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Settle In Spooky Season Fans
Imagine: The sun dips below the horizon. The wind prickles against your skin as it dips into a chilled mist. Hazy lights lead you forward until you find a gathering of dim shapes in the gloom. Pushing through them, you detect and ever-sweetening smell. Finally, you break from the crowd only to come face to face with: A cotton candy machine!
That’s the vibe of the recently aired Cozy After Dark Showcase which is worth watching in its entirety, especially as it’s hosted by the spectacular Baron Jones of LVL1 Gaming and Nerder She Wrote — both heroic forces in the fight for indie illumination. There we’re so many games, some new even to my wishlist, that fans of the darker side of cosy should be keeping their eyes on. Below, I’ve highlighted my favorites, but it’s worth a stroll through the official Steam event to catch every last indie shown.
Grave Seasons
Everyone be cool, we got a new look at Grave Seasons after it’s delay earlier this year. This incudes a tiny sneak peek at the seasonally fitting Nocturne Faire.
We didn’t get an exact release date, but the team is now aiming for a lance in March 2027.
Curse of Resthaven
If Hilltop’s upcoming game wasn’t already on your list, you need to recify that right now. If you somehow need a little more convincing, the game’s demo is meaty and ready for you.
“In this single-player narrative roguelite, govern a cursed island as you investigate your niece’s mysterious disappearance. Interrogate, trade, upgrade, and embark upon card-based expeditions to uncover dark secrets – before the next cataclysm strikes.”
Tearoom of Terror
The more of it I see, the more of it I want. Too bad I’m completely incapable of turning down a noce cup of tea, given the likelyhood I’ll be poisened in this boiling mystery.
“Tearoom of Terror is a cozy-gothic narrative cooking mystery where you investigate the mysterious death of your estranged aunt in a tearoom filled with sinister patrons, unsettling secrets, and morally questionable requests.”
Night Hike
I couldn’t tell you what Night Hike is all about, but the vibes are immaculately chilly.
“Find your way through a dark wilderness in this puzzle roguelite where you assemble the trail. Choose your path, interact with lost souls and navigate obstacles with the spin of your compass to escape the endless night.”
Not a Crow
You know how cute anthropomorphized black birds — which are definitly not crows — should only be in cute games? Don’t trust that. In fact, don’t trust anything.
“Not a Crow is a narrative point-and-click adventure. Guide a lonely crow through the remnants of a fallen world as she searches for her place among the ruins.”
Scarlet Hollow
We got a nice, though brief, deep dive into the creative pocess for Scarlet Hollow. I can’t fathom the work that’s gone into the game’s overwhelming number of branches, every one of which maintains a stellar level of quality.
“Your aunt’s dead, your cousin hates you, and you’re stuck in the dead-end town of Scarlet Hollow. Choose your path through a branching narrative so dense that you’ll see less than 1/5 of the game on a single playthrough. You won’t be able to save everyone. Good luck, and welcome home.”
The Road of Dust and Sorrow
It’s always nice to see a release date in an indie showcase like this, and, for The Road of Dust and Sorrow, we’re looking at December 3.
“The Road of Dust and Sorrow is a tense, story-driven pixel art horror inspired by ’90s classics. Survive a world gone wrong and protect what matters most: your daughter.”
Mops & Mobs: A Sweeping Dungeon Adventure
Today’s trailer was an excellent display of this off-colored adventure’s brand of humor. And there’s a demo up right now.
“Mops & Mobs is a humorous dungeon adventure, spicing up storytelling with decoration quests and card-based battles. Befriend eccentric monsters and solve problems as the dungeon’s janitor. Clean, decorate, investigate, and eventually uncover dangers threatening the dungeon.”
Vale’s Echo
“Vale’s Echo is a 2D cozy horror adventure game blending dark comedy, psychological themes, and surreal art.
Vale died. Then the underworld called and said, “Welcome to your problems, part two.”
She wakes up on a train to nowhere. No pulse. No past. No clue. Her only company? Echo – a floating skull full of secrets, charm, and just the right amount of mischief.
Welcome to Elderfield
Oh y’all, does this look like my kind of madness. Pushing even deeper into the horror potential of farming sims, this show-ender is ready to bless my nightmares because it’s out now.
“Welcome to Elderfield, a cozy horror RPG with hand-drawn art and dark lofi music. Manage your farm, befriend or romance the locals, investigate mysteries, decorate your home, fight terrifying creatures, fish, cook, seek the Old Gods, die in your sleep, and more…”
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