The cozy games I reach for after a rough day

Some days I don't want to be challenged. I want to run a tiny tavern, serve some cheerful regulars, and watch a little world get slightly nicer under my care. That's the whole appeal of a cozy game.

Pocket Tavern Keeper is my go-to lately. The busy dinner rush gives me just enough to focus on that the day's stress fades, but nothing punishes me for a mistake. It's the video game equivalent of a warm drink.

Cozy games get dismissed as shallow, but there's real skill in making a loop that soothes rather than stresses. The pacing has to be gentle without being boring, which is harder than it sounds.

Keep one on your phone for the hard days. It's a surprisingly good bit of self-care that happens to be fun.