Minami Lane is my favorite cozy game of the year so far, and not just because it has cats that you can pet. This adorable game about managing idyllic, Japanese-inspired streets looks like a simple construction simulator, but it’s just as much about cultivating a thriving community as it is about placing buildings and making them look pretty. In Minami Lane, you fix up and expand a tiny neighborhood by repairing shoddy houses, cleaning garbage off the street, and building new hangout spots for your villagers, such as ramen shops, bath houses, and parks. But it’s not enough to plop down a boba stand and call it a day: Creating the perfect neighborhood also means crafting the perfect boba recipe, according to your locals. It also means waving at cyclists passing through, petting cats that wander by, and paying attention to how your residents feel about the curb appeal, prices, and amenities you establish. You can play through the entire game in under five hours, but the wholesome blend of strategy, creativity, and laid-back maintenance tasks may invite you to replay it for years to come.
