Gaming Year 2024
I'm sorry for grammer and/or spelling mistakes, English is not my first language and I don't remember when the last time was I tried to write in English.
Still I want to share my gaming year with you. Maybe some of you have recommendations for me based on my gaming taste or someone finds their next game. Most game recommendation I tried were from the subreddit r/CozyGamers. All games were played on the Switch. Have fun reading.
January:
Dave the Diver (5/5) [Adventure, Role-Playing, Simulation, Action]
I started this gaming year with finishing Dave the Diver. I really liked how the game manages to introduce new mechanics almost till the very end of the game. Nonetheless I love the beginning of the game more.
Cozyness: Personally I found most of this game cozy. I didn’t like the bossfights though (4/5)
I was a Teenage Exocolonist (5+/5) [Role-Playing, Simulation, Strategy, Deck Builder, Visual Novel] multiple playthroughs
My (hidden?) gem of the year. IWATE was often recommended for „cozy gaming“ and although the gameplay loop is very cozy, the themes this game deals with are not. This game deals with dark themes like suicide, genocide, mental health and domestic violence. It also tackles a lot of LGBTQIA+ themes like transitioning, demisexuality and polyamory in a very wholesome way. I loved that my decisions really mattered in IWATE. There are multiple unique endings and even if you unlock the same ending your actions will change minor aspects of said ending. I also loved that every playthrough feels very unique (for me) and the game has an explanation for multiple gameplays. In January I reached four endings before I burned out, but this game never left my memories. It was one of, if not the, best game I ever played. And I always thought I hated card games and visual novels, yet, here we are.
Cozyness: Gameplay (5/5), Story there are some cozy moments but all in all (2/5)
Dragon Quest Treasures (3/5) [Role-Playing, Action, Adventure] - did not finish (didn’t like the levelscaling)
I liked the beginning of the game a lot, to explore new places and tame new monsters, however I also like to “overlevel” which was not possible (for me), so after 30 hours I abandoned this game. Still had a lot of fun.
Cozyness: Exploring (4/5), Fights (2/5)
Chants of Sennaar (5+/5) [Puzzle, Adventure]
A unique puzzle game about languages. Played the demo and was immediately hooked. Finished in two sessions.
Cozyness: Beside some hide and seek passages and one or two jumpscares I found it very cozy. (4/5)
Carto (4,5/5) [Adventure, Puzzle]
A short game about finding your way home. It reminded me a little bit of old Zelda games, but instead of navigating dungeons you navigate the world and change it to reach your goal. Very fun, very wholesome.
Cozyness: (4/5)
My Time at Portia (1/5) [Adventure, Role-Playing, Simulation] did not finish
I love farming sims, I loved the gameplay, it is not good on the switch.
February:
Gravejard Keeper (2,5/5) [Role-Playing, Adventure, Simulation] did not finish (too grindy)
Love the aesthetic, love simulation games, liked the beginning. After 15 hours I was done.
Cozyness: Well, you play a gravejard keeper who digs up graves. It is also very grindy. Some minor fights. Gameplay (3/5)
Loop Hero (3,5/5) [Role-Playing, Strategy, Board Game, Adventure, Rogue Lite] did not finish (not sure why)
A short rogue-lite game. It was engaging and I had a lot of fun playing. Got hooked with something else and never returned.
Cozyness: The game basically plays itself, you can pause it anytime and have enough time to navigate your next step. Overall it has a dark feeling. I’d rate it (4/5)
Strange Horticulture (2,5/5) [Adventure, Puzzle, Role-Playing, Visual Novel]
It was recommended to be a little bit like IWATE. I didn’t feel this way. It was a good visual novel, the puzzles were alright, had no motivation for a second playthrough, was glad when it ended.
Cozyness: If I remember correctly it is possible that (non player?) characters die. Gameplay: (5/5), Story (3/5)
Röki (5/5) [Adventure, Puzzle, Point and Click]
The next short game on this list. You try to save your little brother and solve the mystery of the forest guardians. I was very impressed by the storytelling and loved the puzzles.
Cozyness: (4/5)
Alba A Wildlife Adventure (5/5) [Adventure, Education]
Again, a very short game. Reminded me of Pokemon Snap and Toem (I guess it’s the camera, huh?). A great game for younger players I guess, had I owned this game with 7-13 years I would have played it multiple times and made my own role-playing adventure.
Cozyness: Besides one event (5/5)
Fire Emblem Engage (3,5/5) [Role-Playing, Strategy]
Even though I loved Fire Emblem Awakening and Fire Emblem Three Houses I couldn’t get into Engage. Mainly the story was so disappointing that after some hours I simply stopped reading. Liked the fights, liked the classes.
Cozyness: (1/5)
March:
Digimon Survive (3,5/5) [Strategy, Role-Playing, Adventure, Simulation, Visual Novel]
I only tried Digimon Survive because I learned this year that not all Visual Novels are not for me. Played it four times to reach every possible ending. My first playthrough impressed me the most, I also liked my first ending. The other endings were not to my taste. This dropped my personal score from 4 to 3,5.
Cozyness: It kinda resembles IWATE storywise, there is a neverending dread and characters can die (1/5)
Druidwalker (2/5) [Board Game, Adventure, Puzzle, Deck Builder]
Wasn’t sure what to play next, got Druidwalker on a sale for 99 Cents. Very short, nice music, nice cards.
Cozyness: (5/5)
Yonder: The Cloud Catcher Chronicles (4/5) [Adventure, Simulation, Role-Playing]
I love Zelda, I did not like Breath of the Wild. Someone said Yonder was a little bit like Breath of the Wild, but without the fights. I’d say that this is true. A wholesome experience. After 30 hours I reached the end, had no motivation to 100% the game.
Cozyness: (4,5/5)
April:
Harvestella (5/5) [Simulation, Role-Playing, Action, Adventure]
Since Harvestella came out I always wanted to play it. Now was finally the time. And what should I say? I love it. The music was fantastic, I loved the story, the farming was okay. I loved levelling, I loved the different classes, the fights, the bosses.
Cozyness: If you expect a farming sim (1/5), if you expect an action RPG (2/5)
3 minutes Mystery (1/5) [Adventure, Simulation, Puzzle, Study] did not finish (was boring)
I really regret getting this game.
Florence (4/5) [Adventure]
A short nice adventure about love and the protagonists life. Maybe 4-5 hours long, would recommend.
Cozyness: (4/5)
Disco Elysium – The Final Cut (5+/5) [Role-Playing, Adventure]
Again a game that was recommended if you like IWATE. This time I could feel the resemblance, although I personally liked IWATE more. Played DE one time, was very impressed, had no motivation for a second playthrough, googled the other endings instead. A very story driven game, best played blind. Would recommend highly.
Cozyness: Gameplayloop (4/5), story (1/5)
Nora: The Wannabe Alchemist (1/5) [Adventure, Simulation, Role-Playing] did not finish (was boring)
A game I got for completing a questionnaire, really glad I got it this way, I was very bored and did not finish. Learned later that the game itself never got finished, it seems to end in the middle of the story.
Inbento (2/5) [Puzzle, Strategy] did not finish
Was a game I brought because I didn’t know what I wanted to play next. Was a nice puzzle game, somehow I got distracted and the puzzles became harder, had to think more, was not in the mood for thinking.
Cozyness: (4/5)
The World Next Door (4/5) [Action, Puzzle, Adventure]
Again a short game. Would recommend to play the demo and if you like the demo buy the game once it’s on sale. Hope that the developers expand on this unique fighting system idea.
Cozyness: (4/5)
Sticky Business (4/5) [Simulation, Lifestyle]
A very cute and cozy game. You design your own stickers. The story is told through your customers who write really nice letters when they order new stickers.
Cozyness: (5/5)
May:
Holy Potatoes! A Weapon Shop?! (2/5) [Simulation, Strategy] did not finish
I was feeling unwell when I brought this game on sale. It was a nice distraction but couldn’t hold my interest.
Cozyness: (4/5)
The Dungeon of Naheulbleuk: The Amulet of Chaos – Chicken Edition (2-4/5) did not finish (became too hard, am too proud to play on easy settings)
I really, really want to like and finish this game. It is a combination of Pen and Paper and Fire Emblem. However, the Switch version is a little bit slow, the fights are a little bit too hard (for me, I know some players complain because they are too easy). I like the humour, I liked the story.
Cozyness: (1/5)
June:
Long Live the Queen (3/5) [Adventure, Simulation, Strategy, Visual Novel]
It was alright. Needed guides and tutorials to not die in the very first months. Finished two endings.
Cozyness: Do not understand why some find this cozy. (1/5)
Nier Automata (3/5) [Action, JRPG] did not finish
Very nice music, atmosphere, world, story. I have trouble with the fights and bosses, it stresses me out. I know that the true ending lies somewhere after the first ending, did not even reach that ending. I think I will try it again someday.
Cozyness: (1/5)
July:
Rune Factory 4 Special (4/5) [Role-Playing, Simulation, Action]
Needed something simpler then Nier, found it in RF 4. Loved every minute. A little bit like Harvestella but more light-hearted. If you like farming-sims and fighting this is your game. Really fleshed out NPCs, a lot to grind, a lot to level, nice dungeons.
Cozyness: if the fights seem to hard you can overlevel pretty easy and craft better equipment. (4/5)
Tell Me Your Story (1/5) [Adventure, Puzzle] did not finish (boring and bugs)
Thought I could at least finish it because it shouldn’t be a long game. Got a crash, would have to restart a whole level, couldn’t. Regret buying it.
Cozyness: (4/5)
Gordian Quest (5+/5) [Role-Playing, Strategy, Adventure, Deck Builder, Rogue Lite]
Again a hidden gem for me. Was not expecting much, saw it on sale for 2€, was impressed the whole time. Had to restart the game after I understood the mechanics because I wasn’t satisfied with my character choices. A very “standard” story, a very nice turn-based deck-building game. Could not recommend enough to try it.
Cozyness: If you aren’t stressed by strategic combat (2,5/5)
August:
Pixel Cafe Extended Edition (3/5) [Adventure, Simulation, Strategy, Puzzle] did not finish (gamebreaking bug)
I liked Pixel Cafe! I like the story, I like the barista gameplay loop. I was finishing every level, every quest, tried to get every star… and then the game stopped working. Redownloading did nothing to help. When I started a level the controls did not work. Tried different joy-cons. Nothing.
Cozyness: The time management was stressful but fun (3/5)
Inmost (5+/5) [Adventure, Puzzle, Plattformer]
Again a short game, this time a hidden gem. I watched some youtube video that recommended this game and I loved the graphics. I hate platformer. I still tried it. I loved it. I think I cried at the end. Don’t want to spoil anything, but if you like sad stories, this is your game.
Cozyness: (1/5)
September:
Hogwarts Legacy (5/5) [Role-Playing, Adventure, Action]
I really, really, really struggled with this game. I wanted to play it so bad, but I don’t want to support JKR. So, I got it second-hand. Won’t say too much about it. Played as a Ravenclaw, got 100%.
Cozyness: Depending on what you are doing when it could be a (5/5), overall I rate it (3/5)
The Cosmic Wheel of Sisterhood (4/5) [Adventure, Strategy, Simulation, Role-Playing, Visual Novel]
Again a game I tried because people say it reminds them of IWATE. I liked this game, but I was not as impressed. Played it two times, was a bit disappointed because I had the feeling that my choices did not matter as much I thought the first time. Still a very good story-driven game.
Cozyness: Gameplay loop (5/5), story (2-3/5)
Under Leaves (2/5) [Adventure, Simulation, Education, Puzzle]
Something to play in between games.
Cozyness: (5/5)
Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion (3/5) [Adventure, Puzzle, Action, Role-Playing]
A game like the old Zelda games. A little bit too short. Really funny.
Cozyness: (3/5)
Sprout Valley (1/5) [Adventure, Simulation] did not finish (boring)
Got this game because my partner completed the same questionnaire I did for Nora. They did not want a game so I got to choose another one. I am glad I did not buy this game, because I did not like it. Will stay away from this publisher from now on.
Citizen Sleeper (4/5) [Role-Playing-Adventure]
You can guess it: This was recommended for people that like IWATE. And this time I agree 100%. It reminds me a lot and it was a very, very good story-driven game. But it somehow stressed me out so much! I had the whole time the impression that every single decision, every single choice I made was bad. It didn’t reward anything (at least in my playthrough). Maybe I will try this again with a guide for a second playthrough. Heard the endings are very unique, want to see them, cannot muster the courage to play again.
Cozyness: (1/5)
Monster Sanctuary (5/5) [Role-Playing, Adventure, Platformer]
A game that really surprised me. After playing Inmost I thought that I could try some other platforming games and Monster Sanctuary was my second try. And I liked it! I love monster collecting games, I love to overpower. In the old Pokemon games I always played with my first team till the very end. This time I tried something different and switched monster whenever I wanted. It was so fun! I can imagine to replay this in the future.
Cozyness: I find it hard to rate, maybe (3-4/5)
Princess Peach: Showtime (3,5/5) [Action, Adventure, Platformer]
Played the demo after I found two platforming games that I liked. Liked the Demo, got the game. Liked the game. Nothing spectacular, but it was fun while it lasted.
Cozyness: (4/5)
October:
The Legend of Zelda: Echos of Wisdom (3/5) [Action, Adventure] did not finish
I love Links Awakening, The Oracle of games, A Link to the Past… I hoped I’d love EoW. I did not, finished the first dungeon, explored a little bit of Hyrule, gave up.
Cozyness: (3/5)
Roots of Pacha (5+/5) [Simulation, Role-Playing]
Wanted to play a farming simulation. Was not sure which one, decided on Roots of Pacha because I wanted something without fights. It is such a cute game! The visuals! The music! The characters! If you haven’t played it and like farming sims: you should love it.
Cozyness: (5/5)
Ai: The Somnium Files (4,5/5) [Adventure, Puzzle, Visual Novel, Role-Playing]
Found the demo, liked it. It is a little bit fucked up. Reached every ending. I don’t like the sex-joked, and sometimes the humour is too much for me, but the story is engaging and I wanted to reach the conclusion, even though it is really easy to guess some aspects. Looking forward for the second game.
Cozyness: Story there are some character deaths, sexism, horrible scenes (1/5), Gameplay is divided in story (5/5) and dream sequences (1/5). Recommend the demo, it gives a really good impression if this game is something for you.
Kingdom Two Crowns (3,5/5) [Role-Playing, Strategy] did not finish (crashes)
Loved the game, but then it started to crash on the Switch. After 2 minutes of gameplay the software was closed due to an error. Read that this is a known bug.
Cozyness: (3-4/5)
Oxenfree (5/5) [Adventure, Horror]
Again something small, liked the story. If you want something spooky, this is the right game. The voice acting was really impressive.
Cozyness: Spooky cozy I guess? (4/5) I was scared once.
November:
Wytchwood (2/5) [Simulation, Adventure] did not finish (not what I expected)
Wanted to play this for a year, was really disappointing when I finally got it. Wished it had a demo. Cute graphics.
Cozyness: (3/5)
Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna ~ The Golden Country (5+/5) [Action, Role-Playing (JRPG)]
Finally finished XC Torna. Had it since it came out. As fantastic as the other Xenoblade games.
Cozyness: (1-2/5)
Burly Man at Sea (2/5) [Adventue, Puzzle]
It was okay. Nothing special.
Cozyness: (4/5)
Lil‘ Guardsman (4/5) [Adventure, Puzzle, Role-Playing, Strategy, Visual Novel]
This game was a lot of fun. Reminds me of Papers, Please but with a lot more humour.
Cozyness: (4/5) although there are some… questionable characters and choices, but the way this game is written it doesn’t feel… real?
Bad North: Jotunn Edition (3/5) [Strategy, Rogue Lite] did not finish (not sure why)
Cozyness: (4/5)
December:
Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition (5+/5) (replay) [Action, Role-Playing (JRPG)]
After playing Torna I had to replay the first XC again. Still one of the best games I ever played.
Cozyness: (1-2/5)
The Forest Quartet (4,5/5) [Adventure, Puzzle]
Such a cute game! Such a sad story. Deals with loss, mental health and music. About 5 hours long.
Cozyness: Gameplay (5/5), Story (3/5)
Rogue Legacy 2 (2/5) [Action, Platformer, Role-Playing, Adventure, Rogue Lite] did not finish (even on easiest settings too hard)
Cozyness: (1/5)
Thronebreaker: The Witcher Tales (2/5) [Adventure, Role-Playing, Strategy, Deck Builder] did not finish
Hoped to like this, somehow it didn’t click. It is a very good game, but not for me.
Cozyness: (2/5)
Wildermyth (4/5) [Role-Playing, Strategy, Adventure]
Got this as a present, loved the first campaign, got some crashes, hope it gets fixed, want to play the other campaigns as well.
Cozyness: (2-3/5)
House (4/5) [Adventure, Action, Puzzle, Horror]
A short spooky game. You play as a child in your house and try to save (or kill) your family. Had to use guides for different endings.
Cozyness: (1/5)
Attentat 1942 (X/X) [Education, Adventure, Visual Novel]
An educational game based on true events in world war 2. Will not rate this game.
I was a Teenage Excolonist (5+/5) (replay) [Role-Playing, Simulation, Strategy, Deck Builder, Visual Novel]
No month:
Mosaic Chronicles Deluxe (3/5) [Puzzle, Adventure]
Am playing this since 2023 whenever I’m bored and too tired to think.
Cozyness: (5/5)
Fortnite (3,5/5) [Shooter, Action, Multiplayer]
Playing with my partner and sometimes my godchild.
Cozyness: (1/5)
Overcooked and Overcooked 2 (5/5) [Strategy, Party, Simulation]
Playing with guests, very funny game. Would recommend.
Cozyness: (1/5)
Bought but not played:
A Place for the Unwilling [Adventure, Role-Playing]
Wanted to play, but when I turned it on my motivation vanished.
Dredge Deluxe Edition [Action, Adventure, Role-Playing, Simulation]
Played for 10 hours, got distracted, want to play from the beginning again.
Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key [Role-Playing (JRPG)]
After playing Atelier Marie (remaster), Atelier Ryza 1 & 2 I wanted to finish the Ryza story, after 5 hours I was feeling that 2024 was not the right year, something different was always more fitting.