The cozy game launches of May are dominated by a bunch of hotly-anticipated sims

The winter doldrums are officially over and the cozy games release calendar is showing signs of serious spring downpour. I'm tracking a total of 27 swell-looking cozy games this month and, as always, that's definitely not everything that's out there. You can't blame me for missing a hidden object game or two when those things seem to spawn in by the dozens.

May cozy game forecast: Sim storm warning ⛈️

One way or another, this month is going to be defined by simulation games. Two of the most-wishlisted games are Outbound (crafting sim) and Paralives (life sim), along with other games specifically anticipated by us cozy gamers like shop sim Thrifty Business and narrative sims Coffee Talk Tokyo and Wax Heads. Notably, three of those mentioned have been delayed at least once. Not exactly uncommon these days, but it did ping my attention. It sure feels like the mood of May is going to depend on whether all these widely-anticipated simulation games fly or flop.

Most Anticipated

Paralives | May 25
Another Sims-like life sim is finally launching in early access, which is definitely going to be a big deal in the cozy games community this month—whether it goes over well or not. It's been hotly anticipated for years, delayed, and has landed at spot 37 on Steam's most wishlisted list (via SteamDB).

Our cozy game picks for May

Kara Phillips

It's that time of year where I tell myself I'm going to sort through my belongings and get rid of those which haven't seen the light of day in months. But I'll be honest, I never get around to it. Now, I can take my procrastination one step further by doing it in Thrifty Business instead! I cannot express how excited I am to sift through boxes of belongings and pick out treasures to sell in my own cutesy little shop. I loved Sticky Business, so can only assume this will scratch the same itch. And who knows, maybe it's the motivation I need to get sorting.

Jess Kinghorn

Though we can all benefit from keeping a bit of greenery nearby, keeping your plant babies alive is its own challenge—so why not side step the issue? In this narrative gardening game, you play as a freshly graduated necromancer who inherits their gran's rent-controlled apartment and a balcony full of fantastical but dead plants. Once resurrected, you'll still need to keep your freaky fronds happy while also navigating a deck full of narrative events (seems not everyone is pleased about you calling on the dark powers). Thankfully, your late gran's familiar is still around to guide you: he's a sentient pile of dirt called Compostifer, and I love him.

Mollie Taylor

It's been a looooong wait, but I am so jazzed that Paralives is almost among us at last! We desperately need another life sim in the space, and as someone who wasn't super keen on Inzoi's attempt to do everything The Sims can, I'm really happy to see Paralives keeping the scope far narrower. It looks like it's going to be lovely. Especially as someone who is forever living in Build/Buy mode, I'm practically vibrating with excitement. Those walls! Extendable sofas! Insert dreamy sigh here.

Lauren Morton

I promised after playing its demo earlier this year that I wasn't going to shut up about adorable crafting sim OddFauna so here I am, reminding you of its early access launch. It's a weird one, where you collect little fauna critters by taming them in the wild and building a house for yourself on the back of this massive landwhale creature called the Terrabeast. I'm still completely enchanted by the hand-sculpted critters and building pieces. I'm excited to get back into this one and see how complete it feels for its initial outing.

Andrea Shearon

Just when I think I've had my fill and played every type of management sim out there, I find something new to be jazzed about. This month, that's Wax Heads, a "cozy-punk" record store sim where you'll make musical recommendations to locals and talk about your favorite tracks with coworkers and charming local weirdos.

Even if records aren't your thing, it's kind of hard to ignore Wax Heads' distinct, quirky artstyle—I'd already decided I was picking it up from the trailer alone, before ever touching the demo. The premise reminds me a bit of a favorite from last year, Tiny Bookshop, but with a raucous (though just as endearing) cast and more puzzles.

May cozy games calendar