Gamescom winner Hela looks like the best cozy game to play with friends

Hela is a brand-new cozy game that is looking to launch in 2026, and it looks like it’s going to be great to play with friends.

The two-time Gamescom Award winner – for Most Wholesome and Most Entertaining – is being developed by Windup Games, and it’s set in a Scandinavian-inspired world where a witch has fallen ill and her familiars embark on a journey to save her life.

You play as a small, brave mouse who ventures into the world by climbing, jumping, grappling, swinging, and gliding to gather ingredients and brew magical potions to restore her strength.

A screenshot from Hela showing the playable mouse climbing. — You’ll need to climb, glide, jump, and run through Hela’s vast world to help save the sick witch.

A screenshot from Hela showing the mouse exploring a suburban environment. — You’ll explore a range of vast environments on your journey.

To do so, you’ll need to explore a large world filled with magical forests, rugged mountains, suburban homes, and tranquil lakes while using your magical backpack to interact with your dynamic and constantly changing environment.

Solve puzzles, collect resources, and, through acts of kindness, engage with different characters to influence Hela’s world and how your decisions transform the game’s characters as well as yourself.

Hela can be played solo and with friends through local split-screen and online modes, making it perfect for a cozy night in or a fun, wholesome yet chaotic stream with friends.

Windup hasn’t yet announced an official release date, but Hela will launch sometime in 2026 for PC on Steam and Epic Games Store, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation, and Xbox – you can wishlist it now, and you can enjoy a gorgeous selection of Hela digital goodies – wallpapers, stickers, to-do lists, and more – from Windup Games.