Chelsea
Sep 26, 2024
Wanderstop features a narrative-focused story where you play as fallen fighter Alta. Alta doesn’t want to be here, and if she gets what she wants, the tea shop you run will be nothing more than a short, painful memory. Until that should happen, if it should happen at all, you must run the tea shop to the best of your abilities! Nestled in a magical forest, you’ll serve a variety of customers in a beautifully cozy setting. Make them tea and see what else they can teach you!
Each of your customers is a traveler who holds their own unique story. Listen to their stories and determine which tea is best for them. Even grow and harvest your own tea ingredients for the full management experience. And when you’re not running the shop and serving customers, there’s plenty for you to do in Wanderstop. Decorate the shop to make it more welcoming. Clean up the nearby clearing or even just sit and do nothing. Though, Alta can’t stand doing nothing. She’s not used to sitting still and just being, but perhaps that’s exactly why she’s here!
Release Date
You can find Wanderstop listed on Steam, but there is no release date available. Add it to your Wishlist to be notified, though!
- Sep 26, 2024
If you grew up playing with the Polly Pockets that came in the hard plastic clamshell cases that doubled as houses and scenes, then Tiny Garden is for you! Only instead of playing with tiny little dolls, you’re running a tiny farm. This is a relaxing strategy game that takes place inside one of those fun plastic clamshell toys. Grow some veggies, then trade them to upgrade your little scene.
Plant your seed, turn the crank, and watch your crops grow to maturity. Harvest them and trade them in for new seeds or items like furniture and outdoor decor. Some of the plants in Tiny Garden will even change the soil as they grow. Cacti turn the land into desert, bushes grow grass around them, and fountains flood the ground to make it perfect for growing water lilies. Whatever you choose to grow, discover all possible items to turn this classic piece of nostalgia into the perfectly decorated home you want!
Release Date
Tiny Garden is listed on Steam with no set release date. Add it to your Wishlist and check out the free demo in the meantime!
- Sep 26, 2024
Soup Pot is a cooking game that focuses on freedom and creativity. Developed by Chikon Club and Chryse, you get to experience the open nature of home cooking from the comfort of your computer screen. Experiment with over 100 different dishes in a beautiful 3D environment. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or brand new to making tasty meals, this game is perfect for you with its welcoming and easy to learn gameplay.
Cook over 100 different recipes using hundreds of different ingredients. Put your own twist on things by experimenting and tossing in whatever you feel like. Perhaps even stumble upon something completely different while you play around in Soup Pot! Each item shouts its name when selected so you always know what you’re using. Dough reacts to being punched. Plus, there are many other whimsical touches added to the game to make the cooking experience all the more fun and cozy. As you create your delicious recipes and plate them perfectly, take pictures of your creations to share with your followers. They’ll even leave your comments based on how the dish turned out. So, get to chopping, grilling, boiling, and stirring!
Release Date
Soup Pot is set to release on Steam soon. Add it to your Wishlist to be notified when it does!
If you want a mobile cooking game, check out BTS Cooking On! It’s adorable and quite fun.
- Sep 25, 2024
Thank you to Carbon & Kay for the opportunity to play Little-Known Galaxy!
Stardew Valley has been THE pinnacle of cozy games for 8 years now. There have been a great many other cozy games that have tried to follow in its footsteps that have succeeded in earning a spot on many players’ lists. Roots of Pacha, DREDGE, My Time at Sandrock, and Echoes of the Plum Grove are good examples of excellent games that have been released in the past few years, but none of them have quite scratched that itch that SDV left behind, at least for me. However, I’ve been spending my time playing Little-Known Galaxy, whose development I’ve followed for a while now. It has honestly given me the cozy comforting vibes that SDV gave me without being a clone. It’s unique, but familiar and has absolutely devoured my time lately.
Sci-Fi Fun
In Little-Known Galaxy, you play as your own customizable character who has been employed as the captain of a run-down spaceship. You’re a brand new captain-in-training and this is your first real captain assignment. In order to rise through the ranks and prove you’re worthy of being a full-fledged captain, you need to show the Space Alliance you can handle running your own ship!
Alongside your crew, who are a cast of quirky and fun characters, you need to accomplish quite a bit. Restore the old, run-down ship you (and the crew) call home. It’s seen better days and really needs a facelift. You also need to make sure crew morale stays high by providing them with fun new things to do on the ship. And don’t forget to do a little farming, gather microbes for your scientists to study, and solve the mystery of the relic found on the Grey Planet!
Of course, your day-to-day life in Little-Known Galaxy doesn’t have to be solely filled with work. Take time to get to know your crew members. Each one has a unique personality with some fun backstory for you to learn. They also each have their own role to play on the spaceship. The shopkeeper, the gardener, the food bar owner, and more all brighten up what could be very dull space travel. Some of them are even single and you can date them!
So What’s Great About This Game?
Well, all of it. It really does scratch that cozy, immersive itch that Stardew Valley left behind. It has that addictive “I’ll play just one more in-game day” quality to it. Some days I go explore the different planets, which function much like the mines in SDV. Break rocks with your trusty laser to gather resources and fight a few enemies. You search for the travel point hidden in one of the rocks, or buried in the sand in order to progress. It’s easy and familiar while being unique with a different atmosphere (literally!).
Perhaps the best addition is that the NPC list in Little-Known Galaxy allows you to locate which floor of the ship someone is on! No wasting your whole day looking for that one person you want to give a gift. Schedules are fine, but this is by far the better way to find someone in game. Plus, the crew you start with isn’t the whole crew you’ll have. As you progress through the game, you pick up a few more members to flesh out what’s already a wonderfully diverse cast of characters.
I also have really enjoyed the fact that your upgraded tools get delivered to your quarters when they’re ready. No chasing them down and realizing the shop is closed today! The upgrades do take several days to complete, but I’ve found there’s plenty to do while you wait. Catching microbes, for example, was a tedious task to begin with. However, the developers have been eagerly listening to the critiques and made some great updates already. The microbe minigame is now far more enjoyable than it was. And of course the overall storyline and mystery surrounding the relic from the Grey Planet make this game so much fun. It’s hard to put it down.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been looking for something to dive into and get lost in, or some cozy sci-fi game to relax with after work, this is it! Little-Known Galaxy is so cute and has such a diverse cast of characters with depth. The story is great, and even the grinding is fun. Plus, the developers are so passionate about this game it’s hard not to get swept up into their enthusiasm. I would (and do) recommend this game to anyone who will listen to me!
I give it:
You can grab Little-Known Galaxy on Steam!
- Sep 25, 2024
Take a trip down memory lane and experience the nostalgia where retro gaming meets beloved 90s kid’s cartoon in Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland by The MIX Games and Wallride! When Tommy, Chucky, Phil, and Lil see a commercial for the new Reptar game, they decide to have some fun of their own and pretend to be in a video game. Armed with only their imagination, watch as the babies transform Tommy’s house into their very own action-packed game world.
Select your favorite Rugrat and set out on an exciting 2D action adventure. Toggle between HD art and 8-bit art for the ultimate retro feel. A baby’s gotta do what a baby’s gotta do, and that means getting things down how you can! Dodge enemies as you traverse beautiful ice levels. Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland will have you collecting bottles, cookies, and Reptar coins in wooded levels. And use your trusty screwdriver to enter boss fights with some familiar faces. You can even play solar or 2 player co-op, so grab a friend and return to that 90s nostalgia!
Release Date
Rugrats: Adventures in Gameland is on Steam now. It’s also on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and even the NES will have physical releases! Plus, there’s a demo available on Steam.
Melon Journey also uses a fun retro style!
- Sep 25, 2024
Remember the days of taking care of your Gigapet or Tamagotchi while chilling at home or on the go? Nanomon Virtual Pet by developers Oscar Brittain and Bob Hawke Surf Team is your chance to relive those relaxing days, but on your computer! Adopt a Nanomon and help them achieve their dreams. Each creature has a Life Goal like becoming a sports star, chef, or even the strongest creature in the world. Care for them to help them reach that goal!
Take care of your Nanomon’s basic needs. Feed them, pet them, and just hang out. The food you feed them can influence how they evolve, so pick wisely. Enjoy a variety of activities in Nanomon Virtual Pet like fishing, stick ball, or even exploring dungeons. Explore a wide world inspired by classics like Adventure Time, Digimon, and Tamagotchi, too. Then, level up your creature’s abilities and engage in battles throughout the world. Everything you do with your pet will help it achieve its Life Goal, so don’t be afraid to try a little bit of everything!
Release Date
Nanomon Virtual Pet is coming to Steam sometime next year. There is a demo you can try out now, though. And don’t forget to Wishlist it so you can keep track of it and get notified when it releases!
If you enjoy cute little virtual pets, check out Werydlets, Catgotchi, and Peridot!
- Sep 19, 2024
Space Boat is a super colorful and quirky sci-fi investigative narrative set on an intergalactic cruise ship. You play as Inspector Domino, a space cat detective, sent to the cruise ship to capture a shapeshifting thief among the carpet-based life forms who live on the ship. Wear your handy mech suit and embark on a fun-filled detective story full of weird characters, enjoyable minigames, exploration, and mystery.
You start your adventure at Jelly Shore, the popular holiday destination on Gelatonix IV. This ship was once a simple little fishing village until it became the ideal holiday cruise ship. On the ship you’ll meet a cast of unique characters that range from the Capetians, a jelly dog you can pet, to the gelatinous Geletonians. Explore the branching narrative as you explore the cruise ship and affect the outcome of the story with your choices. Even play different mini games like the famous and dangerous F.B.C Racing while you search for the thief!
Release Date
Space Boat is coming to Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation sometime soon. You can even find a free demo on each of the platforms so you can try before you buy!
- Sep 19, 2024
Take on the role of principal in Let’s School by Pathea Games, the same developers who created the beloved My Time at Portia and My Time at Sandrock games! You’ve been given the task of revamping and running the school you once attended. Not only will you design and construct different structures for the school, but you’ll manage the day-to-day happenings, too. The school is a blank canvas for you to build and run, but it’s important to keep in mind that you need to improve the school’s reputation and meet the needs of your students while you’re at it!
The ultimate goal is to create a balanced school environment to foster learning and thriving in. To start, plan and build the facilities to achieve a great educational institution. You have access to hundreds of pieces of educational equipment, and aren’t limited to building out horizontally. You can also build vertically, so you can include the facilities you want while also maintaining a beautiful outdoor area!
Recruit teachers with the methodologies you want for your school. Enhance their skills to open even more opportunities for them. You can even customize the appearance of each of your students and include different elective courses to foster enjoyment and shape their futures. Of course, meeting the basic needs of students is just as important as the curriculum. Keep an eye on their morale and distress. Provide restrooms and healthy food at the cafeteria. Failure to meet the needs of your pupils can lead to mischief and mayhem. But you also need a punishment system to take care of those who break the rules by bringing contraband to school, bullying others, or committing truancy!
Release Date
You can find Let’s School on Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch now!
Or how about building a magical institution in Mind Over Magic?
