By and large, a lot of gamers believe thatthe cozy game movementis a newfangled idea that came about sometime in the late 2010’s, meaning that the PS3 was just outside of this cozy gaming window.
10 PS2 Cozy Games You Need To Play
Cozy games are all the rage now, but they were a thing back in the day, too.
But what if I told you that, despite the abundance of cozy games that pop up today, there were still plenty of games on Sony’s 6th generation console that more than hit all the criteria needed to be considered a cozy game?
There is a wealth of stress-free, additive, and vibrant, cozy gameson the PS3 library, and I intend to prove it by listing games so damn cozy and cute that you’ll immediately want to dust off your PS3 and play.
10LittleBigPlanet
Sackboy’s Big Break
LittleBigPlanet
Let’s start off with one of the few Playstation mascots to rise to prominence during the PS3 era.
Thanks to the lovable poster boy in the form of Sackboy, the abundance of whimsical design choices, and the freedom that came with the ability to make your own custom levels, LittleBigPlanet was a major hit for the console.
Offering fun platforming, seamless co-op functionally, and garnering a huge community of creators, as Media Molecule is known to do within their games, this one was non-stop fun from start to end.
It’s still popular to this day, with Sackboy’s Big Adventure being the latest game keeping the IP alive and thriving, but the first game was the foundation upon which this cozy gaming goliath was built on, so be sure to go back and see where it all started.
9Goat Simulator
Greatest Of All Time?
Goat Simulator
The early 2010’s were rife with simulator games that weren’t exactly what they said on the tin, with awkward and clunky games like Surgeon Simulator being a prime example. However, a lot of these games never made their way to consoles.
But PS3 owners did get the chance to play a manic goat in the wacky and whimsical Goat Simulator.
It’s a game where you run around as a goat, complete a handful of silly, miscellaneous tasks, cause a load of damage to the world around you, and put a real strain on the ragdoll physics present in the game as you do.
It’s not a game dripping in substance, but it is a humourous, cozy sandbox where you’ll get a few hours of fun through the sheer silliness of what’s on offer.
8Harry Potter & The Order of the Phoenix
Movie Tie-In Magic
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
I’ve always had a soft spot for the licensed Harry Potter games, but they have been a real mixed bag, to say the least, with the later entries getting worse and worse with each attempt to recapture the magic.
However, amongst these later events is one that bucked the trend, and that was Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix.
Admittedly, this onecan’t quite match the PS2 outingsfor cozy vibes and whimsical design, but when you aren’t following the main quest, that’s when this one really shines.
You see, this is probably, outside of Hogwarts Legacy, the most authentic depiction of Hogwarts, and you get to roam around finding secrets, casting spells, and playing wizard chess to your heart’s content.
Mileage may vary, as some have said it’s a rather dry and boring experience, but personally, I couldn’t disagree more.
7Sound Shapes
Bounce To The Beat
I’m all for a game that tries to incorporate sound and music into the core gameplay experience. But, don’t misunderstand, I don’t meana rhythm game,more rhythm adjacent.
That’s what Sound Shapes is, as at its core, this game is a rudimentary 2D platformer that feels like geometry dash without all the stress that comes with that game.
However, the fun gimmick that makes this platformer so cool is that the environment moves and interacts with the soundtrack present, meaning you need to listen just as much as you need to observe if you want to succeed.
Plus, with a built-in level creator, you can imagine how incredible the custom levels were when the game’s servers were still live. Sadly, that’s not active today, but the game’s core content is still worth checking out regardless.
Full of Secrets & Surprises
A good cozy game is one that doesn’t worry too much about enforcing structured gameplay or concerning itself with teaching players ‘the right way to play.’
This is something that Hohokum knows all too well, as it places players in a vibrant world, and by flying around as a colorful little snake, you’ll be able to interact and explore the mess of color on screen.
This game is all about interactivity, natural discovery, and freedom to explore, and players will be able to encounter the many whimsical secrets and tasks the game has in store for them at their leisure.
It’s a game all about drinking in the scenery, going with the flow, and enjoying the surprises as they come. Which, to me, is the perfect recipe for a standout cozy game.
5LocoRoco: Cocoreccho!
Follow The Pretty Butterfly, My Pets
From one game abundant in color and whimsy to another.The PSP was the primary home of the LocoRoco series,mainly due to the two triggers being at the heart of the game’s core gimmick.
However, with the addition of Siaxis controllers for the PS3, it was inevitable that LocoRoco would make the jump to console.
However, unlike the original games, you aren’t controlling the cute little sentient blobs, but instead, a Cocoreccho, which is a little butterfly for those unaware.
The gimmick here is to use the siaxis controls to tilt the world around you, and use the Cocoreccho to guide the LocoRocos to their destination, making this one an experience not too far removed from something like Lemmings.
It perhaps doesn’t hit the same heights as the original, but it’s a fun change of pace, and still a very worthwhile outing for those that love the LocoRoco series.
4Never Alone
A Cold Tale That Warms Your Heart
Never Alone
Video games that pair your protagonist up with an animal companion are usually nailed-on candidates for the ‘best cozy games’ category, and Never Alone is certainly one that takes full advantage of that fact.
Thanks to the amazing, timeless visuals on offer, the incredible story famous within the Indigenous Iñupiaq community, and the clever, satisfying side-scrolling puzzle design, Never Alone manages to rub shoulders with the greats of the time like LIMBO and Braid.
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However, Never Alone manages to stand out from the crowd with a dual-focused gameplay mechanic that allows you to control man and beast, as well as presenting an emotive story that will probably have you shed a tear.
It’s one that rarely gets mentioned these days, but it’s one that should be in the conversation as one ofthe best sidescrolling puzzle platformers of all time. So, be sure to give this underrated gem some love.
3Thomas Was Alone
Inside The Mind of Chat GPT
Thomas Was Alone
This one might be a little bit of a stretch when it comes to labeling it as a ‘cozy game’ as this one deals with some rather complex philosophical themes. However, I think the simple presentation and the gameplay sway it for me.
Thomas Was Alone is a standout indie platformer that sees you play as several different 2D AI entities in a mainframe who need to use their various different abilities to gain sentience and integrate into society.
It’s a game that feels narratively a little like Inside Out in many ways, as the narrator explains the different personalities of these 2D shapes and gives meaning to the simple 2D platformer on screen.
It’s a game that does a lot with a little, and that’s what indie gaming, and by extension, cozy gaming, is all about.
Cards on the table. This is a game where you will need to get your synapses firing and your brain juice flowing if you want to wrap your head around the 2D meets 3D puzzles on offer. But the good news is you get to be a cute little guy wearing a Fez as you do it.
Gomez, during the early stages of this title, gains a life-changing new ability to flip the world on its axis, and this, in turn, allows the player to rotate the various gorgeous 2D environments as they choose tounlock new paths and discover new secrets.
It’s arare example of a Metroidbrainia gamepresent in the PS3 Library, and the sheer ambition of this project and the fact that it delivers on its promises makes this certified indie royalty. So, if you want a cozy puzzler to pass the time, you may’t go wrong with this one.
The Story of Life
When the topic of’Best Indie Game of All Time’comes up, it’s not long before the name ‘Journey’ is mentioned, and rightfully so.
This is because Journey is one of those bucket list gaming experiences that make the medium what it is. Allowing players to fully immerse themselves in an artistically accomplished and densely packed experience.
In the space of one afternoon, you can play this one from start to finish, and every minute is a special one filled with eye-candy, award-winning tracks in the background courtesy of Austin Wintory, and fluid puzzle platforming that’s satisfying and accessible for all.
But above all, it’s the game’s silent narrative that depicts the course of life itself that resonates the most. It’s perhaps the best cozy game of all time, and one that simply must be played if you consider yourself a fan of gaming.
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