Today, we’re taking a closer look at the world of Witchbrook, a highly anticipated cozy game that has been teasing our imaginations since basically 2018.
There’s been a ton of hype around this title purely based on initial media and impressions. However, with information scarce and rumors circulating that Witchbrook might never see the light of day, we’re here to unravel the mystery and share our insights.
Join us as we dive into the (seemingly) enchanting realm of Witchbrook, where the vibes are cute occult and cozy fun.
Witchbrook Review: Key Game Elements
- Genre: Life simulator, RPG
- Creator: Chucklefish, the same publisher for Stardew Valley (not the creator of Stardew Valley - that is only ConcernedApe i.e. Eric Barone)
- Player Modes: Single-player, multi-player
- Platforms: Confirmed for PC
Witchbrook, a creation of Chucklefish, first teased in 2018, has captivated the gaming community with its promise of a magical school and town life simulator.
You can’t threaten the cozy gaming community with a cute version of The Sims 4: Realm of Magic and not expect everyone to get very excited!
Despite this initial excitement, details have been scant, leaving cozy game enthusiasts hanging for updates. The pixelated charm reminiscent of Stardew Valley added to initial reviews of the game’s visuals.
BUT – I’m personally starting to wonder if this is a case of vapourware i.e. a game that’s actually at much earlier development stages than Chucklefish is letting on (we’re talking writing or design phase). A good way for Chucklefish to deal with controversy and amping up good press, but nothing that’s really in development.
Witchbrook Gameplay
Witchbrook’s gameplay promises a magical journey within an isometric pixel art world.
As a witch-in-training, players will attend classes, complete assignments, and delve into the mysteries of Mossport. The game combines life simulation and RPG elements, offering opportunities for friendship, romance, and mastering magical arts. Unique features include a spellbinding setting, broom races, and a dynamic dating system.
Engage in extracurricular activities like fishing and foraging, shaping your witch’s identity amidst the bustling life of a seaside town. Think Stardew Valley, meets The Sims, meets Harry Potter.
While details are scarce, this unique blend of game elements is what lead to such immediate hype for the game when it was first teased.
Games Like Witchbrook
For cozy gaming aficionados eagerly awaiting Witchbrook’s release, you can keep yourself company with similar titles instead.
The no brainer is – the one, the only, the legendary - Stardew Valley .
But, there’s also similarities with Graveyard Keeper, Grimm’s Hollow and Cozy Grove in terms of gameplay style. And games like Wytchwood and Fae Farm if you’re looking for that touch of magic.
They’re not a perfect match for what Witchbrook is taunting us with, but they come pretty close!
Development Updates
The development updates have been bone dry in the past year or so, which is why I suspect Witchbrook is actually vapourware.
I genuinely hope this isn’t the case, and it’s just that the development path of this game is taking a while longer than anticipated – a story we’re familiar with by now for most anticipated games.
To add to this theory, Chucklefish had kicked off a newsletter for the game called the ‘Witchbrook Oracle’ and after the first edition came out around two years ago now … there hasn’t been a single edition of it since.
And the first one had so much adorable potential too! I very much want to be friends with an NPC called ‘Fenkel Blomgren’ who grows prize winning gourds.
Multiplayer and Co-op
Chucklefish has tantalizingly hinted at multiplayer features. The promise of shared magical adventures with friends adds another layer to the cozy gaming experience.
That said, Chucklefish has acknowledged the challenges of seamlessly integrating multiplayer elements. My guess is, the game will launch in single player and potentially – many iterations later – release a multi-player version.
While specifics remain shrouded in mystery, the mere prospect of collaborative witchcraft and shared covens has fans eagerly awaiting further details on how friendships and magical exploits will unfold in the multiplayer realm of Witchbrook.
Release Date and Platforms
Unfortunately, we don’t have a release date yet. Just a Steam page without any further details.
The game is confirmed for PC, and while other platforms are yet to be announced, Chucklefish encourages fans to wishlist Witchbrook on Steam for prompt notifications on any developments.
Conclusion
The long and short of this is – we know less about Witchbrook than we do about ConcernedApe’s Haunted Chocolatier .
Although, with the latter game, I am fully confident that ConcernedApe is just taking his time building a game that can follow in Stardew Valley’s insanely successful footsteps and deliver on his fans’ high expectations.
With Witchbrook, I’m less confident about the commitment of the studio to the release of the game. Fingers crossed that 2024 is the year we find out more about this game!
