Say hello to your next cozy addiction in this open world forest game on Steam

The genre label for “cozy”, like every genre over time, has recently started to evolve beyond its own boundaries, with games embracing the category even if they are only partly cozy. At one point, cozy games were defined by non-violence, relaxation, and open-ended play, and while most still offer one or two of these qualities, it's increasingly rare for one to offer all three. Even genre-defining games like Stardew Valley have combat or some other non-releasing element, making it all the more difficult to find true cozy titles. Despite not being technically recognized as an enjoyable game, an upcoming open world game Steam it already looks cozier than many of the latest titles in the genre.

Under the canopies is an open-ended survival-crafting game that specifically emphasizes being “non-violent” so players can focus on a legitimately relaxing gameplay loop. In fact, it's one of the few of its kind in the genre, as there aren't many true one-on-one matches. Games like Astroneer, Planet Crafterand Among the trees they are close but Under the canopies looks like its own atmosphere, especially considering it's a survival game. That difference is what might ultimately set it apart as well, as it leans fully into the kind of coziness that most games in its genre only partially embrace.

Cozy games that you can play for 20 minutes or 200 hours

These cozy games offer a satisfying experience for those with only a few minutes to play, but also offer hundreds of hours of content to explore.

Under the Canopies is survival without pressure

Under the canopies is an open-world first-person survival game set in a stylized forest, but its premise deliberately removes the usual tension associated with the genre. Instead of fighting enemies or surviving against constant threats, players are placed in a peaceful wilderness where the goal is to live in harmony with nature, gather resources, build and decorate cabins, grow food, cook meals, and care for animals. Exploration is driven by curiosity rather than danger, with players documenting wildlife and uncovering the secrets of the forest while managing basic needs like hunger and energy, creating a slower, self-sustaining rhythm that turns survival into something soothing, not stressful.

Basic functions of Under Canopies

SURVIVAL WITHOUT COMBAT — No enemies or threats, for a purely peaceful survival experience.
OPEN WORLD EXPLORATION — Explore a vibrant forest, discover resources and wildlife.
COLLECT RESOURCES AND CRAFT — Collect materials and craft tools, furniture and items.
CABIN BUILDING SYSTEM — Build and customize your personal cabin from scratch.
AGRICULTURAL/HORTICULTURE LOOP — Grow crops, collect ingredients and maintain daily routines.
COOKING/RECIPES — Prepare over thirty dishes from farm ingredients.
CARE OF ANIMALS / SOCIETY — Breed animals and live peacefully alongside forest creatures.
WILDLIFE DOCUMENTATION — Photograph and catalog animals in a personal journal.

From there, Under the canopies it's starting to show where it differentiates itself, and it's not just because it removes combat. A lot of survival games technically allow players to slow things down, but they're still built around the pressure of having to manage so many different mechanics at once. Hunger fades quickly, resources are scarce, and something constantly pushes the player forward. IN Under the canopiesthe pressure doesn't seem to exist. The gameplay loop is more about keeping a rhythm than fighting for survival, whether it's gathering materials, tending crops, or cooking meals. Rather than systems designed to get players to the next big milestone, they represent the entire experience.

Something else worth considering is that in most survival games, even the more leisurely ones, there's generally an underlying sense that something could go wrong at any moment. It might not happen often, but it's there nonetheless, and it ultimately changes the way players approach everything they do. Under the canopies It seems to remove that tension completely. There are no predators, no combat encounters, and no real sense of urgency, meaning the game doesn't have to rely on stress to keep players invested. Instead, he hopes they find pleasure in the routine of it all.

Build your cabin from scratch and customize it with furniture, decorations and handcrafted items. Create a cozy home where every detail reflects your style.

This is where one of the main gameplay features of the game starts to mean even more. Construction of a cottage in Under the canopies it's not because players need a safe place where they're protected from the weather, evil animals, or relentless bandits. Rather, it's clearly meant to be something that players invest in over time and really treat it like their own virtual home. The same goes for farming and cooking, where growing crops, harvesting ingredients, and preparing meals is simply part of the player's daily life in the game, rather than something that should primarily help them survive.

Under the canopiesOpen world exploration follows the same idea. Moving through the forest is more about finding new resources, spotting animals, and documenting what's out there than it is about moving between destinations or even finding a new place to set up camp. A big part Under the canopiesAs they play, players catalog the wildlife and discoveries, reinforcing the idea that players are there to learn the environment rather than conquer it, making this game one in a million in the genre.

There is no hunting or violence. Exploration is about discovering unique resources, spotting wildlife and recording every find in your journal.

There's also a larger context that works in the game's favor. The label cozy has already begun to expand beyond what it originally meant in farming sim games Harvest Moonwith more of them mixing in combat or other challenging mechanics while still falling into that category. That's part of why something like this Under the canopies it stands out because it returns to a more straightforward version of the cozy formula and even applies it to a genre that usually shuns it.

Whether that's enough for long-term portability is still an open question, especially since slower games tend to rely a lot on how strong their loops are over time. But based on what has been shown so far, Under the canopies at least he understands what gamers are actually looking for when they talk about a relaxing gaming experience. By removing every bit of stress that normally comes with the open-world survival-crafting genre, Under the canopies it gives players a reason to simply be in his world and not play his game.