first-person shooters, and strategy RPGs. Generally, combining “horror” and “cozy” genres might not yield optimal results, but when it does, the result is an intriguing blend of unease and tranquility.

Not all horror games are survival-based; some are about the relationships characters make with one another along the way, or players taking their time to inspect each puzzle. Horror doesn’t need to be all scares all the time, and there are always brief moments of relief and respite. Oftentimes, those dark, eerie atmospheres in horror games would be rather quaint when there aren’t terrifying monsters around. Here are a few horror titles that surprisingly give off cozy vibes.

8 Night In The Woods

A String Of Kidnappings In A Cute Cartoon Town

Night in the Woods deviates from traditional horror game formats, yet it delves into the concept of fear in an intriguing way. The narrative unfolds around the enigma of a kidnapping and dives deeper into somber subjects like mental health issues and depression. Moreover, it captures the stifling, dissatisfying sensation of life in a small town.

The story revolves around Margaret “Mae” Borowski, who comes back to her native town after leaving college. Following her arrival, she observes a teenager’s abduction during the annual Harfest festival in their town. Mae is tasked with unraveling the secrets behind the mysterious kidnappings that have been plaguing the quaint town of Possum Springs, all while dealing with her personal emotional turmoil.

7 Strange Horticulture

Providing Herbal Cures To Supernatural Problems

In Strange Horticulture, it might initially appear to be a typical farming simulator, but its eerie aspects are deeply rooted in its occult theme. Your character assumes ownership of your late uncle’s peculiar botanical shop following his demise. The narrative unfolds as you engage with various clients, each arriving at the shop seeking respite from their enigmatic ailments, which can only be alleviated by specific plants that you cultivate and sell.

After that, it falls upon the player to discover and accurately recognize each plant with its unique magical attributes, then match them to each client according to their specific requirements. Although the eerie ambiance and ghost tales might induce fear, delving into the encyclopedia and spotting new plants on the game’s expansive fantasy map can offer a comforting experience.

6 Cult Of The Lamb

Furry Friends And Dreadful Ends

In a chilling, roguelike fashion, you assume the role of ‘The Lamb’ in a game titled “Cult Of The Lamb“. After meeting an untimely end and being miraculously brought back to life, The Lamb is called upon by ‘The One Who Waits’, a divine entity from another realm. This mysterious deity bestows a crown upon The Lamb, assigning him the mission of establishing a cult in his name.

Although the subject matter appears quite grim and fierce, the charming art design beautifully smoothes over the harshness. The game, titled “Cult of the Lamb“, expertly combines an endearing ensemble of animal characters with dark undertones, creating a unique gaming experience that’s perfect for relaxing and unwinding.

5 Oxenfree

Investigate An Alien Signal And Make Friends Along The Way

Oxenfree represents an exceptional graphic adventure game, distinguished by 3D characters in 2D settings. The narrative follows Alex, a teenager embarking on a trip to the fictional island of Edwards with her friend Ren and stepbrother Jonas. Upon arrival, they decide to spend the weekend on the island. As night falls, Alex and her friends venture into the caves. Legends speak of these caves having radio frequencies that trigger supernatural occurrences. It is during their exploration in the caves that Alex accidentally adjusts her radio, thereby opening a dimensional fissure.

Although the game revolves around eerie supernatural occurrences, it’s just as captivating to follow the lighthearted conversations between Alex and her companions frequently. Oxenfree is not only a paranormal-themed game, but it also serves as a narrative about growing up, ensuring that the player’s dialogue choices play a significant role in shaping the overall storyline of Edward Island.

4 That’s Not My Neighbor

Spot The Doppelgängers And Keep Them From Entering An Apartment Building

That’s Not My Neighbor isn’t just an ordinary work simulation game; it’s a chilling one. The game places players in the role of an apartment doorman set in 1955. In our world, this job might appear straightforward, but in the realm of That’s Not My Neighbor, things are far from simple. Here, there exist doppelgängers. The doorman’s responsibility is to verify that each tenant entering the building is genuine and not a dangerous doppelgänger disguised as someone else, planning to murder all the unaware tenants.

Some doppelgangers closely resemble their original counterparts, giving an uncanny likeness, whereas others fall short in mimicking their targets and instead become frightening, monstrous entities.

3 Limbo

Help A Little Boy Solve Terrifying Physics Puzzles

In contrast to its ominous setting and unsettling visuals, the world within Limbo unexpectedly offers a soothing ambiance. The absence of background music emphasizes the ambient sounds and white noise, creating an immersive experience that feels comforting.

The game guides the player through a dark forest, an industrial city, and various stages, creating an increasingly comforting rather than frightening ambiance, that is, until another fearsome creature makes its appearance.

2 Death And Taxes

Take Over The Bureaucratic Duties Of A Grim Reaper

Platform: Android, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS
Release Date: February 20, 2020
Developer: Placeholder Gameworks, Pineapple Works
Genre: Job Simulator

In the game titled “Death and Taxes“, you step into the role of a freshly appointed Grim Reaper, responsible for managing Cosmopolis City subdivision #4. Despite the job’s apparent pressure and high stakes nature, assuming the role as the new Grim Reaper in this game surprisingly brings a sense of calm.

Every workday, the player is tasked with navigating numerous administrative tasks, deciding which individuals are worthy of survival and which ones must end. While the game presents challenging decisions for the player, the routine and repetitive nature of the daily paperwork can offer a sense of predictability and even tranquility (though it’s not always free from guilt).

1 Dredge

Casually Fish For Eldritch Abominations

In this paraphrased version, the game named “Dredge” invites players to delve into the unfathomed terrors lurking in the depths of the ocean. Essentially, it’s a blend of fishing and horror genres that follows a day-night cycle. To add to the eerie atmosphere, the game is set in the troubled town of Greater Marrow and its surrounding islands, where ghostly ships sail at night and Lovecraftian sea beasts prowl the waters.

However, aside from the depths of the terrifying unknown sea, fishing during the daytime can make for a great (and relaxing) pastime. While there are dangers on the sea, there’s also downtime to relax and read books.

2024-11-08 18:35