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Stardew Valley meets Slay the Spire in 2026’s best cozy game
Polygon's "Random Select" column, in which a writer plays a randomly assigned indie game with no prior knowledge, this week features Beastro, a genre-blending cooking-adventure title from Timberline Studio. The reviewer, who admits to usually disliking "cozy" games, was won over by the title's unusual mix of farming sim, RPG, card-building and mini-game elements, arguing it offers enough challenge to satisfy players who normally avoid the genre.
In Beastro, players control Panko, a sous chef in the town of Palo Pori, who must run the local restaurant and supply "Caretakers" defending the town with magical "flavour powers" after a mentor disappears and dark forces threaten to invade. Each in-game day unfolds in phases: gathering ingredients by farming, foraging and fishing, then cooking meals through mini-games reminiscent of Mario Party and Dave the Diver, before using the results to battle monsters in a system likened to Slay the Spire. The reviewer highlights the game's balance of low-pressure farming with more demanding combat and cooking segments as its key strength.
In short
- Polygon reviews indie game Beastro in its Random Select column.
- Game blends farming sim, cooking, cards and RPG combat.
- Reviewer, usually anti-cozy-games, praises its balanced challenge.
Explained simply
Cosy games are a genre of indie titles designed to be relaxing rather than challenging, typically focused on everyday activities such as farming, cooking or fishing. Beastro is a new game from Timberline Studio that combines these cosy elements—specifically farming and cooking—alongside turn-based combat gameplay.
In Beastro, the player controls Panko, a sous chef in the town of Palo Pori, who must run a restaurant and prepare special meals to help the town's defenders against magical threats. Each day involves gathering ingredients, cooking through mini-games, and then using those meals in strategic battles that require planning rather than quick reflexes.
The combination is noteworthy because cosy games traditionally struggle to appeal to players who prefer challenge and strategic depth. By blending relaxation with genuine strategy, Beastro offers something that engages both types of players rather than catering to just one.
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