Timberline Studio's Beastro, an indie game available on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation, masterfully blends elements of farming simulations, RPGs, and deck-building mechanics, offering a "cozy" experience that defies conventional categorization. While often labeled as cozy, Beastro provides a challenge that may appeal to players seeking more than just relaxation.
The game casts players as Panko, a culinary hero in the town of Palo Pori. When Panko's mentor goes missing and dark magic threatens the land, the player must serve meals at the local restaurant to empower Caretakers, the defenders who venture beyond the town walls. This narrative framework ties together the game's diverse gameplay loops, drawing parallels between elemental powers and flavor profiles.
Each day in Beastro unfolds in three distinct phases. The first involves resource gathering: players harvest crops from their garden, tend to livestock for produce, collect bugs and plants, and fish for ingredients. This phase is presented in a vibrant 3D world filled with quirky characters. While the environment is contained, limited resources and farm space provide a gentle strategic element without being overly demanding.
The second phase shifts to the evening's supper rush at the restaurant. Here, players engage in cooking mini-games, manage the dining experience in a manner reminiscent of Dave the Diver but with lower stakes, and construct a meal for a chosen hero. This meal directly influences the third phase of the game. Successfully executing cooking tasks like chopping and sautéing earns experience points, unlocking new recipes and skills. Crafting the hero's meal involves arranging ingredients on a grid, balancing flavors to maximize the fighter's hit points and attack strategy. Players must consider the best diet for heroes facing specific monster types or bosses with elemental attacks.
After the restaurant closes, Panko enters the game's third phase: a roguelite deck-builder. In this segment, presented as a flashback in a paper-puppet art style, players embark on expeditions outside Palo Pori. The success of these expeditions hinges on the deck built during the cooking phase. Battles are turn-based and involve trick-taking mechanics, with cards corresponding to five flavor profiles: Umami, Sour, Sweet, Bitter, and Salty. Some flavors synergize, while others counter each other. Ingredients gathered and cooked earlier translate into cards with varying numerical values, meaning the highest-quality dish does not always result in the strongest deck.
Navigating the deck-building battles requires careful consideration. Committing too heavily to a single flavor can leave players vulnerable to enemies with counter-abilities, while a broadly balanced deck might lack the focused power needed for tough encounters. Additional card bonuses and specific requests from heroes, such as "No fish, please!" add further layers of strategy. While the game is described as elegant, it can also be frustrating as players learn to anticipate enemy encounters and optimize their decks.
Despite its hybrid nature, Beastro offers a cohesive and engaging experience. It successfully appeals to players who might typically shy away from the "cozy" label by incorporating challenging mechanics and strategic depth, making it a standout title for those seeking a game that is both relaxing and intellectually stimulating.
