All posts tagged in Indie
Sep 6, 2023
Coffee Talk 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly is the second episode in the Coffee Talk series. In it, you play as the proprietor of a cozy little coffee shop that’s only open at night. Set in an alternate present-day Seattle, join a cast of fantasy friends and serve up some delicious hot drinks as you explore the world by listening to their stories. Even use your phone to follow their lives outside of the coffee shop via social media, and return lost items to further influence story outcomes.
The Story
I’ll be honest, I did not play Coffee Talk. I have only played Coffee Talk 2, but I don’t feel like I missed out on anything vital to the story. I’m sure meeting the characters in Coffee Talk would have made their stories richer, more fleshed out. However, it was easy to settle into the story, overall. The characters are interesting and diverse. They have varying personalities that you get to experience through the conversations you have with them. Each person struggling with their own real-feeling issues, as well as sharing their joys and achievements with you really adds a beautiful, personal touch to the game. You’re more than just a barista at their favorite late-night hangout. These characters feel familiar and real. Nevermind the sass and sarcasm that’s thrown around. You’re genuinely a friend to everyone, and it’s heartwarming.
Setting the Scene
Besides the fun characters, the setting is nice and cozy, too. Set in rainy Seattle, the ongoing rainstorm provides a wonderful sound backdrop. Pair that with the lofi chillhop beats that play and Coffee Talk 2 really has a great, relaxing environment. The overall color palette is pleasing to the eye, too. Some characters wear some bright colors, like Lucas in his bright yellow hoodie, but it’s not overwhelming. The coffee shop is decorated in neutrals and muted colors, too. It’s an easy-to-look at environment that still offers a great variation in color so it’s not boring. It is the perfect cozy environment.
The Drinks
Figuring out what people want to drink via hints (mostly) was an interesting game play element. It not only gives Coffee Talk 2 a sense of replayability so you can discover all of the drinks and outcomes, but makes it a little bit more than just a reading experience. Correctly, or incorrectly, guessing someone’s drink gives you just a touch more immersive play than if you simply read the pre-written dialogue and picked pre-made drinks. Now, you can influence the conversation and other game outcomes by serving drinks. Plus, the latte art portion is fun. I’m by no means good at it, but it’s fun to play with and see what you can make. I made a palm tree once! Accidentally.
Final Thoughts
This was a chill, relaxing game. It was fun serving drinks, and interesting reading the conversations with everyone. There’s no rush to complete things, and you can save in the middle of a day. Coffee Talk 2 is the perfect cozy visual novel, really. I can’t recommend this enough for anyone looking for a relaxing, no stakes, no pressure game to play. It’s perfect for curling up on a comfy couch, cozy blanket on a rainy day.
I give this game:
You can find Coffee Talk 2 on Steam, Epic Games, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox!
- Sep 6, 2023
Tavern Keeper is a charming business simulation where you get to build and run your very own tavern! You’ll start out with the shell of a tavern out somewhere in the backwater remote area of the kingdom. It’s up to you to build a thriving business by meeting the demands of your customers. And as your profits increase, you can decorate the place, expand your tavern, add new dishes, hire staff, and more!
You’ll play your way through a single player campaign that takes place in a fantasy world full of unique characters. Encounter shape-shifters, skeletons, and more as each day brings you new surprises. Tavern Keeper is also full of simulated details for you to enjoy. You might have days where your staff is sick, or the personality traits of others present an obstacle to your day-to-day. There are dozens of other systems in the game that will keep you on your toes and keep the game play interesting. Don’t worry, though, you’ll have the tools to deal with everything that comes your way!
What’s really promising is the design mode in Tavern Keeper. If you love building and decorating, this might be the game for you. Design mode gives you the creative power to design the perfect tavern. Place a single candle on a table to create a cozy atmosphere, or even make an extravagant pile of pillows in the corner, perfect for relaxing in. You can even share your designs with others with the click of a button!
Coming Next Year
This fun little management sim is expected to release in quarter 3 of 2024! You can find Tavern Keeper on Steam, where you can Wishlist it.
Have you ever tried running your own b&b in the woods? Check out Bear and Breakfast!
- Aug 30, 2023
Meet Mûn, a Junior Ranger from the Interstellar Patrol, long before the events of Deiland: Pocket Planet and Summer in Mara. Play as Mûn in this tale about growing up, making friends, and connecting with nature. You’ve crash landed on the unexplored planet of Ankora and are stranded there. You’ll need to craft your own tools in order to collect resources to survive in this brand new world. Ankora: Lost Days will have you exploring this beautiful new planet and building your very own home.
Ankora is a mysterious planet with a wide variety of unique biomes to explore. Trek through sandy deserts or snowy meadows, frolic in idyllic meadows and cross magnificent rivers while searching for secrets hidden in Ankora: Lost Days. Even settle down somewhere to build your very own home. You can terraform the area, too, to create your ideal living space. Then, learn new recipes and skills as you explore the planet, and make friends with the anks, a group of toothy humanoid creatures.
Available Now!
Ankora: Lost Days is available now on Steam! There’s even a bundle available that includes Ankora, Summer in Mara, and Deiland: Pocket Planet if you wanted to try all three. You can also find it on Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and PlayStation.
You can take a look at Deiland: Pocket Planet and Summer in Mara, too.
- Aug 23, 2023
Everholm features Lilly, who is on the search for her lost sister, Melanie. As Lilly searches, she comes across a magical portal that draws her to Everholm. The little island is cute and cozy, and everyone already seems to know who she is. Despite the brand new setting, Lilly needs to find her sister while uncovering the mysteries of the island, and sets out to do just that with the help of a local witch.
Everholm is an open-ended role playing game that focuses on interpersonal relationships. You’ll play as Lilly as she works to solve the mysteries of the island. Meet the residents of Everholm, gain their trust, and figure out why they’re stuck on this cryptic island. It’s not all about just meeting the villagers, though. You’ll need to learn to live together, learn new skills, as well as making the most of life on the island. Learn how to farm crops, raise livestock, forage for resources, go fishing, and more. Turn your run-down homestead into a thriving farm.
However, Everholm isn’t all sunshine and butterflies. The little island holds many secrets, and it’s up to you to discover them. Dive into procedurally generated dungeons to fight the monsters that lurk underground. Use your weapons and spells to achieve success. Delve deep enough into the underground and you’ll likely be rewarded with rare materials!
The non-linear story allows you to play however you wish. Get to know all the villagers, or ignore some of the more difficult ones. Spend most of your days farming, or go dungeoning all day. However you choose to play, you’re sure to uncover the mysteries of Everholm and why your sister disappeared!Coming Soon
Everholm has a planned release of 2024 sometime. You can find it on Steam, where you can add it to your Wishlist!
Looking for more cute RPGs? Check out Brookhaven Grimoire and Roots of Pacha.
- Aug 16, 2023
Assemble with Care is a charming puzzle game with a rich, evocative story. You play as Maria, a world-traveling antiques restorer. She’s recently arrived in Bellariva, a sun-soaked town full of problems. Maria doesn’t know just how broken the town is until she dives into the lives of the inhabitants.
It’s Maria’s job to repair the broken items the townsfolk bring her, but she can’t help but delve into their personal lives too. Assemble with Care is all about fixing what’s broken, and you and Maria will do just that. Not only will you work to repair the sentimental items of the townsfolk, but you’ll learn about their emotional lives and come to love their quirks. Fix their beloved items as well as their relationships with each other!Available Now!
Assemble with Care is now available on Steam and Apple Arcade!
If you want another charming, relaxing game with similar vibes, check out A Little to the Left!
- Jul 20, 2023
Humble Bundle is a great resource for the thrifty gamer with their bundle offers. Pick a bundle, then choose what you wish to pay. It’s a great way to grab a bunch of games for cheap. Right now, Humble Bundle has a Cozy Games bundle perfect for trying out a bunch of games you may have had your eye on! And these are all worthy of playing. They’re cute, cozy, and wholesome. Some feature powerful stories, while some are just perfect for kicking back and relaxing with.
This offer ends in 20 days, so take your time to decide, but don’t let it pass by!
Cat Cafe Manager
Cat Cafe Manager has you taking over your grandmother’s derelict cafe in the sleepy town of Caterwaul Way. Restore the cafe, renovate it, and decorate it as you wish, turning it into an inviting home for the plethora of cats that call Caterwaul Way home. Hire employees to help manage the cafe, and explore the village to befriend the inhabitants and learn new recipes.
Witchy Life Story
In Witchy Life Story you’re the youngest member of the magical von Teasel family, but you’re not exactly their pride and joy. In fact, you have one more chance to prove yourself or your witch training is over. So, you arrive in the village of Flora to try and save their harvest festival. You have two weeks to make it a success. So, gather herbs, brew potions, get to know the townspeople, and even cast some spells. Maybe cause a little chaos, even.
Here Comes Niko
Play as the adorable Niko, who’s just become a professional friend for Tadpole Inc. in Here Comes Niko! You’ll explore different scenic islands while making friends with people you come across. Complete requests for them by catching fish and bugs, solving puzzles, and even just listening to them. If you’re lucky, they’ll pay you and you can then invest in a train system to get to new islands!
Garden Story
Welcome to the Grove! You’re its new guardian, and it’s your duty to rebuild the village and uncover the story of its past. Garden Story is a chill wholesome game where you’ll complete quests to defend against encroaching Rot, gather resources, restore, and improve the town. There’s even a way to turn off combat to make it even cozier to play!
Lemon Cake
Lemon Cake is an adorable little game about restoring a run-down, haunted bakery. Grow fruit and care for animals, who provide ingredients for your bakery. Repair, furnish, and decorate every room to create an inviting little business. Mix and bake up some fantastic recipes, and maybe even convince the ghost to help you out!
Alba: A Wildlife Adventure
Join Alba as she visits her grandparents on a once-beautiful Mediterranean island in Alba: A Wildlife Adventure. She’s ready to explore the island with her friend Ines, but when she sees an animal in trouble, she realizes she needs to help it. As Alba, you’ll start a whole campaign to clean up the island! Convince the townspeople to help out and gather volunteers to restore the island and help the wildlife.
A Short Hike
A Short Hike is about exactly that, hiking! Spend time in the peaceful mountainside of Hawk Peak Park simply exploring. Hike the marked trails or explore the wild back country. Climb some rocky cliffs. Glide over lush landscapes. Take your time to absorb the beautiful surroundings and meet other hikers. Perhaps you can help each other out. Even discover some treasures!
Assemble With Care
Assemble with Care features a meaningful, evocative story line about Maria, a globe-trotting antique restorer as she arrives in Bellariva. She wants to help the inhabitants fix their personal items, but discovers it’s their personal lives that are starting to fracture. It’s harder to fix those, but she’s determined to help. You’ll solve puzzles by fixing items brought to her, meet the townsfolk, and tune into a lovely soundtrack inspired by the 80s.
65% off Coupon for Haven Park
Unfortunately, Haven Park isn’t included in this bundle, just a lovely 65% off coupon! It’s a great discount for such a cute game where you play as Flint, who has just taken over his grandmother’s beloved park. He wants to make it a park campers will love, so it’s up to you to help him out. Fulfill each camper’s wishes and build whatever their hearts desire. Happy campers will attract more business, which means more quirky characters for you to talk to and enjoy!
Like lists? Want more game recommendations? Check out 5 of My Favorite Cozy Steam Next Fest Demos!
- Apr 26, 2023
Meet Eligible Kaiju and Go On Dates
Kaichu is an adorable pastel dating sim all about kaiju! You know, the unbelievably large monsters that terrorize cities and cause mass destruction like Godzilla and Mothra? Those are kaiju, and in Kaichu, you play as one name Gigachu. Only, your main focus isn’t destruction. You’re in search of a relationship, instead.
Gigachu will meet Kaichu’s 6 eligible kaiju and get to complete quiz-type interactions to determine their personalities and preferences. Each kaiju has their own storyline and romance obstacles to overcome. Gameplay is nonlinear, too, so explore the map in whatever order you wish. Visit 24 famous monuments as you go on dates and get to know them.
Don’t worry if you don’t speak any love languages, though, as kaiju are non-verbal. They communicate through a destructive courtship dance. Two news reporters will analyze, interpret, and report on these displays so that the player gets to know each kaiju. The military doesn’t exactly like the destructive display of love, though. They will even try to stop your pursuit of romance. Will you overcome the obstacles in Kaichu and find your true love?
Available Now!
This silly little romance game is available now on several different platforms. You can find Kaichu on Steam, Epic, Itch.io, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox.
For more dating sim fun, check out Love, Ghostie, and this list of other dating sims like Dream daddy: A Dating Simulator and Half Past Fate.
- Nov 19, 2022
A Farming Simulator With a Twist
You, the player, have purchased your first plot of land located in an aging town in Japan’s countryside. Fully customize your character and your cell phone, and begin your new life. Your goal is to create a homestead you can be proud of. You’ll learn to collect your own water, generate power, grow crops, craft food, care for your animals, and much more in order to help your local economy.
You’ll get to ferment soy sauce, grow and grind your own flour, and even make cheese. Then, you can take it all a step further and cook recipes using your homemade ingredients.
SunnySide also features a colorful cast of characters for you to interact with. Life in the small town is peaceful, but not without its problems. Each of the locals has their own issues to deal with, as well as having distinct personalities and stories. As you take the time to interact with the characters, you’ll get to learn their backstories and problems. Bond with the locals, attend events, and even find someone special to date.
What sets SunnySide apart from the other farming sim games that keep cropping up is that it seeks to combine modernism with the old. It also skips some of the more well-used game mechanics. There are no watering cans, shipping bins, or seemingly endless gifting to increase relationships.
You’ll have access to solar panels, electric water pumps, and other contemporary machinery. Upgrade your technology to further improve your farming experience. Developer RainyGames wanted players to leave the tedium behind and truly get to enjoy a farming experience.
Coming Soon
There is currently no release date available. You can find SunnySide on Steam to wishlist, however. It will also be coming to Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and Playstation. In the meantime, you can check out their website.
For another Japanese farming sim, take a look at Shepherd’s Crossing. For other farming sims, there’s One Lonely Outpost, Voltaire: The Vegan Vampire, or even Blue Oak Bridge.
