Escape to Calista: A New Puzzler with Heart
Following a successful pre-registration phase, InnoGames has officially released its latest title, Cozy Coast, worldwide on December 15, 2025. Known for strategy giants like Forge of Empires and Tribal Wars, the Hamburg-based developer is shifting gears into the “feel-good” genre, combining accessible merge mechanics with a rich, character-driven narrative.
The game whisks players away to the picturesque Mediterranean island of Calista. You step into the shoes of best friends Mia and Elara, who return to Mia’s childhood home only to find it in decline thanks to a mysterious corporation. Your mission? Restore the island’s charm, one merge at a time.
Classic Merge-2 Mechanics Meet Deep Storytelling
Cozy Coast centers on a satisfying merge-2 system that rewards strategic thinking without the pressure of time limits.
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Restore & Rebuild: Skillfully combine items to fulfill the requests of local islanders. These resources allow you to renovate the seaside promenade and the central B&B, unlocking new areas of the island.
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Uncover the Truth: As you clear the “fog” from the map, you’ll uncover secrets regarding the mysterious corporation’s plans for Calista.
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Heartfelt Encounters: The game features a diverse cast of characters, each with their own emotional backstory, ranging from touching personal tales to island mysteries.
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Live Events: The launch includes a suite of seasonal activities, such as the Mountain Hike merge event and the Winter Elara festive avatar rewards.
A Modern Aesthetic Discussion
While Cozy Coast has received high marks from players (earning a 4.8 on the App Store), a point of discussion among early reviewers has been its visual direction.
InnoGames has been transparent about its “AI-positive” stance, with chairman Hendrik Klindworth noting that the company uses AI tools to empower smaller teams to create more content. While some players find the character portraits and backgrounds a bit “off” compared to the hand-crafted charm of previous titles like Heroes of History, others appreciate the high volume of content and smooth performance. Ultimately, the mechanical polish and addictive loop of the merge gameplay are designed to pick up any slack in the aesthetic department.
🧩 Find Your Next Puzzle Fix
Cozy Coast enters a competitive market filled with high-quality titles. If you’re looking to see how it stacks up against the genre’s titans, be sure to gander at our updated list of the best puzzle games on iOS!
Cozy Coast is available now as a free-to-play title on the App Store and Google Play.
