Cosy games for winding down at night

Not every game needs to challenge you. Some evenings I just want to potter around a little digital world and not be asked to achieve anything. That's where cosy games earn their place.

Tiny Harbor Town is my current favourite of this type — no timers, no stakes, just a village to slowly make nicer. Hollowreach scratches a similar itch if you prefer quiet exploration to building.

The best cosy games understand that relaxation comes from control, not pressure. You decide when to stop, and nothing nags you to come back. That's also what makes them ideal offline companions.

Keep one on your phone for the nights when you want to decompress rather than get your heart rate up. You'll be surprised how much you reach for it.