We might already leave the first quarter of 2026 behind us soon, but the year still has tons of indie game releases to look forward to. In this article, you can browse through 10 cozy games created by independent studios that are yet to be released in 2026. Get ready to wind down from a stressful day, experience the joy of utter cuteness and immerse yourself in heartwarming storylines!
Momento
“Journey through a life, where the objects you choose to keep influence the life you lead” is the headline for the room decorator game Momento. This game is the result of a collaboration between three developers from the independent studios Fat Alien Cat and Nomo Studio. In Momento, players journey from childhood to adulthood as they decorate their environment and choose which items they keep or leave behind.
Whether it’s in the game’s story mode or endless creative mode, you can point and click your way through different rooms with complete freedom, accompanied by cozy vibes and a relaxing soundtrack. And most importantly, you can pet fluffy friends! According to the latest developer announcement, Momento will be out on Steam within the second quarter of 2026, but a demo is already available!
The Lumenites
Next up is a 2D city builder with charming pixel graphics and a flying turtle! The Lumenites is created by two developers, Simon and Sophie, who are passionate about our one planet and the beauty of nature.
In this game, you play as the Lumenites, villagers atop a flying turtle. The Lumenites explore mystical islands to recycle trash and gather resources for their village in the clouds. Watch their home grow as you restore nature below, all without any combat or wrong choices. The Lumenites is set to release this year, with regular developer updates shared on its Steam page!
Our Life: Now & Forever
Six years after the success of Our Life: Beginnings & Always, GB Patch Games is back with a second installment of its cozy visual novel series. Our Life: Now & Forever takes you, the protagonist of this choice-heavy story, to the mountain town of Golden Grove. Across four autumns, you forge your path from childhood to adulthood alongside your two closest neighbors, Qiu and Tamarack. To truly make this story yours to live, the game will feature comprehensive character customization, friendship and romance options, as well as a range of settings for in-game text.
A demo is already playable on Steam. However, the latest developer update revealed that only Steps 1 and 2 of the story will be released in November this year. The final parts have been pushed to 2027.
Witchbrook
Witchbrook is another game that is all about finding and nurturing relationships. In this life-sim and social RPG, you are the newest resident witch in the seaside city of Mossport. Alongside up to three other players, you undergo witch training at Witchbrook College whilst uncovering the magical mysteries of your new home. In addition to your witch studies, you can dress up your character, sell crafts at the Sunday Market, and take part in seasonal events.
Witchbrook is brought to you by Chucklefish, the developers of Starbound and Wargroove, and fellow independent team Robotality. The game will be coming to PC, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and Xbox this year!
Nivalis
Nivalis is a life-sim of a slightly darker kind. A cyberpunk setting, ruthless gangs, and a city that could fall into the ocean any minute – and yet here you make your new home. Here, you grow your small food stall or stim store into a thriving business. Here, you make peculiar friends, decorate your apartment, go fishing, and find comfort in managing a simple life in the bustling city.
This game promises an immersive escape from your daily routine for those who love futuristic world design and a touch of gloom! Nivalis is developed by Cloudpunk creator ION LANDS and is set to release on Steam and Epic Games Store in 2026.
Not Only Nine
Another ambitious combination of dark themes and coziness is Not Only Nine, a narrative RPG adventure about a cat and the afterlife. You play as a cat soul on a mission to their human at the center of The Afterlife. Although the path is obstructed by Reapers, a mysterious ancient being helps you defeat your opponents and venture forward. The prospect of fighting might seem intimidating at first glance. However, there are no random enemy encounters and only turn-based boss battles. Moreover, the game allows you to rest at any moment, and help lost souls in cozy quests.
Not Only Nine is made by Karda Works, a single developer and a small team of artists. Its release is planned for the third quarter of 2026, but the prologue is already out on Steam!
Deer & Boy
Deer & Boy is the debut title of indie game developer Lifeline Games. Described as an “animated film you can play,” this narrative cinematic adventure tells its story through visuals and music alone. A runaway boy meets a fawn, and together they overcome puzzles and learn new abilities. As their friendship develops, players get to watch the fragile fawn grow into a majestic deer and protective companion.
This simple premise makes Deer & Boy suitable for young players whilst simultaneously exploring deeper themes of healing and strength in companionship. The platformer is set to release sometime this year on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch!
Black Cat Book Club
This next title is purrfect for idle game enjoyers and cat lovers! Black Cat Book Club will keep you company during your work, studies, and other desktop adventures.
Watch your cat become smarter with every book read in a library full of ancient, and sometimes, forbidden knowledge about magic, spell casting, and potions. In addition to helping your companion climb higher shelves, you can also customize its appearance and decorate its surroundings. Black Cat Book Club by Idea Garden Games is set to release in the second quarter of 2026 on Steam!
Otterly Lost
Have you ever wondered what life as an otter is like? Then, allow me to introduce you to Otto the sea otter and the protagonist of Otterly Lost! Otto was swept away from his mountain home after a sudden natural disaster. It’s now your job to help him find his way back through a vibrant island. However, Otterly Lost quickly turns into more than just a journey back home. Otto takes up the role of keeping marine ecosystems in harmony and restoring the balance of nature.
All this is packed in a cozy open-world setting, allowing players to freely explore the resources, puzzles, and characters of the island, both on land and underwater! Otterly Lost’s release date is set for 2026, but developer Soulworks Interactive has already shared a demo on Steam!
Tukoni: Forest Keepers
Based on an award-winning book series by Ukrainian artist Oksana Bula, the first Tukoni game was released all the way back in 2020. In the third quarter of 2026, developer Dream Operator will treat cozy gaming fans to the second point-and-click adventure about the forest spirit Tukoni.
Tukoni: Forest Keepers invites players into a charming, hand-drawn forest world filled with whimsical characters. As a Tukoni on a special mission, you will encounter puzzles and minigames, all wrapped up in comforting autumn aesthetics. But your notebook and a cup of tea are never far away, providing guidance and a moment to wind down. If you’d like to get a first look at this wholesome 2D gem, a demo is already out on Steam!
What other cozy games are you excited about? Let us know in the comments, and keep checking GameObserver for more chill stories!
