Winning most anticipated game at the Cozy Game Awards, Loftia is on everyone’s Steam wishlist! I was lucky enough to play the closed beta a few months ago and it is still all I can think about! Let’s dive into why Loftia is the cozy game we’re all waiting for!
Gameplay
This is not your basic farming and life sim game! It’s always been hard for me to find a farming game that I like. They were too revenue based, took forever to grow, or just felt like every other farming game out there. However, Loftia checked all of the boxes immediately. I also appreciate it as it’s not a top view farming game like Stardew Valley. Of course, there are still wait times for crops, and a limit to how many patches you can have, but the game incorporates the environment in everything you do.
You don’t just grab water from a nearby lake, but from rain catchers that are throughout the solar-punk world and on your lot. Even the ability to build and craft is based on the the power your battery collects from the sun! It doesn’t feel like work, but more like a positive contribution to society.
But Loftia isn’t just a farming game. It combines community, creativity, and environmental change. You can decorate your home, craft new outfits and donate to the Loftia community. But, we’ll touch on the community aspect in a bit!
Character customization
One of my favorites elements of the game is the character customization. As a black gamer, it is so hard to find a game that where that ashy brown shade isn’t the only dark skin option. Loftia not only has several shades to choose from, but over 20 black and textured hair styles. We’re not just limited to puffs, though puffs are my go to! Not only does Loftia keep players of color in mind, but they go above and beyond. After beta, they’ve made the ability to wear accessories compatible with all of the available hair types. Hooray for no more awkwardly placed bows or fros clipping when wearing a hat.
But that’s not where the diverse customization options end. Customization also includes vitiligo, port wine stains, freckles, and prosthetics. It’s so refreshing to have this level of customization in a game. The Loftia developers are constantly making updates on the game to make it more inclusive. I don’t think the options available during early release will be the last updates we see. I mean, keeping up with Loftia’s official Instagram, they are constantly sharing the updates.
Diversity
The character customization is a reflection of the solo-punk world around it. While I’m still new to the cozy gaming scene, I’ve never played a game where the majority of NPCs are POC. Loftia reflects the world we live in, only everyone gets to be seen. I was also impressed with the age diversity in the game. Everyone’s personality shines and are likeable. I personally loved the relationship between Linda and Estella.
I also appreciate that prosthetics aren’t just for players of the game, but Amani, the community Lead Engineer, also has a prosthetic. There is something so beautiful about a black woman with a disability being front and center. There are clear relationships among the NPCs it felt like a real town where they all care for each other and they care for their world. The diversity of the characters makes you want to play more one reason why representation in games matter.
MMO
I’ve given several MMOs and life sims a try in the past, but can’t find something that gives me the burst of nostalgia I’m missing. Loftia does just that. It feels like I’m playing Fantage or Club Penguin again. But there’s also the life sim vibes of Animal Crossing or Minecraft at play too. With mixing the two, everything you do individually helps the community. For example donating food to the the. But it’s so much fun to work with others. With Loftia, you actually get to see the community grow around you. There are also fun ways to interact with everyone, from head bonks to passing a ball around.
While I didn’t get the chance to play during beta, there are also team challenges where you solve puzzles with other Loftians. I’m excited to see more of this once it’s open for early access. But it’s also nice to know that I can enjoy the game and still contribute even if I play solo.
Final thoughts
I truly can’t express how excited I am for Loftia! In the short Closed Beta period, all I could think about was playing this game. And when the beta ended, I felt like something was missing in my cozy game lineup. There is A LOT I didn’t cover in this article, for example the different worlds, the crafting elements and of course Pebble! To find out more about what Loftia has instore keep up with them on Instagram and join their discord.
Early release for Loftia is November 3rd! However the game jus announced the demo which will be available from October 19th-26th for Steam Next Fest. The ebst news is that data from the demo transfers to early access! If you’re as excited for we are let us know below!
