The Era of Stardew Valley's Influence on Cozy Games Is Fading

Cozy games have become predictable, largely because of Stardew Valley's success, which established a formula of warm vibes, cheerful characters, and quick problem-solving. While this trend is understandable given the game's massive popularity, it has led to stagnation. However, there are now signs that the genre is finally evolving beyond this template.