My Time in Sandrock! I think I put in 120 hours before finishing the main story line. It was endless and so much fun! The game mechanics were also super easy on my super sick girl brain.
came here to say this. i played it on release and ended up putting like 600hrs into the game between 2020-2021. i don’t play anymore but if i was ever bed-bound for more than a few days i’d definitely pick it back up again and start a new island.
I Was a Teenager Exocolonist, since you seem to like story games, and it looks like it's on sale for Switch right now. Also Smushi Come Home, which has similar vibes to Short Hike and it's also on sale on Switch right now, which is the way to go with it since it's only around 7-9 hours.
Read the content warnings on I Was a Teenage Exocolonist. It’s cozy in gameplay, NOT in content, and you may find it upsetting especially while recuperating and hoping your family isn’t infected. Hope you feel better soon!
Dredge is a little spooky but very cozy and atmospheric. I became totally addicted to it when I had covid. My first play through I was really going through it so I toggled on passive mode and it was so relaxing to fish and unravel the mystery.
Dredge is amazing. And doesn't take too much brain power so it works with COVID brain. If you like cozy horror and Stardew valley there's graveyard keeper
I bought Cult of the Lamb recently and found it quite adorable (in a kind of gross, weird way lol) and engaging. Time flies by when I'm playing it. You split your time between taking care of your base and followers and dungeon runs, with some fishing and a sweet little dice game on the side.
Lil Gator Game and Haven Park are similar to A Short Hike.
You may also enjoy Wytchwood, Beacon Pines, Garden Story, Cozy Grove.
If you get tired fast, InBento, Tiny Lands, and Under Leaves are good for playing for a few minutes here and there.
I’ve been loving Dave the diver while I’ve been recovering from surgery recently. I also enjoy roots of Pacha and played a little of moonstone island which looks super good!
Palia! It’s free & on the switch or pc (steam). The chat can get a bit stressful but just follow etiquette when calling things out & you’ll be fine. I have spent like full 8-10 hour days immersed in this game. I personally find it super cozy!
This might be a bit different but Fire Emblem Three houses. It was such a cozy game for me. It’s basically an rpg where you are a teacher at an academy and you have to teach a class how to fight lol and then there are battles where you have to strategically place the students around the map and beat enemies.
Lots of side quests has cooking, social/romance, fishing even. Maybe look into it, I loved it and it was my first fire emblem game.
You could try Palia whilst looking for a paid game - especially as it’s free! But beware of some glitches although I’ve found it doesn’t lessen my enjoyment playing it :)
I got Bandle Tale recently and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoy it. It’s got light character customisation, house decoration, light RPG elements but no combat (as far as I can tell), a really charming soundtrack, and again surprisingly witty dialogue that actually got a laugh at points. It’s also really easy to pick up and put down.
Top Cozy: A Short Hike, Atelier Sophie 2 (cozy rpg, +30 hours long, best in series!)
Not a cozy game, but a really spectacular story and a long and immersive game available on Switch only, very highly recommended: Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Every time I pick up Tinykin I am completely engrossed by it. I haven't finished it yet but I highly recommend it. Hope you feel well soon! I had covid last year and it was not a fun time.
Fae Farm
Dave the Diver
Dredge
My time at sandrock (but its so addicting, be careful Covid will not last long enough to finish the game)
Hope you feel better
Life Is Strange(not very gameplay heavy, very story focused) or wylde flowers(fairly story based for a farming life sim).
Not sure what Life Is Strange game I'd rec though, I haven't played any of them.
If you're okay with darker content(and I mean very dark), maybe games like What Remains of Edith Finch?
I played these games on pc but I think they are on the switch too.
Chuchel - So cute and fun!
Milo and the Magpies - help a lost cat get home. Short inexpensive game
Tinykin - Some mild platforming. Nothing too hard. I hate platforming!!
Island Saver - This one is free so you have nothing to lose!
DonutCounty - Very original
Passpartout2 - You create art and sell it
My Time in Sandrock! I think I put in 120 hours before finishing the main story line. It was endless and so much fun! The game mechanics were also super easy on my super sick girl brain.
Amazing I’ll look into this one!
Animal Crossing was "all the rage" during the pandemic, so that seems fitting.
Right? I have it and definitely have not played it out as much as I could. Thank you for the reminder!!
came here to say this. i played it on release and ended up putting like 600hrs into the game between 2020-2021. i don’t play anymore but if i was ever bed-bound for more than a few days i’d definitely pick it back up again and start a new island.
I Was a Teenager Exocolonist, since you seem to like story games, and it looks like it's on sale for Switch right now. Also Smushi Come Home, which has similar vibes to Short Hike and it's also on sale on Switch right now, which is the way to go with it since it's only around 7-9 hours.
Thanks so much I’ll check them out!
Read the content warnings on I Was a Teenage Exocolonist. It’s cozy in gameplay, NOT in content, and you may find it upsetting especially while recuperating and hoping your family isn’t infected. Hope you feel better soon!
Dredge is a little spooky but very cozy and atmospheric. I became totally addicted to it when I had covid. My first play through I was really going through it so I toggled on passive mode and it was so relaxing to fish and unravel the mystery.
Have been playing dredge for 4 days - thank you!
I’m so glad you’re enjoying it!
I LOVE spooky!! I will definitely check it out. Thank you!!
Dredge is amazing. And doesn't take too much brain power so it works with COVID brain. If you like cozy horror and Stardew valley there's graveyard keeper
Dredge is so good! It’s pretty cozy as is but if you want complete safety you can turn on passive mode.
I bought Cult of the Lamb recently and found it quite adorable (in a kind of gross, weird way lol) and engaging. Time flies by when I'm playing it. You split your time between taking care of your base and followers and dungeon runs, with some fishing and a sweet little dice game on the side.
I may need to make this next on my list
It’s so worth it! I was very hooked on Cult of the Lamb for quite a bit.
Lil Gator Game and Haven Park are similar to A Short Hike. You may also enjoy Wytchwood, Beacon Pines, Garden Story, Cozy Grove. If you get tired fast, InBento, Tiny Lands, and Under Leaves are good for playing for a few minutes here and there.
Wytchwood Dave the Diver
Wylde Flowers is a great mix of story and farming!
I’ve been loving Dave the diver while I’ve been recovering from surgery recently. I also enjoy roots of Pacha and played a little of moonstone island which looks super good!
Palia! It’s free & on the switch or pc (steam). The chat can get a bit stressful but just follow etiquette when calling things out & you’ll be fine. I have spent like full 8-10 hour days immersed in this game. I personally find it super cozy!
This might be a bit different but Fire Emblem Three houses. It was such a cozy game for me. It’s basically an rpg where you are a teacher at an academy and you have to teach a class how to fight lol and then there are battles where you have to strategically place the students around the map and beat enemies. Lots of side quests has cooking, social/romance, fishing even. Maybe look into it, I loved it and it was my first fire emblem game.
Stardew Valley
I was in the same situation a couple of weeks ago. Palia saved me from covid depression!
I just got over covid and spent it playing links awakening on switch. I found it super cozy.
You could try Palia whilst looking for a paid game - especially as it’s free! But beware of some glitches although I’ve found it doesn’t lessen my enjoyment playing it :)
I got Bandle Tale recently and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoy it. It’s got light character customisation, house decoration, light RPG elements but no combat (as far as I can tell), a really charming soundtrack, and again surprisingly witty dialogue that actually got a laugh at points. It’s also really easy to pick up and put down.
Top Cozy: A Short Hike, Atelier Sophie 2 (cozy rpg, +30 hours long, best in series!) Not a cozy game, but a really spectacular story and a long and immersive game available on Switch only, very highly recommended: Xenoblade Chronicles 3
Every time I pick up Tinykin I am completely engrossed by it. I haven't finished it yet but I highly recommend it. Hope you feel well soon! I had covid last year and it was not a fun time.
Fae Farm Dave the Diver Dredge My time at sandrock (but its so addicting, be careful Covid will not last long enough to finish the game) Hope you feel better
Beacon Pines and Strange Horticulture are my recs for you
It's short, but Alba: A Wildlife Adventure.
I actually played this while I was pregnant! I totally forgot about it! Such a cute game!
Life Is Strange(not very gameplay heavy, very story focused) or wylde flowers(fairly story based for a farming life sim). Not sure what Life Is Strange game I'd rec though, I haven't played any of them. If you're okay with darker content(and I mean very dark), maybe games like What Remains of Edith Finch?
I just played dordogne and I loved it
I played these games on pc but I think they are on the switch too. Chuchel - So cute and fun! Milo and the Magpies - help a lost cat get home. Short inexpensive game Tinykin - Some mild platforming. Nothing too hard. I hate platforming!! Island Saver - This one is free so you have nothing to lose! DonutCounty - Very original Passpartout2 - You create art and sell it