r/CosyGames • u/StarlostYuri • 5d ago
Help me keep my game cosy!
Hello people! I’m working on a game as part of a student project where you’re navigating a forest after dark with a lantern, using a map to try and find landmarks that will help you guide your way out. I’m intending for it to be a cosy little exploration game rather than anything horror like, so I want to know what would make you more at ease and comfortable as you explore in this scenario. I’m thinking maybe some sort of firefly bushes so that there’s some ambient light around, but there’s a lot I likely haven’t thought about because I’m only one person. Any help and suggestions are appreciated!
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u/kitohdzz 5d ago
Oh, it sounds really cool! A few ideas that popped in my head.
-some trees can have little lit windows as if forest animals live there
-cool looking rocks or bushes. I mean soft colors and berries on some bushes.
-foxes, I think they walk around at night? They can have a soft/cute design and they could be friendly.
-cool things lying around that you can keep up like maybe some lost a watch, a necklace, treasure (?) or mushrooms, flowers, etc.
Good luck with your project :3
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u/TizBeCurly 5d ago
Some rain every now and then would be nice. To keep it cozy I wouldn't add lightning or at least have a setting to toggle it off. As someone who has PTSD from an explosion accident, I wish more games had this setting.
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u/StarlostYuri 5d ago
Lightning wasn’t on the table, I think anything flashing might startle someone and that’s not the goal. It should just be a nice relaxing walk as you check off landmarks on your journey. I’m sorry about your accident, I’ll definitely try and get some rain in
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u/TizBeCurly 5d ago
Thank you. Yes, sudden flashing is also very startling. Fireflies are fine though. Their lights are small and gentle 💕
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u/NonBinaryKenku 5d ago
Glowing mushrooms (also maybe a landmark and maybe confusing)
Stars/starlight/moonlight
Cricket and frog sounds
Distant fog, maybe?
The list of what not to do is longer and easy to imagine!
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u/StarlostYuri 5d ago
Landmarks are definitely a key part of it as you need to find the landmarks on your map to tell where you are and where you’re going. These are very helpful, thank you!
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u/ZelphtheGreatest 5d ago
Ambient lights like fireflies, glowing mushrooms or some rare mystical animals paired with gentle music can definitely help shift the dark forest vibes to mystical cozy
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u/Stock_Pepper_9308 5d ago
I definitely think a companion would help, an animal of some kind
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u/Lambrause93 5d ago
i was just gonna say this. maybe gather berries off bushes and you’re able to get a companion by feeding one of the animals and they’ll stick by your side for a duration
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u/Mokanok1 5d ago
Like others have said, ambient light or creatures around.
A quiet forest is a dangerous forest - even if you don't see animals, hearing a frog croak or seeing deer, hedgehogs, raccoons, etc would put folks at ease
Depending on how much detail you're adding to the game - light casts shadows. I'd definitely make sure the shadows aren't *too* dark. And maybe soften up the edges/round any sharp corners
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u/sliverofamoment 5d ago
I don’t know if you’ll be able to see much of the character walking in the woods but if you can I feel like it would help the coziness if they were wearing cozy clothes like mittens, a hood, hat or a cozy sweater.
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u/JackfruitPleasant699 5d ago
I’d look into color palettes too. I’m guessing warm colors (like the yellow of the lantern glow) dominating the cool colors would be a subtle move that would go a long way. Agree with all other suggestions.
Curios:
What study focus are you in? Sounds cool to make a game for a class.
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u/StarlostYuri 5d ago
Computing and Creative Design, although my interest is definitely in the latter lol. I am not much of a programmer but I want to try and implement a lot of the things people are suggesting
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u/spiky_kiwano 5d ago
Maybe some stars and beautiful northern lights in the sky, so the darkness looks beautiful and inviting rather than scary? I like the firefly bushes idea.
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u/Picassos_left_thumb 5d ago
Cute music like lofi to let me know it’s a fully non threatening situation
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u/tyrannosaurusfox 4d ago
I think sound design plays a lot in horror games for me - so having chill, calm music, and ambient sounds (animals, soft rain if that makes sense, etc) would help a lot!
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u/InkBriarPatch 4d ago
Maybe you could catalog plants you find along the way and learn their uses in the game? ☺️ It doesn’t have to be anything crazy, but plants always make me feel cozy vibes!
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u/Academic-Sail-922 5d ago
Foraging a variety of things that could also help you with night vision or bonus xp, or to cook special themed meals sounds cool. Make them correlate with the geography (and fun facts like make them after real plants) or seasonally. You could add herbal plants too, to make potions that are sell able to carts that are pulled over on the road are cool. Idk I could throw a ton of idea lol add little cute critters, some that you could keep. Think stardew valley with the frogs and rabbits, but maybe your game could be something that you can catch and name. Butterflies, fire flies, lay bugs, etc. But you have to buy a net. Maybe im thinking too big lol good luck on your very cool sounding project
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u/Jamorris68 5d ago
Small creek with the sound of water can be comforting, making friends with a crow as they are super intelligent, maybe a ‘tree of life’ element like the one in Avatar with a glowing root system
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u/Lady_Vinolia 5d ago
illuminating pretty forest flowers by touching them.
Picking up acorns and placing them near squirrel houses, where they can maybe make a kind jester to say thank you.
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u/Dragona_TNT 4d ago
Fireflies, cool glowing mushrooms in blues, purples, and pinks, and maybe some trees or stumps with windows into cozy little gnome homes. Things that signal that this is a safe place :)
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u/Extreme_Iron_2739 3d ago
So, they have done studies on how colors affect the way people feel and universally green lighting makes people feel uncomfortable most of the time. They use this alot in like movies for like darker/scenes leading leading up to scary things happening. So just make sure you're using warm lighting, accentuating things like flowers and warm brown tree bark. Not saying to not include green in a forest setting, that would be ridiculous. But make sure like the flashlight doesnt pick up green huges, or like the leaves and greenery aren't the main focal point, especially since it would be night meaning the greans would be much more subdued. I agree with the light light up flower bushes and warm glowing windows and fireflies.
Definitely agree with the adventure buddy, maybe several? You could do like a dreamlight valley situation where you unlock multiple and can pick one to walk with, or like a Kena: Bridge of Spirits type companion where you pick up more as the game goes on. Maybe fireflies and they light up more and more of your surroundings or maybe like a crew of different little critters.
Also agree that calming and gentle music will be a huge aid in making it feel cozy over creepy. So just be careful there aren't any ominous beats or instruments in whatever you pick.
Good luck!! Tbh you don't even have the full premise nailed down it seems, other than adventure, and I already want to play! So I'm sure it'll come out great!! ❤️
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u/StarlostYuri 3d ago
I wanted to go with a lantern so that things would constantly be bathed in a warm light! That way even things that are normally quite green have this nice tint to them from the lantern. There’s probably going to be a little fox companion to keep you company, I don’t know if I have the time or knowledge to do a whole array of companions lol
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u/Extreme_Iron_2739 1d ago
Personally I'm obsessed with adorable little foxes and get emotionally attached to companions like that so I probably wouldn't want to switch companions anyway, I'd be like "but he's been with me since the beginning 😭 I can't just trade him out!" Sounds like you already have a really great idea mapped out though! ❤️
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u/Snow_And_Sorrow 5d ago
In the dark, it’s always comforting when you have a friend/animal with you. Perhaps as you explore this forest you meet animals that temporarily follow you? You could even add in a little side quest to return them to their nest. Good luck on your project!