Everyone’s been waiting years for this cyberpunk “slice of life” and shop sim and I’m logging my nightly progress as my noodle bar empire begins. I enjoy a good shop sim, especially when there’s decorating to do too. Nivalis Nights is moody and neon-drenched and has a deeper shop finances simulation than I was expecting. I may be sinking a lot of hours into this!

This is the wizard school game made specifically for me. It’s sort of in the Stardew vein of life sim with gardening and a seasonal schedule. I liked the Songs of Glimmerwick demo I played this year quite a lot. I really enjoy all the voice acting and its musical take on magic but I especially like its hopeful message about a world emerging from a generation of regressive politics.