By simplifying and limiting the life sim gameplay loop, Cozy Grove resolves this dilemma by taking a play-once-a-day approach to its gameplay. We wish to habitually enjoy our obsessive, collectathon sims without risking our time being dreamily whisked away. Grindy yet therapeutic games such as these somehow cause the time to flow seamlessly - probably a bit “too seamlessly” for some. Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing: New Horizons are some of the better examples, titles that are so calming and content-rich that you’ll sit down for a “quick” session only to realize over ten hours have flown past. Once every blue moon, the game industry gods graciously provide us with a charming life sim so immersive that the game transcends its soothing reverie and practically becomes intertwined with the very essence of our daily lives. The writing isn’t anything to write home about, but it does add a sense of mystery and some comical moments to the soft and snug nature of Cozy Grove.

Some will have whimsical tales to tell, while others have rather grim backstories to share. The more you do for these spirits, the more you’ll learn about the darker pasts of their former lives. As the “spiritbearer,” you encounter characters who each “bear” their own unique and animated personality. Similar to Spiritfarer, the overarching premise of Cozy Grove is to accommodate the NPCs to progress their stories, which in turn furthers your narrative. Your campfire assistant, Flamey, will consume these Spirit Logs to expand the size of the island to reveal new ghosty locals in need of your aid. Fulfillment of these “bear necessities” will reap rewards of cakes, saplings, decorations, and most important of all, Spirit Logs. Accompanied by your stationary campfire, Flamey, you have to bring color back to the lifeless, monochrome island by completing quests for the local spectral residents. However, you being the capable Spirit Scout you are, set out to earn your Scout badges by unraveling the mysteries of Cozy Grove. Marooned on an abandoned and haunted isle, upbeat Scoutmaster Blake is optimistic for your survival but is doing the “bear” minimum to form a rescue. Robinson Crusoe meets the Berenstain Bears, Yogi Bear’s ghost holds some dark secrets, and Casper has now turned into a “corn on the cob.” Developed by Spry Fox, Cozy Grove is available on the PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, Playstation, and iOS storefronts. Cozy Grove is the tale of a stranded Spirit Scout’s daily quest to uncover the shrouded memories of cute, colorful, and comical spirit bears. Luckily, the ghosties in Cozy Grove you rub shoulders with aren’t the type for which you’ll need to call Ghostbusters.

Rule number 1 of being stranded alone on an uncanny haunted island would probably be to avoid making contact with the ghostly inhabitants who occupy the forsaken isle.

Cozy grove review