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As the days grow shorter and the nights grow darker, what better way is there to soothe the soul, than to curl up with a nice cosy board game? I’ve compiled a list of my top five cosy games to replay this season, perfect for those long evenings at home. Make yourself a cuppa, get comfy and let’s dive into the cosy world of board games!
5. Living Forest
Players: 1-4
Play time: 40 minutes
In Living Forest, players become spirits of nature, tasked with protecting the sacred tree and beloved woods from the devastating flames of Onibi. Throughout the game you build up a team of animal allies that bring with them a range of elements to help you rescue the forest. Turns are played over three phases and the mechanics for carrying out actions are highly engaging. Phase 1 consists of pushing your luck as you play animal cards to amass as much elements as possible. However, you must be careful because some animals are antisocial and don’t work well together – they will hinder your attempts to save the forest. In phase 2, you ‘spend elements’ to perform actions such as putting out flames, planting protective trees, and collecting magical flowers to awaken the great guardian. This game is full of enchanting artwork which really immerses you in the magical, elemental world of the forest. I also love that there are three different ways to win, so whilst other players are working towards a particular path to victory, you can sweep in from another direction and steal the game!
4. Parks
Players: 1-5
Play time: 50 - 70 minutes
Hike across the American wilderness and appreciate the amazing sites in Parks. Parks is a cute, outdoorsy adventure game in which players take on the role of hikers, trekking across beautiful trails and visiting national parks. The goal of the game is to be the hiker with the most points at the end of the year, scored from the parks you’ve visited, photos you’ve taken along the way, and a secret personal bonus card. Along the trail, hikers will be able to buy gear, fill up canteens and collect various resource tokens that will help pay the cost to visit parks at the end of each trail. The artwork in this game is so beautifully illustrated, it really pays homage to the stunning scenery and awe of America’s national parks.
3. Creature Comforts
Players: 1-5
Play time: 60 minutes
If you love Everdell you will want to play this game. Adorable critters and cosy furnishings warm the heart in Creature Comforts. In this game you’ll work through the seasons as a family of cute and cuddly creatures, preparing your den and making it as cosy as possible for the winter. On your turn you’ll send out family members to different
locations around the village to collect resources, draft cards and build improvements on your humble abode. There’s also an element of risk in this game, as when you send out your little critters on errands, you’ll roll dice to see if their visits to certain locations have been successful. This game is so adorably thematic – spending time preparing tasty treats, knitting garments and collecting stories to fill your home with joy. Once the seasons have ended, you’ll count points based on everything you’ve built and collected, the player/family with the most points wins the game!
There is also an equally cute sequel to this game called Maple Valley, where players are invited to prepare for a spring festival celebration.
2. Flamecraft
Players: 1-5
Play time: 60 minutes
In a village of magic, wonder and highly skilled artisan dragons, you are a Flamekeeper with the very important role of placing dragons in the employ of shopkeepers, so that they may use their Flamecraft, to produce wonderous items and delight customers. Each turn, players will gather items, place dragons and cast enchantments to aid the dragons and shopkeepers in town. All whilst gaining dragon favours and improving your Flamekeeper reputation. The goal is to be crowned the Master Flamekeeper with the most reputation at the end of the game. One thing that absolutely adds to the cuteness of this game is how all the dragons are specialised (bread, metal, crystal, plant etc), and as Flamekeeper you will work to pair them up with the shops that will make the best home for them and allow them to show off their Flamecraft. This game does such a good job of capturing the job of crafting and the magic of dragons in an immersive, community-focused experience. It’s a delightful addition to any board game collection.
1. Everdell
Players: 1-4
Play time: 80 minutes (sometimes longer!)
You can’t have a list of top cosy board games without mentioning Everdell, and I’ve placed it top of the list! Set in a whimsical world of forest critters and enchanting landscapes, Everdell offers both strategic depth and a heartwarming atmosphere.
As the leader of a bustling city, players send out workers to gather resources, attract adorable animals, and build structures in their city for them to live and work in. Each season players continue to expand their cities, watching them flourish as critters and constructions are puzzled together, interacting with each other to generate bonus resources, card effects and extra points to add to your total at the end of the game. Once all players have passed in the final season, points are scored and the player with the most successful city and points, wins the game. I love the balance of resource management and card synergy in this game, but the standout feature has to (again) be the stunning artwork. The critter illustrations are loveable and combined with the charming 3D tree that serves as the game’s centrepiece, really capture the essence of Everdell’s fantastical world.
Final Comments
Whether you're gathering resources, building cosy communities, or nurturing nature, these five cosy games offer a delightful escape from the winter chill. So gather your loved ones, warm up those hot drinks, and get ready to enjoy some heartwarming gaming experiences together this season.