Who knew furniture placement could feel like stargazing therapy?
I’ll be honest: I’m usually the type of gamer who loves fast action, endless tasks, or anything with a bit of competition. So when I was asked to review Twinkleby by indie studio Might and Delight, I hesitated, knowing it wasn’t exactly my usual cup of tea.
But here’s the thing: Twinkleby surprised me. There’s something oddly calming and therapeutic about it. Maybe it’s the slow pace that never rushes you. Maybe it’s the way you can multitask, letting it run in the background while you do something else. Or maybe it’s the charming art style, with its miniature furniture and soft materials that look like they belong in a Sylvanian house.
At its core, Twinkleby is all about decorating homes for residents and keeping them happy. You begin with a cosy starter house on a small island, furnished with a generous selection of furniture and one lone resident.
Life with Twinkleby’s residents is not like Animal Crossing
Each resident comes with their own personality and preferences. Right-clicking on them reveals their needs: anything from a specific kind of weather to a comfortable bed or a meal waiting at the table.
As you progress, these requests become trickier. Maybe a resident wants to read, but the bookshelf you’ve unlocked doesn’t hold the right bundle of books. There’s no way to know which shelf has which books, so a little trial and error becomes part of the game.
Food is another story. Some residents are content with tea and a few starters. Others demand heartier meals: pies, bread, or even champagne with roast chicken, croissants, and salad. Then there are those with hobbies: astronomy, painting, gardening, tailoring, and more.
The deeper you go, the more items you unlock, expanding the possibilities for decorating and personalising their homes.
Sometimes, though, residents can be a little slow on the uptake. On my third island, I had a lady who ignored all the things she asked for inside her house, standing blankly outside instead. The only solution then? Move everything outside to where she was. Like magic, her happiness shot up! It’s a funny quirk; not game-breaking, but worth a laugh.
Another resident had everything about gardening at her disposal, but perhaps because it was an island that was made for autumn, she was never content. So out goes her bag as she was evicted from the island (yes, you can evict troublesome residents!), and although I felt bad when she cried after getting evicted, I hoped she’d get a better, greener island elsewhere, in someone else’s game.
The other challenge is patience. Raising a resident’s happiness bar takes time. For players like me, who always want something to do, that idle stretch can feel frustrating. But then I reminded myself: Twinkleby isn’t about chasing goals. It’s about slowing down and enjoying the process.
Why Twinkleby feels so relaxing
Once you’ve met everyone’s needs, the residents reward you with a cheerful song and gifts. These include Stellars (earned by decorating or keeping residents happy), keys for chests, new items, and map fragments to unlock more islands.
One thing I love about this game is that it doesn't punish you. When you move to a new island, your inventory refreshes, so you’re never left scrambling for resources. It’s a thoughtful design choice that clearly says: take your time, and don’t stress out.
And while you can decorate beautifully, it’s not required. I’ll admit, some of my homes looked awkward at first, but as long as residents were happy, I could unlock the next island. That flexibility means you can come back later to improve things at your own pace.
This low-pressure, non-linear approach is what makes Twinkleby so soothing. The gentle music, soft visuals, and steady rhythm encourage relaxation rather than urgency. It’s less about “winning” and more about finding calm in the little things.
Verdict
Twinkleby is made for busy souls who need a breather. It’s not a heavy time sink, as it can run quietly in the background, and it never pressures you. Instead, it invites you into a whimsical universe of space-faring residents who just want cosy, simple lives.
If you’re after a game filled with non-stop action or endless challenges, this probably won’t be your thing. But if you’re looking for a cosy indie game that feels like therapy—Twinkleby might be exactly what you need.
