5 Creepy Yet Cozy Indie Games
Sometimes, we can find comfort in the occult or be soothed by the strange. If you’re an avid horror fan like me, but sometimes feel too anxious to personally play through the jump scares and frantic antics in certain horror games, then these creepy yet cozy games might just hit the spot.
The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood
The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood is an enchanting and moody narrative experience about Fortuna, a tarot-reading witch exiled to an asteroid for predicting the downfall of her coven. Out of loneliness and desperation, she summons a forbidden Behemoth, and a series of events unfolds that affects Fortuna’s exile as well as the fate of her coven. Player choice influences certain outcomes and how Fortuna is perceived by other witches throughout the story.
As someone who collects tarot decks and reads cards, I was of course drawn to the custom deck creation mechanic of The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood. While there is much more to the game than piecing together elements to create your ideal cards, this process is very rewarding and has effects on the game beyond crafting beautiful (or horrifying) designs. The building blocks of each card have elemental energy associated with them, and different combinations can yield interesting results. Your deck and how you use it are critical to the story that unfolds.
While I recommend this game wholeheartedly for its immersive story, charming art style, lofi soundtrack, and meditative gameplay, it is also worth mentioning that some heavy themes are explored throughout the narrative. Mental health challenges are a primary theme in the game and discussed very openly and bluntly. It also features a diverse cast of characters and is queer as heck, which we love to see!
The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood is available on PC (Steam, GOG) and Nintendo Switch.
Darkest Dungeon 2
In this highly anticipated sequel to the beloved indie classic Darkest Dungeon, the hamlet goes on the road. Recruit familiar and new heroes to board a stagecoach delivering the light of hope to the weary world. Players can expect a similar level of exploration and turn-based combat with fresh twists, a reimagined visual style, and new mechanics.
DD and DD2 are games that satisfy my horror-loving side and make me go “thanks, I hate it” but don’t stress me out nearly as much as some first person survival horror games like Dead Space or the Outlast series. That’s due in large part to the turn-based nature of the game, as well as the gorgeous visuals. The team at Red Hook Studios has mastered the art of the macabre, grotesque body horror, and eldritch terrors, all beautifully rendered in a heavily cell-shaded art style. The sprites in the original game are iconic, and in the sequel the characters come to life with more detailed portraits and new animations. Grotesque enemies also have a new life and are truly abominations to behold.
Darkest Dungeon 2 is available on PC (Steam, Epic Games, GOG, Humble), Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch.
Overland
Let’s keep the road trip vibes going with Overland, a post-apocalyptic turn-based survival game. Your goal is to get out of the car, get what you need, and get moving again while avoiding strange creatures. You can only do so much with your turns, and you’ll have to make some tough decisions along your journey. Don’t worry though, the dogs can drive!
Overland masterfully combines a charming low-poly visual style with gameplay that leaves you on edge. While you can expect your fair share of close calls and dramatic escapes, there are many ways to play to keep the vibes creepy yet cozy (or challenging if that’s what you’re in the mood for). The game includes several difficulty settings and game modifiers including all dogs mode, tourist mode, and even expert settings. It’s perfect for streamers as well! Twitch integration lets your viewers join in on your journey, allowing for interactive map voting and swapping out the game’s randomly generated characters for your live audience, with their chat being translated into in-game dialog that appears on screen.
Overland is available on PC (Steam, itch.io, GOG), Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Apple Arcade.
BELOW
BELOW is an atmospheric action-adventure roguelike, with procedural dungeons, permadeath, and elements of survival. Players are presented with a mysterious world, and invited to explore, survive, and discover an ever-shifting underground landscape, with minimal guidance or interference. The journey below is not for the faint of heart, as players must rely on an arsenal of skill-based moves, powerful weapons, and useful tools to navigate past the monsters lurking in the shadows. Just when you’re acclimating to your surroundings, maybe even admiring them, you just might get fatally ambushed.
What really stood out to me about the haunting atmosphere of BELOW is its soundtrack. Jim Guthrie returns for another collaboration with Capybara Games, filling the cavernous underworld with haunting melodies, powerful synths, and deadly beats. Guthrie’s sound is iconic and unmistakable, and I was delighted to hear him set the tone in this new world. One of my personal favorite tracks is Campfires. To me, it embodies the feeling of finding a safe haven amidst a harsh and unforgiving environment.
BELOW is available on Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox.
Night in the Woods
As the leaves begin to change color, I find my mind wandering back to the lush and vibrant town Possum Springs. The crumbling former mining town is home to recent college dropout Mae Borowski, who returns seeking to resume an aimless life and reconnect with the friends she left behind. However, home seems different now and her friends have grown and changed. In this narrative adventure game, players are faced with the melancholy existential dread that comes with growing up. Yet there’s more to Possum Springs than meets the eye. Strange things are happening as the light fades, and there’s something in the woods.
Having grown up in a sleepy small town with a handful of good friends, I felt a deep connection to Mae. I didn’t drop out of college, but I did feel that shift when I came home. Stores you once knew and loved close down. Kids you went to school with have totally different lives. There’s a wistfulness to knowing that things will move on without you. And sometimes, that can be the greatest horror of all to face. Even more terrifying than giant neon animals and ghostly folk musicians haunting your dreams.
Night in the Woods is available on PC (Steam, Epic Games, itch.io, GOG, Humble), PlayStation, and Xbox.
Skittzi is a variety streamer, cosplayer, and video game enthusiast. She loves indie games, RPGs, and many things in between. You can catch her live streaming more games like these on Twitch at twitch.tv/skittzipoo.
