This will sound like a leading statement coming from an obvious Arc Raiders fan: the cozy game boom annoys me a tiny bit. Outwardly cute, rhythmic, and familiar sims and RPGs dominate the space, though not without reason. They can be compelling, comforting, and deeply fun. But the cozy genre is loosely defined, and any game could be cozy to you. Elden Ring is one of my cozy games. I can play it when I want a moreish challenge but don't want to be challenged. For weeks, my cozy game has been Slay the Spire 2 on increasingly brutal Ascension difficulties. One of my best friends relaxes with Resident Evil 4 speedruns. For me, the coziest game in the past year has been Arc Raiders.
I've got no bone to pick with self-described cozy games or the genre as a whole. I just want to highlight the cozy relationship you can have with any game, because I think a mix of nostalgia and participation is a unique and powerful element of them. You want to do something again, either in the same game or in a game similar to an old favorite, a space where you can savor the unsurprising. More than a specific action or reward, you want a certain feeling. Whether to take your mind off things, kill time, or scratch an itch, you seek a warm blanket for your brain. That's Arc Raiders for me.
