3 Upcoming Games I’m Excited For

Tales of the Shire

Release Date: July 29, 2025

Confession time: I’ve never seen any of the Lord of the Rings or Hobbit movies.

Despite that, I can’t wait for this game. Being able to experience such a famous setting in a comforting hobbit life-sim will be the perfect way to dip my toes into the proverbial water.

The story appears to center around building up Bywater into a flourishing hobbit town. The gameplay appears relaxing and fun, with cooking, fishing, gardening, and decorating being shown prominently in the trailers.

If you are a big fan of The Lord of the Rings and cozy games, this game might be the perfect fit for you. There is something interesting about seeing the world through the lens of the everyday life of those who live in it instead of through some grand adventure.

Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar

Release Date: August 27, 2025

Another remake of one of my childhood favorites!

I played the original game all the time as a kid, and Marvelous has done an amazing job at recreating my other childhood favorites like Friends of Mineral Town and A Wonderful Life. I have high hopes that this remake will be just as good.

The main premise is that you are the new farmer of Zephyr Town. You soon learn about the town bazaar that has fallen on hard times and are tasked with helping restore it to its former glory.

If you are looking for a classic farm-sim experience, this is the choice for you. They have, of course, added more modern mechanics and quality of life improvements, not to mention better graphics and voice acting. Despite being a remake of an older game(formerly on the Nintendo DS), I have a feeling that modern audiences will still enjoy it.

Witchbrook

Release Date: Winter 2025

Cozy, magical life-sim? Yes please.

This is, without a doubt, my number one most anticipated game at the moment. I’m a sucker for magical realism, and the premise of playing as a student at a magical college in a stylish pixel art style has me hooked.

As previously stated, the premise is that you are a student at a magic college. Some features we’ve seen include casting spells, befriending NPCs, and decorating your home. As the release date approaches, we’re sure to see more information on all the fun features available.

If you love magic but don’t want the chaos of an action-packed RPG, this game may be perfect for you. Its art style and premise are charming, and it's a unique idea that has a lot of room to work with.