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By Courtney Brown // ´óÏó´«Ã½ The Social contributor // 16 December 2021

It’s that time of year again. I live in Scotland and it’s dark already at 4pm. For me, there is something cosy and meditative about the dark nights rolling in, the nippy cold air you feel biting at your nose, and of course the baltic weather that’s sure to show face. I’d argue that this is PERFECT video game weather.

There is simply nothing better to do on these types of days than to get your fluffy socks on, make yourself a cup of hot chocolate, grab your favourite snacks and get cuddled up on the couch to play video games.

“But Courtney, what kind of games would YOU recommend that are cosy, relaxing AND great to play during such inclement, bleak weather?”

Shhh. Say no more my friend. Here are my top five cosy games that I think you should cuddle up and play this winter.

Just as the title suggests, Unpacking is a game about…well… unpacking! But don’t worry, this game is WAY less stressful than real life unpacking.

It’s a relaxing puzzle game in which you work your way through unpacking your character’s home. Through different life stages, and several home moves, you slowly discover clues about the life you have been unpacking. From the items that come with your character, to the ones that get left behind with time, the story of your character is pieced together.

Unpacking is a calm, serene game with no timers or scores pushing you through the gameplay, the perfect game to relax with on a dark winter’s night!

Now, PC and console gaming isn’t for everyone! If you’re just looking for a calm, relaxing, free to play game on your phone AND you like cats? Then do I have the game for you.

Cats & Soup is a wonderfully charming mobile game. You collect little cat chefs who chop vegetables, blend juices, and make soup. Use the money you make selling soup to build decorations and new items for your cats to use.

This is the perfect game if you are looking for a short burst of cosiness to enjoy. The adorable art style, cute animations and addictive nature will draw you in and have you checking on your cats daily.

And, let’s be honest here. If a game with cute cats and warm bowls of soup isn’t the PERFECT cosy winter game? Then I don’t know what is.

Now, can a game about death really be cosy? Spiritfarer proves that it can.

Spiritfarer is a cosy management game about…well…death. You play as Stella, the newly appointed ferryman for the dead. You spend your time caring for your spirit friends and exploring the world, before ferrying them across the seas to release them into the afterlife.

It's a game that I can only describe as a breath of fresh air. From the charming characters you meet, the gorgeous animation and phenomenal music. Spiritfarer is a gentle, exploration game that is sure to keep you entertained, and possibly shed a happy tear….or two.

If you’re looking for a non-violent, super cute adventure game, then Rainbow Billy: The Curse of the Leviathan, is the game for you.

A charming and fun adventure-puzzle platformer, Rainbow Billy sees you on a quest to stop the Leviathan and restore colour to The Land of Imagination. Yep, you heard that right. The Land of Imagination (I mean, does it get ANY cuter than that?)

It's a wholesome, beautifully animated game which focuses on spreading kindness, the power of friendship and love. Rainbow Billy brings an entirely fresh take on video game combat, all while delivering an engaging storyline at the heart of it.

If you mixed The Wind Waker with a little sprinkle of Cuphead art and a dash of wholesomeness of a classic Disney movie? You would make Rainbow Billy.

Now I assume you already know the wonderful game that is Animal Crossing…and if you don’t? I mean…man, where have you been?

If you’re like me, you played Animal Crossing: New Horizons non-stop when it released - only for the burnout to hit real in 2021. Well, fear no more my fellow Animal Crossing lovers, it’s back to non-stop playing, accompanied with the temptation to time travel every single day, yay!

You probably already know by now that the game recently gifted us with a massive update, and it did not fail in reigniting the flame of love that once was. The update includes a variety of new features, content and includes a paid for DLC, Happy Home Paradise. Various new activities, NPCs and items are, but just a few, of the new content released within the update. From new permanent shops on Harv’s Island, Kapp’n returning with his singing boat trips, Brewster's Cafe and the infamous return of the Gyroids (I now want my own real life Squeakoid) this is the ideal game to cuddle up on the couch with this Winter.

So there you have it - five games that I recommend to keep you cosy this winter.