If the reason you play slice of life, cozy games is for the smaller moments of peace, in isolation, things like catching a villager or resident kicking back in their perfectly manicured garden, or sitting in an area that you’ve just perfectly themed then Hokko Spaces might just be the one for you.
There’s a moment in most sandbox games where your goal shifts from establishing yourself (or, in non-cozy ones, survival) into a point where you now control the environment and can start to shift it to resemble something you like, free of the same restrictions that held you back at the start. In games like Minecraft, Terraria or Factorio this is often tied to resources or defences, while in slice of life games — your Animal Crossings, Hokko Lifes and Harvest Moons — this tends to be when your errands are done or your bills are paid. Hokko Spaces, then, is your creative mode, with the only limitations being that some things must be unlocked through performing certain interactions.
But those interactions, such as theming out a desert area, or placing musical or Summer items, aren’t required — it’s just that you unlock more villages and things to do as you tinker with them. And, as Hokko Spaces is basically a toy box, why wouldn’t you play and tinker?
We previously reviewed Hokko Life, enjoying its peaceful cadence (albeit struggling a little with the crafting):
“When it comes to lovely games to spend my evenings with, I often go for slice of life adventure games, where I can just relax and be a part of a village — one that doesn’t have loads of issues going on. Hokko Life feels like a fusion of Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing, which is a really good mix for someone like me!”
Hokko Life let’s you build a town, but doesn’t give you a bed
Hokko Spaces can be added to your wishlist on Steam ahead of its future, PC release. You can also join the playtest, which is active right now.
Hokko Spaces will release for PC.
