Key conclusions
- RPGs offer a wide range of cozy, relaxing experiences beyond traditional fighting games.
- Games like Stardew Valley and Moonlighter combine simulation and RPG elements for a unique gaming experience.
- Cozy role-playing games like Legend of Zelda offer relaxing, addictive gameplay with open-world exploration and creative elements.
There are many different genres in the wide world of video games. No matter what games you're drawn to, there are plenty of choices you have to make to figure out what you want to play next. While many are fast and energetic, some are a little more lighthearted.
Across genres, none are quite like RPGs. Known for unique characters, interesting lore, and great settings, this genre is impressive in its scope. While there are plenty of action-packed RPGs out there, sometimes you just want to kick back with a cozy RPG like one of these games.
10 Fields of Mystria
A little work, a little play
Fields Of Mistria is a mix of sim and role-playing game – it's a quirky game with simple graphics and mechanics if you don't want the intense role-playing game to get your pulse racing. But that's not all that this game offers you.
A little romance is also thrown in for good measure. If you're already an RPG/Sim fan from other games that have tried it, you'll love this one. But sometimes it seems that he tried to do too much.
9 Super Mario RPG (2023)
Mario meets RPG
Although it has been known to jump genres from time to time, the Super Mario RPG was an interesting idea from Nintendo. Taking a lot of classic characters and a fun storyline and bringing them to the Switch seems like an obvious choice once you dive into it.
Mario games are a classic choice for recreation thanks to their bright colors, light conflicts, and simple gameplay. Play with Mallow, face Bowser's army and explore the world as a plumber on a mission.
8 Dragon Quest (series)
See Those Slimes
Speaking of RPGs, you'll come to the classic fantasy RPG series known as Dragon Quest. It pays homage to many standard RPGs like the chosen one and save the world, but does so in a rather quirky way.
The entire series is full of bright colors, friendly faces and comedic moments. It doesn't take long to fall in love with the simple turn-based combat, especially against enemies like the classic slime.
7 EarthBound
Aliens! But cozy
A blast from the past, EarthBound is a simple JRPG where your character and a group of his friends embark on a journey unlike any other. You're investigating a crashed meteor, and a simple idea suddenly turns into a big quest.
It sounds intense, but most of the game is about traveling through Eagle's fictional country and meeting friends and aliens along the way. It's set the stage for many JRPGs since then, and it's always nice to go back to the beginning.
Longtime Nintendo fans will recognize Ness as the main character of EarthBound, a staple of the Smash Bros. roster.
6 Lunar
Night and day
Moonlighter is an interesting concept. Where so many RPGs dip into other genres for a bit of intrigue, Moonlighter is an interesting binary in that it's an RPG that's half shop sim and half action-packed roguelite.
Your protagonist is a simple shop owner in a small village, but in order to keep the shop afloat, he must go to different realms to fight monsters and loot dungeons to sell jewels during the day. It's a fun concept that combines action with plenty of coziness.
5 Bug Fables: The Everlasting Seedling
Big thing, small package
The country of Bulgaria, as you may have guessed, is full of bugs. As three of these intelligent six-legged creatures, you roam the world on a quest that will change the world around you. It's a cute game from start to finish, with plenty to keep you hooked.
Puzzles, enemies, and a fun 2D art style that you don't see in many other places, it's fun to dive into cozy RPGs when you need to play something new or you just want to check out the genre as a new player.
4 Stardew Valley
A modern classic
You can't talk about cozy RPGs without talking about Stardew Valley. It touches on some of the core aspects of the genre and leaves out many others to easily blend them into a farming sim. The result is a game that makes it easy to lose days.
The basic plot is quite simple: your late grandfather left you his farm in his will. You move to the titular valley to rebuild the place and start a new life. It's light, relaxing, and often cuter than you might think in a farming game.
3 Pokemon (series)
You have to catch them all
Becoming the best trainer has always been a goal for Pokémon fans, and that doesn't seem to be changing anytime soon. You'll spend most of your time in this unique RPG moving through different villages, towns, and landscapes.
Along the way, you'll meet new challengers, meet new friends, and even learn what makes a good Pokemon trainer. It's often an emotional journey with lots of fun moments and often a great soundtrack to boot.
Chosen
Skyrim took the lore created by the Elder Scrolls series from scratch and breathed new life into it. There's plenty of combat, but it doesn't often feel intense, especially at higher levels. Instead, you're in for quite an adventure.
A beautiful snowy setting, a wild roster of different characters and creatures, and tons of ways to customize your character all combine to create an awe-inspiring experience that's still talked about years later.
Not to mention that you can get married, adopt a child and build your own house.
1 Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Hyrule has never looked so comfortable
The Legend of Zelda series was one of the staples that revolutionized the RPG genre. Once again, the series brings new ideas and a new challenge to Tears Of The Kingdom with open world and even crafting.
While there are fights, they're often not frustrating, and with the open world you can often avoid them for large stretches of time as you explore Hyrule, create giant robots, and even meet new friends along your journey.
