Cozy Grove Reviews

Incredibly deep story arcs and detailed, complex NPCs. I always come back for more.

I remember the game devs from the early 10's with a playstore/mobile game called Cozy Grove. In the style of 2048, you merged three of the same to increase it's value- except instead of numbers, you were working with the evolution of progress. From trees to log houses, to castles: you needed to build as high as you could go without letting the bears that would wander the board prevent and destroy progress. It was a cute game that resulted from joining the band wagon; similarly, this game has done much the same but not nearly as fun and with far more grinding to it. I don't recommend this unless you like the daily mechanic from moneytrap mmos.

Cutesy~ But you'll spend a lot of time on it without realizing. Saving grace is the game only gives you a number of quests per day, so you can't grind quests in one day.

Very cozy game. I love that there is so much to collect, and often too.

Cozy Grove is like a warm hug at the end of a long day. With its beautiful art, emotional storytelling, and relaxing real-time gameplay, it's perfect for cozy gamers who enjoy slow pacing and meaningful character moments. The ghost bears' stories are both heartwarming and melancholy, and the game encourages you to take things one day at a time. It's not about doing more—it's about feeling more. A comforting, nostalgic experience that’s easy to fall in love with. This is my second time buying this game, as I own it on Switch as well. 🌟 Highly recommended for fans of story-rich, calming games.

I love this game so much. Great writing, fun to play, kept me engaged for months. I didn't quite finish the DLC plotlines because it got a little grindy for me, but well worth playing. My only criticism would be the music gets a bit repetitive after a while. I don't even really like crafting and decorating very much in games and I still liked this game. Definitely recommend.

It took me a bit to get into it but I love this game!! It's very cute, I love the art style. It's really relaxing to play. I really like the story so far and all the little characters. <3 The core of the game is finding items and collecting things to craft certain items for spirits so that they bring back colour to the island. Keep in mind that you have to wait for the next day to make progress in the game, some quests can take several days to complete. You can of course also decorate your space, buy clothes and take care of animals.

Cozy Grove is a charming life-sim game developed by Spry Fox that draws clear inspiration from titles like Animal Crossing and Spiritfarer, but carves out its own identity with a unique blend of whimsical melancholy and subtle storytelling. At first glance, the game presents itself as a colorful, comforting escape filled with cute ghost bears, hand-drawn art, and gentle music, but underneath this aesthetic lies a surprisingly contemplative experience centered on themes of loss, memory, and healing. Players take on the role of a Spirit Scout, sent to an island shrouded in darkness and mystery, where they must help the local spirits—who take the form of ghostly bears—reconnect with their past lives and find peace. The core gameplay loop is structured around a real-time progression system, similar to Animal Crossing. Each day, players can perform a limited number of tasks for the spirits: fetch quests, crafting, resource gathering, and decorating. These daily goals are designed to be completed in relatively short play sessions, encouraging players to return regularly rather than binge through the content. While this model may frustrate those looking for a more continuous, action-heavy experience, it aligns well with the game’s soothing, reflective tone. The tasks themselves are relatively simple, but they’re elevated by excellent writing and meaningful character arcs that unfold slowly over time. What initially seems like busywork often reveals deeper emotional layers, as spirits begin to open up about their regrets, fears, and forgotten joys. Visually, Cozy Grove is enchanting. The hand-drawn, storybook art style is vibrant and distinctive, giving the game an inviting atmosphere even as it deals with serious themes. Each spirit bear has its own look and personality, from the gruff postal worker to the bashful baker, and the world shifts dramatically in tone and color as players complete quests and bring life back to the island. The transformation of the environment from drab grayscale to warm, lively hues is not just a visual mechanic—it mirrors the emotional impact the Spirit Scout is having on the island and its inhabitants. The soundtrack complements this beautifully with ambient melodies that evolve subtly depending on the player’s location and progress, further reinforcing the game’s immersive, meditative mood. Narratively, Cozy Grove is one of the most understated yet affecting indie titles in recent memory. Each spirit's storyline is carefully constructed to feel personal and intimate. These characters aren’t just cute NPCs—they’re flawed, complex, and often wrestling with regrets or unfinished business from their lives. The writing walks a delicate line between playful and poignant, and it frequently surprises with moments of quiet emotional resonance. Unlike many games that gamify grief or trauma for dramatic effect, Cozy Grove handles these themes with empathy and restraint. The player is not there to "fix" these characters, but to bear witness to their stories and offer gentle support as they navigate their own paths to peace. On the mechanical side, Cozy Grove does have some limitations that may not appeal to every player. Inventory management can become cumbersome as crafting ingredients and decorative items quickly pile up, especially without much meaningful expansion to storage. Some quests suffer from repetition or lack of clarity, particularly when it comes to finding hidden objects, which can occasionally lead to frustrating pixel-hunting. Additionally, the reliance on daily progression can create pacing issues. While the game is designed for short, daily engagement, players who want to immerse themselves for longer periods may find themselves running out of things to do until the next in-game day. Despite these minor setbacks, Cozy Grove succeeds brilliantly at what it sets out to do. It’s a cozy, reflective, and emotionally sincere game that rewards patience and attentiveness. The real-time structure, rather than being a gimmick, feels integral to the experience—it teaches the player to slow down, to observe, and to care. It invites you to become part of the island’s gentle rhythm and to value each small interaction not for its reward, but for its meaning. In an era where many games compete to offer the biggest and fastest experiences, Cozy Grove quietly insists that less can be more—and that healing, like storytelling, takes time. Ultimately, Cozy Grove is a beautifully illustrated meditation on connection, remembrance, and growth. Its soft, painterly visuals, sensitive writing, and laid-back mechanics combine to create a deeply personal experience that evolves with each passing day. It’s not a game for everyone—it asks for patience and a willingness to engage with subtlety—but for those who embrace its pace and philosophy, it becomes more than a game. It becomes a quiet companion, offering a small slice of comfort and reflection each time you visit its haunted yet hopeful shores. Rating: 8/10

This game might be the chillest game I played. No stakes, AT ALL. The fact that you can only do so much daily is incredibly chill. I am so used to overconsume the games in one sitting, having to wait for tomorrow to have more progress was very refreshing. Every time I am done, I can just stop and do my chores. I mean, Im still in day4 so maybe that is the reason, but Im loving it! The art style is so cute. The music is very peaceful. Being able to craft things without the need of carrying them in your bag is EXTREMELY freeing. Overall, I give this a clean 10/10

The premise is cute, the graphics are fun and pleasant to look at but I have no desire to play this game. I was hoping it would bring me back and enchant me more but it felt like an shlog. I could not just sit and play, I had to wait a day to progress, no thank you. It almost felt like it was going to dive into a gacha game. I could tell inventory management was going to be a pain and that it would take a lot of grinding to get things. Items blended to well into the backgrounds and were hard to spot. After running around a tiny island multiple times for 1 item, I was over it. Not what I was hoping for. I can understand why many people enjoy this game but it's not for me.