Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 75 | 28 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 90% | 83 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 68 | 8 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 84% | 78 | 16 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 41 reviews sampled · 45 total reviews in window · weighted 30.7 up / 5.8 down · computed 59m ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (39)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 50
“Cozy Grove measures out its game sessions in snack-size portions, and its gorgeous artwork and genuinely laugh-worthy dialogue almost make up for its metered-out gameplay. Sadly, with a few technical issues on Switch, and the game's refusal to let players set the pace, it's one best played on a mobile device for now.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“Cozy Grove has adorable stories, cute animals, and an aesthetic it absolutely nails in every way. The performance simply hampers the experience.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“While bludgeoning or blowing away bad guys can always be good fun, everyone should have some time in their lives to slow things down...”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The concept of interacting with and aiding spirits might sound on the creepy side, but with a watercolour palette, plentiful humour, and appropriate ratios of compassion and crankiness, Cozy Grove is certainly a fun addition to Nintendo Switch's game library. Regular updates add quality of life improvements, plus the new game mechanics add to its appeal. Hugging a digital ghost bear brings far greater joy than can be imagined, thanks to the latest update.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“In summary, Cozy Grove is a great time to sink some time into. Its cheerful atmosphere will put a smile on your face, you’ll be able to make progress in the game at your own pace, and there are natural stopping points that remind you that it’s ok to take a break.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“On top of that, the island is so cluttered with trees, rocks, and other objects that it can be difficult to see things on the ground. The game employs a clever visual technique where objects become transparent, allowing for a better view, but this only happens when you get close to said objects. As such, you'll find yourself stop-starting around the entire island when you're looking for specific bits and pieces. It's not a huge issue, but it does make the game feel finicky to play.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Cozy Grove arrives as advertised-a smaller, more story-based Animal Crossing experience with its own charms and enjoyment. Though the tasks are also just as tedious at times, the fact that Cozy Grove holds back story entries through their daily cycle, rather than fish and bugs, tastes sour at times, even if the rest of what is on offer is a bountiful harvest. For those Animal Crossing fans out there looking for something close to what you've already experienced with New Horizons, this is the perfect drop-in-drop-out version of that experience and is definitely a must-try title, even with the hard feelings over how long it takes to really get to know that seagull-bear.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“'Cozy Grove' is a cute and relaxing game. It only takes 30 minutes a day to paint warm colors on a white ghost island welcomed by ghost bears and imps. The game time flow is the same as real-time. In the daytime, the warm sunlight shines brightly, and at night, shining stars and lanterns light up the island that turned indigo. It’s time to heal ourselves without any contact on a calm and peaceful island where nothing is forced.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Ghosts exist. They have unfinished business and need help. Fortunately for you, you’re a Spirit Scout. You’re trained to aid them and sent on assignments to get them to move on. Your latest assignment is the island of Cozy Grove. It’s dead there. Literally.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“If you are looking for a new game to chill out with, Cozy Grove is definitely going to scratch that itch. It has enough in common with other life simulation games to make you feel comfortable, whilst still being different enough to have its own identity. I can’t speak to how much longevity this title has, but I do know that every moment for me has been a joy. So put on your Spirit Scout sash and head to the island, you’re going to love it!”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Once I found myself hitting my stride in Cozy Grove, it became a before-bed ritual.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Cozy Grove's day-by-day mechanics can be frustrating to some, but is a definite welcome addition, allowing me to slowly unravel the story and giving me more playtime in the long run, completely enhancing my mornings.”
read full review ↗
Nintendo Life
Seasoned Gaming
Nindie Spotlight
Cubed3
Prima Games
Push Square
NintendoWorldReport
INVEN
Siliconera
Checkpoint Gaming
MonsterVine
GameGrin…and 27 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- v5.1 minor updateMay 17, 2022
- Hotfix v5.01Apr 29, 2022
- The major Spring Update is now live, and also, the New Neighbears DLC!Apr 26, 2022significant · resets scoring window
- Update 4.2Feb 16, 2022significant · resets scoring window
- Update 4.1Jan 5, 2022significant · resets scoring window
- The major Winter Update is now live!Dec 20, 2021significant · resets scoring window
- v3.2.0 is now available!Nov 4, 2021
- The major Autumn Update is now live!Oct 7, 2021significant · resets scoring window
- v2.3.0 is now available!Aug 17, 2021
- v2.2.0 is now available!Jul 21, 2021
- Version 2.1.0Jul 1, 2021significant · resets scoring window
- The major Summer Update is now live!Jun 23, 2021significant · resets scoring window
- v1.8.0 is now available!May 25, 2021significant · resets scoring window
- v1.7.0 is now available!May 6, 2021significant · resets scoring window
- v1.6.2 is now availableApr 28, 2021significant · resets scoring window
- 1.6.0Apr 19, 2021significant · resets scoring window
- Cozy Grove "beta" branch now available in SteamApr 14, 2021significant · resets scoring window
- 1.5.2Apr 9, 2021