Life-sim fans have some great news on the horizon: Shanghai-based XD Games has revealed Heartopia, a cozy town-builder and hobby sim heading to PC and mobile worldwide in 2026. The game got its first gameplay video today, and it’s already drawing comparisons to Animal Crossing and Stardew Valley.
I personally love it, but you can check out the video below to decide for yourself:
Players start off under the guidance of a “Star Spirit,” arriving on a quiet island where they’ll both live and act as the town’s developer. The goal? Build homes, decorate with custom furniture, mix-and-match outfits, and shape the community while digging into the backstories of the residents.
As I said, it’s a bit Animal Crossing, a bit Stardew Valley, and, of course, The Sims. If these are games that make you feel good, check out our list of the Best Cozy & Relaxing Games for PC.
Back to Heartopia, the loop is clear: spend time with six core hobbies (Fishing, Gardening, Cat Care, Bug Catching, Birdwatching, and Cooking) while exploring a seamless open world.
Each activity feeds into an encyclopedia system that rewards players for unlocking new entries, giving it a bit of that Pokémon-style completionist hook. And I can already see a DLC on the horizon with a Dog Care addition.
The first gameplay clip shows off a rainy-day stroll where the player shops around town, plays with their pets, and cooks dinner with friends. The whole thing has strong “slow gaming” vibes, also with a heavy emphasis on personal customization and user-generated content. Nowadays, these are the recipes for success.
The title will be playable at Tokyo Game Show 2025 (September 25-28), complete with a cosplay contest, cash prizes, and plushie raffles. Anyone attending can try it out at Hall 2 (02-C07).
With the rise of cozy sims dominating the market (including Campus Life), Heartopia is positioning itself as a serious rival for the greats. Whether it becomes the next big comfort game or fades into the long list of forgettable clones will come down to how much depth lies beneath the chill surface when it drops in 2026. I am eagerly anticipating it nevertheless.
And while you wait for it to hit the stores, take a look at all the recipes in Infinite Craft, or prepare to dominate the game with our Cookie Run Kingdom Treasures Tier List.
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