One of the current trends in the video game industry is the popularity of cozy games. Though definitions of this category vary from person to person, cozy games are predominantly identified by the comfortable atmosphere, aesthetically pleasing design, and task-focused gameplay. Cozy games are not always easy or relaxing, though they can be.

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Autumn is a big season for fans of cozy games, as they often commend the experience of curling up with one on a chilly evening. As a result, many new cozy gaming titles are scheduled for release as the season changes and begins to transition into fall.

10 Potion Permit: Healing The Town Of Moonbury

A promotional image for the game Potion Permit

In Potion Permit, players take on the role of a medical chemist assigned to the small town of Moonbury, where the residents are initially somewhat suspicious of the player. However, as they establish relationships and develop their craft, they begin to foster a place for themself in the community.

In Potion Permit, players search the nearby area for ingredients, assess the villagers' issues, and brew potions to help them. They can also assist in local improvement projects, explore the beauty of Moonbury, and spend time with their dog. Potion Permit releases on September 22, 2022; preorders are available on Steam, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 4 and 5, with an Xbox release coming soon.

9 The Spirit And The Mouse: Help A Village After A Storm

A promotional still from the upcoming game The Spirit and the Mouse

After a thunderstorm, the inhabitants of the charming French village of Sainte-et-Claire have many problems on their plates. Their electrical system is plagued with issues from lightning strikes and mischievous spirits called Kibblins.

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Gamers play as a sweet mouse named Lila as she assists Lumion the Spirit in helping the village and setting everything to rights. They befriend the Kibblins through mini-games and do good deeds for the villagers as part of their quest. The Spirit and the Mouse will be available on Steam and Nintendo Switch upon its release on September 26, 2022.

8 Witchy Life Story: Save The Harvest Festival

A promotional still from the upcoming game Witchy Life Story

In Witchy Life Story, the player is a member of a prominent magical family who's struggling with their witch training. They're sent to Flora to help the townspeople host their annual harvest festival and prove their readiness to continue their training. It's up to the player to ensure that everything goes off without a hitch in this sweet game that combines life-simulator mechanics with the player-choice elements of an RPG.

Witchy Life Story has several story-impacting choices, magical features, and potential romance options. The game releases on Steam on September 30, 2022.

7 Beacon Pines: Unravel Mysteries In A Storybook

A still from Beacon Pines.

Within the world of a magical storybook is the slightly spooky tale of Beacon Pines. Gamers play as both the reader of the book and Luka, the protagonist of its ever-changing story. Luka lives in the small town of Beacon Pines, where strange and unsettling things have occurred.

The player can use the book's magic to change the past, rewrite the future, and uncover the secrets lurking within the pages of Beacon Pines. Beacon Pines releases on Steam, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and Series X/S on September 22, 2022.

6 The Wandering Village: Survive A Dangerous World Together

A still of Onbu from the upcoming game The Wandering Village

In The Wandering Village, a giant creature called Onbu becomes the home of a village seeking a haven from the toxic plants spreading across the land. Onbu's survival is integral to that of the village, so they must work together to forge a symbiotic relationship.

This unique city building and management title has been highly anticipated since the success of its Kickstarter campaign and has already found an enthusiastic following on social media. The Wandering Village enters Early Access on Steam on September 14, 2022, and is projected to release for Xbox Game Preview in 2023.

5 Coral Island: A Tropical Take On Farming Sims

A promotional image for the game Coral Island

Farming simulators are a beloved genre among cozy gaming communities. Coral Island is a 3D farming sim set on a tropical island. The developers describe Coral Island as a "reimagining" of classic farm sims with traditional game mechanics like farming, caring for animals, fishing, exploring nearby caves, and befriending and romancing the locals.

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Current sneak peeks indicate the game will have an overarching narrative, conservationist themes, and some fantasy elements. Coral Island enters Early Access on Steam on October 11, 2022.

4 Harvestella: Life In A Fantasy World

A promotional still for Square Enix's game Harvestella

Square Enix has taken their extensive experience making RPGs and jumped into the thriving world of life-simulators with Harvestella. Players can explore the expansive and vivid world around them as they build a self-sustaining life and investigate the calamitous event known as Quietus, where death sweeps across the land at the end of each season.

They can befriend the unique characters that inhabit the various cities in this world as they grow food, look after the fantastical wildlife, and seek out the secrets behind Harvestella's mysteries. Harvestella releases on Steam and Nintendo Switch on November 4, 2022.

3 Wylde Flowers: Learn Magic In A Quaint Little Town

A still from the game Wylde Flowers

Wylde Flowers is part farming sim, part magical journey. Players take on the role of Tara, who has come to Fairhaven to lend a hand on her grandmother's farm. However, after arriving, she learns that her grandmother is a witch, and believes that Tara can learn to be one too.

Gamers follow Tara on her journey as she learns new skills and attempts to find a balance between her routine life and her new adventures in the supernatural. Wylde Flowers will be available on Steam and Nintendo Switch starting September 20, 2022.

2 Naiad: Explore The Beauty Of Nature

A still from the game NAIAD

Enjoy the beauty of nature in NAIAD, a one-player journey exploring a river as it flows towards the sea. Gamers play as a naiad, or water nymph, and explore the many environments the river moves through on its path. They also assist animals living along the river in overcoming obstacles.

RELATED: 7 Best Nature Based Games, RankedNAIAD is a stylized, stunning project showing the true beauty the world can have. NAIAD will be available for Nintendo Switch on October 13, 2022, and is expected on Steam, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox before the end of the year.

1 Wayward Strand: Investigate A Hospital In The Sky

A still from the upcoming game Wayward Strand

In Wayward Strand, players follow young journalist Casey Beaumaris on her visit to an airborne hospital. A narrative-focused game, Wayward Strand, plays out in real time, forcing the player to choose what stories to prioritize on each playthrough. Casey can explore the facility, interact with the patients, and use her notebook to compile all the information she's learning along the way.

Each interaction can unlock new details or story elements, making the game heavily replayable. Wayward Strand launches on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One X, and Steam on September 15, 2022.

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