Game: Gourdlets
Genre: Simulation
System: Steam (Windows, macOS & Linux)
Developers | Publishers: Aunty Games | Future Friends Games, Aunty Games
Controller Support: Partial Controller Support
Price: US $4.99 | UK £4.29 | EU € 4,99
Release Date: August 15th, 2024
A review code was used, with many thanks to Future Friends Games.
Ever since I saw Gourdlets in the Wholesome Direct in 2023, I knew I wanted to play the game; it looked so sweet. After a year of development by solo dev AuntyGames, the game is now ready for release, and I’ve been playing for this review for the last few days. Let’s dive into Gourdlets and see if it lived up to my expectations.
Meet the Gourdlets
Gourdlets is a delightful sandbox game that offers a refreshing escape from the usual objective-driven gameplay. It’s a game about building towns for cute vegetable-like creatures called gourdlets, and it personifies the essence of stress-free gaming with its lack of points, objectives, or any pressure to perform. Instead, Gourdlets invites you to simply relax, create, and enjoy watching your gourdles thrive in their new home.
Building the Perfect Veggie Town
There are three maps to choose from: the basic map is a green grassy area; then there is the Beach Oasis map, you guessed it, it’s got a nice sandy beach; and finally, there is the Maze map. You may think the maps are small, but you can extend them as you build; the gourdlets will appreciate the extra space.
The game opens with a tranquil expanse of water, and a lone train track runs just below the surface, leading to a quaint railroad station on a small island; this is your starting point for creating a charming town. Here in Gourdlets land, there’s no need to gather resources or manage materials. You can freely place trees, pathways, and buildings wherever you like, expanding the landscape as you go.
The options are plentiful, allowing you to drag and drop houses, cafes, and more into your growing town. The visual style is soothing, with most items rendered in soft pastels and gentle hues that give a cosy aesthetic.
Summon the Train
When you’re ready to add some more Gourdlets to bring more life to your creation, you can summon a train, and a gourdlet will step off and begin exploring the town.
Unlike, say, The Sims, for instance, these little cute vegetable inhabitants don’t have needs like hunger, thirst, or sleep to manage. Instead, your role is simply to observe their interactions with the world you’ve built. They might open an umbrella in the rain, build sandcastles, gather around a campfire, fish from a dock or even play video games. Each moment is a tiny, lovely, joyful scene, making your town feel alive without the stress of micromanagement.
You can even furnish the interiors of buildings to your liking; the building interiors do come with a bunch of boxes waiting to be opened inside. The boxes contain furniture, but you can delete the furniture if you don’t like it and use other furniture in the house instead. The creative freedom is extensive, allowing you to construct a town that reflects your personal style.
The best part? The gourdlets aren’t one bit picky. They’ll be content and happy no matter what you build; they will go about their business engaging in various activities like fishing, reading, or camping. The only challenge in the gameplay is just pleasing yourself as you craft the perfect environment for these cute wee veggie folks.
A Game About Good Vibes
Gourdlets is as much about the vibe as it is about the gameplay. The game’s emphasis on relaxation is evident in every aspect, from the art style to the gentle day-night cycles and customisable weather.
Furthermore, the absence of any currency system reinforces this; the game explicitly avoids the pressures of an economy, allowing you to build without worrying about resources or the economy. It’s just you, your imagination, and the joy of seeing your gourdlets live their best lives, and they are all so cute.
Versatile Play Modes
Gourdlets give you flexibility in your gameplay. You can immerse yourself in full-screen mode, focusing entirely on your town-building.
Alternatively, the game offers an “idle window mode,” where your gourdlets can hang out at the bottom of your screen while you go about other tasks on your PC. It’s a unique touch that makes the game feel like a companion, always there to bring a smile to your face, even when you’re working.
Endless Creativity, No Pressure
The game has three maps to choose from. Whether you want to build on a small island or a sprawling landscape, there’s a map to suit your mood. And with the catalogue of decorations, buildings, and accessories, the possibilities are nearly endless.
Gourdlets is not a game about winning or losing; it’s about the simple pleasure of creation. The gourdlets will appreciate whatever you build, and there’s something deeply satisfying about seeing them explore, play, and relax in the world you’ve crafted. There is also a photo mode to capture your creativity and a town ledger’ feature that includes names and photos of all your gourdlet residents so you can get to know them all.
I played the game on my laptop, and the Steam Deck performed well on both systems. Obviously, the idle window mode does not work on the Deck; however, on the PC, it’s great to have the game running while you do other tasks, though be warned it can be distracting.
Conclusion
Gourdlets is a perfect game for anyone looking to unwind and tap into their creative side. Its charm lies in its simplicity and the freedom it offers to players.
If you’re in the mood for a stress-free, feel-good game that allows you to create and relax at your own pace, Gourdlets is definitely worth your time. Whether you are playing it in full screen or letting the gourdlets keep you company in idle mode, this game is all about the feel-good vibes.
Final Verdict: Two Thumbs Up
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