cozy holes key art

Impossibly cozy digging game cozy holes hits early access on August 6

There’s something special about a game that combines a simple yet addictive gameplay loop with a captivating story, providing a calm and relaxed environment in which to forget your troubles. Cozy Holes is one of those games, and it’s absolutely brilliant. 

Cozy Holes is an indie gem developed by Flashpoint Games, and all it asks of you is that you dig. It sparks memories of playing in the sandbox or vacations at the beach, when your only concern was trying not to eat too much sand. Best of all, it’s coming to early access on August 6. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilFyejHd7Zg

What is Cozy Holes About?

In Cozy Holes, you play as a sentient shovel named Digby, and you have an entire desert that is completely diggable – nowhere is off limits! Under the sand, secrets are hidden, and it’s your job to discover what happened to the rest of Digby’s tribe and why he is the last remaining example of shovel-kind. 

Digby isn’t alone, though. Somewhere in the desert, there’s a hound named Dogby to find. When you’ve found him, he’ll help you dig and uncover new treasures. Every gem you uncover is a shard of magic that can be used to upgrade your skills, allowing you to dig deeper and uncover more of the mystery. 

cozy holes dogby 2

With the game entering early access, it’s worth noting that the development team at Flashpoint Games is very open to feedback and suggestions, so this is a good opportunity to help shape a promising indie title into something amazing.

Cozy Holes releases into early access on August 6, and there’s a demo available right now through Steam that lets you play through three days’ worth of digging fun. In the run-up to release, Flashpoint Games is holding a competition for a chance to win a key for the full release. All you need to do is dig as deep as you can.

Key Takeaways

  • Cozy Holes launches Early Access August 6.
  • Players control Digby, a sentient shovel in a magical desert.
  • Dogby the hound assists in uncovering secrets and upgrades.
  • Flashpoint Games invites community feedback during development.
  • A free demo on Steam offers three in-game days of content.
  • Gems fuel abilities for deeper and more rewarding digging.
  • The game blends relaxation with light narrative and discovery.
  • Accessible mechanics appeal to casual and dedicated players.
  • Hand-drawn art style enhances the cozy atmosphere.
  • Contest winners receive keys by digging deepest in the demo.

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Avatar of Mamako
Mamako

Active Member

442 messages 15 likes

I love this kind of game. I don’t have time for long battles or fast controls anymore, but I still want to feel like I’m going on a journey. Cozy Holes sounds perfect for me. Playing as a shovel is funny and new, and the idea of searching for your lost tribe gives it heart. I also like that the dog joins you later. Dogby is such a cute name. I will download the demo tonight and try it. If I like it, I’ll buy it on August 6. These days, I want peaceful games where I can relax after work and still feel like I’m doing something interesting. This seems just right.

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Avatar of TIME TRAVEL
TIME TRAVEL

Member

142 messages 16 likes

It’s impressive how Flashpoint Games is handling early access. I follow many indie developers, and when they ask for community input, the games often improve a lot. Cozy Holes seems like it has a strong loop, but I’m mostly curious about the story part. Why is Digby the last of his kind? That kind of mystery can keep me playing. Also, the use of gems as upgrades is a smart way to tie digging with progression. I’ll try the demo today and see how the mechanics feel. Hopefully, it runs well on Steam Deck. If so, I might even speedrun it for the contest.

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Avatar of Shourikan
Shourikan

Lurker

128 messages 2 likes

This game’s art is beautiful. I paused the trailer many times just to look at the lines and colors. Hand-drawn games feel more personal. You can see the love put into each detail. I also like that the desert is big and open. It reminds me of old cartoons I watched as a kid. I do not always finish games, but I often just walk around and enjoy the world. If Cozy Holes lets me dig slowly and take my time, I will enjoy it. I think I will draw Digby in my sketchbook. He’s so round and expressive.

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Avatar of Syzoth
Syzoth

Member

182 messages 19 likes

I like chill games, but I also like to win. That contest to dig the deepest in the demo? Count me in. I already installed the demo and will test different routes. If the digging has any speed tricks, I’ll find them. It reminds me of older flash games where you dig down and manage energy. I hope Cozy Holes has some good risk vs reward stuff. If there’s strategy in how you spend magic gems, then there’s depth here beyond just relaxing gameplay. I’m in this for the competition, but if the story is cool too, that’s a bonus.

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Avatar of BugBusterBrock
BugBusterBrock

Master Pest Controller

91 messages 15 likes

This is the kind of news I love to see. I play games to feel safe and peaceful, and Cozy Holes looks like a warm blanket. I already smiled when I saw the name Dogby. What a sweet idea. A shovel and a dog, digging together in the sand, looking for secrets. I almost cried just thinking about it. I hope the music is soft and the sound of digging is gentle. I don’t need flashy graphics or big cutscenes. Just give me a story I can follow slowly, and characters I can care about. I will buy this for sure.

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Avatar of Bearwithme
Bearwithme

New Member

11 messages 0 likes

There is a lot to learn from this game’s structure. Flashpoint Games has made a very clean gameplay loop: explore, dig, upgrade, repeat. But they also added emotional stakes with Digby’s tribe. That mix is smart design. The use of early access is also well timed. They can get feedback before final release, which saves money and builds community. I’m studying game development, and this is a good example of how to do it right. I will try the demo and take notes. I think there’s a lot to learn here, especially in how they build progression around a simple action.

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Avatar of CarmenGoldman
CarmenGoldman

Dancing Alone again, again the rain falling

17 messages 2 likes

I usually play games on my phone, but this sounds interesting enough for me to try it on my laptop. The article made me feel something. It reminded me of building sandcastles with my sister when we were small. I like games where you don’t have to fight anything or rush. If I can just dig and see what’s under the sand, that’s already fun for me. Also, I’m curious about Dogby. I love dogs. If the demo is short, I’ll try it this weekend. I’m not good at deep games, but this sounds simple in a good way.

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Avatar of ʕ‒́α΄₯β€’Μ€Κ”
ʕ‒́α΄₯β€’Μ€Κ”

Active Member

750 messages 20 likes

The concept is original, and I respect that. But I hope the game doesn’t rely too much on the "cozy" trend. Many indie games say they are cozy but forget to include meaningful progression. If you can dig everywhere, that’s cool. But what’s the challenge? I want to know if the upgrades feel earned, or if it’s just collecting for the sake of collecting. I’ll try the demo with an open mind, but I’m not sold yet. Still, I support Flashpoint’s openness to feedback. If they really listen, this could become a surprise hit.

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Avatar of OliviaNet
OliviaNet

New Member

7 messages 0 likes

I love games that tap into simple mechanics but manage to tell a meaningful story. The idea of playing as a sentient shovel named Digby is both hilarious and oddly heartwarming. I actually came across a few similar indie gems while browsing pokieslab - they’ve got some great reviews of smaller, story-driven games that focus on charm and creativity over big-budget flash. Cozy Holes definitely feels like it fits that vibe.

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