Cozy Farming Meets Chilling Mystery
Grave Seasons, showcased at Summer Game Fest 2025, redefines the farming sim genre by blending the cozy charm of Stardew Valley with a gruesome murder mystery twist. Developed by Perfect Garbage and published by Blumhouse Games, the game places you in the eerie town of Ashenridge as a fugitive seeking a fresh start on a rundown farm. Daytime gameplay feels familiar, with tasks like planting crops, watering seeds, chopping wood, and crafting items in a picturesque pixel-art world with an isometric view. The serene routine is disrupted by unsettling discoveries, such as unearthing a severed hand while tending crops, hinting at the town’s dark secrets. Engaging NPC interactions, brought to life with beautifully drawn character art, add depth to the narrative, making the cozy moments feel authentic before the tone shifts dramatically. This fusion of idyllic farming and supernatural horror creates a gripping experience that stands out in the genre.
A Terrifying Nighttime Twist
As night falls in Grave Seasons, the game transforms into a chilling horror adventure, delivering one of the most striking tonal shifts in recent gaming. A seemingly innocent foraging trip with an NPC turns deadly when a demonic werewolf attacks, leaving behind a gruesome scene of scattered remains and bloody trails. This supernatural serial killer element, paired with the game’s murder mystery mechanics, tasks players with investigating clues to uncover Ashenridge’s dark underbelly. The 30-hour narrative, expected to launch on PC and consoles in 2026, promises replayability with variable outcomes, such as the potential to save characters who perish in the demo. With intuitive farming mechanics, compelling NPC dialogue, and a haunting sound design, Grave Seasons is poised to captivate fans of both cozy sims and true-crime horror, making it a must-watch title.
