This free-to-try cozy RPG blends Stardew Valley with Studio Ghibli, and I can't stop looking at it

I’m constantly on the lookout for gaming experiences that evoke the same sense of fantastical whimsy as the animated works of Studio Ghibli.

I know I’m not alone in mourning the fact that none of the Japanese studio’s acclaimed films have ever been adapted into games.

That’s why I do my best to share with you what essentially are games that I deem the next best thing.

We’re talking about projects that ooze coziness, while transporting us to enchanting, almost other-worldly locales.

Windwoven appears to be a game that does just that, with this indie RPG offering from developer Candy Bit infusing a Stardew Valley gameplay loop with just the right amount of Ghibli stylings.

In the title, you embody an anthropomorphic cat who inherits a plot of land on the edge of a forest.

There, you’ll partake in all of the expected cozy fare - fishing, cooking, raising livestock, gardening, and more as you also connect with NPCs and decorate your humble abode.

As you progress, you’ll acquire new tools and unlock the options to build workshops, extra farm buildings, and more.

Windwoven launches in 2027, but has a free playtest running now

This is an RPG, so it’s not an entirely peaceful life for you. You’ll also need to mine for elements which poses a number of dangers.

Mining adopts a roguelike structure, as is the case in many cozy games, so you’ll work your way through various levels with the deeper mines containing the better loot.

What Windwoven does bring to the table though is somewhat of a deckbuilding element. Our player character appears to boast various powers that can fend off mild threats while also aiding in mining.

One “legendary” graded attack card states that it “harvests all ores” while dealing damages to enemies.

Very few enemies have been shown off at this stage, but those that have remind me a lot of My Neighbour Totoro’s dust sprites.

The environment will change throughout your playthrough of Windwoven, with the game boasting seasonal, day/night, and weather cycles.

There’s also a narrative running through the game. Again, details on that are thin on the ground, but it’ll most definitely see you connect with the various local townsfolk.

And yes, of course, there are villagers you can romance with Windwoven home to marriage options as well as seasonal festivals and community events.

I’m a sucker for pixel-art graphics. They just feel so nostaglic and inviting, but not all pixel-art graphics are created equal.

Some just outshine their competitors and that feels true of Windwoven. I can’t decide whether it’s the soft filtering of the game’s light or the abundance of foliage, but it just feels magical.

Windwoven is due to launch on PC with a planned window of 2027, but you can now try the game for free via its ongoing free playtest.

You simply need to register your interest via the “join the playtest” button on Windwoven’s Steam page.

The playtest allows you to play through the spring portion of the game, sampling all of the mechanics, including catching monsters in the mines and placing them on your farm to work for you.