Cozy gamers are spoiled for choice as of late, as seemingly every week a new indie gem is unveiled. Steam is home to life simulation games that scratch the same itch as even the most niche spin-off of The Sims, multiple Stardew Valley-inspired projects are in development, and games like Disney Dreamlight Valley continue to receive support. And in some rare cases, there are video games that combine aspects from multiple cozy classics, which is something that can be said about the beautiful Steam game Moonfrost.
Steam sheds plenty of light on the title, from an imminent release date of October 12 to trailers and screenshots showing what players will be doing within the title. After players have taken a second to appreciate the game’s art direction, which manages to feel familiar yet distinct due to cartoony 3D character models, a Tunic-like camera perspective, and a slightly pixelated sheen over every texture, they’ll be able to get excited about the actual mechanics. And fortunately for any players who are interested in cozy games with romances and storytelling, those particular features will get deeper over time thanks to an early access approach.
Moonfrost Features at a Glance
- EXPERIENCE a story full of lore, magic, and character development.
- ROMANCE a cast of interesting NPCs, piecing together their stories as you grow closer to them.
- DESIGN detailed homes piece by piece using a Sims-like Build Mode.
- FARM efficiently using unique Frost Hunter abilities.
- EXPLORE dangerous temples for crafting recipes, ranging from outfits and hairstyles to decorations and tools.
- WITNESS dynamic lighting, weather, and wildlife systems that make the world more immersive.
Moonfrost is Essentially a Stardew and Sims Hybrid, But With Superpowers
Moonfrost doesn’t put players in control of a god-like overlord, nor does it make them a simple farmer. Instead, their role is somewhere in between, as gamers will take on the title of Frost Hunter. In the world of Moonfrost, Frost Hunters are able to harness the power of icy meteorites that regularly fall from a second moon that suddenly appeared in the sky. While most look to these mysterious droppings as something to fear, as they’ve crashed into homes and destroyed unlucky structures caught below, Frost Hunters rebuild the world by transforming these shards into new items and buildings.
As players explore the game’s “broken world” that’s filled with “broken people,” they’ll have a chance to discover more about the second moon that has caused so much havoc. Additionally, many (and eventually all) of the bachelors within the game will be romanceable, allowing players to choose which NPC they want to settle down with. In addition to this romantic Stardew Valley staple, players will be able to fight their way through dungeons in search of new decorations and recipes. And, of course, typical farming sim mechanics will be available, with players free to grow crops, fish, cook, and tend to animals. Frost Hunting abilities really come in handy here, as players will be able to quickly suck up and collect all their fully grown plants instead of picking them one by one, making the payoff part of the experience a bit less tedious and a bit more satisfying.
Find the odd one out before the timer hits zero.
As for where The Sims vibe comes into play, there’s the obvious, which is the MySims-like character models. However, there’s also the Build Mode that will be used for the player’s homestead, structures restored in the building, and so on. This will work exactly like fans of The Sims games are familiar with, as walls, floors, and ceilings are built piece by piece using a large grid. Detailed interiors will be possible, as will strikingly different vibes for the buildings themselves, as castles, villas, and cottages are all listed as potential dream homes. Moonfrost players will get more crafting options the longer they play, as “hundreds” of recipes can apparently be obtained, which include decorations and building pieces.
Moonfrost’s Beautiful (and Growing) World is Its Secret Weapon
Moonfrost also stands out due to its aforementioned art style, which developer Oxalis Games refers to as “next-gen pixel art.” Adding to the satisfaction of exploring this world are a haunting soundtrack and dynamic lighting. Plus, extra attention has been put into the game’s weather system and animal behavior, making the gaming fantasy world of Moonfrost just a bit more believable. Seeing rain splash on the ground while fishing, or light reflect off a massive icy meteorite, is truly a spectacle. The visuals, music, farming, and characters all come together to make a game that looks truly serene, and they’ll (eventually) be accompanied by a well-rounded story.
When Moonfrost launches into Steam early access on October 12, it will be mostly feature complete. All of the main gameplay systems are present, there are 11 NPCs to befriend, and “hundreds” of blueprints to hunt down for anyone who enjoys collecting and customizing. However, only half of the story will be present on day one, and friendships cap at level 3, meaning that all the friendship events and romances will not yet be available. Over a period of six months, all the bachelors in this Stardew-like game will become romanceable, and the second half of the story will be fleshed out. New features, locations, and villagers are also teased. For anyone who feels confident they’ll enjoy Moonfrost, picking up the game as soon as it launches may be wise, as it will be “a bit” cheaper than the full 1.0 version that drops in 2027.
