8 Must-Play Chill Games for a Weekend of Fun

Cozy games offer the perfect escape for a relaxing weekend, providing a complete story and experience without the pressure of lengthy plotlines or constant grinding. They're ideal for those seeking a manageable, bite-sized gaming experience, a break from the intensity of larger games, or a respite from the grind of current projects. While not particularly challenging, chill games still deliver plenty of fun and enjoyment in a shorter, more accessible format.

8 Unpacking

Unpacking, a game developed by Witch Beam, presents an intriguing organization puzzle. The game is unique as it has no dialogue or on-screen characters. Instead, the player has to sort out the main character's possessions into their appropriate places as they move into different houses and apartments. With under 5 hours of gameplay, the game presents a calming and zen experience. Even though there is no text or dialogue, the story of the game is conveyed through the character's belongings, making it a fascinating experience.

7 Error 143

Error143 is a captivating virtual dating simulator that allows players to embark on a romantic (or non-romantic) journey with Micah, a brilliant young coder and hacker who serves as the game's main love interest. With its visually stunning Micah-centric artwork and soothing original soundtrack, this dating sim offers a truly immersive experience. Engage in flirty conversations with Micah through text chat and video calls, complete with alluring voice lines that will leave you wanting more.

The player can have fun accepting or rejecting Micah’s advances and taking part in a few ‘coding challenges’ at playtime coming in around two hours. Replayability is also great here to discover the different endings the game has to offer!

6 Grim Legends: The Forsaken Bride (A Hidden Object Game)

Hidden object games offer a plethora of visually stunning, puzzle-based, and narrative-heavy games that can be completed in a single weekend. Grim Legends: The Forsaken Bride, developed by Artifex Mundi, is a perfect example of this genre. The game follows a young woman on her way to her twin sister's wedding in a village when her sister is suddenly kidnapped by a mysterious bear that has been terrorizing the forest.

To solve the mystery of her sister's disappearance, the player must complete a series of puzzle mini-games and hidden object screens. These games typically take around 3 to 5 hours depending on the difficulty level chosen by the player and the availability of bonus content upon completing the main game.

Little Misfortune, developed by Killmonday Games, offers a unique blend of chill gameplay and a disturbing storyline. The game follows the journey of Misfortune, a young girl, who is guided by the disembodied voice of Mr. Voice. The narrator doubles up as an NPC within the game, and Misfortune embarks on a quest to find oddities and make things sparkle using her bag of glitter. Along the way, she also tries to win the heart of her elusive fox love interest. However, as the game progresses, things take a dark turn, and players can explore different endings within the three-hour gameplay.

4 Journey

Journey, developed by Thatgamecompany, is a prime example of a tranquil game that captivates players with its mesmerizing visuals and serene atmosphere. This game, which has been nominated for a Grammy for its outstanding music score, follows a robed and scarved protagonist as they embark on a journey to uncover the secrets and mysteries of a vast, ancient world of sand. As the player travels through the ruins, they draw closer and closer to a towering mountain, which is the ultimate destination of their journey.

The mysterious and breathtaking nature of the game has made it one of the most notable cozy games in the genre. Gamers can roam the sands and discover its mysteries, and gameplay in total can take up to 5 hours.

3 The Spirit And The Mouse

2 Costume Quest (1 and 2)

Embark on a magical journey through a charming French town in The Spirit and the Mouse, the newest release by Alblune. As players indulge in their favorite snacks and immerse themselves in the gaming setup, they can take on the roles of mouse Lila and her spirit companion Lumion. Together, they must save the adorable spirit Klibbins and restore the once-glowing Sainte-et-Claire to its former glory. With a playtime of approximately 5 hours, this game is sure to captivate players with its enchanting storyline and stunning visuals.

Indulge in the spookiness of Halloween with Costume Quest, a turn-based adventure game where players join twin siblings Reynold and Wren on their quest for candy and to defeat the monsters that threaten to ruin their Halloween fun.

Players will enjoy the main battle mechanic of the game, which involves turn-based battles using abilities based on the costumes worn by the characters. The game features a range of costumes that can be collected throughout gameplay.

For those who enjoyed the first game, Costume Quest 2 is also available. Players can complete this trick-or-treating roleplay game in just over 5 hours, or up to 7 hours for a full completion.

1 Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened

Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened (2023) is a thrilling remake of the 2007 game that takes players on a captivating journey with the iconic detective and his trusted sidekick, Dr. Watson. With a perfect blend of classic Sherlock Holmes design and Lovecraftian elements, this game delivers an immersive and atmospheric experience that is sure to keep players on the edge of their seats. What's more, players have the added delight of being able to dress up Holmes and Watson in a variety of outfits they unlock throughout the game.

Spooky, mysterious, unsettling, and very Sherlockian, this game will have the player making their own deductions and connections in order to solve their case. Playtime for this game is at around 8 hours for the main game, and around 11 for completing all side-quests.