Cozy Games Make First Days of Spring More Pleasant. New Announcements Already Await Around the Corner

Source: Lightyear Frontier

i

In the world of cute games, March is all about strategy and logic. It's a great time to relax and stimulate our minds. We also received a big announcement, heralding a slew of titles in this genre.

Minami Lane - City management without pressure

The cozy game that definitely stole my heart last month was Minami Lane. Thanks to the creators themselves and the Wholesome Games group, I had the opportunity to test it before the release.

• Standing on an empty street, we have the chance to plan a development that will attract and satisfy its residents. We need to focus on selecting the right homes, shops, and restaurants (including their inventory), entertainment and relaxation centers, without forgetting about their appearance and cleanliness. At Minami Lane, we will strive for perfection by constructing one building a day. The challenge will be the limited budget and time.
• Whether you're looking for a casual urban adventure or you want to stretch your mind by trying to overcome the challenges of optimizing a charming neighborhood, Minami Lane is the title for you. The endless sandbox mode will satisfy our limitless ambitions, even though the main mission mode offers relatively short fun.
• The logical and strategic challenge was complemented by a calming soundtrack, cartoon-style graphics, and aesthetics influenced by Asian cultures.

You can find Minami Lane on Steam for the price of $4.99.

Quilts and Cats of Calico - Feline mischief

If shamelessly wandering cats on your desks are more comforting than annoying, the Quilts and Cats of Calico released this month will take the logical challenge to a whole new level.

• Are you fans of logical board games? It's very possible that Calico is no stranger to you. Now you can experience a cozy and delightful setting in an unlimited virtual space. The gameplay can truly stand out thanks to the well-developed 3D models and illustrated narrative elements.
• The game involves sewing blankets for cats from single, dotted scraps. The game has 3 basic modes - solo (against the computer), multiplayer within network competition, and story mode.
• The most charming aspect of transferring this board game to our computers, however, is the ability to create and personalize our own gang of cats.

You can find Quilts and Cats of Calico on Steam and Nintendo Switch.

Bugaboo - Tamagotchi for entomologists

I've been watching the still unreleased Bugaboo for a while now, but I finally decided to mention it. This is one of those games that stand out with original concepts and excel with nostalgic influences.

• In our role as scientists, we have the chance to care for the most vulnerable victims of uncontrollable fires. Each of the distinctive insects will have the chance to enhance our understanding of actual creatures and capture our hearts upon closer interaction.
• The game is built on a system similar to Tamagotchi toys, where we have to look after the insects we find by meeting all their basic needs and showing them love. However, in order to fully carry out the rescue mission, we will need to employ a long-term strategy and make some tough decisions.
• Bugaboo features a pixelated aesthetic that complements the nostalgic aspect of the title. We will also have fun with simple mini-games, evoking the early console games, as part of the basic tasks.

The game Bugaboo will make its debut this year, but you can already find its demo on Steam right now.

Bubblegum Galaxy - Galaxy designer

Bubblegum Galaxy is another title that I believe is worth recommending solely based on the demo version. His developers, who are also responsible for another delightful game called Teacup, persuade me to trust him.

1. On the first day, as interns of a peculiar corporation, we will be caught up in the largest possible disaster - the vanishing of all planets. We will quickly integrate with new colleagues and the program, managing their design.
2. Creating individual worlds in Bubblegum Galaxy involves matching individual tiles in the most efficient manner, making it a straightforward puzzle game. Our arrangements will be scored based on the connections of colors and specific parts of the terrain that we can link together into the longest strips.
3. The gameplay is split into two levels - a three-dimensional office with a minimalist design, occupied by opposing characters and furniture, and an abstract program where we will be operating. Both of them are connected by a charming and pastel aesthetic.

The full version of Bubblegum Galaxy isn't yet available, but you can find its demo on Steam.

Lightyear Frontier - Space farm and mechas

The least charming at first glance, but no less relaxing proposition in this review is the game Lightyear Frontier, which premiered a few days ago.

• We are relocating to an untamed planet that will enable us to live peacefully when Earth disappoints. In the case of Lightyear Frontier, our task is particularly ambitious - due to the large, open world at our disposal.
• The gameplay is played in first-person mode, and we spend the majority of our time inside a multifunctional mech. Thanks to it, we establish crop fields, build houses, and discover the mysterious past of lost space civilizations.
• The game's major strength lies in its capability to create multiplayer worlds, enabling online play in groups of up to 4 people. Together we observe the development of our virtual projects, as well as the title itself, which is still in early access.

Lightyear Frontier is available on Steam, with both a free demo and the full version currently on promotion until March 30, as well as on Xbox Series X/S consoles. The game can also be played on Xbox and PC Game Pass.

Apart from the titles I presented this time, it's worth noting the announcement of the upcoming Wholesome Direct 2024 - the most significant event of the year for fans of cozy games. The official presentations of the top charming games are scheduled to take place in June, although most of the information hasn't been released yet.

Source: Wholesome Games