As one might expect, post-apocalyptic games take place after the end of the world. The apocalypse could have happened in any number of ways. Maybe a disease spread, turning innocents into zombies. Maybe climate change has caused the sea levels to rise, flooding familiar landscapes. Or maybe people just made horrible, stupid decisions that they now have to adapt to.
At first glance, you might think these kinds of games could never be cozy. The end of the world is a dark, dramatic thing, full of adventure at best but never any warmth. Give these games another look, and you might see just how many cozy post-apocalyptic games there are to choose from.
In some games, the coziness factor depends on how you play the game.Project Zomboidis one such game. The zombie apocalypse has spread across the globe, leaving you to fight back as best you’re able to.Build your basewhere you craft, fish, and farm.
The zombies might detract from the coziness factor, but you can work around that. While they’re plentiful in cities, fewer zombies can be found in the forest. Build a base there and live out your cozy post-apocalyptic fantasies.
Fallout 4takes place long after the nuclear apocalypse. You are the sole survivor of Vault 111. Your spouse was murdered, and your child was stolen. Logically, the game probably wants you to go figure out what happened to your family, but you can always play another way.
Turn the difficulty low if you like, as you rebuild your hometown destroyed by nuclear fallout. Start a farm. Invite the citizens of the Commonwealth to live alongside you. Tear away the relics of the past and build a new, happier life for yourself there. You might even find a new love along the way.
Outrun The Coming Rains
The Flame In The Flood, available on Steam, takes place long after the future and society of America came to a close. Together with your dog, youtravel by foot and by raft down the riverto stay ahead of the coming rains.
Be warned: this game may be cozy to some, but not all. You may find it stressful to run away from predators and steer your boat down the rapids. For those who like that sort of thing, seeing America long after its fall and finding community with the travelers you meet along the way can be an incredibly cozy experience. If not, feel free to try a different game.
Dragon Quest Builders 2is what you get when you mix theDragon Questseries withMinecraft. In this game, the evil Children of Hargon have eliminated all builders and banned making anything. You are the Hero with budding building powers and a few good friends to help you along the way.
This game might have a bit of a sillier take on the apocalypse, but sometimes you need that among all the doom and gloom. If you love mining and building in Minecraft, or you prefer the aesthetic and RPG elements of the Dragon Quest series, then this is the game for you.
My Time At Sandrockmixes RPG and farm sim elements to create a satisfyingly cozy game. The game takes place 300 years after the Day of Calamity, which destroyed the previous civilization and much of the modern technology we’re used to. You play as your customizable builder who comes to the desert to help revitalize the town of Sandrock.
In addition to building goods, you may also farm, mine, romance NPCS, and more. If you’re a fan ofStardew ValleyorRune Factory, then this game is for you. If you end up liking it, you may also enjoy its prequel,My Time At Portia, though the game is less polished than My Time At Sandrock.
6I Am Future: Cozy Apocalypse Survival
Create A Home For Yourself On The Rooftop Of A Flooded City
In Steam’s early releases of I Am Future, you’ve just woken up from cryogenic sleep to find yourself in a flooded post-apocalyptic city. Build a cozy rooftop camp that you maintain by tinkering with gadgets and building robots. You can farm, fish, and decorate your base to your heart’s content to make a home uniquely your own.
This game is strictly single-player, so, if you’re looking for a game to play with friends, you may want to look elsewhere. This game is also in early access for the time being, so there may still be some bugs and issues the developers still need to iron out.
