Featured Image Credit: Runic Forge
Topics: Steam, PC, Stardew Valley, The Elder Scrolls, Indie Games
On PC storefront Steam, Steam Medieval Fest is underway.
Running until 10am PT on Thursday, 27 April, the event unsurprisingly shines a spotlight on video games set within the medieval era.
That includes running offers on existing releases whilst also providing free demos of upcoming titles within the space.
One of the games to have dropped a demo is the delightful Hearth and Hamlet, which is already proving to be a major hit with players.
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Developed by Phorust Studios and published by Runic Forge, Hearth and Hamlet is a cozy pixel art citybuilder that blends the art style of vibes of Stardew Valley with the worldbuilding of The Elder Scrolls.
“Hearth and Hamlet is a unique experience where incremental idle gameplay meets citybuilder satisfaction and policy management,” the synopsis reads.
“Gather enough food to keep your expanding population healthy, and accumulate materials to construct new buildings and grow your settlement - all the while, unlocking shops, magic, policies, and new technologies!
“Assign workers to maximise your production, trade with strange new lands, and set your new kingdom on the path to greatness!”
Players will explore a number of different biomes, including magical swamps, ships, and “far-flung islands”.
As you’ve likely picked up, Hearth and Hamlet features idle elements so you don’t have to grind away at crafting, foraging, or gathering.
You can assign jobs to your workers and slowly see your resources build up as time passes.
The idea is to grow a small camp into a bustling city.
As you get nearer that goal, you’ll need to start making heavier decisions. For example, a city probably needs an army to defend it.
And then there’ll be decisions surrounding governmental policies and foreign trade to consider.
In fact, players of Civilization and similar franchises should feel right at home.
The more your society advances, the more buildings you’ll unlock, including churches, fortifications, and magic academies.
Hearth and Hamlet launches on PC sometime within 2026 but the demo is available now and already boasts an 88% approval rating from players.
“Very cute and relaxing game. Music makes one feel really cosy. Can't wait for the full game,” wrote one player, while another added, “Hearth and Hamlet is one of the most wonderful and charming clicker games I've ever played. Progression is super satisfying and I love seeing the whole community come together through tasks and expanding in the cosy fantasy setting!”
The demo will seemingly allow you to play through an early portion of the game, with those who have left reviews boasting anything from one to four hours of playtime.
It’s far from the only demo on offer amid Steam Medieval Fest so it’s well worth perusing the event’s hub page.
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