‘Gourdlets’ is a Cozy New Building-Sim Centered on Good Vibes.

Gourdlets embodies the definition of a chill gaming experience. It’s an adorable sandbox-style island-building game where you oversee the world as if you were a god to these charming gourd creatures. As the train rolls in, the first bundle of inhabitants, known as Gourdlets, is unleashed on their new island turf. The purpose is to build a town of your creation. The game highlights no requirements, only fun rules. 

You can change the weather, summon the train for a new batch of Gourdlets citizens, and gradually unlock new items as you progress. With various items available to enhance the town and enrich its surrounding landscapes, players can create multiple islands, allowing the freedom to test numerous designs or themes on different islands.

No objectives, no points, just good vibes

The game starts with a brief tutorial on the Building buttons and the controls for rotating items and maneuvering the camera. Afterward, you can build to your heart’s content without the burden of a currency system. Also, the charming little Gourdlets demand minimal upkeep. 

The narrative delivers concise and witty text, giving brief information on the Gourdlets. This game thrives on being user-friendly and offering solid replay value, which makes it the ideal game for cozy gamers.

Gourdlets delivers with items and customization options. This includes a variety of floorings for your town’s unique setting, whether inside or outside (grassy, cobblestones, docks, and sand, to name a few). There are structures, buildings, fences, plants, seedlings, lights, chairs, tables, and creatures.

Players can monitor the Maturity phases of their Gourdlets, which are indicated by an adorable sprout atop their heads. You can personalize their appearance by body color and choice of accessories, like cute hats, headbands, and festive headwear. 

However, the creative freedom continues as players can bring some life to a Gourdlet’s home. Click on the building and unpack some boxes to spruce up the space with indoor décor and flooring options. Also, check the Town Ledger (found in option #4) to manage your Gourdlets citizens and see your progress on the “Unlockable item tracker.”

Gourdlets offers an experience similar to Animal Crossing but without the financial burdens or the tedious tweaks to the town’s layout limited by bridge placements. It’s an ideal game for unwinding after a busy day.

Gourdlets has won several awards, including the Wholesome Direct ‘23 and London Games Festival ‘23. Independent developer Preethi Vaidyanathan, also known as AuntyGames, developed the game now accessible on Steam.

For more information, check out their Website and Steam.

Reviewed on Steam. Review code provided by the publisher.