Image Via Might and Delight
If you were the person who spent more time creating your Sim’s house than seeing if they could survive the swimming pool, then Twinkleby is a must-have. This cozy, Animal Crossing-reminiscent indie combines a snuggly atmosphere with free-form decorating, with only good vibes and soft music as an accompaniment.
From the studio that brought players Shelter, Twinkleby is the type of game that is perfect to binge Jane Austen to. It is quiet, contemplative, and soothing. So much so that it might make players drowsy after a few hours of organizing household items; however, it’s the gentle nature of the title that will likely draw players in.
Key Details
- Developer: Might and Delight
- Publisher: Might and Delight
- Platforms: PC via Steam
- Price: TBD
- Review Code Provided: Yes
Twinkleby Rewards Players For Decorating
The primary goal of Twinkleby is to unlock floating islands, decorate the homes on those islands, and attract people to live there. If the people who have moved in become content, they will sing a little song, offer a gift, and send the player on their way to the next location.
With vibes similar to an idle game, progression is gained over time as players collect falling stars that are used to purchase items and unlock new islands.
The bulk of gameplay is customizing the homes on each island. Every piece of furniture can be organized exactly the way players would like. They can watch villagers interact with the homes and toggle the weather and time of day to fit the needs of those living there.
Getting started can be tricky, as the first few islands won’t have much in the way of furniture, but those who focus on collecting falling stars will have the chance to purchase new items to add to their collections.
A Slightly Repetitive Gameplay Loop
Unfortunately, instead of building on the same floating island over time, players will find themselves traveling between multiple islands in an almost puzzle-like style of gameplay. At each new island, all the items unlocked in previous homes will be available, meaning players will be placing the same items again and again unless they purchase new options.
Additionally, players will need to go back to previous islands frequently to check for stars and chests that fall from the sky onto the island. The chests contain rare items, but require keys to be opened. The chests also can’t be moved into the inventory by dropping them off the side, and these can clutter islands quickly, especially early in the game.
This repetitiveness can create a sense of boredom after completing a few islands, as there aren’t any clear objectives for each island, and much of it is guesswork and waiting.
Pay Attention To The Details
One thing that is very enjoyable and interesting about Twinkleby, is how important it is to pay attention to the details. On our third map, every decoration in the inventory had been placed, but the people living on the island weren’t happy. That is when we noticed that the house was blocked off by water, and without a bridge, the main home wasn’t accessible.
Twinkleby makes you think carefully about the needs of the people living on the island, and without looking at the location from every angle, it is very easy to miss key needs like a bed or a ramp.
This extra level also encourages players to use the items they have with purpose, instead of simply arranging them all for the fastest pathway to “victory”. The map won’t be complete until the people living on the island are happy. Paying attention is the key to success.
Final Score – 8/10
Twinkleby is a cute, relaxing, and thoughtful decoration simulation perfect for those who enjoy arranging items and making homes look cute. While there is a puzzle element that might be frustrating for those who would rather pour all their work into one location and not a series of levels, it is engaging, and the changes increase the difficulty.
With just a few goals and a handful of cute secrets, Twinkleby will keep players engaged while easing the anxiety of real-world stress away. It’s calming in the best ways, and a game worth grabbing for cozy gamers interested in a warm and gentle experience.
**Bonus Action was provided with a Steam PC code of Twinkleby for the purpose of this review**
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