The end of the year is near, but there are plenty of wintery updates and new wholesome games to look forward to, with upcoming titles like Little Retreat, a blend of productivity tool and design game, Tiny Bookshop arriving on Switch and PlayStation, the return of Winx Club: The Magic is Back, the freshly revealed deckbuilder Talystro, and the narrative gardening adventure The Abbess Garden set to bloom in 2026.
If you’re keen to dive into something right now, Adaptory has just entered Early Access, giving you a first taste of its evolving world. And for those already settled into their favourite games, festive updates are here: Twinkleby has launched its Yuletide event, while Simon the Sorcerer Origins adds a new quest and a classic surprise in its holiday content update. Also, Hotel Galactic has had a Winter Rework Update.
This is the last news article for 2025. We are going to recharge our batteries and bring you the latest again in January! Meanwhile, if you’re in the mood for some good discounts, check out the Winter Sale on Steam!
Winter Sale on Steam
If you have time for some good gaming this upcoming holiday season, you might want to check out the Winter Sale on Steam. The sale ends January 5th at 10 am PT.
There are so many good games discounted! So if you don’t want your wallet to take it a hit, you might want to avoid visiting the Winter Sale page.
Early Access for Adaptory
Adaptory is heading into Early Access on Steam on 26 January 2026, and it looks like a colourful survival colony sim with plenty of personality. You’ll guide four explorers who’ve crash-landed on a strange planetoid, waking from cryosleep to scrape together food, oxygen, and shelter while trying not to drive each other mad.
Each explorer comes with their own skills, quirks, and opinions, so you’ll see relationships unfold in unique ways every play-through. You can peek into their diaries or overhear their chatter as they go about daily routines, which start small but grow into complex systems of farming, research, and eventually automation.
You’re not alone, though—CHARLI, a cheeky AI companion, walks you through the game’s intricate physics and chemistry simulation. It looks like you’ll be tinkering with fifty different materials, from molten rock to rare resources, while juggling hazards like meteor showers and eclipses. The challenge is clear: turn a fragile crash site into a thriving settlement, using ingenuity to survive whatever the planetoid throws at you.
If you want to give Adaptory a try? There’s a demo on Steam now!
Productivity Tool x Design Game Little Retreat
Indie studio Blossom Seeker has unveiled its debut title, Little Retreat — a cosy blend of productivity tool and interior design game. It looks like a calming way to stay focused while creating your own personal sanctuary.
You’ll set timers for real-life tasks using modes like pomodoro or stopwatch, and as you tick things off your list, you’ll unlock charming furniture and décor to decorate wholesome, atmospheric rooms. With locations inspired by southern Germany’s places and legends, Little Retreat rewards you for making the most of your time, turning everyday focus into a gentle, gamified ritual.
It’s not just about staying productive — it’s about enjoying the process. You can pick soothing music and sound settings, snap and share photos of your creations, and celebrate the little moments that make your retreat uniquely yours. Whether you’re studying or working, Little Retreat looks like a colourful, relaxing way to keep on track while letting your creativity shine.
Tiny Bookshop on Switch and PlayStation
When Kalina reviewed Tiny Bookshop on Steam and gave it our highest rating, she wrote in her conclusion:
“Tiny Bookshop was one of the games I’ve been most eagerly waiting for this year. Thankfully, it didn’t disappoint. I really appreciated the inclusion of real-world books in the recommendations, and I’ve added several titles to my own reading list. If you enjoy reading slice-of-life stories or slow-paced games, you’ll love Tiny Bookshop.”
Great news that the game is coming to PlayStation and Switch on April 10 2026, and there will even be a physical edition!
Winx Club: The Magic is Back
Soon, you can step back into the magical world of Winx Club with The Magic is Back, the first video game in the franchise for over a decade. Launching in April 2026, you’ll find it on PC via Steam, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 5.
This looks like a colourful adventure that ties in with the brand-new animated series of the same name. You’ll explore iconic locations like Alfea College, the Enchanted Forest, the dramatic Coastal Cliffs, and the mysterious Desert Ruins of Red Fountain.
You can switch between all six fairies: Bloom, Stella, Flora, Musa, Tecna, and Aisha. As you know, each has its own distinctive powers, so puzzles and battles look like they’ll have plenty of variety. And if you fancy sharing the fun, there’s two-player local co-op so you and a friend can take on powerful foes together.
Yuletide Event in Twinkleby
Twinkleby has just unwrapped its Yuletide event, running from 16 December to 13 January. You’ll step into what looks like a colourful floating winter wonderland, complete with a fresh shop lineup packed with festive decorations, tasty treats, and six new Neighbours dressed for the season.
You can wander into Molligan’s Antiques to find Christmas trees, star-shaped candles, holiday gifts and plenty of cosy Yuletide food. Collecting the full seasonal item sets nets you extra rewards, so there’s plenty of reason to explore.
There’s also good news for your wallet: Twinkleby is 50% off in the Steam Winter Sale, while the Original Soundtrack drops by 30%. A new bundle, Mice & Cozy, launches today too, combining Twinkleby and Winter Burrow at a 10% discount.
Holiday Content Update: Simon the Sorcerer Origins
Simon the Sorcerer Origins is bringing festive magic your way with a free holiday content update. You’ll find a brand-new quest, The Mystery of the First Wizard, unlocked from Chapter 4 in the Academy. Keep your eyes open as it looks like a chance to uncover secrets about the Magic World’s past – and perhaps its future.
There’s also a huge surprise tucked into the video section of the options menu, giving you what feels like a more “classic” experience.
The update is live now on Steam, with releases coming soon to Nintendo, Sony, and Xbox platforms. It looks like the perfect excuse to revisit Simon’s world or step into it for the very first time.
Deckbuilder Talystro Revealed
Independent Norwegian studio Filiokus has unveiled Talystro, a roguelite deckbuilder that looks like it’s turning maths into your greatest weapon. Inspired by Slay the Spire and Balatro, you’ll play as the unlikely Math Mouse, squaring off against the evil Necrodicer and his army of corrupted numbers.
Combat takes a different approach: instead of slowly whittling down health bars, you’ll need to match exact values to defeat enemies instantly. Cards come loaded with unfinished calculations, modifiers, and variables, while dice rolls shift the possibilities each turn. Success depends on how well you juggle order of operations and adapt to changing odds.
Visually, Talystro stands out with a 1920s-inspired art style, featuring hand-drawn, frame-by-frame animations that look like they celebrate pure craftsmanship. Accessibility is also front and centre, with no time-based inputs and a static camera to keep the experience thoughtful and inclusive.
The Abbess Garden Coming
The Abbess Garden will bloom on 2 March 2026, bringing you a cozy narrative gardening adventure set in 17th-century France. You’ll step into the shoes of Agnès, a young peasant tasked with restoring the abbey’s long-abandoned private garden at Port-Royal-des-Champs – a real historical site that today stands as a national museum.
It looks like a thoughtful blend of grounded horticulture and gentle storytelling. You’ll plant, water, and nurture flora based on authentic botany, with gardens growing organically across seasons. Hidden objects, collections, and new areas gradually unfold, weaving into a quiet tale of mystery, care, and even a tender romance.
The game is designed to be calm and approachable, letting you progress at your own pace. Story chapters only advance when you choose, leaving plenty of room for exploration and simple enjoyment.
The Abbess Garden is also featured in the Women-Led Games – The Game Awards Edition, celebrating women-led teams and their upcoming titles. It looks like a serene journey of curiosity and connection, waiting for you this spring.
Winter Rework Update for Hotel Galactic
Hotel Galactic has just had a major glow‑up with its Winter Rework Update, now live on Steam with a 25% Winter Sale discount. You’ll find a full systems overhaul that makes daily hotel life feel smoother, refreshed progression, an expanded Act 1 featuring a new Princess Pavonis questline, and long‑requested additions like the Rating System, Guest Needs, and a handy Hotel Compendium. Check out the updated trailer here.
At the time of release in Early Access, Kalina already felt the game had a lot of promise. It seems the developer Ancient Forge is delivering!
To celebrate the relaunch, you can jump into the demo, claim a free DLC, browse new holiday decorations, earn six Twitch Drops between 18 and 28 December, and enter the Winter Contest for plushies and even a custom Steam Deck.
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