Summary
The Steam Deck is a whole new way to enjoy moretraditional PC-based games on the go. Whether players just want to escape their desk to the couch or take their adventures around the world, the right game can help them find comfort in those lazier afternoons. The best cozy games that can be played on Steam Deck are not just visually appealing; they run well on the hardware, allowing full immersion.
Here are some of the best cozy games players can enjoy on Steam Deck, ranked by performance, portability, and most importantly: coziness.
Disney Dreamlight Valleyis one of the more heavy-duty games on the list, so it may not be as lightweight as others, but with a few tweaks, it runs very well. For players looking to capture some Disney magic in a story-based adventure with a lot of customization and event farming, the small amount of setup time is definitely worth it.
Cozy factor is at a high with this game, with the ability to speak to favorite characters and complete quests at a casual pace.
Managing the ferrying of spiritson the Steam Deck forSpritfarerfeels intimate and personal for all the right reasons. It has a rich storyline players can enjoy, and the gameplay, while heavy on subject matter, is peaceful and translates well to a handheld experience like the Steam Deck.
Players can enjoy an emotionally charged narrative in this game, and something that will stick with them for a long time. The ability to embrace the game at a handheld level shows how powerful the storytelling is, as, even on a smaller screen, all of that immersion and comfort shines through.
Dorfromantikis a Steam Deck game that is perfect for any player, even the gentlest of souls. As landscapes are built tile by tile, players can enjoy a calming experience that will leave them feeling rested and ready for the rest of their day.
The game shines on Steam Deck as the controls are very easy to understand, and there is minimal resource use since the game is pretty lightweight. If players have spent a long day at the desk, this game doesn’t ask much of their fingers and offers a nice balance of gaming and comfort.
Littlewoodis perfect for players looking to enjoy the vibes of a game likeStardew Valleywithout the added pressures that the games can sometimes bring. Littlewood is streamlined and offers low system demands, making it the perfect addition to someone’s cozy collection on Steam Deck.
Maybe players are looking for something to wind down after some big battles or high-stakes adventures in their other gaming pursuits. Littlewood is the perfect comfort break like that, where players can just focus on the small tasks ahead of them instead of a big bad.
Potion Permithas players stepping into the role of the village chemist in this pixel-art-styled world. Players are able to craft, explore, and heal in more ways than one. They are tasked with diagnosing symptoms of the village people and finding cures for them.
The Steam Deck handles the controls, mechanics, and open environments ofPotion Permitbeautifully, making sure that players can enjoy the game for as long as they want to, rather than being stopped by hardware issues.
Coffee Talkis a staple of the cozy collection on Steam,perfect for players looking for something on their Steam Deckthat allows them to live their fantasy of being the cool coffee barista. The lo-fi music is a great companion to this immersive fantasy too.
The game thrives in handheld modes like what is offered on the Steam Deck, and the atmosphere itself lends to more of an interactive audiobook than a game at times, perfect for the wind down of a long day — or some low-stakes gameplay.
Even thoughDredgeis somewhat known for its eerie tone in gameplay, players may find this a surprisingly relaxing game a lot of the time, especially when paired with the Steam Deck, on which the game runs great.With inventory management and explorationat the player’s fingertips, the game is able to offer a great balance of spooky and serene.
If players are looking for a cozy game that has a unique atmosphere, Dredge might be the kind of game for them. Fishing as an activity thrives on hardware like the Steam Deck, and the gentle horror elements keep players hooked for hours to come. Plus, with most horrors coming out at night, fishing during the daytime can make for an extremely cozy atmosphere.
Unpackingoffers a therapeutic experiencethat is the perfect companion for the Steam Deck. The almost theatrical puzzles it offers are suitable for small screens, making everything just seem even cozier than it would on a larger PC screen.
The tactile controls mean players can use the touchscreen or the sticks, giving players extra control to play exactly how they want in any given moment. The clean and cute visuals on top of that can make players forget about the outside world and concentrate on zoning out to their small tasks through the various apartments, dorms, and homes they find themselves in.
Bear and Breakfastis the kind of game that players can laugh along with,while also feeling like a boss. The aim of the game is to run a bed and breakfast as a cute bear with a lot of cozy work to do to keep guests satisfied.
The Steam Deck performance of this game is very smooth, meaning that every day can continue without any hardware hiccups. The slower pace of the game is ideal for smaller handheld sessions, allowing players to pick up where they left off without the need to worry about big consequences.
Stardew Valleyhad to take the top spot on this list because it is a beloved cozy game for almost every cozy gamer around.Stardew Valleythrives on the Steam Deck, almost like it was made to be played on it. The responsive controlsand the ability to farm and enjoy the townfor endless hours make it the perfect cozy companion game for handheld players looking to have something to look forward to every day.
Whether players pick up and play, or choose to enjoy their time with friends on the farm, Stardew Valley has tasks and quests suitable for anyone.
