All posts tagged in Switch
Dec 7, 2023
Pixel Cafe is reminiscent of the cooking games I used to play years ago. You know, like Papa’s Freezeria (and the rest of the Papa’s games), or the plethora of other similar restaurant management games that were out there. What’s cozier than nostalgia, after all! This game is a combination of arcade-style time management and visual novel narrative, after all.
Step into the role of a small-town girl as she embarks on an emotional journey that spans three generations. Pixel Cafe takes place in a gorgeous pixel-art world, and takes place in Karstok. The city sits stuck between a socialist past and a capitalist future. Experience a gripping tale as you explore the past and present. See how memories of your grandparents shaped your life into what it is now, too.
You’ll forge relationships with your Pixel Cafe bosses and clients as you experience the story while perfecting your coffee-making and cooking skills. Your professional career will take place across 10 wildly different bars. You’ll learn new recipes and have the chance to take on 50 optional Nightmare levels. When you’re not cooking up a storm and making customers happy, take some time to breathe a new life into Grandma’s old house. Decorate it to suit your style and make it home!
Release Date
Pixel Cafe is available now on Steam, Switch, Xbox, and PlayStation!
Want more cafe fun? Check out Nom Nom: Cozy Forest Cafe, Cat Cafe Manager, and Cafeteria Nipponica!
- Nov 30, 2023
Fae Farm is a beautiful farming sim where you cultivate crops, craft items to decorate your home with or sell, and care for adorable farm animals. Befriend a varying cast of townspeople, and even romance some of them. Plus, you even get to venture into the faerie realm, where you’ll see faeries and fantastical creatures not seen in the human realm. Even delve deep into the mines to collect resources, fight enemies, and uncover mysteries!
What’s Great About the Game
The art in Fae Farm is absolutely gorgeous. It’s easy to fall in love with the game based on that alone. The scenery is varied. The NPCs all look different. Even your clothing options are lovely. Then, the furniture and decorating choices are great. You’re sure to find something that suits your style, whatever it may be. Adventuring into the fae realm is probably my favorite part. It’s so whimsical and magical. Even the dungeon is dreamy, though chock full of enemies. The art is absolutely what drew me to the game to begin with!
What I also really like about Fae Farm is that tools switch automatically for you. Walk up to a tree to chop, and you’ll immediately have your axe in hand. Then, go to a rock and poof! There’s your pickaxe! It’s a super handy mechanic that I would love to see in all farming sims. It saves time and lets me switch between activities much faster. Besides that, fast travel unlocks early game. There are several points across the map called Wayshrines that act as fast travel spots. You need to craft a seal from cave resources in order to activate the Wayshrine, but you can accomplish that easily early on. Having fast travel early in the game makes it genuinely useful and not just an afterthought. Plus, the mines have waypoints where you can place seals you’ve crafted in order to get to different levels without going through the whole mine. Think Stardew Valley’s mine elevator, but with more magic and teleporting!
What I Dislike
Unfortunately, Fae Farm has more aspects that I dislike than I like. In order to play multiplayer, or even just name your character, you need to create a Phoenix Labs account. Otherwise, your character’s name defaults to the account name that’s on the system you’re playing on. So, my character’s name is a string of random letters I used for my Steam name. It kind of ruins any romance when my husband calls me by name.
I once wasted a precious Fae Farm day sitting in the crafting menu or almanac menu thinking the game was paused. It certainly was not. The nice thing is that you aren’t negatively affected for passing out after bedtime, so all I truly lost was a day of play time. It didn’t decay friendship points with my critters, and it didn’t ruin any quests. Then there’s the sales tables. The limited sales table spots really get in the way of me mass selling a hoard of items I’ve held onto for too long. It doesn’t inhibit money-making, just clearing out that stack of 600 fibers I probably don’t need so many of.
The exuberant laughing at everything is obnoxious, though. When I accomplish something, I laugh. When talking to an NPC, they laugh instead of speak. None of it is funny! I’d prefer if they muttered some nonsense like Sims do. Unfortunately, the laughing just lends itself to the overall soul-less feel the game has. The NPCs have no deep backgrounds, and their dialogue is repetitive and shallow. There’s not even a point to befriending anyone unless you’re trying to marry them. And there’s only a handful of marriage candidates. Even the festivals feel lifeless. They’re not exciting and engaging. Everything feels very surface level.
Final Thoughts
Don’t get me wrong, Fae Farm is somewhat fun. I’ve put some hours into it, but I’d hoped for a lot more polish for that AAA price tag. A better story with more meaningful characters would have made this game an absolute gem. I’d also like for everyone to have a nose, please! Everything feels so shallow and surface level. I don’t need some deep, dark secrets to go into it, just a little more substance that makes me want to talk to people or do things. And when you add up several minor gripes, things feel lackluster, and that’s what we have here.
Overall, I’d give it:
You can find Fae Farm on Steam and Switch now!
Check out another of my reviews on a magical game: Witchy Life Story!
- Nov 23, 2023
Spells & Secrets is a magical roguelite adventure where you must free the Academy of Greifenstein from the magical creatures that have overrun it. You’re a young wizard who’s just gone off to school at the esteemed academy to learn more about your magic. However, on your first night there, something strange happens and now the school is a mess. Magical creatures run amok in the halls, your fellow students are lost in the ever-changing rooms of the school, and there’s something a little more nefarious going on.
The Story
Spells & Secrets sets up a very basic story from the beginning. Again, you’re a young wizard who has arrived at the Academy of Greifenstein to learn about magic and improve your abilities. You’re then dropped right into the problem of the school being overrun with magical creatures. After that, the story unfolds as you progress through each dungeon level and encounter fellow students and even some of the bad guys. It’s a pretty standard “good vs. evil” situation. Someone has caused chaos at the Academy, it’s just a matter of sussing out who did it.
The question I have is why am I, a literal magical novice and child, the one who’s responsible for fixing the issue. I’m traversing the dangerous hallways of the school in search of my fellow students, fighting monsters, and encountering the bad guys. Meanwhile, the Spells & Secrets adult teachers are chilling outside in the courtyard prepared to sell me spells and upgrades so I can get further in my dungeon crawling. Surely one of the experienced people should help me! Silly adults.
Overall, I enjoy how the Spells & Secrets story unfolds as you progress. You don’t have all the answers, and you don’t always get them quickly. It takes time to earn enough for new spells and upgrades. Plus, without those upgrades and new spells, it can be difficult getting through dungeon levels. Some of those creatures are unforgiving! I also appreciate the lack of hand-holding. There is a tutorial, but you’re not interrupted frequently by cutscenes or new game mechanics. You just get to blast through some rude creatures.
The Gameplay
I won’t pretend I’m incredible at fighting games, and Spell & Secrets has only proved that further. It took me several runs of the first floor before I managed to progress to the second floor. It can be frustrating, but that’s part of the draw of roguelites. It’s certainly easy to see when you’ve made upgrades to your repertoire, too. I went from struggling to blasting through creatures like they were nothing. So, it offers a very satisfying experience, despite the repetition. You feel like you’ve earned it once you progress.
I enjoy the variety of spells in Spells & Secrets, too. Each one has a different effect, while also deploying in a different way. Magic Missile is just a bullet of magic you shoot at the enemies. Freeze comes out in a spray of icy clouds, and so on. It’s easy to visually see which spell is which when scrolling through them or deploying them against enemies. Being able to build on their capabilities is satisfying too. Improving the power of Magic Missile absolutely made my runs easier to complete. And adding different spells that have different effects allows you to combine the powers of your arsenal to more efficiently defeat enemies. It lends a sense of creativity and strategy to the game.
enemies. It lends a sense of creativity and strategy to the game.
Final Thoughts
Besides the fighting, you can join what appear to be like school clubs. There are four for you to choose from, and it helps give you an objective outside the main storyline and dungeon crawling. You can even earn different clothing items to further customize your character. Spells & Secrets is overall a roguelite dungeon crawler with a sprinkling of socializing and other fun. I personally think it’s a fun combination!
I’d recommend this game to anyone who enjoys the idea of being a magic-slinging wizard. Overall, I’d give it:
You can find Spells & Secrets on Steam, Switch, and PlayStation now!
- Feb 8, 2023
Adopt Stray Cats, Furnish, Manage, Decorate Your Restaurant
You might have noticed that I’m completely in love with cats and keep an eye on any cat-related games such as Cats & Soup – Cook Up A Storm With The Help Of Cats, Cattails Become A Cat And Join A Cat Colony, and Calico – Magical Girls Running Cat Cafes Update. Therefore, with utter excitement, I share with you a cat cafe managing, restaurant decorating, simulation game.
In Cat Cafe Manager, you’ll adopt stray cats to bring them into your restaurant. It’s a restaurant that you get to renovate, furnish, expand, and decorate! Train your staff and decide what goes on the menu to keep those customers coming in! Furthermore, you can forge relationships with the locals, help them with their personal problems, and even get them to divulge secrets of the town!
Available Now on Switch and Steam
Cat Cafe Manager is developed by Roost Games and published by Freedom Games, whom have published the likes of To The Rescue!, a dog shelter managing game. You can get Cat Cafe Manager on Steam here or for the Switch here.
- Jan 16, 2023
Exploring, Crafting, Farming, Fishing, Bug Catching, and More
Relive your youth during your summer holidays by helping out at your grandparent’s farm, fishing, bug collecting, and foraging! What’s unique about this farming sim is the level of interaction with your tasks. For example, you can herd a scattered flock of sheep or play fetch with your pets!
Another exciting feature, reminiscent of The Good Life, is the ability to transform into a dog and a cat! At night, in your dreams and with the help of a magical hat, you’ll have work to do and the farm to protect. As a dog, you fend off the wolves, and as a cat you chase off pests.
Of course, your companions are also helpful during the day. Your dog can support you in farming tasks like sheep herding, among other things you can train it to do. Your cat can discover new missions and hidden places.
Free Demo Available on Steam Now
Everdream Valley is developed by Mooneaters and published by VARSAV Game Studios. The game is coming soon to Switch and PC, although we don’t have exact dates. However, you can try out a demo for it now on Steam here.
More farming fun
take a look at One Lonely Outpost the next big farming game like Stardew Valley on another planet.
- Aug 26, 2022
Restore the Magic, Garden, Fish, and More
Disney and Pixar characters once lived in harmony in picturesque Dreamlight Valley. That is, until the Forgetting happened. Memories were severed by the growth of Night Thorns, and the inhabitants were left with nowhere to go. Feeling hopeless and lost, they locked themselves inside Dream Castle.
Now, it’s your job to return that magic to Dreamlight Valley. Play as a unique, customizable character. Spend your time gardening, cooking, fishing, and so much more. Embark on an adventure to restore the magic to Dreamlight Valley. Unlock the doors of the Dream Castle to return the characters to their homes. Forge friendships with characters and experience their rich backstories. Discover secrets as you complete quests, and earn rewards. You will even be able to design your own home and design the valley however you wish!
Early Access Available November 6th
Dreamlight Valley will be free-to-play when it releases in 2023. Early Access opens November 6th, but that isn’t free. However, players can choose from three Early Access packs: Standard Edition, Deluxe Edition, or Ultimate Edition.
Standard Edition will include 2 wearable items, 9 furniture items, 3 design motifs, and 8,000 moonstones currency.
Deluxe Edition will include all Standard Edition cosmetic items, plus 10 decoration items, the Celestial Sea Turtle companion, 7 wearable items, the Deluxe Jersey and matching Mickey Mouse Donut Headband, 3 design motifs, and 14,500 moonstones currency.
Ultimate Edition will include all Standard and Deluxe Edition cosmetic items, plus 15 decoration items, the Royal Fox companion, 2 wearable items, the Ultimate Jersey and matching Mickey Mouse Donut Headband, 3 design motifs, and 20,000 moonstones currency.
For another upcoming magical life sim game, check out Witchbrook.
- Jul 26, 2022
Explore, Fish, Farm, Befriend, and Build as Momo the Purple Cat
Play as Momo, a kitty that craves a new rural lifestyle, and travel with best friend Mikan to a deserted island. However, the island you’ll settle on is cursed and attracting monsters! Players will have to explore dungeons, mines and new regions, all while revitalizing a ruined village.
To help along the rebuilding effort, farm, cook, craft, fish, and give gifts. Send job postings to other furry friends and invite them to live in your community! You can even take on part-time jobs yourself. Snacko also has quite the extensive decorating mechanic with snap-grids and free rotation to all buildings and items. With a free camera, you can easily move, place, dye, or put away any object anywhere.
Coming Soon to PC, Switch, PS4/PS5
Snacko is developed by Bluecurse Studios and published by Armor Games Studios. They recently announced with their new trailer below that their cute cat sim adventure is also coming to PlayStation. The game is releasing soon in 2022 on PC (Steam), Nintendo Switch, PS4 and PS5.
- Jul 8, 2022
Cluffowl, Woolum, and Totokaku, oh my!
The new Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase continues to grace us with a slew of life-simulation games. If you always wanted to know what it would be like to farm in a world like Final Fantasy, you’re in luck! Square Enix just released a new trailer announcing HARVESTELLA, a beautiful fantasy world that may even be better than Rune Factory 5.
In HARVESTELLA, players will be able to tend to their crops, befriend the townsfolk, explore various cities and dungeons, cook to replenish HP and increase stats, and take care of animals. There are adorable fantasy creatures to love in this world. For example, those round red chicken-like birds are called Cluffowl. You can even pet and receive rewards from your chubby kitty with antlers, the Totokaku.
Not only are there all four seasons in this game, but a new mysterious one called the season of death, Quietus. During this period, crops wither and the dust of death prevents people from even walking outside. You’ll have to progress the story to unearth why this keeps happening for longer periods of time each year.
Available November 4th, 2022 on Switch and Steam
HARVESTELLA is available to pre-purchase on Steam here, and listed on the Nintendo eShop here. The launch date is set for November 4th, 2022. Therefore, players will not have to wait very long to get their hands on this game!
