New Upcoming Indie Games Iā€™m Backing on Kickstarter: Cute, Kawaii, Cozy Sims and RPGs

As a lover of all things cute, kawaii, and cozy, I often find myself exploring Kickstarter for new and exciting games to support. Here are some of the delightful projects I’m currently backing. Many are already funded, but some need a little extra push to reach their goals. If any of these games pique your interest, consider supporting them too!

1. Rebellion GodSoul: Hyper-Visually Anime RPG Card Battle VN

  • Link: Rebellion GodSoul
  • Description: Dive into a hyper-visually stunning anime world where card battles meet RPG and visual novel elements. The game promises a unique blend of strategic gameplay, captivating storylines, and beautifully crafted anime graphics.
  • Rewards: Backers can receive digital artbooks, exclusive wallpapers, early access to the game, and even custom character designs depending on the pledge level.

2. Hotel Galactic: Studio Ghibli Inspired 2.5D Inn Management

  • Link: Hotel Galactic
  • Description: Inspired by the enchanting worlds of Studio Ghibli, Hotel Galactic allows players to manage their own cozy inn in a whimsical universe. With its charming 2.5D art style and heartwarming narrative, this game is perfect for those who enjoy immersive sim experiences.
  • Rewards: Backers can enjoy perks such as their name in the credits, exclusive in-game items, digital artbooks, and physical merchandise like postcards and posters.

3. Trade Tales: A Farming, Manufacturing, and Shopkeeping Life Sim

  • Link: Trade Tales
  • Description: Trade Tales combines the joys of farming, crafting, dating, and shopkeeping in a cozy life simulation. Players can cultivate their land, manufacture goods, and run their own shop in a charming village setting.
  • Rewards: Rewards range from early access to the game, digital soundtracks, exclusive in-game items, to physical collector’s editions and plushies.

4. Peasant

  • Link: Peasant
  • Description: Peasant is an RPG that puts you in the shoes of an everyday villager striving to make a better life. The game features a rich narrative, engaging gameplay mechanics where every player decision has in-game consequences, and a charming art style that draws you into its world.
  • Rewards: Backers can receive digital copies of the game, access to beta versions, exclusive character skins, and even a chance to design a quest or NPC.

5. My DearLove: Stat Raising Simulation Visual Novel Game

  • Link: My DearLove
  • Description: My DearLove blends stat-raising simulation with visual novel elements, offering a deeply engaging experience. Players will manage their character’s daily activities, build relationships, and uncover multiple storylines and endings.
  • Rewards: Backers can look forward to rewards such as digital and physical artbooks, exclusive game content, soundtrack downloads, and custom in-game characters.

These are just a few of the adorable and engaging games I’m excited to support on Kickstarter. Each project offers something unique, and your support can make a big difference in bringing these charming games to life. If any of these projects resonate with you, consider backing them and joining the community of supporters! read more

Life By You LBY Cancelled: Top 5 Life Simulation Games to Watch in 2024

Paradox Interactive’s “Life by You,” a highly anticipated life simulation game, has been officially cancelled. Developed by Paradox Tectonic and led by industry veteran Rod Humble, who has a notable background in “The Sims” and “Second Life,” the game faced numerous delays before its cancellation on June 17, 2024. Persistent issues with bugs, performance, stability, and various game features prevented the game from meeting the company’s quality standards, leading to the difficult decision to cancel the project. read more

Sunny Side Review: A New Life Sim with Modern Twists

Introduction to Sunny Side

Sunny Side is the latest indie life simulation game that has captured the attention of gamers worldwide. Released in early 2024 by RainyGames, a small but passionate development team, Sunny Side promises a vibrant world filled with modern touches that set it apart from traditional farming sims. In this review, we’ll dive into what makes Sunny Side unique, its strengths, and its areas for improvement.

What is Sunny Side?

Game Overview

Sunny Side is a life simulation game where players can immerse themselves in a large open world, tending to farms, customizing their homes, and interacting with a diverse cast of characters. The game stands out with its inclusion of modern technology and extensive customization options, allowing players to truly make their virtual life their own. read more

Wish I Didnā€™t Buy Whisker Waters Even When It Is On Sale. What a Horrid Game Even For Cat Loving Gamer Girls Like Me.

Whisker Waters for the Nintendo Switch had a lot of potential as a cute, engaging life simulation game centered around cats and fishing. Unfortunately, it falls short in several critical areas.

Despite its promise of unique fishing mechanics and a charming world populated by cats, bears, and birds, the game is plagued by numerous technical issues and design flaws. The controls are notoriously clunky, making the gameplay experience frustrating. The character customization is extremely limitedā€”you can’t make your character look like your cats (at least I couldnā€™t come close to my two pretty average domestic shorthair tabbies), choose a gender, or even name your character, which detracts from the personalization aspect that many players, including myself, value highly in life simulation games. read more

Times and Galaxy Demo Review for Nintendo Switch

A Clunky Yet Charming Adventure for Aspiring Robot Reporters

I recently had the chance to dive into the demo of Times and Galaxy for Nintendo Switch, and I have some thoughts to share. This game offers an intriguing mix of customization and narrative choice but is hampered by some frustrating mechanics and uninspired design.

What I Liked:

ā€¢ Customization Galore: Right off the bat, Times and Galaxy impressed me with its extensive customization options. You can tweak your robotā€™s colors, body shape, and even pronouns. Itā€™s always a plus when a game lets you personalize your character to such a degree. read more

PC Game Review: “Hua Mulan: A Chinese Learning Adventure”

Review of “Hua Mulan: A Chinese Learning Adventure” – An Innovative Language Learning Game

Introduction

Hua Mulan: A Chinese Learning Adventure takes a refreshing approach to language learning by incorporating it within an interactive narrative that’s heavily inspired by the time-bending escapades of the TV series “Quantum Leap.” Unlike traditional games, players don’t just embody the legendary heroine Mulan; instead, they leap into various characters throughout Chinese history, using their Mandarin skills to communicate and mend time continuum rifts. This review explores both the strengths and areas for improvement of this promising early access game. read more

Volcano Princess – Anime Child Rearing Stat Management Simulation PC Game Review Similar to Princess Maker

As a kawaii anime gamer girl deeply enchanted by the vibrant world of stat-raising and child-rearing simulations, I was absolutely thrilled to dive into “Volcano Princess.” With a heart that beats for classics like Princess Maker, Graduation 95, and Tokimeki Memorial Girls’ Side, I find a special joy in nurturing characters, guiding their destinies, and reveling in the rich tapestry of anime aesthetics these games offer.

“Volcano Princess” captivates with its charming characters, each brimming with personality and brought to life through stellar voice acting. The art style is a visual feast, a kaleidoscope of colors and expressions that resonate with my love for anime’s expressive beauty. The game mechanics are a delightful blend of nostalgia and innovation, offering a fresh take on the genre I hold dear. read more

Vivaland: Next-Level Online Play in a Multiplayer Life Sim

Vivaland: A Comprehensive Overview

Vivaland, an emerging title in the life simulation genre, presents an intriguing multiplayer-centric approach. Let’s explore its development, gameplay features, and how it stands in the life sim landscape.

Development and Team Insights

Development Journey

  • Vivaland’s development began in January 2022, following a year of research to optimize asset pipelines and workflows.

Release Timeline

  • An early access release is slated for 2024.

Platform Availability

  • Primarily for PC, with potential expansion to consoles due to engine compatibility.

The Development Team

  • The team comprises 8 industry veterans, some of whom worked on the Sims 4 Multiplayer Mod. They collaborate with HypeTrain Digital for publishing.

Gameplay Features

Multiplayer Focus

  • Vivaland is designed as a multiplayer life sim where every household is controlled by real players.

Community Interaction

  • Players can visit other Vivas (characters), access community areas, and start businesses, all within a buzzing online community.

Modding Support

  • While not a current priority, modding support is planned post-early access.

Connectivity

  • Internet connection is required for multiplayer, but single-player mode is available offline.

Group Play

  • Up to 8 players can join a game, each with their own household and Vivas.

Game World

  • The game is set in a small town and neighborhood, but it’s not an open world.

Visiting and Interaction

  • Players can visit friends’ households, but can only interact with their Vivas when they are online.

Control Scheme

  • The game will primarily use point & click controls, with potential expansion to keyboard movement.

Content Rating

  • Targeting an E rating, the game may adopt a mature approach for realism suitable for adult players.

Life Stages and Pets

  • Initially featuring only adult Vivas, with other life stages and pets planned for later updates.

Variety of Locations

  • The game currently has residential lots, with plans for a wider variety of locations.

Weather and Seasonal Changes

  • These features are not planned for the initial release but may be added later.

Market Positioning and Comparison

Vivaland’s unique multiplayer-centric approach sets it apart in the life simulation genre. While its development is still in the early stages, the focus on real-player interaction and community building is a fresh take compared to more traditional life sims like The Sims series. The game promises a blend of personal storytelling and shared experiences, with an emphasis on connectivity and real-time interaction. read more

Indie Game Spotlight: ā€˜A Space for the Unboundā€™ Review ā€“ A Journey of Emotion and Nostalgia

A Space for the Unbound Trailer

Exploring Emotional Depths and Indie Charms in “A Space for the Unbound”

Dive into the captivating world of “A Space for the Unbound,” a game that masterfully blends a deep, emotional narrative with charming indie retro graphics and engaging casual gameplay. If you’ve enjoyed games like “Always Sometimes Monsters” (review here), its sequel “Sometimes Always Monsters” (preview here), “Undertale” (mentioned here), and other narrative-driven indie gems, you’ll find “A Space for the Unbound” to be a remarkable addition to your gaming collection. read more

Review of Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical (Nintendo Switch Version)

When I first heard about *Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical*, my excitement was palpable. Being an ardent admirer of David Gaider’s work with Dragon Age, and given my penchant for musicals, the concept of a roleplaying game that integrates musical elements sounded like a dream come true.

The narrative of *Stray Gods* drew me in immediately. Playing as Grace, tasked with proving her innocence against the accusation of murdering the last muse, while navigating the world of Greek gods, is nothing short of exhilarating. The stakes are high, the drama is palpable, and the narrative choices make for a deeply immersive experience. Each choice influencing the story’s progression, especially in the musical lyrics, adds a whole new layer of depth, resonating with the musical lover in me. read more

Mobile Game Review: Tales from the Table: Embracing the Warmth of Bear’s Restaurant And Walking Away Hungry For More.

Welcome to another adventure in gaming, where we dive into older titles that have been patiently waiting in our backlog. Today, we’re exploring Bear’s Restaurant, a game that has garnered high praise on Steam and other platforms. After years of anticipation, I finally got around to playing this charming game. As I immersed myself in its cozy world, I found myself grappling with mixed feelings. Was it the enjoyable experience I had expected, or did it fall short of the hype?

While Bear’s Restaurant undoubtedly has its merits, I couldn’t help but feel that something was missing. Despite the high ratings and glowing reviews, the game seemed to lack the finesse in writing and development needed to truly connect with players. Join me as we delve into the delightful and sometimes disappointing world of Bear’s Restaurant, and ponder whether it lives up to its reputation or leaves us craving more. read more

Arcadia Fallen – Visual Novel With Alchemy Review

Thanks to the folks at Galdra Studios for allowing me to review their debut visual novel, Arcadia Fallen. As a first release from an indie game publisher, Arcadia Fallen definitely exceeded my expectations in many ways. First of all, the game’s high production values from voice acting, to character portraits, and even a catchy anime opening song and animation, all pull you right into the game. From there, the characters and story and unraveling the mysteries of the game keep you glued to your gaming chair. For those that find routine visual novel gameplay a bit dull, you might like the puzzle aspects in Arcadia Fallen because it has a nice crafting and alchemy feature. read more

Impostor Factory Game Review

I just finished Impostor Factory, a little short indie game by Freebird Games. They have a few other games under their belts including To The Moon, which is probably their most famous title.

Impostor Factory is meant to be a prequel in a way to To The Moon, although it’s slow to link the puzzle pieces together. It all makes sense by the end. You will see some familiar characters from To The Moon by the end.

I had thought I reviewed To The Moon here at some point, but I couldn’t find the review to link to it, so perhaps not. read more

The Best Nintendo Switch Games For Girls 2021

2021 is more than halfway over. Here’s what I have been playing (new releases) and what I’m looking forward to releasing for Nintendo Switch this year. They’re not in any particular order. The first one is my favorite, the next 20 are in reverse chronological order (newer games or unreleased games first) – After that, who knows lol. There’s of course many more great games that I just couldn’t cover all of them here. Nintendo Switch is truly the best console for gamer girls. read more

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