The case for cozy games at the end of the day

Some evenings you don't want a challenge, you want a place to be. That's where cozy games — gentle sims, quiet adventures — come into their own.

There's no fail state, no timer breathing down your neck. You build a little town, light a few lanterns, tidy up a garden. The stakes are exactly zero and that's the whole point.

They're also the kindest games to your phone. Soft visuals and slow animation mean the battery lasts and the device stays cool, which suits the relaxed mood.

I keep one installed at all times for the nights when a racer or strategy game feels like too much. It's the mobile equivalent of a warm drink.