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It’s been a long time coming, but after eight years of waiting, Witchbrook finally has a launch window. Putting a wizarding spin on the Stardew Valley formula, I’ve been waiting to see what comes of this gorgeous-looking life sim for ages. Thanks to a new trailer that flaunts its absolutely stunning environments and a wide array of both magical and mundane activities, we now know that it’s going to be in players’ hands before the end of the year.
Featured in today’s Nintendo Direct (it’s still coming to PC, don’t panic), Witchbrook’s appearance in the showcase certainly took me by surprise. First talked about under the codename Project Spellbound in 2017, it was then fully revealed in 2018. However, in 2020, it announced a major change in approach – despite its unashamed desire to be one of the best games like Stardew Valley, it decided to differentiate itself a bit by shifting to an isometric perspective. Since then, it’s been pretty much silent. Now it’s finally ready to be shown off again, and boy does it look good.
Set in the coastal city of Mossport, and the grounds of the famous Witchbrook magic school, you’ll flit between your duties as a young student witch or wizard, exploring, and getting to know the people that live in the area. In true Stardew fashion, every individual NPC has a specific job, schedule, and personality. As the academic year progresses and seasons come and go, Mossport will evolve accordingly. Again, very Stardew-esque.
When class is in session, you’ll be busy learning the magical arts, brewing potions, partaking in rituals, and more in order to become top of the class. You can also fly a broomstick around, which is marvelous. What makes Witchbrook so great though is that while the Harry Potter fantasy is very much present here, you can still just head into town and go about a normal-looking life. You can grab a coffee, go on a picnic, take a walk through the park, or cruise around on a moped, all in regular clothes rather than cloaks and funny hats. You can even start side hustles, helping local businesses out with what appear to be courier-style jobs, judging by the trailer. However, with a quick wave of your wand, you can make magical moments happen.
In the woods on the outskirts of Mossport, you’ll also be able to set up home in a charming old cottage, which you can decorate however you please. The land around the cottage can also be transformed into your dream garden.
Witchbrook will arrive on Steam, alongside Nintendo Switch and Xbox, in Winter 2025. It’ll also be hitting Game Pass on day one as well, so if you’re subscribed, you’ll be able to jump in straight away at no extra cost.
Until then, there are plenty of other great relaxing games and life games that you can get lost in instead.
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