My cousin and I always thought the parcour and the mansion is the whole game and we had so much fun. It was years later that I discovered its just the tutorial level lol.
I liked the atmosphere of Paris from Hitman, not sure if I’d use the word cozy though
If I’m thinking of chill I’d go with Dun Morogh from World of Warcraft
I'd take a vacation to Dream Zanarkand from FFX. I'm not even a city person, but a big, bright futuristic metropolis on the water would be wonderful to explore.
If we're talking about after the main plot kicks off, Besaid Island is a cute spot, too.
So. Don’t laugh. But when I’m playing in pickleball tournaments (amateur level) and I need to calm my nerves mid match, I play the Balamb Gaden song in my head
*...oh the memories...*
That theme instantly played in my mind, I just remembered rolling around, grabbing a poor helpless pig...being stuck there for a week straight as a kid because I had no clue what to do. Good times.
Diablo 2. Rogue Encampment . It's the safe place, the music is dramatic but peaceful. Hard to explain, but it did feel like home when returning after a mission.
Diablo 2. I spent so many hundreds of hours playing and replaying that game. Then I discovered Jamella Editor and loved messing around with that. Awesome times.
Shame what Blizzard has become.
Felt the same way in Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition while visiting the drow rebel encampment in Hordes of the Underdark. Good campaign, good music, good atmosphere.
He unfortunately passed away, and Blizzard added another homage to him in [the Elder of Thunder Bluff](https://www.wowhead.com/cata/npc=15580/elder-ezra-wheathoof#comments) that appears during the Lunar Festival event.
As someone who has lost count of how many times they’ve played Dark Souls I concur. The feeling of solitude when standing before the Crow overlooking all of those mountains as a gray sky hangs overhead and the wind blows past your ears is very beautiful. I always stand there for a bit and take in the atmosphere. I’m very comforted by that place.
My son would watch me play when he was 4ish and whenever I'd get a Mumbo token the game would say "Eekum Bokum" but he died laughing when I convinced him it said "Eat my bottom."
Portal
Back when it first came out no one knew anything
It wasn't even released, just tacked onto the Orange Box as a bonus.
At first it felt like what most games did exactly in the tutorial.
Then you find the rat mans drawings, and start hearing the undertones in GLADOS' lines...
But that first level it just felt like "Oh hey a portal gun, neat!"
Hard disagree. That game is unsettling from the start. You wake up in a strange, clinical-looking facility, droning electronic music plays in the background, you aren't told anything what's going on and a disembodied, glitchy, robotic voice guides you to do things to ends unknown.
Same! I literally replay that game every couple years, I've always loved it! Nothing has really truly hit that itch minus maybe spore, and even that was a bit of a lessor comparison imo. EVO is a true masterpiece! I still remember all the grind spots, and the fact that there are different endings is pretty crazy
There were lots of Final Fantasy votes, but I didn't see any for FFX. Besaid Island is such a great place, and the soundtrack that goes with it is even better.
That´s because Besaid Island isn´t the first level.
That´s (old) Zanarkand where the game starts and it´s not cozy for me at all with all the things happen there.
Morrowind. You spawn into the depths of a ship moored at a dock. The intro movie plays then “wake up, we’re here”. The beginning of one of the most epic adventure games I’ve ever played.
I think it's among the best but i was the kid who liked Schindlers List and The Godfather as a young teen. Slow build is OK with me.
Plus the game really lays itself out - it's a game about horses, shooting, fighting, and always choosing to execute sonsabitches that cross ya.
I have a few votes.
World 1 of Super Mario World. Jumps are cozy and not super complex yet. No ghost houses lol.
Elwynn forest in WoW. That music and environment is something else.
The first quest before Garland on Final Fantasy 1. You know, before the nightmare happens...
The entire early part of Twilight Princess is hella chill.
Kingdom Hearts 2’s Twilight Town will always be the epitome of “cozy first level” to me. Always sunset, colorful, cartoony, soft sweet music, always feels like summer as a child.
Honestly the start to The Last of Us, before anything happens.
Just waking up in the middle of a quite night and walking around your house. like how the upper story window is open and the wind is just gently blowing the curtains, seeing the city in the distance.. idk I just find it really nice and relaxing. Though it's only really cozy if you ignore what's about to happen.
Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven. Haven't played the game in about 10 years since my ps2 kicked the bucket, but I'm pretty confident I still know where every enemy is 😂, and that music ... it just hits different
For me, it has to be Donkey Kong 64, you’re just snoozing in the most baller of treat houses, and the whole inside of Donkey Kong Island is pretty chill.
Idk if it counts but pokke village and the snowy mountains map in monster hunter freedom unite. Wearinf mofu armour and picking mountain herbs is my go to happy place
Toe jam and earl, if you get the rocket skates and make it to the secret island with the hot tub, space babes, and SpongeBob-lookalike selling lemonade
Cozy can be subjective. That being said, if it counts, i really love Limgrave in Elden Ring. I always take my time roaming around and taking it all in.
Sly 3. After the prologue, Venice is such an awesome area of the game. The awesome music by Peter McConnell sets the tone perfectly, and skulking around that night time city is always fun whenever I revisit the game.
Nier Automata, the bosses just keep on building and you’re subconsciously putting together skills from the previous bosses to help with the main one of the mission
The first level of Homeworld 1.
Epic music, drifting in orbit running system checks.
Ive been playing yearly for nearly 25 years, nothing has ever come close for me
Some good places that i don't know if they qualify as a "level" but:
Red moon inn in Vermintide 1 is just very cozy to me, with the lighting and the close quarters.
LoZ: Twilight princess, your home village was just very nice to run around in and talk with people and explore.
I don't know why, really, but when I finally went back to Borderlands 1 after having played 2 and the Pre-Sequel for a good long while, it felt so nice. Love that opening area around Firestone.
Central Yarnham.
The first time you go through it, it's hell. The second time you go through it you have more insight and shit is even worse than before. The third time you go through it (likely on a new game) it goes back to being that original form and you can trounce it easily. It gives a feeling of progression without progressing.
NieR: automata… I didn’t know how to heal properly and didn’t understand the mechanics of the game when I first started. Tried on the hardest difficulty for 11 hours and finally gave up. You have to go through multiple modes of gameplay including a difficult boss fight with no save points. Great game!
Bob-omb Battlefield
It's the perfect intro world for a tutorial to teach you the basics of star collecting while still allowing for you to test your skills and limits with mobility in a safer environment
Putting the somewhat less cosy introduction to one side, the moment in Skyrim where you exit the cave after escaping Helgen, you have the lovely Scandinavian landscape in front of you, bleakfalls barrow in the distance and that soundtrack kicks in.
So familiar, so relaxing, it's like free therapy to me at this point.
The opening of Pikmin 4, where you're running around the inside of a house and your pikmin are all doing their own thing until you gather them back up.
The Hobbiton level in “The Hobbit” (2003). Running around Hobbiton doing chores and errands with that cheerful music… played that level more than the rest of the game.
I feel like black ops zombies round 1 is really easy. There are only a few zombies that spawn in and they are super slow and weak. Almost impossible to die to them
Original tomb raider back when you start in Lara's mansion just doing some work outs and goofing about in a lovely house.
Trapping the butler in the fridge
Nothing like getting jumpscared by the old man in the maze
Walking up to the wall and standing as close to it as possible, turning the camera to the side to see those perky prisms up close
My sister would always drown her in the pool lol
My cousin and I always thought the parcour and the mansion is the whole game and we had so much fun. It was years later that I discovered its just the tutorial level lol.
I liked the atmosphere of Paris from Hitman, not sure if I’d use the word cozy though If I’m thinking of chill I’d go with Dun Morogh from World of Warcraft
I can't tell you the amount of times I've received beer basted boar ribs.
Paris has such a good atmosphere. The elegance and high class vibe is just spot on, even 8 years after the release of the game
It’s an excellent level, but that runway music makes me want to swallow an emetic. Phenomenal series, though.
Dun Morogh and Thunder Bluff come to mind ad well.
Sandover Village from Jak and Daxter
Sometimes I play this area just for the nostalgia
Jak, my boy!
Mario 64. The iconic castle on the hill, the moat, the lobby with the banger sound track, and the mysteries to be uncovered.
This brings back some serious nostalgia anytime I play it
Kingdom Hearts Destiny Island is pretty cozy.
Came here to say this. As a kid I spent what feels like a whole vacation there. It's like a nostalgic summer trip. Also beating up Wakka was cool.
I'd take a vacation to Dream Zanarkand from FFX. I'm not even a city person, but a big, bright futuristic metropolis on the water would be wonderful to explore. If we're talking about after the main plot kicks off, Besaid Island is a cute spot, too.
Balamb Garden, Final Fantasy VIII. Wouldn’t have minded never leaving that place.
So. Don’t laugh. But when I’m playing in pickleball tournaments (amateur level) and I need to calm my nerves mid match, I play the Balamb Gaden song in my head
Lol i love this.
Oh so good. That song is coziness.
Its not a separate level, but the safe shallows in Subnautica is the coziest place in the entire game
Probably the starting area of *Outer Wilds*. Nothing has ever made me want to sit by a fireside and roast marshmallows more.
This. The Timber Hearth music!
The entire soundtrack is just breathtaking
Seriously. The Search and The Sun Station are stunning too, and the final credits music is the crown jewel of it all
Honestly any spyro game
Windwaker outset island
*...oh the memories...* That theme instantly played in my mind, I just remembered rolling around, grabbing a poor helpless pig...being stuck there for a week straight as a kid because I had no clue what to do. Good times.
Stop following me, snot kid! I don't want your snot touching me!
Opening sequence of Final Fantasy IX.
Diablo 2. Rogue Encampment . It's the safe place, the music is dramatic but peaceful. Hard to explain, but it did feel like home when returning after a mission.
Diablo 2. I spent so many hundreds of hours playing and replaying that game. Then I discovered Jamella Editor and loved messing around with that. Awesome times. Shame what Blizzard has become.
Felt the same way in Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition while visiting the drow rebel encampment in Hordes of the Underdark. Good campaign, good music, good atmosphere.
For me its the Dam in Goldeneye and the Dam in Timesplitters 2. Both made by the same devs and the TS 2 level is a callback to 007 haha
How is a frozen dam cozy
You would'nt get it.
Hence why I asked
Starting out in WoW as a Tauren and exploring the vast, peaceful plains of Mulgore. Always a nostalgia trip for me whenever I go back.
Will you help me find my dog?
I heard this quest was made by a make a wish kid who wanted to visit Blizzard HQ.
He unfortunately passed away, and Blizzard added another homage to him in [the Elder of Thunder Bluff](https://www.wowhead.com/cata/npc=15580/elder-ezra-wheathoof#comments) that appears during the Lunar Festival event.
Northern Undead Asylum
I wish I could go back to 15 year old me getting heated up at Taurus demon and being too scared to fight the knight gurading the blue tearstone ring.
God the Taurus demon walled me hard until I realised there was a ladder up to the archers.
As someone who has lost count of how many times they’ve played Dark Souls I concur. The feeling of solitude when standing before the Crow overlooking all of those mountains as a gray sky hangs overhead and the wind blows past your ears is very beautiful. I always stand there for a bit and take in the atmosphere. I’m very comforted by that place.
Banjo Kazooie: Spiral Mountain or Mumbo Mountain
My son would watch me play when he was 4ish and whenever I'd get a Mumbo token the game would say "Eekum Bokum" but he died laughing when I convinced him it said "Eat my bottom."
RIP
Pre-Searing Ascalon
The opening stroll through Columbia in Bioshock Infinite is truly wonderful. Sun is shining, children playing, families singing. It’s incredible.
Racism undertones tho
Sonic Adventure 2. City Escape. Goes hard af.
*rolling around at the speed of sound*
*got places to go, gotta follow my rainbow!*
Oh shit it says rainbow? I thought it said *gotta follow my way home*
Portal Back when it first came out no one knew anything It wasn't even released, just tacked onto the Orange Box as a bonus. At first it felt like what most games did exactly in the tutorial. Then you find the rat mans drawings, and start hearing the undertones in GLADOS' lines... But that first level it just felt like "Oh hey a portal gun, neat!"
Hard disagree. That game is unsettling from the start. You wake up in a strange, clinical-looking facility, droning electronic music plays in the background, you aren't told anything what's going on and a disembodied, glitchy, robotic voice guides you to do things to ends unknown.
I'm just happy to find another person who even knows E.V.O. *exists.* What a masterpiece.
Which one... there's 2 games. The snes version was #2
Me and my cousin rented it from blockbuster as kids, played the hell out of it and made it a point to own it later. Fantastic game.
My brother and I did the same. Still very much stands out in my mind as a unique and awesome game like 25 years later!
There are dozens of us! Loved that game.
Act 1 in Diablo 2 is really good.
E.V.O. really REALLY needs a remaster or something. I LOVE that game
Find a way to play the true original version. It's something truly rare and spectacular
Played it, own it :D
Same! I literally replay that game every couple years, I've always loved it! Nothing has really truly hit that itch minus maybe spore, and even that was a bit of a lessor comparison imo. EVO is a true masterpiece! I still remember all the grind spots, and the fact that there are different endings is pretty crazy
There were lots of Final Fantasy votes, but I didn't see any for FFX. Besaid Island is such a great place, and the soundtrack that goes with it is even better.
That´s because Besaid Island isn´t the first level. That´s (old) Zanarkand where the game starts and it´s not cozy for me at all with all the things happen there.
honestly i think it’s Limgrave lol
Morrowind. You spawn into the depths of a ship moored at a dock. The intro movie plays then “wake up, we’re here”. The beginning of one of the most epic adventure games I’ve ever played.
Well I know what the answer is not, and it’s Red Dead Redemption 2. “I’m miserable”
Worse introduction to a game ever.
I think it's among the best but i was the kid who liked Schindlers List and The Godfather as a young teen. Slow build is OK with me. Plus the game really lays itself out - it's a game about horses, shooting, fighting, and always choosing to execute sonsabitches that cross ya.
Stardew Valley is coziness personified throughout, and just in typing this I realized exactly what I’m in the mood to play tonight
Chrono Trigger
Skyward Sword or Wind Waker. (I prefer SS by a lot) Both artstyles are timeless IMO, even though a lot of people aren't a fan of them.
For all the criticisms skyward sword has, skyloft might be the best hub area in the series honestly
Ocarina of time. Everything leading up to the Great Deku tree
Opening of the first Alan wake the small town feel was so cozy. Just don’t uh you know, go into the shadows
FF 15, what’s cozier than pushing a car with your boys, and having a great laugh and a bonding time with them.
MGS1 when snake arrives from under water
The MGS2 big shell is strangely cozy too
I have a few votes. World 1 of Super Mario World. Jumps are cozy and not super complex yet. No ghost houses lol. Elwynn forest in WoW. That music and environment is something else. The first quest before Garland on Final Fantasy 1. You know, before the nightmare happens... The entire early part of Twilight Princess is hella chill.
Zelda: Twilight Princess's Ordon Village is so cozy people whine that it makes the game's tutorial section too long.
Jack N Daxter
The mako reactor in FF7. So perfect and iconic. Makes me feel good.
Cosy? It starts off fighting people in the first seconds.
yeah but its comfort in the sense of i've been playing it for 25 years, I know it inside out, it feels like home.
It's a brilliant introduction for sure, but "cozy" isn't the way I'd describe it :D
Second this. Even all Midgar stage is really good!
Kingdom Hearts 2’s Twilight Town will always be the epitome of “cozy first level” to me. Always sunset, colorful, cartoony, soft sweet music, always feels like summer as a child.
I remember playing this segment during the last week of my summer vacation. Actually felt the same dread that the characters had lmao.
There’s a board game called Agemonia. The first scenario is just helping people. No combat. It’s so nice.
Valheim The meadows music and the clarinets are really soothing. Since it's early game and there aren't many threats, you can focus on nesting/etc.
Oakvale from Fable 1 Majula from Dark Souls 2
Medal of Honor: Allied Assault.
No one said Toriel’s house in Undertale? How can I be the first one?
Liberty Island, Deus Ex
Wan chai market is a close second for me
Tutorial level in Crash Bandicoot 2.
Pre-Searing Ascalon from Guild Wars. It's such a cliche but it's so damn comfy
Fable You start as a child in a small village/town of Oakvale
Honestly the start to The Last of Us, before anything happens. Just waking up in the middle of a quite night and walking around your house. like how the upper story window is open and the wind is just gently blowing the curtains, seeing the city in the distance.. idk I just find it really nice and relaxing. Though it's only really cozy if you ignore what's about to happen.
[удалено]
It's kind of funny that breaking into a museum would be considered cosy in any videogame, but Sly 2 somehow pulls it off.
Jak and Daxter
Green Hill from Sonic 1. Especially considering that the next zone is Marble Zone and there's the god forsaken Labyrinth Zone in this game
Ori and the will of the Wisps I wouldn't call it 1st level but the first 10 minutes set that peaceful ambient atmosphere as you explored.
Ecco the Dolphin. I actually thought that first stage was the whole game for longer than I want to admit, I was a stupid child
Doom E1M1 feels as familiar to me as a childhood home. The entire shareware / first episode, really.
I LOVE that you mentioned E.V.O. That game is glorious. The visuals, the music, the grinding! But my choice has to be the Hazuki residence in Shenmue.
Green Hill Zone
pallet town lol
Seyda Neen in Morrowind. Great atmosphere. Even writing this I can hear the music and silt striders' howls.
Green hill zone in sonic the hedgehog
Outset Island. Explore a bit and then go get some food from grandma. I might need to replay Wind Waker.
Midgar. I would love an entire game based in the city so I can just run around and check it out.
Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven. Haven't played the game in about 10 years since my ps2 kicked the bucket, but I'm pretty confident I still know where every enemy is 😂, and that music ... it just hits different
I wasn’t gonna say clock town because it’s not technically the first level, but seeing other peoples replies, I guess I can. So Clock Town!:D
Warehouse stage in the first Tony Hawk.
For me, it has to be Donkey Kong 64, you’re just snoozing in the most baller of treat houses, and the whole inside of Donkey Kong Island is pretty chill.
Great answer
Yharman in bloodborne
Hahaha if you compare it to the rest of the game lol
FarCry5's Hope County is pretty cozy. Once you clear out all the baddies
Idk if it counts but pokke village and the snowy mountains map in monster hunter freedom unite. Wearinf mofu armour and picking mountain herbs is my go to happy place
Hummingberg, in spiritfarer, is a great vibe setter
Sackboy?
Balamb Garden.
Toe jam and earl, if you get the rocket skates and make it to the secret island with the hot tub, space babes, and SpongeBob-lookalike selling lemonade
Spore. The evolution mini-game should have been a much bigger portion of the game, everything after that was ass in comparison
Bumpy
Sky: Children of the light
Turtle Woods - Crash Bandicoot 2
Manhunt 2's first level. Such a cozy location, with lovely voices echoing in the distance!
Hohokum gets my vote. Very chill and relaxing. The soundtrack is great and led me to listen to more of Tycho's work.
The fact that Evo never became a franchise is staggering
Alexandria in FF9 gives me the warm fuzzies
Cozy can be subjective. That being said, if it counts, i really love Limgrave in Elden Ring. I always take my time roaming around and taking it all in.
Sly 3. After the prologue, Venice is such an awesome area of the game. The awesome music by Peter McConnell sets the tone perfectly, and skulking around that night time city is always fun whenever I revisit the game.
LittleBigPlanet’s opening credits level
Riverwood in skyrim when you first get there
Nier Automata, the bosses just keep on building and you’re subconsciously putting together skills from the previous bosses to help with the main one of the mission
I found myself soaking in the opening sequence of The Artful Escape, such a great game.
Guild Wars 1 Pre-searing
Lord of the Rings Online, starting as a Hobbit is the most chill and atmospheric level in gaming i feel like
Bramble: the mountain king! Everything starts of so nice, fun and innocent. Before hell breaks loose…
Every mario lvl1
Guild Wars 1: Pre-Searing
Artisans, in Spyro
Just here to say EVO was such a spectacular game. Would love a replay. Seems like a game that could be a really cool remaster for the switch.
Pre searing in original guild wars was awesome.
Ordon Village from Twilight Princess. Maximum cozy.
Good morning, and welcome to the Black Mesa transit system.
The original modern warfares cargo ship escape blew me away in 2007/2008. Had been used to games like UT, ghost recon and Warcraft
i remember the first level of "Blinx - The Timesweeper" being a great time
Not exactly a level but Dave the Diver, when the story is simple
Privateer's hold.
Lake. I mean tbf, the whole game is cozy af, especially the Christmas dlc.
Valheim. The meadows is so pleasant.
Probably doesn’t count, but I really like the Elwynn Forest in WoW
Kokiri Village in Ocarina always holds a special place in my heart. I could sit there all day
1st level of Lego Star Wars: the complete saga is pretty fun
The first level of Homeworld 1. Epic music, drifting in orbit running system checks. Ive been playing yearly for nearly 25 years, nothing has ever come close for me
Glass Joe, punch out.
The Robot Museum in Megaman & Bass, the music has been ingrained in my head for over 20 years lol
Spyro the Dragon, Stone Hill.
Some good places that i don't know if they qualify as a "level" but: Red moon inn in Vermintide 1 is just very cozy to me, with the lighting and the close quarters. LoZ: Twilight princess, your home village was just very nice to run around in and talk with people and explore.
Sandover village is the king of cozy.
I don't know why, really, but when I finally went back to Borderlands 1 after having played 2 and the Pre-Sequel for a good long while, it felt so nice. Love that opening area around Firestone.
Windfall Island from Wind Waker or Kokiri Forest from Ocarina of Time.
Oblivion. The Imperial City is cozy. Being in a dimly lit shop or tavern while Harvest Dawn plays and the NPCs chat in the background is so comforting
Literal childhood vibes
Central Yarnham. The first time you go through it, it's hell. The second time you go through it you have more insight and shit is even worse than before. The third time you go through it (likely on a new game) it goes back to being that original form and you can trounce it easily. It gives a feeling of progression without progressing.
Outset Island in Wind Waker. I could spend hours just goofing around there.
Hard to top Outset Island in the Legend of Zelda Wind Waker for me
Sonic 1 Green Hill zone, very nice and fun level that everybody remembers
NieR: automata… I didn’t know how to heal properly and didn’t understand the mechanics of the game when I first started. Tried on the hardest difficulty for 11 hours and finally gave up. You have to go through multiple modes of gameplay including a difficult boss fight with no save points. Great game!
Kokiri florest from Zelda ocarina of time... What amazing place to Just relax
Tears of the kingdom sky island section
Bob-omb Battlefield It's the perfect intro world for a tutorial to teach you the basics of star collecting while still allowing for you to test your skills and limits with mobility in a safer environment
The tutorial in Cuphead, idk why but it just feels like the answer you’d be looking for ☺️
Putting the somewhat less cosy introduction to one side, the moment in Skyrim where you exit the cave after escaping Helgen, you have the lovely Scandinavian landscape in front of you, bleakfalls barrow in the distance and that soundtrack kicks in. So familiar, so relaxing, it's like free therapy to me at this point.
The opening of Pikmin 4, where you're running around the inside of a house and your pikmin are all doing their own thing until you gather them back up.
The Hobbiton level in “The Hobbit” (2003). Running around Hobbiton doing chores and errands with that cheerful music… played that level more than the rest of the game.
I feel like black ops zombies round 1 is really easy. There are only a few zombies that spawn in and they are super slow and weak. Almost impossible to die to them
Stray maybe, though i can't remember exactly the first level, most of the game felt cozy
I'llgo with Valheim when you are just chillingin the meadows
Super Mario Odyssey
Ocarina of time