Hey there, cozy friends! Feeling a little stuck in your gaming routine? Maybe your usual cozy go-to farming games just aren’t hitting the mark right now. I get it. Sometimes you just want to sink into something deeper. That’s exactly why I decided to try Tell Me Why, a narrative game that’s free to play this month (June 2025) on Steam — and even after just the first chapter, I knew I had to recommend it.
Tell Me Why is a highly story-driven game about twins Alyson and Tyler who have been reunited after 10 years apart. It’s full of secrets and mysteries, and every choice you make matters when you’re trying to unravel the truth behind their troubled childhood.
Think of it like an interactive movie — soft pacing, beautiful cutscenes, and zero stress. If you love story-driven games like Life is Strange, this one is absolutely worth your time. And if you’re curious what it actually feels like to play, here’s what stood out to me after just a few hours:
How It Feels to Play “Tell Me Why” (as a Cozy Gamer)
If you’re used to cozy games being soft, colorful, and low-stakes, like farming sims or crafting games, Tell Me Why might feel like a bit of a curveball. It might not even appear to be a cozy game at all. There’s nothing whimsical about it, and there’s definitely some drama!
But it’s cozy in a completely different way — almost like curling up with your favorite book.
The game moves slowly, in the best way. There’s no rushing, no timers, no pressure to perform like you might find in a high-energy action game.
Instead, you’re simply walking through the story, making choices, and uncovering emotional layers at your own pace. It feels more like settling in to watch a really good, quiet film than “playing” in the traditional sense.
When I play games like this, I play for the atmosphere and the character development. And you get EXACTLY that with this game. The wintry Alaskan setting wraps you in that same feeling you get when you’re curled up with cocoa, watching the snow fall. And as the story unfolds through your choices, the characters begin to feel like real people. No two players will experience it quite the same, just like no two readers would interpret a book in the same exact way.
It’s a cozy experience all your own.
And while I haven’t finished the game, it’s already hit some major emotional beats. It touches on things that are so incredibly human: grief, identity, and memory. I’ve definitely already cried a couple of times. It hits you in this deep emotional way.
It’s not cozy in an aesthetic way. It’s cozy in a soulful way — the kind that lingers after you’ve closed your laptop and gone to make tea.
Why It Fits Into My Cozy Hobby Routine
I’ve been playing Tell Me Why on slower evenings when I need to decompress from a long work day.
Book editing (the day job) is deep, focused work, and by the end of the day, I’m often too mentally tired to be creative in a high-energy way. That’s when I reach for something like this — something that lets me feel, without needing me to do too much.
Game Specs
One thing I really appreciate is that it runs smoothly on my not-so-fancy laptop. I can handle softer games like Dreamlight Valley and Roller Coaster Tycoon, but anything fast-paced or high-spec is usually out of the question.
This game stretches my system a bit — you can tell it’s using what it can — but it never overloads or crashes. That alone makes it a rare gem in the story-game category.
Honestly, the pacing works beautifully with my tech limitations and my energy levels.
Immersion & Cozy Feels
The whole thing feels cinematic in the best way. Long cutscenes, thoughtful moments, gentle transitions. It’s the kind of game you can truly sink into.
I usually play wrapped in a blanket with tea nearby. It feels more like watching a quiet movie than playing a game — and that’s what makes it perfect for my cozy hobby routine (and I’m betting if you’re a gamer of any sort, it’ll work for yours too!)
It’s restful. It’s immersive. And it always leaves me feeling something, which is exactly what I want at the end of a long day.
Why Now’s the Time to Try It
You might be wondering why I’m writing this post if I haven’t quite finished the game. I mentioned earlier that it’s free on Steam this month (June 2025).
There’s not much time left to snag it if you’re interested, but here’s the amazing thing: each of the 3 chapters is only about 3 hours of gameplay. So, there’s still plenty of time left in the month to grab it and finish it, at least at the time of writing this.
But the wonderful thing is that this is so low-commitment. It’s a wonderful story that’s broken down into 3 bite-sized chapters. So, if you don’t finish it, you can always save it and return to it later.
Think of this as a simple way to dip your toes into the cozy gaming hobby. Hours of fun for you story lovers and more reflective creatives seeking an escape 🩷
What’s Your Favorite Story Game?
There’s just something about a cozy game that is the perfect mix of two of my favorite hobbies: reading and binge watching tv shows. If you’ve tried Tell Me Why, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Or even just what games you love to cozy up with.
Also, I’d love to hear your thoughts on cozy game reviews? Is this something you’d like to see more of from Perk and Pause? Let me know in the comments! See you soon—off to play more Tell Me Why!
If you’re just beginning to explore cozy hobbies, you can grab my free Cozy Hobby Starter Kit below for more ideas.
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