Sometimes we all need a cozy escape from reality, a chance to lose ourselves in a new land surrounded by lakes, rivers, and some magical swamps. For many, that’s exactly why games like Stardew Valley have us coming back time after time. Similarly, the medieval world of games like Kingdom Come: Deliverance can provide an immersive distraction from our real-world lives, whisking us away into a story of times long ago.
Of course, there are many games that are inspired by Stardew Valley‘s familiar style, or that try to capture the feeling of experiencing life in medieval times. If you enjoy games with a more relaxed format, where you can enjoy building up a community, constructing improvements, and even learning some alchemy, there is one upcoming game that could be perfect for you.
Hearth And Hamlet Is Adorable And Cozy
Currently available to try out with a demo on Steam, Hearth and Hamlet is planned to be released sometime later this year. Rather than just growing your own farm and rebuilding the community center, Hearth and Hamlet gives you the chance to build the entire village with its city builder elements.
Hearth and Hamlet may start out with you all alone in a simple tent with a campfire, but eventually you can grow to be a bustling kingdom with magical academies, taverns, colorful marketplaces, and more. As you gather materials, you can construct new buildings and watch your settlement grow. As more villagers join you, you can assign them tasks to help and watch the game run itself through relaxing idle gameplay.
Monsters and raiders pose a constant threat, requiring you to create some defenses and maybe even hire some city guards. Of course, as the village grows, laws and policies will be needed to keep things under control. Soon, you will find yourself the ruler of a vast medieval kingdom, perhaps even with your own castle.
If You Like Stardew Valley, Check This Out
We realize, of course, that Stardew Valley doesn’t exactly put you in charge of setting laws and assigning workers. Hearth and Hamlet is certainly more bent on city builder gameplay than a farming sim, but the relaxing and cozy elements still apply. With its peaceful forests and lakes, and casual, clicker-type mechanics, the game is a wonderful escape from the pressures and stress of life.
The overall style of this peaceful world could surprise you with how easily you get hooked on it. Every notification that a worker is available or building a new building can provide that little dopamine rush, all while giving you an engaging but relaxing vibe. Its music and graphics are wonderful, and the idle game characteristics allow you to enjoy the story of what is happening around you rather than constantly focusing on the minutiae.
So, if you’re looking for a cozy and cute little game to sit down and lose yourself in for a little while, check out the demo for Hearth and Home. You may just find your new refuge from the stresses of life in the modern age, while discovering the calm joys of city building.
- Released
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February 26, 2016
- ESRB
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Everyone 10+ / Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco
- Developer(s)
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ConcernedApe
- Publisher(s)
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ConcernedApe
- Engine
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Proprietary
- Multiplayer
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Local Multiplayer, Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
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Stardew Valley does not currently support crossplay between different consoles and PC
- Cross Save
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cross-progression is only available between the PC and mobile versions of the game
- Number of Players
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1-4 players (console) / 1-8 players (PC)
