INDIE WORLD SHOWCASE
Nintendo featured a long list of great indie games coming to the Nintendo Switch in their latest Indie World Showcase. Now that the chilly fall weather is upon us, we’re looking for some warm little indies we can snuggle up with. Our Executive Director, Sarah, selected her top five coziest indies from the Nintendo Indie World Showcase to share with our fellow indie-loving Raven nesters.
#5 Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly
The story of one of our favorite cozy games continues! Dust off your coffee machine and prepare your warmest smile for Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly, the next chapter of the much-loved coffee-brewing and heart-filled talking simulator, Coffee Talk. In a time where people are often isolated from each other, this comfy Seattle-based nighttime coffee shop game provides the perfect space to reconnect with your fantasy friends and enjoy a warm drink or two. I can’t wait to enjoy Coffee Talk’s chill lo-fi atmosphere and hear more from the characters of this unique urban fantasy narrative.
Developed and published by Toge Productions, Coffee Talk Episode 2 will be available on the Nintendo Switch in spring, 2023.
#4 A Space for the Unbound
A Space for the Unbound is a beautifully tragic slice-of-life game set in the late 90s in rural Indonesia. It’s a captivating story about overcoming anxiety, depression, and the relationship between a boy and a girl with supernatural powers. The atmosphere and gorgeous pixel art make this the ideal cozy game to explore while wrapped in your favorite fuzzy blanket.
Developed by Mojiken and published by Toge Productions, A Space for the Unbound will be released on the Nintendo Switch on January 19th, 2023.
#3 Aka
Aka is an adorable island upkeep sim. Relax and vacation with a cute little red panda, capybaras, baby dragons, and more! Aka is a small, open-world game set on a carefully handcrafted island where you can nap on a giant monster, feed baby dragons, and take care of the island’s array of fauna and flora. But there’s a twist! Demons from your past may return to remind you of what you’d hoped to leave behind…
Developed by Cosmo Gatto and published by NEOWIZ, Aka is set to release on December 15th, 2023 for the Nintendo Switch.
#2 A Little to the Left
A Little to the Left is a game for cat lovers and darling spirits who enjoy cleaning and organizing their homes. This cozy puzzle game lets you sort, stack, and organize household items into pleasing arrangements and features a mischievous cat with an inclination for chaos. With 75+ satisfying messes to tidy, this is a perfect casual game to snuggle up with and satisfy your inner neat freak.
Developed by Max Inferno and published by Secret Mode, A Little to the Left is available now on the Nintendo Switch.
#1 Desta: The Memories Between
Desta isn’t a traditionally “cozy” game per se, but it does feature some seriously sleepy vibes. I can totally see myself getting lost in the dreamscapes of this game the same way I do with Super Mario Galaxy when I’m feeling down. This character-driven turn-based game is super inclusive (Pronouns! Yay!) and definitely unique. I’m looking forward to helping these characters relive memories, rediscover friends, and repair relationships as I explore this emotional narrative and retrieve answers to words left unsaid.
Developed and published by ustwo games (the creators of Monument Valley), Desta: The Memories Between will be available on the Nintendo Switch in early 2023.
Honorable Mentions…
Blanc
Blanc is the emotional journey of a wolf cub and a fawn who are stranded in a beautiful, snowy wilderness. Developed by Casus Ludi and published by Gearbox Publishing, Blanc is set to release on February 14th, 2023 for the Nintendo Switch.
Botany Manor
Botany Manor is a puzzle game featuring a retired botanist who is tasked with the upkeep of a 19th-century manor’s various plants and gardens. Developed by Balloon Studios and published by Whitethorn Games, Botany Manor will be available on the Nintendo Switch in 2023.