This cozy PC free taster is the closest we’re getting to a Studio Ghibli RPG

Studio Ghibli is yet to adapt any of its beloved films into games, but there are plenty of games out there inspired by the acclaimed animation house’s works.

The Spirit Apprentice certainly fits that bill and this new offering is perhaps the closest we’re to get to Spirited Away becoming an RPG.

Developed by an indie dev that goes by Moss and Moon Studios, The Spirit Apprentice is described as “an East Asian fantasy RPG” that makes use of cozy pixel-art styling.

It places you in the “magical village of Moshu” where the player can learn powerful spells, force contracts with spirits, and build relationships with NPCs - and yes, that includes romance.

You’ll be able to freely explore the game’s world, encountering and taming spirits.

That Studio Ghibli inspiration is echoed in the game’s soundtrack too which promises to offer similarly peaceful and whimsical tunes.

Moss and Moon Studios

As The Spirit Apprentice is being crafted by just one developer, it’s actually launched on Kickstarter so you can support its progress.

Moss and Moon Studios hopes to raise £12,000 from backers with the Kickstarter running until Thursday, November 5.

This is an “all or nothing” project, so that funding goal needs to be reached in order for The Spirit Apprentice to be fully actualised.

If funding goes beyond that, additional features are planned.

At £14,000 in backed funds, Moss and Moon Studios will add player customisation options so that you can tailor the playable characters’ aesthetics.

If The Spirit Apprentice surpasses £18,000, an additional two romance candidates will be added.

“Join the adventure as a young apprentice, just about to start your spirit training,” begins the synopsis.

“You've moved to study under a renowned Spirit Master in the sleepy village of Moshu, but just as you start your first test, something goes terribly wrong... your master disappears to handle a tragedy in another part of the world and has left you to protect the village of Moshu in their stead.”

I mentioned that you’ll be able to catch spirits, of which there are many varieties, from “the cheeky Tanuki to the forest Bloomlets”.

Spirits allow you to unlock new forms of ancient magic. Players will also have a Spirit Garden, described as a “space between worlds” that’s yours to decorate, upgrade, and evolve - adding classical cozy mechanics within this RPG.

As for your main plight, it’s up to you to rebuild the village of Moshu and support its inhabitants.

You can sample a free demo of The Spirit Apprentice inside your browser

If you want to see what that looks like in practice, you can actually sample The Spirit Apprentice for free on PC, no download required.

The brief free demo is hosted via itch.io and will happily play directly within your browser. It only shows around 30% of Moshu village as this game very much remains a work in progress.

The Spirit Apprentice does feature dungeons and you’ll be able to sample one of these in said demo.

There are four dungeons in the full game, each with its own biome, setting, boss fight, quests, and spirit village.

READ MORE: 6 Must-Play PlayStation Games That Feel Like Studio Ghibli Films

As with many Kickstarter campaigns, there are unique rewards for pledging so much in funds.

At the lowest tier, ‘Teahouse Guest’, you’ll get a Kickstarter exclusive Teahouse Furniture Set and have your name written in-game on the Blossom Tree.

The current maximum pledge reward is known as ‘Forever in Moshu’ and sees backers transformed into a romancable NPC.

It’s well worth browsing through the rewards as those are just the minimum and maximum grade perks with many others in between.

Moss and Moon Studios hopes the final release will be eight to 10 hours in length, with the funds potentially going towards hiring a pixel artist or animator to help on the project.

At the moment, solo dev SG is creating the game in the evenings, at the weekend, and on holidays.

They say that building the game is their dream and I, for one, certainly hope it's a dream that comes true. The Spirit Apprentice looks delightful.