Summary
- Cozy games genre has expanded beyond Animal Crossing, featuring witchy games with magic.
- These witchy games focus on non-violence, rich settings, crafting, and character-driven stories with dark academia influences.
- Games like Calico and Wytchwood offer delightful experiences in managing a cat cafe and exploring a magical world.
Once a somewhat niche genre filled with games like Animal Crossing, the explosion in popularity and subsequent rise of cozy games has sparked a delightful wave of life sims, crafting, and management titles. For those who enjoy a darker twist on coziness, these witchy games offer a balance of magic, cuteness, and ease.
18 Best Cozy Games On Game Pass
The Xbox Game Pass has something for everyone, including a whole host of relaxing, cozy games. Here are the best of them.
With cottage-core, dark academia, and gothic influences at the forefront, these titles often focus on non-violence, instead telling stories through rich settings and characters. Whether it's brewing potions or casting spells, these games create beautifully rendered, whimsical fantasy worlds that captivate players looking for a comforting and peaceful escape.
9 Little Witch in the Woods
A Witchy RPG
- Released: May 17, 2022
- Developer: SUNNY SIDE UP
- Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
This adorable RPG features an apprentice witch named Ellie, who discovers an abandoned witch’s house and decides to make it her home. The game is dialogue-heavy and includes a lot of character-driven conversations paired with exploration and foraging-based gameplay.
5 Best Horror Games Featuring Witches
The concept of witches has existed for centuries, so it's no wonder that some horror games utilize their scare factor as terrifying monsters.
Potions can be learned and crafted in the witch’s cottage, with hidden areas waiting to be discovered and dilapidated locations to be repaired. Various species of flora and fauna can be collected and added to an encyclopedia, offering more insight into the magical world around Ellie.
8 Calico
Run Your Own Magical Cat Cafe
Calico
Though the protagonist is technically a magical girl, this game fits well within the witchy genre. Calico is a colorful life sim centered around managing a cat cafe, which has been inherited and needs to be restored to its former glory.
In addition to decorating the cafe, there are quests to fulfill for the residents of the island, unlocking more animals to populate the café. A standout feature is a mini-game in which the player shrinks in size and bakes sweets for customers, adding a whimsical twist to the charming cafe management experience.
7 Wytchwood
Cure Your Amnesia
wytchwood
In Wytchwood, the player controls an older witch, navigating a world filled with dark humor and a touch of eeriness in order to regain her lost memories. Featuring a stunning art style, an eerie score, and simple crafting mechanics, this game offers a relaxing yet magical adventure.
The accessible gameplay ensures that even newcomers can enjoy the experience without feeling overwhelmed by complex systems. The game’s wit and clever design make it a standout in the cozy witch genre, blending elements of mystery, crafting, and darkly comedic interactions. It's a wonderfully unique journey full of character and charm.
6 Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood
Create Your Own Tarot Cards
- Released: August 16, 2023
- Developer: Deconstructeam
- Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch
In Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood, the story takes on a heavier tone compared to other titles on this list. A witch is exiled to an asteroid, where she summons a forbidden entity to assist her in escaping and altering her fate.
10 Best Manga With Witches As Protagonists
Readers have a lot of excellent options when it comes to stories involving witches in manga. These are some of the best.
The game revolves around designing tarot cards, which are used to shape the narrative and influence the fates of characters within the coven. The story is rich and offers multiple endings, depending on the cards created and the choices made. This game emphasizes creativity and provides an immersive storytelling experience.
5 The Witch’s Bakery
Ghibli-Inspired Parisian Adventure
- Released: Early Access
- Developer: Sunny Lab
- Platforms: PC
Currently in early access, Witch’s Bakery is a delightful game set in Paris and inspired by the beloved Kiki’s Delivery Service. The protagonist runs a bakery while using magic to help customers heal their emotions. When deeper healing is needed, the player enters the "heart palaces" of customers to resolve emotional turmoil.
The game blends bakery management with heartfelt character interactions, offering a mix of cozy magic and warm storytelling. Its whimsical design and emotional depth make it a promising addition to the witch-themed cozy game genre.
4 Potion Craft: Alchemist Simulator
A Precise Game Of Mastery
Potion Craft
- Released
- December 13, 2022
- Developer(s)
- niceplay games
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Switch
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
In Potion Craft, the focus is on mastering the art of potion-making in a medieval setting. The game's aesthetic is inspired by old books, with yellowed pages and illustrations resembling medieval manuscripts. Players fulfill customer requests and experiment with ingredients to create new potions, following the alchemist’s path while deciding what kind of alchemist to become.
The relaxing, repetitive gameplay loop and soothing soundtrack create a comforting experience, though it’s often better enjoyed on PC than its Switch port. As the potions book fills out, a sense of progression keeps the gameplay satisfying.
3 Fields of Mistria
Lovely Nostalgic Vibes
Fields of Mistria
- Released
- August 5, 2024
- Developer(s)
- NPC Studio
- Platform(s)
- PC
Drawing comparisons to Stardew Valley and Harvest Moon, Fields of Mistria offers a familiar farm sim experience but stands out with its unique 90s-inspired art style. The aesthetic pulls from classic anime like Sailor Moon and the Game Boy Advance, blending cozy farming with magical elements.
One notable character is Juniper, a sorceress who runs the bathhouse and experiments with potions on the townsfolk. While the game isn’t fully centered around witchcraft, its mystical undertones, charming characters, and nostalgic visuals make it a cozy experience for fans of both farming and magic.
2 Reka
Fable Inspired Magic
REKA
Reka focuses on exploration and crafting within a world influenced by Slavic folklore. The protagonist is the apprentice of Baba Yaga, the famous witch known for living in a hut on chicken legs. The gameplay emphasizes gathering ingredients and crafting magical items to decorate the mobile home.
Although there are survival elements in the game, there are no enemies or combat, allowing players to focus on the relaxing and magical ambiance. The inclusion of Baba Yaga’s folklore and the game's non-violent, exploration-based mechanics make Reka a calming yet mystical experience.
1 Strange Horticulture
Become An Apothecary
Strange Horticulture
- Released
- January 21, 2022
- Developer(s)
- Bad Viking
- Platform(s)
- PC, Switch, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One
- Genre(s)
- Adventure, Puzzle
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Strange Horticulture is a cozy puzzle game set in a supernatural world where plant knowledge is key. Running a small plant shop, the player assists customers by identifying and providing the right plants for their ailments, some of which are supernatural. Researching plant traits and solving botanical puzzles help uncover more of the game’s eerie secrets.
The witchy atmosphere, paired with its botany-driven puzzles, creates a relaxing yet slightly mysterious experience. As new plants are discovered, the game’s supernatural plot deepens, adding layers to its already enchanting atmosphere.
10 Strongest Evil Witches In Anime, Ranked
Powerful and evil witches are common villains in anime shows, but who among the many villains are actually the strongest?