Underplayed Gems

Research Story (2023)

Research Story cover
Developer
PetalCatGames
Publisher
PetalCatGames, Electronic Sheep Games
Platforms
Windows
Genres
Casual, Indie, RPG, Simulation, Early Access
Rating
4.8 of 5, 331 player ratings
Typical playtime
about 40 hours
Where to get it
Steam
The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

A slow-paced, cheerful farming and research sandbox where you explore, collect, and document flora and fauna in a pixel-art world.

relaxingcozyexplorativecutecasualsandboxcollectingrpg-adjacent

What players say

Players enjoy the research mechanic that sets this farming sim apart, and they love the no-combat caves and cute creatures. However, many note the day cycle feels short, progress can be grindy, and the NPC socializing is weaker than in similar games.

Screenshots

Research Story screenshot 1Research Story screenshot 2Research Story screenshot 3Research Story screenshot 4Research Story screenshot 5

More games like this

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.