Cosy Autumnal Games

As the cold begins to settle in, cosying up with a hot-drink and blanket combo becomes increasingly alluring for those not built for the cold, and what better this autumn than a corresponding videogame as we wait for time to pass. 

Of course, established games like Minecraft (2009) and Stardew Valley (2016) are popular options, with both games providing cute, pixelated worlds to do literally whatever you want. With Minecraft’s developer, Mojang, announcing a more consistent update schedule, now is a perfect time to get into these big hitters. 

Outside of these two, previous titles like Night in the Woods (2017) and Unpacking (2021) provide two different vibes for those looking to get comfortable with a game this autumn. Night in the Woods is an endearing adventure game about college dropout Mae Borowski, who embarks on a ‘sad and serious tale of generational anxieties’. Interwoven with simplistic yet gorgeous visuals and clever humour, the game has multiple endings, but whichever you end up with (or follow the online guides to get) you’ll come out of it with a Mae shaped space in your heart. Oh and did I mention the characters are all human shaped animals?

Unpacking, however, is a much more relaxed, low-stakes game, as you gain brief glimpses into the crucial years of a young person as they navigate the hardships of growing up. What really makes this game shine is its core mechanic. You, the player, must unpack P(protagonist)’s belongings as they move from place to place, skipping a few years each time you complete a level. The whole story wraps itself up by the end and leaves you with a feel-good experience and a touch of replay-ability, with subtle tid-bits and easter eggs you can easily miss on your first playthrough. I’d definitely recommend this for anyone looking for a light, slice-of-life game that doesn’t take up too much time. 

Now it’s time for a recent release! Love, Ghostie (2024) is a cutesy match making game where – as a ghost – you manage a manor and set up its residents. Folks who grew up enjoying a similar function in Miitopia (2016) will love this mechanic! And finally, looking forward to next year, Tales of the Shire is set to release next March for those looking to continue the cosy vibes. TOTS looks to be a Lord of the Rings adventure/life-sim game in a suitable hobbity environment.