The Sapling (2019)

Developer: Wessel Stoop
Platforms: Windows, Linux
Genres: Simulation, Early Access
Rating: 4.5 of 5, 1,936 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 9.2 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

Designing and watching your own unique ecosystems evolve at a relaxed, patient pace.

relaxingatmosphericcreativeeducationalproceduralcalmsandboxsimulation

What players say

Players enjoy the sandbox evolution concept and finding creative creature designs, but they consistently report severe performance issues that make the game run poorly even on strong computers. Some also find the editor finicky and note that evolution stages skip transition periods.

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.