Cozy Grovehas drawn in casual gamers ever since it was released on PC back in 2021. Players are dropped onto the ever-changing island of Cozy Grove and take the responsibility of a Spirit Scout who helps local ghosts get unstuck through tasks, crafting, and more. DespiteCozy Grovebeing compared to similar games likeAnimal Crossing: New HorizonsandStardew Valley, the life-simulatorseems to have found its own space behind its cute, yet haunted characters with bittersweet backstories.
Back in 2022,Spry Fox announced that its successful PC game,Cozy Grove, was getting physical copies for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5, but more is on the horizon. In a recent interview, lead artist Noemí Gomez told Game Rant that the sequel will explore more ways to bring its friendly NeighBears to life. The sequel is projected to release by the end of 2023.
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Plans For Cozy Grove 2
Spirit Scouts explore the seemingly deserted island and find out that it is actually home to many deceased denizens whose spirits are unable to move on. The job of a Spirit Scout isto complete quests for these ghosts, which awards them with Spirit Logsthat are actually meant for Flamey, a friendly campfire spirit at the heart of the island. Once Flamey consumes the logs, he levels up and opens new areas ofCozy Grovealong with new ghosts. The way that new areas are revealed is comparable to a watercolor painting that’s slowly being filled in. Gomez told Game Rant that when designing these areas, she must first design the NeighBear to accurately develop their section and color palette, which is a reflection of what they’ve been through in their life and afterlife. But inCozy Grove 2, she wants to add a bit more detail.
I don’t want to say too much, but compared to how these areas were procedurally generated inCozy Grove,we have something else planned for our next game that will make the Bear’s space feel more alive. It will feel as if these areas hold the full story rather than only a picture of the Bear’s life, which makes me super excited!
Gomez added that initially, she was afraidCozy Grovewould be “too cute,“but explained that she and the team were able to achieve cuteness while also implementing a mature and sometimes eerie storyline. Captain Billweather Snout is a prime example, who is the third NeighBear that appears on the island; according to the 14th letter a player receives from him, he was allegedly drunk and his “extreme negligence” led to an accident that involved the death of multiple ferry passengers, including children.
The Rise Of Cozy Games
Cozy gameshave always been a part of the gaming industry, but it wasn’t until the Covid-19 pandemic that the genre really took off due to worldwide stay-at-home orders.Animal Crossing: New Horizonsjump-started the movement when it was released on the Nintendo Switch in March 2020, just as the pandemic went into full effect. The trend even ledNetflix to buyCozy Grove’s developer, Spry Fox, which develops cozy games and whose mission statement is to make the world a happier place using video games. Gomez said the statement holds true and is why players start off in a blank, empty, and distant world, but as they help the characters and spread kindness, the world turns colorful.
I think that cozy games are so appealing nowadays because they force you to stop and appreciate the beauty of the mundane. After all, life often feels stressful and cozy games allow you to chill and appreciate things we usually take for granted or don’t have the time to observe. Like the last few rays of sunshine hitting your room in the afternoon or the different colors of the sky on a given day.
It’s something that has been embraced by the indie side of the video game industry and I think people find these teams treat art in their games with a lot of love and care, often using it as a way to experiment and express emotions rather than its commercial purpose.
Along withACNH,Stardew Valley, andCoffee Talk,Cozy Grovehas been dubbed by many as one of the top games in its genre. Its physical release on Switch will include five sticker sheets of 28 bear stickers and a new NeighBEARS DLC; it will cost $29.99. The iam8bit exclusive edition will also have the DLC, but also a blind bag with one enamel pin; this will be sold for $34.99. Shipping begins on May 30.
Indie game players have been given a number of critically-acclaimed games over the last few years. Those who love the mechanics ofAnimal Crossing: New HorizonsandStardew Valley, but needed a change of scenery or a break from cutesy drawings, may be interested in followingthe life of a Spirit Scout onCozy Grove.
Cozy Groveis available now on PC, PlayStation, Switch, and Xbox.
