Gone are the days when cosy games were simply a means to pass the time: they now create worlds of their own that you can relax in, while also incorporating valuable insights on just about anything.
And yet, crafting the soundtrack for cosy games remains difficult, because it is often surprisingly forgettable—lost within the game, and rarely remembered.
Going beyond the games' storylines, these soundtracks make for essential listening years after you first heard them while playing.
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So here are seven scores from cosy games that not only stand the test of time, but also tell their own wonderful tales:
Stardew Valley
Talk about an in-house job: the music of Stardew Valley was designed entirely by its own creator, Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone, making it perfectly suited to the ebb and flow of its slow, rural world.
The soundtrack, which went from 70 tracks for every varied moment, place, phenomenon, or person in the game—such as Pelican Town, Winter (Nocturne of Ice), and Mines (Danger!)—to 100, perfectly shows you why this title is the gold standard for comfort in gaming.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Building on the strengths of the first game, this title from Nintendo EPD somehow effortlessly combines calm lo-fi tunes with funky electronic guitar riffs to create a soundtrack that changes with time and the weather.
As you develop your deserted island in the game, the soundtrack truly makes sure you aren't bored for a single moment, because even if the rainy music at 5 AM gets you down, the sunny music of 6 AM is right around the corner!
Spiritfarer
Cosy games are usually based on relaxing topics, but Spiritfarer takes a U-turn, with its central plot about difficult topics like death, nostalgia, regret, and letting go.
The soundtrack for the game doesn't just carry the burden of accompanying Stella, her cat Daffodil, and all the other passengers with stories to tell en route to the Everdoor—it becomes a cathartic chronicle in itself.
Minecraft
Though the world's most popular cosy game may not have the most recognisable music, Daniel "C418" Rosenfield's soundtrack for Minecraft remains one the main influences for the boom in lo-fi, ambient, and vaporwave music in the late 2010s.
Featuring soft piano notes and soothing synths, the music mirrors exactly what Mojang's most famous game came to be: a place where you could build anything you ever wanted.
Monument Valley
The soundtrack for this mobile masterpiece from ustwo games mirrors exactly what the game looks and feels like—it is symmetric and precise, with each note in perfect harmony with the ones around it.
What adds to the soundtrack is also how well it blends with each of the moves you make in the game—all of which have sounds of their own.
Journey
With the way its Grammy-nominated score holds together its stunning visuals and brilliant silent storytelling, it is no wonder Journey is a widely remembered game even now.
Music composer Austin Wintory takes his time with the score, as it gently twists and turns throughout the unnamed hooded protagonist's journey towards the Mountain—it is not just ambient, but also provides vital clues to the game using instruments.
Alto's Adventure
Feel the wind rushing through your hair as Alto snowboards down the mountains? That's not just the gameplay, but the music of the game and its power to stir the adventure within.
From the riveting riffs of Alto's Theme to the artistic airline-like ambience of Zen Mode, the game's soundtrack truly is an an endless adventure in itself.
