The Painter's Playground (2018)

Developer: Next Zen Mechanics Limited
Platforms: Windows
Genres: Casual, Indie, Simulation
Rating: 4.8 of 5, 62 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 5.2 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 low-pressure, zen-like painting sim where you doodle and level up in a coastal town, with focus on creation and collection.

casualrelaxingcreativerepetitivezenproductivity loopno fail stateleveling up

What players say

Players describe this as a painting program with light RPG elements, where you earn experience, unlock new brushes and colors, and sell artwork to others. Many highlight its relaxing atmosphere and motivating progression system, though some note the brush tools are very basic.

Screenshots

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.